Release 1.0.10-alpha

Conflicts were almost all upstream's take work inserting code next to
lines our earlier cycle-recording commits had touched, plus one API
change we had to follow:

- ClipInstance trim access changed (ci.trim_start -> a ci_trim_start
  local; trim_end now needs .raw()). Took upstream's form throughout
  timeline.rs; the already-merged lines around each hunk were using it,
  so keeping ours would not have compiled.
- recording.rs wrap_at_cycle now bumps current_pass after
  close_active_notes, so a note held across the boundary has its tail
  attributed to the pass that's ending and its re-opened half to the one
  beginning. Upstream's version is a superset of ours.
- Kept our headers-only timeline mode (drop the track area below 1.5x the
  layer-header width); upstream had not touched that block.

Everything else (TRASH glyph, take actions, SetCycleMidiSeparateTakes,
engine cycle-MIDI plumbing, render_take_menu) was purely additive.

Workspace compiles; daw-backend's 32 tests pass, including the cycle and
MIDI take-slicing suites that sit directly on the resolved code.

.gitignore

@@ -39,3 +39,6 @@ packaging/squashfs-root/
 
 # Wrapper script (generated, not needed with static FFmpeg)
 lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/debian/
+
+# Personal working notes (not version-controlled)
+TODO.md

Changelog.md

@@ -1,3 +1,25 @@
+# 1.0.10-alpha:
+Changes:
+- Cycle recording: highlight a range on the timeline ruler (the cycle strip, shown when looping is armed) and the transport loops it. Recording round the loop turns each pass into a separate take you can choose between afterwards, and recording again over the same region adds more takes rather than stacking a second clip on top. Starting playback from outside the region jumps to its start
+- Takes: a "Take N/M" badge on the clip picks which take plays. Splitting a clip lets each half play a different take, so you can comp a part together from the best bits of several passes. Right-click a clip to delete the take that's playing or to delete all the unused ones; double-click a take in the list to rename it
+- MIDI cycle recording can either merge every pass into one clip (the default — earlier passes play back as you record, so you can layer a hi-hat over a kick) or keep each pass as a separate take, like audio does. Set it in Preferences → Audio
+- Painting: every colour-using tool (brush, paint bucket, eyedropper) now shares one Foreground/Background swatch row, and the eyedropper has an explicit toggle for which of the two it fills
+- Painting: the effect brushes (dodge/burn, sponge, blur, smudge, clone stamp, healing brush, pattern stamp) were stuck on a single fixed brush shape. They now each have their own size, strength, hardness and spacing, and can use any brush from the library
+- Tablet: stylus barrel buttons now work, with actions you can bind in Preferences (Pan, Eyedropper, or Eraser). Middle-mouse panning added too
+- Timeline: raster and text layers get an opacity slider; each layer row now shows only the controls that mean anything for it (volume for audio, opacity for raster/text, both for vector and video), and layers gain a visibility (eye) toggle
+- The stage gains undo/redo buttons, sized for touch and tablet use
+
+Bugfixes:
+- Splitting an audio clip made it play back at the wrong length (a clip split at 1 second cut off after half a second at 120 BPM)
+- Trimmed MIDI clips were the wrong length on the timeline at any tempo other than 60 BPM
+- The paint bucket always filled with the background colour, whatever the brush was set to
+- Where an eyedropper sample landed (foreground or background) depended on which colour picker you had opened last
+- Stylus barrel buttons were silently ignored on Wayland
+- The opacity slider on a raster layer actually changed its volume, which means nothing on a raster layer
+- Tool cursors lagged behind the pointer while drawing; they're now drawn by the system rather than into the canvas
+- Colour picker popups wouldn't close when you dragged on the stage, so drawing left one hanging open, and clicking inside a picker's own hue slider closed it
+- The toolbar could not be scrolled when the pane was too short to show every tool
+
 # 1.0.9-alpha:
 Bugfixes:
 - Fix audio recording placement: a second recording landed at the wrong spot (and clicking/dragging clips was similarly off) at any tempo other than 60 BPM — recordings now start exactly at the playhead at any tempo

README.md

@@ -58,13 +58,21 @@ Lightningbeam is developed on the `main` branch. The project has been rewritten
 - ✅ Audio engine with node graph processing
 - ✅ GPU waveform rendering with mipmaps
 - ✅ Video decoding integration
-- 🚧 Export system (in progress)
+- ✅ Export system (video, image, audio, animated GIF, SVG)
-- 🚧 Node editor UI (planned)
+- ✅ Node editor UI
-- 🚧 Piano roll editor (planned)
+- 🚧 Piano roll editor (in progress)
 
 ## Getting Started
 
-### Prerequisites
+### Download a prebuilt release
+
+If you don't want to build from source, prebuilt binaries for each release are on the
+[GitHub releases page](https://github.com/skykooler/lightningbeam/releases). Download the build for
+your platform and run it directly.
+
+### Building from source
+
+#### Prerequisites
 
 - Rust (stable toolchain via [rustup](https://rustup.rs/))
 - System dependencies:
@@ -74,7 +82,7 @@ Lightningbeam is developed on the `main` branch. The project has been rewritten
 
 See [docs/BUILDING.md](docs/BUILDING.md) for detailed setup instructions.
 
-### Building and Running
+#### Building and Running
 
 ```bash
 # Clone the repository

TODO.md

@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-# Lightningbeam TODO
-
-## Known Issues (Rust)
-
-### Animation: Tweens are broken — LOW PRIORITY
-- Shape/vector interpolation between keyframes, and the `tween_after` behavior on
-  keyframes, don't work correctly in the current app. Needs investigation + fix.
-  Not urgent — revisit later.
-
-## Backlog / Feature ideas
-
-### Animation curve enhancements
-- [ ] Extrapolation modes, separate for start vs end: hold (default), extend, repeat, decay
-- [ ] Position / scale / rotation animation curves for shapes
-- [ ] Shape morphing / tweening between keyframes
-
-### Keyframing behavior
-- [ ] User preference for keyframing when editing objects:
-  - Auto-keyframe (current default): create/update keyframe at current time
-  - Edit previous (Flash-style): update most recent keyframe before current time
-  - Ephemeral (Blender-style): changes don't persist without manual keyframe
-  - Optional modifier key (e.g. Shift) to toggle modes
-
-### Shape ordering
-- [ ] Bring Forward / Send Backward / Bring to Front / Send to Back menu options

daw-backend/src/audio/export.rs

@@ -211,6 +211,7 @@ pub fn render_to_memory(
             settings.sample_rate,
             settings.channels,
             false,
+            None, // export never runs with a recording in flight
         );
 
         // Calculate how many samples we actually need from this chunk
@@ -557,6 +558,7 @@ fn export_mp3<P: AsRef<Path>>(
             settings.sample_rate,
             settings.channels,
             false,
+            None, // export never runs with a recording in flight
         );
 
         // Calculate how many samples we need from this chunk
@@ -727,6 +729,7 @@ fn export_aac<P: AsRef<Path>>(
             settings.sample_rate,
             settings.channels,
             false,
+            None, // export never runs with a recording in flight
         );
 
         // Calculate how many samples we need from this chunk

daw-backend/src/audio/project.rs

@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ impl Project {
         sample_rate: u32,
         channels: u32,
         live_only: bool,
+        recording_midi: Option<(TrackId, MidiClipId)>,
     ) {
         output.fill(0.0);
 
@@ -391,6 +392,7 @@ impl Project {
         // Create initial render context
         let ctx = RenderContext {
             live_only,
+            recording_midi,
             ..RenderContext::new(playhead_seconds, tempo_map, sample_rate, channels, output.len())
         };
 

daw-backend/src/audio/recording.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,61 @@ use crate::time::{Beats, Seconds};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
+/// Cycle-recording bookkeeping attached to a recording that started with a cycle region armed.
+///
+/// Takes are sliced **geometrically** at stop, in exact `loop_len_frames` multiples — not at the
+/// instant the wrap was detected. The playhead advances before the capture block in `process()`, so
+/// the wrap instant isn't sample-exact against the buffer that was just captured, but the geometry
+/// is. `wrap_count` therefore only decides *whether* this is a multi-take recording, never where the
+/// cuts land.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct CycleRecordInfo {
+    /// Where the cycle region starts, in beats. Takes are laid down here, not at the punch-in point.
+    pub loop_start: Beats,
+    /// The cycle region's length in beats — what the take folder records as `recorded_loop_beats`.
+    pub loop_len_beats: Beats,
+    /// One cycle pass, in frames. The take size.
+    pub loop_len_frames: usize,
+    /// Frames between the region start and where capture actually began. Non-zero only for a
+    /// punch-in (record while already rolling); take 1 gets this much silence prepended so it still
+    /// spans the whole region.
+    pub lead_pad_frames: usize,
+    /// How many times the transport wrapped during this recording. Zero normally means the user
+    /// stopped before completing a pass, which stays an ordinary single recording — unless
+    /// `force_takes` says otherwise.
+    pub wrap_count: usize,
+    /// Cut takes even if the transport never wrapped.
+    ///
+    /// Set when the region already holds takes: a further recording there is another take, however
+    /// short, and it gets padded out to the region like any partial pass. Without this a run that
+    /// stopped before the loop came round would land as a separate overlapping clip instead of
+    /// joining the take list.
+    ///
+    /// The editor decides this at record start, because whether takes already exist is document
+    /// state the engine can't see.
+    pub force_takes: bool,
+}
+
+/// Min/max waveform peaks for a finished buffer of interleaved samples.
+///
+/// The live recording path builds its peaks incrementally as samples arrive; cycle takes don't
+/// exist until the recording is sliced at stop, so they get theirs in one pass here.
+pub fn compute_peaks(samples: &[f32], channels: u32, frames_per_peak: usize) -> Vec<WaveformPeak> {
+    let samples_per_peak = (frames_per_peak * channels.max(1) as usize).max(1);
+    samples
+        .chunks(samples_per_peak)
+        .map(|chunk| {
+            let mut min = 0.0f32;
+            let mut max = 0.0f32;
+            for s in chunk {
+                min = min.min(*s);
+                max = max.max(*s);
+            }
+            WaveformPeak { min, max }
+        })
+        .collect()
+}
+
 /// State of an active recording session
 pub struct RecordingState {
     /// Track being recorded to
@@ -35,6 +90,8 @@ pub struct RecordingState {
     pub frames_per_peak: usize,
     /// All recorded audio data accumulated in memory (written to disk at finalization)
     pub audio_data: Vec<f32>,
+    /// Cycle-recording bookkeeping, when a cycle region was armed at record start.
+    pub cycle: Option<CycleRecordInfo>,
 }
 
 impl RecordingState {
@@ -69,9 +126,69 @@ impl RecordingState {
             waveform_buffer: Vec::new(),
             frames_per_peak,
             audio_data: Vec::new(),
+            cycle: None,
         }
     }
 
+    /// Slice the recording into cycle takes: one per pass, each spanning the FULL cycle region.
+    ///
+    /// Partial passes are padded with silence — the head of take 1 for a punch-in, the tail of the
+    /// last take when the user stops mid-pass — so every take is the same length and aligned to the
+    /// region. That uniformity is what makes comping-via-split work: take 1 on the left half and
+    /// take 3 on the right always line up.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `None` if this wasn't a cycle recording or the transport never wrapped (an ordinary
+    /// single recording, which keeps the existing path untouched).
+    pub fn slice_takes(&self) -> Option<Vec<Vec<f32>>> {
+        let cycle = self.cycle?;
+        if (cycle.wrap_count == 0 && !cycle.force_takes) || cycle.loop_len_frames == 0 {
+            return None;
+        }
+
+        let ch = self.channels.max(1) as usize;
+        let take_len = cycle.loop_len_frames * ch;
+        let lead = cycle.lead_pad_frames * ch;
+
+        // The recording as positioned *within the region*: silence for the gap between the region
+        // start and the punch-in, then the captured audio. Slicing this at whole-take boundaries is
+        // the whole trick — take 1 comes out short-by-`lead` at the front, already padded.
+        let virtual_len = lead + self.audio_data.len();
+        let take_count = virtual_len.div_ceil(take_len);
+
+        let mut takes: Vec<Vec<f32>> = Vec::with_capacity(take_count);
+        for i in 0..take_count {
+            let mut take = vec![0.0f32; take_len];
+            let take_begin = i * take_len;
+            for slot in 0..take_len {
+                // Position in the virtual (lead-padded) buffer.
+                let v = take_begin + slot;
+                if v < lead {
+                    continue; // still in the punch-in silence
+                }
+                match self.audio_data.get(v - lead) {
+                    Some(s) => take[slot] = *s,
+                    None => break, // past the end of capture; the rest stays silent
+                }
+            }
+            takes.push(take);
+        }
+
+        // A final take holding only a sliver of real audio is a stop artifact (the user hit stop a
+        // moment after the wrap), not a performance. Drop it — but only if it's actually a PARTIAL
+        // pass, and never the only take. A pass that filled the region is a real take no matter how
+        // short the region is.
+        const MIN_TAKE_SECONDS: f64 = 0.05;
+        if takes.len() > 1 {
+            let last_real_samples = virtual_len - (takes.len() - 1) * take_len;
+            let last_real_seconds = (last_real_samples / ch) as f64 / self.sample_rate as f64;
+            if last_real_samples < take_len && last_real_seconds < MIN_TAKE_SECONDS {
+                takes.pop();
+            }
+        }
+
+        Some(takes)
+    }
+
     /// Add samples to the accumulation buffer
     /// Returns true if a flush occurred
     pub fn add_samples(&mut self, samples: &[f32]) -> Result<bool, std::io::Error> {
@@ -189,6 +306,26 @@ pub struct MidiRecordingState {
     active_notes: HashMap<u8, ActiveMidiNote>,
     /// Completed notes: (time_offset, note, velocity, duration) — all times in beats
     pub completed_notes: Vec<(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)>,
+    /// The cycle region's length in beats, if one was armed at record start.
+    ///
+    /// A cycle MIDI recording is anchored at the region start (`start_time == loop_start`), which is
+    /// what makes MERGE fall out for free: the transport always wraps back into the region, so every
+    /// note's offset already lands inside `[0, loop_len)` and successive passes overdub onto each
+    /// other with no folding needed.
+    pub cycle_loop_len: Option<Beats>,
+    /// Whether the transport actually came round. Distinct from `cycle_loop_len`, which only says a
+    /// region was armed: the clip only pins to the full region once a pass has completed, so until
+    /// then the bar still grows with the playhead.
+    pub wrapped: bool,
+    /// Cut takes even if the transport never wrapped — see [`CycleRecordInfo::force_takes`].
+    pub force_takes: bool,
+    /// Which cycle pass is currently being recorded (0-based). Bumped at each wrap.
+    current_pass: usize,
+    /// The pass each completed note belongs to, parallel to `completed_notes`.
+    ///
+    /// Only meaningful in "separate takes" mode, where each pass becomes its own MIDI clip. Merge
+    /// mode ignores it — all passes fold into one clip, which is the whole point.
+    note_pass: Vec<usize>,
 }
 
 impl MidiRecordingState {
@@ -199,9 +336,28 @@ impl MidiRecordingState {
             start_time,
             active_notes: HashMap::new(),
             completed_notes: Vec::new(),
+            cycle_loop_len: None,
+            wrapped: false,
+            force_takes: false,
+            current_pass: 0,
+            note_pass: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
 
+    /// Record a finished note, tagging it with the pass it was played in.
+    ///
+    /// Every completion goes through here so `completed_notes` and `note_pass` can't drift apart.
+    fn push_completed(&mut self, note: &ActiveMidiNote, end_time: Beats) {
+        let note_start = note.start_time.max(self.start_time);
+        self.completed_notes.push((
+            note_start - self.start_time,
+            note.note,
+            note.velocity,
+            end_time - note_start,
+        ));
+        self.note_pass.push(self.current_pass);
+    }
+
     pub fn note_on(&mut self, note: u8, velocity: u8, absolute_time: Beats) {
         self.active_notes.insert(note, ActiveMidiNote { note, velocity, start_time: absolute_time });
     }
@@ -211,16 +367,38 @@ impl MidiRecordingState {
             if absolute_time <= self.start_time {
                 return;
             }
-            let note_start = active_note.start_time.max(self.start_time);
+            self.push_completed(&active_note, absolute_time);
-            self.completed_notes.push((
-                note_start - self.start_time,
-                active_note.note,
-                active_note.velocity,
-                absolute_time - note_start,
-            ));
         }
     }
 
+    /// Completed notes grouped by cycle pass — one bucket per pass, in recording order.
+    ///
+    /// Used by "separate takes" mode, where each pass becomes its own MIDI clip.
+    ///
+    /// An *interior* pass in which nothing was played still yields an empty take, so take N in the
+    /// folder is always pass N on the transport — otherwise the numbering would silently shift and
+    /// "take 3" would stop meaning "the third time round". A *trailing* empty pass is dropped
+    /// though: that's what you get by hitting stop shortly after a wrap, and it's a stop artifact
+    /// rather than a take you played. (Same reasoning as the audio path's short-final-take rule.)
+    pub fn notes_by_pass(&self, passes: usize) -> Vec<Vec<(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)>> {
+        let mut buckets = vec![Vec::new(); passes.max(1)];
+        for (note, &pass) in self.completed_notes.iter().zip(self.note_pass.iter()) {
+            if let Some(bucket) = buckets.get_mut(pass) {
+                bucket.push(*note);
+            }
+        }
+        // Never drop the only take.
+        while buckets.len() > 1 && buckets.last().is_some_and(|b| b.is_empty()) {
+            buckets.pop();
+        }
+        buckets
+    }
+
+    /// How many cycle passes this recording covered (1 if the transport never wrapped).
+    pub fn pass_count(&self) -> usize {
+        self.current_pass + 1
+    }
+
     pub fn get_notes(&self) -> &[(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)] {
         &self.completed_notes
     }
@@ -229,18 +407,28 @@ impl MidiRecordingState {
         self.completed_notes.len()
     }
 
-    /// Get all completed notes plus currently-held notes with a provisional duration.
+    /// The still-held notes, given a provisional duration running to `current_time`.
-    pub fn get_notes_with_active(&self, current_time: Beats) -> Vec<(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)> {
+    ///
-        let mut notes = self.completed_notes.clone();
+    /// These belong to whatever pass is in progress, so a per-pass view can append them as-is.
-        for active in self.active_notes.values() {
+    pub fn active_notes_with_provisional_end(&self, current_time: Beats) -> Vec<(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)> {
+        self.active_notes
+            .values()
+            .map(|active| {
                 let note_start = active.start_time.max(self.start_time);
-            notes.push((
+                (
                     note_start - self.start_time,
                     active.note,
                     active.velocity,
                     (current_time - note_start).max(Beats::ZERO),
-            ));
+                )
+            })
+            .collect()
     }
+
+    /// Get all completed notes plus currently-held notes with a provisional duration.
+    pub fn get_notes_with_active(&self, current_time: Beats) -> Vec<(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)> {
+        let mut notes = self.completed_notes.clone();
+        notes.extend(self.active_notes_with_provisional_end(current_time));
         notes
     }
 
@@ -252,13 +440,259 @@ impl MidiRecordingState {
         let active_notes: Vec<_> = self.active_notes.drain().collect();
 
         for (_note_num, active_note) in active_notes {
-            let note_start = active_note.start_time.max(self.start_time);
+            self.push_completed(&active_note, end_time);
-            self.completed_notes.push((
-                note_start - self.start_time,
-                active_note.note,
-                active_note.velocity,
-                end_time - note_start,
-            ));
         }
     }
+
+    /// Handle a transport cycle wrap during MIDI recording.
+    ///
+    /// Note times are stored as offsets from `start_time`, and the playhead jumps *backwards* at a
+    /// wrap — so a note still held across the boundary would otherwise get a nonsensical (negative)
+    /// duration, or never be closed at all. Write its note-off at `region_end` (exactly as
+    /// `close_active_notes` does when recording stops), then re-open it at `region_start` so a key
+    /// the player is still physically holding keeps being captured in the next pass. Mirrors the
+    /// way `handle_start_midi_recording` re-injects already-held notes at the recording start.
+    pub fn wrap_at_cycle(&mut self, region_end: Beats, region_start: Beats) {
+        // Snapshot the held notes (close_active_notes drains them and loses the velocities).
+        let held: Vec<(u8, u8)> = self
+            .active_notes
+            .values()
+            .map(|n| (n.note, n.velocity))
+            .collect();
+
+        // Close first, so a note held across the boundary has its tail attributed to the pass that's
+        // ending; then advance, so the re-opened half belongs to the pass that's beginning.
+        self.close_active_notes(region_end);
+        self.current_pass += 1;
+
+        for (note, velocity) in held {
+            self.note_on(note, velocity, region_start);
+        }
+
+        // A pass has completed, so from here the clip spans the whole region rather than however long
+        // the user happens to hold the record button.
+        self.cycle_loop_len = Some(region_end - region_start);
+        self.wrapped = true;
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod cycle_tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// A recording state holding `audio_data`, armed for cycle recording. Mono, 100 Hz, so a frame
+    /// is a sample and 5 frames is 50 ms (exactly the min-take threshold).
+    fn rec_forced(audio: Vec<f32>, loop_len_frames: usize, lead_pad_frames: usize, wraps: usize) -> RecordingState {
+        let mut r = rec(audio, loop_len_frames, lead_pad_frames, wraps);
+        if let Some(c) = r.cycle.as_mut() {
+            c.force_takes = true;
+        }
+        r
+    }
+
+    fn rec(audio: Vec<f32>, loop_len_frames: usize, lead_pad_frames: usize, wraps: usize) -> RecordingState {
+        let mut r = RecordingState::new(
+            0,
+            0,
+            PathBuf::from("/dev/null"),
+            WavWriter::create(&PathBuf::from("/dev/null"), 100, 1).expect("wav writer"),
+            100,
+            1,
+            Beats(0.0),
+            1.0,
+        );
+        r.audio_data = audio;
+        r.cycle = Some(CycleRecordInfo {
+            loop_start: Beats(0.0),
+            loop_len_beats: Beats(4.0),
+            loop_len_frames,
+            lead_pad_frames,
+            wrap_count: wraps,
+            force_takes: false,
+        });
+        r
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn no_wrap_is_not_a_cycle_recording() {
+        // Stopping before the transport ever wraps stays an ordinary single recording — the whole
+        // point of triggering on the wrap rather than on the cycle region merely existing.
+        let r = rec(vec![1.0; 10], 4, 0, 0);
+        assert!(r.slice_takes().is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn force_takes_makes_a_partial_pass_a_take() {
+        // Recording over a region that already holds takes: this run is another take however short
+        // it ran, so it's cut and padded like any partial pass rather than landing as a separate
+        // overlapping clip. Two real frames of an 8-frame region -> one take, silence for the rest.
+        let takes = rec_forced(vec![1.0, 2.0], 8, 0, 0)
+            .slice_takes()
+            .expect("forced takes");
+        assert_eq!(takes.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(takes[0], vec![1.0, 2.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn takes_are_cut_at_exact_loop_multiples() {
+        // 12 frames of audio, 4-frame loop, started at the region start => 3 clean takes.
+        let audio: Vec<f32> = (1..=12).map(|i| i as f32).collect();
+        let takes = rec(audio, 4, 0, 2).slice_takes().expect("cycle takes");
+        assert_eq!(takes.len(), 3);
+        assert_eq!(takes[0], vec![1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0]);
+        assert_eq!(takes[1], vec![5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0]);
+        assert_eq!(takes[2], vec![9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn punch_in_pads_the_head_of_take_one() {
+        // Punched in 2 frames into the region: take 1 gets 2 frames of silence at the FRONT so it
+        // still spans the whole region and lines up with every other take.
+        let audio: Vec<f32> = (1..=10).map(|i| i as f32).collect();
+        let takes = rec(audio, 4, 2, 2).slice_takes().expect("cycle takes");
+        assert_eq!(takes.len(), 3);
+        assert_eq!(takes[0], vec![0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 2.0]);
+        assert_eq!(takes[1], vec![3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0]);
+        assert_eq!(takes[2], vec![7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn stopping_mid_pass_pads_the_tail_of_the_last_take() {
+        // 13 frames, 8-frame loop => the second take holds 5 real frames (50 ms at 100 Hz, right at
+        // the keep threshold) and 3 of silence.
+        let audio: Vec<f32> = (1..=13).map(|i| i as f32).collect();
+        let takes = rec(audio, 8, 0, 1).slice_takes().expect("cycle takes");
+        assert_eq!(takes.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(takes[1], vec![9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn every_take_is_the_same_length() {
+        // Uniform length is the invariant comping-via-split depends on.
+        let audio: Vec<f32> = (1..=23).map(|i| i as f32).collect();
+        let takes = rec(audio, 8, 3, 3).slice_takes().expect("cycle takes");
+        assert!(takes.iter().all(|t| t.len() == 8), "takes must be uniform");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_sliver_of_a_final_take_is_dropped() {
+        // Stopped 1 frame (10 ms at 100 Hz) after the wrap — below the 50 ms floor, so that stub of
+        // a take is a stop artifact and goes.
+        let audio: Vec<f32> = (1..=9).map(|i| i as f32).collect();
+        let takes = rec(audio, 8, 0, 1).slice_takes().expect("cycle takes");
+        assert_eq!(takes.len(), 1, "a 10ms tail take should be dropped");
+        assert_eq!(takes[0].len(), 8);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_full_final_take_is_never_dropped() {
+        // Regression: the sliver rule must only fire on a PARTIAL pass. A pass that filled the
+        // region is a real take however short the region is — an earlier version compared a full
+        // take's duration to the floor and silently ate it.
+        let audio: Vec<f32> = (1..=8).map(|i| i as f32).collect();
+        let takes = rec(audio, 4, 0, 1).slice_takes().expect("cycle takes");
+        assert_eq!(takes.len(), 2, "both passes filled the region");
+        assert_eq!(takes[1], vec![5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0]);
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod midi_cycle_tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// A MIDI recording anchored at the region start (beat 0), region 4 beats long.
+    fn rec() -> MidiRecordingState {
+        MidiRecordingState::new(0, 0, Beats(0.0))
+    }
+
+    /// One pass of the transport around a 4-beat region.
+    fn wrap(r: &mut MidiRecordingState) {
+        r.wrap_at_cycle(Beats(4.0), Beats(0.0));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn notes_are_bucketed_by_the_pass_they_were_played_in() {
+        let mut r = rec();
+        r.note_on(60, 100, Beats(1.0));
+        r.note_off(60, Beats(2.0)); // pass 0
+        wrap(&mut r);
+        r.note_on(62, 100, Beats(1.0));
+        r.note_off(62, Beats(2.0)); // pass 1
+        wrap(&mut r);
+        r.note_on(64, 100, Beats(1.0));
+        r.note_off(64, Beats(2.0)); // pass 2
+
+        assert_eq!(r.pass_count(), 3);
+        let by_pass = r.notes_by_pass(r.pass_count());
+        let pitches: Vec<Vec<u8>> = by_pass
+            .iter()
+            .map(|p| p.iter().map(|n| n.1).collect())
+            .collect();
+        assert_eq!(pitches, vec![vec![60], vec![62], vec![64]]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_note_held_across_a_wrap_splits_between_the_two_passes() {
+        // The key is still down at the boundary: the sounding half belongs to the pass that's
+        // ending, and the re-opened half to the pass that's beginning. Getting the pass bump on the
+        // wrong side of close_active_notes would file the whole note under one pass.
+        let mut r = rec();
+        r.note_on(60, 100, Beats(3.0));
+        wrap(&mut r); // still held
+        r.note_off(60, Beats(1.0)); // released 1 beat into the next pass
+
+        assert_eq!(r.pass_count(), 2);
+        let by_pass = r.notes_by_pass(r.pass_count());
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[0].len(), 1, "the held half lands in the pass that ended");
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[1].len(), 1, "the re-opened half lands in the next pass");
+        // Pass 0's half runs from beat 3 to the region end at 4.
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[0][0].0, Beats(3.0));
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[0][0].3, Beats(1.0));
+        // Pass 1's half starts at the region start and runs to the release.
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[1][0].0, Beats(0.0));
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[1][0].3, Beats(1.0));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_silent_interior_pass_still_yields_an_empty_take() {
+        // Take N in the folder must be pass N on the transport, even if nothing was played — else
+        // the take numbering silently shifts under the user.
+        let mut r = rec();
+        r.note_on(60, 100, Beats(1.0));
+        r.note_off(60, Beats(2.0)); // pass 0
+        wrap(&mut r);
+        wrap(&mut r); // pass 1: played nothing
+        r.note_on(64, 100, Beats(1.0));
+        r.note_off(64, Beats(2.0)); // pass 2
+
+        let by_pass = r.notes_by_pass(r.pass_count());
+        assert_eq!(by_pass.len(), 3);
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[1].len(), 0, "the silent pass is still take 2");
+        assert_eq!(by_pass[2][0].1, 64);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_trailing_empty_pass_is_dropped() {
+        // Hitting stop shortly after a wrap leaves a pass you never played into. That's a stop
+        // artifact, not a take — unlike a silent pass in the middle, which was a deliberate rest.
+        let mut r = rec();
+        r.note_on(60, 100, Beats(1.0));
+        r.note_off(60, Beats(2.0)); // pass 0
+        wrap(&mut r);
+        r.note_on(62, 100, Beats(1.0));
+        r.note_off(62, Beats(2.0)); // pass 1
+        wrap(&mut r); // pass 2 begins... and the user hits stop
+
+        assert_eq!(r.pass_count(), 3);
+        let by_pass = r.notes_by_pass(r.pass_count());
+        assert_eq!(by_pass.len(), 2, "the empty trailing pass is not a take");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn an_empty_recording_still_yields_one_take() {
+        let mut r = rec();
+        wrap(&mut r);
+        wrap(&mut r);
+        assert_eq!(r.notes_by_pass(r.pass_count()).len(), 1);
+    }
 }

daw-backend/src/audio/track.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use super::automation::{AutomationLane, AutomationLaneId, ParameterId};
 use super::clip::{AudioClipInstance, AudioClipInstanceId};
-use super::midi::{MidiClipInstance, MidiClipInstanceId, MidiEvent};
+use super::midi::{MidiClipId, MidiClipInstance, MidiClipInstanceId, MidiEvent};
 use super::midi_pool::MidiClipPool;
 use super::node_graph::AudioGraph;
 use super::node_graph::nodes::{AudioInputNode, AudioOutputNode};
@@ -43,6 +43,13 @@ pub struct RenderContext<'a> {
     /// Used after pause/stop to route note-off tails through the normal group hierarchy
     /// without re-triggering notes from clips at the paused position.
     pub live_only: bool,
+    /// The MIDI recording in progress, if any: (track being recorded to, clip being recorded into).
+    ///
+    /// On that track, every OTHER clip is silenced for the duration of the recording. You're playing
+    /// a part into this region — hearing what's already there (a previous take, say) fighting with
+    /// what you're playing now is just noise. The clip being recorded into is exempt, because in
+    /// merge mode that's exactly what you DO want to hear: the overdub you've been building up.
+    pub recording_midi: Option<(TrackId, MidiClipId)>,
 }
 
 impl<'a> RenderContext<'a> {
@@ -61,6 +68,7 @@ impl<'a> RenderContext<'a> {
             buffer_size,
             time_stretch: 1.0,
             live_only: false,
+            recording_midi: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -864,9 +872,21 @@ impl MidiTrack {
             let playhead_beats = ctx.playhead_beats();
             let buffer_end_beats = ctx.buffer_end_beats();
 
+            // While recording into this track, every clip EXCEPT the one being recorded into is
+            // silenced. Otherwise a take folder already sitting in the cycle region would play its
+            // active take underneath you on every pass, fighting the part you're trying to record.
+            // The recording clip itself is exempt: in merge mode that's the overdub monitoring.
+            let muted_clip = match ctx.recording_midi {
+                Some((track_id, clip_id)) if track_id == self.id => Some(clip_id),
+                _ => None,
+            };
+
             // Collect MIDI events from all clip instances that overlap with current beat range
             let mut currently_active = HashSet::new();
             for instance in &self.clip_instances {
+                if muted_clip.is_some_and(|recording| instance.clip_id != recording) {
+                    continue;
+                }
                 if instance.overlaps_range(playhead_beats, buffer_end_beats) {
                     currently_active.insert(instance.id);
                 }

daw-backend/src/command/mod.rs

@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 pub mod types;
 
-pub use types::{AudioEvent, Command, MidiClipData, OscilloscopeData, Query, QueryResponse};
+pub use types::{AudioEvent, Command, MidiClipData, OscilloscopeData, Query, QueryResponse, TrimRange};

daw-backend/src/command/types.rs

@@ -8,6 +8,21 @@ use crate::audio::node_graph::nodes::LoopMode;
 use crate::io::WaveformPeak;
 use crate::time::{Beats, Seconds};
 
+/// A clip's internal (content) boundaries, tagged with the domain they're measured in.
+///
+/// A clip's content time is SECONDS for sampled audio but BEATS for MIDI — the same polymorphism
+/// `ClipInstance::trim_start`/`trim_end` carry. Passing these as bare `f64`s meant the caller and
+/// the engine could disagree about the unit with nothing to catch it: an audio trim of "1.0" was
+/// once stored as `Beats(1.0)` for the clip's external duration, so a 1-second split played back as
+/// half a second at 120 BPM. Tagging the domain makes that a type error instead of a bug report.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq)]
+pub enum TrimRange {
+    /// Sampled-audio content time.
+    Seconds { start: Seconds, end: Seconds },
+    /// MIDI content time.
+    Beats { start: Beats, end: Beats },
+}
+
 /// Commands sent from UI/control thread to audio thread
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub enum Command {
@@ -19,7 +34,7 @@ pub enum Command {
     /// Pause playback (maintains position)
     Pause,
     /// Seek to a specific position in seconds
-    Seek(f64),
+    Seek(Seconds),
 
     // Track management commands
     /// Set track volume (0.0 = silence, 1.0 = unity gain)
@@ -31,13 +46,12 @@ pub enum Command {
 
     // Clip management commands
     /// Move a clip to a new timeline position (track_id, clip_id, new_external_start)
-    MoveClip(TrackId, ClipId, f64),
+    MoveClip(TrackId, ClipId, Beats),
-    /// Trim a clip's internal boundaries (track_id, clip_id, new_internal_start, new_internal_end)
+    /// Trim a clip's internal boundaries — which portion of the source content is used.
-    /// This changes which portion of the source content is used
+    TrimClip(TrackId, ClipId, TrimRange),
-    TrimClip(TrackId, ClipId, f64, f64),
     /// Extend/shrink a clip's external duration (track_id, clip_id, new_external_duration)
     /// If duration > internal duration, the clip will loop
-    ExtendClip(TrackId, ClipId, f64),
+    ExtendClip(TrackId, ClipId, Beats),
 
     // Metatrack management commands
     /// Create a new metatrack with a name and optional parent group
@@ -53,15 +67,15 @@ pub enum Command {
     SetTimeStretch(TrackId, f32),
     /// Set metatrack time offset in seconds (track_id, offset)
     /// Positive = shift content later, negative = shift earlier
-    SetOffset(TrackId, f64),
+    SetOffset(TrackId, Seconds),
     /// Set metatrack pitch shift in semitones (track_id, semitones) - for future use
     SetPitchShift(TrackId, f32),
     /// Set metatrack trim start in seconds (track_id, trim_start)
     /// Children won't hear content before this point
-    SetTrimStart(TrackId, f64),
+    SetTrimStart(TrackId, Seconds),
     /// Set metatrack trim end in seconds (track_id, trim_end)
     /// None means no end trim
-    SetTrimEnd(TrackId, Option<f64>),
+    SetTrimEnd(TrackId, Option<Seconds>),
 
     // Audio track commands
     /// Create a new audio track with a name and optional parent group
@@ -80,14 +94,14 @@ pub enum Command {
     /// Add a MIDI clip to the pool without placing it on a track
     AddMidiClipToPool(MidiClip),
     /// Create a new MIDI clip on a track (track_id, start_time, duration)
-    CreateMidiClip(TrackId, f64, f64),
+    CreateMidiClip(TrackId, Beats, Beats),
     /// Add a MIDI note to a clip (track_id, clip_id, time_offset, note, velocity, duration)
-    AddMidiNote(TrackId, MidiClipId, f64, u8, u8, f64),
+    AddMidiNote(TrackId, MidiClipId, Beats, u8, u8, Beats),
     /// Add a pre-loaded MIDI clip to a track (track_id, clip, start_time)
-    AddLoadedMidiClip(TrackId, MidiClip, f64),
+    AddLoadedMidiClip(TrackId, MidiClip, Beats),
     /// Update MIDI clip notes (track_id, clip_id, notes: Vec<(start_time, note, velocity, duration)>)
     /// NOTE: May need to switch to individual note operations if this becomes slow on clips with many notes
-    UpdateMidiClipNotes(TrackId, MidiClipId, Vec<(f64, u8, u8, f64)>),
+    UpdateMidiClipNotes(TrackId, MidiClipId, Vec<(Beats, u8, u8, Beats)>),
     /// Replace all events in a MIDI clip (track_id, clip_id, events). Used for CC/pitch bend editing.
     UpdateMidiClipEvents(TrackId, MidiClipId, Vec<MidiEvent>),
     /// Remove a MIDI clip instance from a track (track_id, instance_id) - for undo/redo support
@@ -103,9 +117,9 @@ pub enum Command {
     /// Create a new automation lane on a track (track_id, parameter_id)
     CreateAutomationLane(TrackId, ParameterId),
     /// Add an automation point to a lane (track_id, lane_id, time, value, curve)
-    AddAutomationPoint(TrackId, AutomationLaneId, f64, f32, CurveType),
+    AddAutomationPoint(TrackId, AutomationLaneId, Beats, f32, CurveType),
     /// Remove an automation point at a specific time (track_id, lane_id, time, tolerance)
-    RemoveAutomationPoint(TrackId, AutomationLaneId, f64, f64),
+    RemoveAutomationPoint(TrackId, AutomationLaneId, Beats, Beats),
     /// Clear all automation points from a lane (track_id, lane_id)
     ClearAutomationLane(TrackId, AutomationLaneId),
     /// Remove an automation lane (track_id, lane_id)
@@ -113,9 +127,24 @@ pub enum Command {
     /// Enable/disable an automation lane (track_id, lane_id, enabled)
     SetAutomationLaneEnabled(TrackId, AutomationLaneId, bool),
 
+    // Transport cycle (loop) region
+    /// Set the cycle region the transport loops over, in beats (None clears it).
+    /// Authored in beats so it survives tempo changes.
+    SetLoopRegion(Option<(Beats, Beats)>),
+    /// Enable/disable wrapping at the cycle region's end.
+    SetLoopEnabled(bool),
+    /// How a cycle MIDI recording treats its passes.
+    ///
+    /// `false` (default) = MERGE: every pass overdubs into one clip. `true` = SEPARATE TAKES: each
+    /// pass becomes its own MIDI clip, and the editor folds them into a take folder — the same shape
+    /// audio always gets.
+    SetCycleMidiSeparateTakes(bool),
+
     // Recording commands
     /// Start recording on a track (track_id, start_time)
-    StartRecording(TrackId, Beats),
+    /// (track, start_time, force_takes — cut takes even if the transport never wraps, because the
+    /// region already holds takes and this is another one)
+    StartRecording(TrackId, Beats, bool),
     /// Stop the current recording
     StopRecording,
     /// Pause the current recording
@@ -125,7 +154,8 @@ pub enum Command {
 
     // MIDI Recording commands
     /// Start MIDI recording on a track (track_id, clip_id, start_time)
-    StartMidiRecording(TrackId, MidiClipId, Beats),
+    /// (track, clip, start_time, force_takes — see [`Command::StartRecording`])
+    StartMidiRecording(TrackId, MidiClipId, Beats, bool),
     /// Stop the current MIDI recording
     StopMidiRecording,
 
@@ -237,9 +267,9 @@ pub enum Command {
 
     // Automation Input Node commands
     /// Add or update a keyframe on an AutomationInput node (track_id, node_id, time, value, interpolation, ease_out, ease_in)
-    AutomationAddKeyframe(TrackId, u32, f64, f32, String, (f32, f32), (f32, f32)),
+    AutomationAddKeyframe(TrackId, u32, Beats, f32, String, (f32, f32), (f32, f32)),
     /// Remove a keyframe from an AutomationInput node (track_id, node_id, time)
-    AutomationRemoveKeyframe(TrackId, u32, f64),
+    AutomationRemoveKeyframe(TrackId, u32, Beats),
     /// Set the display name of an AutomationInput node (track_id, node_id, name)
     AutomationSetName(TrackId, u32, String),
 
@@ -271,7 +301,7 @@ pub enum Command {
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub enum AudioEvent {
     /// Current playback position in seconds
-    PlaybackPosition(f64),
+    PlaybackPosition(Seconds),
     /// Playback has stopped (reached end of audio)
     PlaybackStopped,
     /// Audio buffer underrun detected
@@ -292,6 +322,35 @@ pub enum AudioEvent {
     RecordingProgress(ClipId, Seconds),
     /// Recording stopped (clip_id, pool_index, waveform)
     RecordingStopped(ClipId, usize, Vec<WaveformPeak>),
+    /// A MIDI recording that wrapped the cycle region at least once, in SEPARATE TAKES mode.
+    ///
+    /// One MIDI clip per pass, in recording order. (Merge mode emits the ordinary
+    /// `MidiRecordingStopped` instead — all passes are already folded into the one clip.)
+    MidiCycleRecordingStopped {
+        track_id: TrackId,
+        /// One pool MIDI clip per pass. The first is the clip the recording started on.
+        clip_ids: Vec<MidiClipId>,
+        /// Where the takes sit on the timeline — the cycle region's start.
+        loop_start: Beats,
+        /// The region's length in beats: every take spans exactly this.
+        loop_len_beats: Beats,
+    },
+    /// A recording that wrapped the cycle region at least once, and so became multi-take.
+    ///
+    /// Each take spans the full region and they're all the same length (partial passes are padded
+    /// with silence), so the editor can promote the recording clip straight to a take folder.
+    CycleRecordingStopped {
+        clip_id: ClipId,
+        /// One entry per pass: (audio pool index, waveform peaks), in recording order.
+        takes: Vec<(usize, Vec<WaveformPeak>)>,
+        /// Where the takes sit on the timeline — the cycle region's start, not the punch-in point.
+        loop_start: Beats,
+        /// The region's length in beats (what the take folder stores as `recorded_loop_beats`).
+        loop_len_beats: Beats,
+        /// The same length in seconds — the take folder's content duration, which is seconds-domain
+        /// for audio.
+        loop_len_seconds: Seconds,
+    },
     /// Recording error (error_message)
     RecordingError(String),
     /// MIDI recording stopped (track_id, clip_id, note_count)
@@ -342,7 +401,7 @@ pub enum AudioEvent {
     WaveformChunksReady {
         pool_index: usize,
         detail_level: u8,
-        chunks: Vec<(u32, (f64, f64), Vec<WaveformPeak>)>,
+        chunks: Vec<(u32, (Seconds, Seconds), Vec<WaveformPeak>)>,
     },
 
     /// An audio file has been imported and is ready for playback.
@@ -353,7 +412,7 @@ pub enum AudioEvent {
         path: String,
         channels: u32,
         sample_rate: u32,
-        duration: f64,
+        duration: Seconds,
         format: crate::io::audio_file::AudioFormat,
     },
 
@@ -427,7 +486,7 @@ pub enum Query {
     /// Export audio to file (settings, output_path)
     ExportAudio(crate::audio::ExportSettings, std::path::PathBuf),
     /// Add a MIDI clip to a track synchronously (track_id, clip, start_time) - returns instance ID
-    AddMidiClipSync(TrackId, crate::audio::midi::MidiClip, f64),
+    AddMidiClipSync(TrackId, crate::audio::midi::MidiClip, Beats),
     /// Add a MIDI clip instance to a track synchronously (track_id, instance) - returns instance ID
     /// The clip must already exist in the MidiClipPool
     AddMidiClipInstanceSync(TrackId, crate::audio::midi::MidiClipInstance),
@@ -472,16 +531,21 @@ pub struct OscilloscopeData {
 }
 
 /// MIDI clip data for serialization
+///
+/// `Beats`/`Seconds` are `#[serde(transparent)]`, so naming the domain here costs nothing on disk —
+/// the `.beam` still holds a plain number.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
 pub struct MidiClipData {
-    pub duration: f64,
+    /// MIDI content length is musical, so beats.
+    pub duration: Beats,
     pub events: Vec<crate::audio::midi::MidiEvent>,
 }
 
 /// Automation keyframe data for serialization
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
 pub struct AutomationKeyframeData {
-    pub time: f64,
+    /// Automation x-axes are all beats.
+    pub time: Beats,
     pub value: f32,
     pub interpolation: String,
     pub ease_out: (f32, f32),
@@ -518,7 +582,7 @@ pub enum QueryResponse {
     /// Pool waveform data
     PoolWaveform(Result<Vec<crate::io::WaveformPeak>, String>),
     /// Pool file info (duration, sample_rate, channels)
-    PoolFileInfo(Result<(f64, u32, u32), String>),
+    PoolFileInfo(Result<(Seconds, u32, u32), String>),
     /// Audio exported
     AudioExported(Result<(), String>),
     /// MIDI clip instance added (returns instance ID)

daw-backend/src/lib.rs

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ pub use audio::{
     TrackNode,
 };
 pub use audio::node_graph::{GraphPreset, AudioGraph, PresetMetadata, SerializedConnection, SerializedNode};
-pub use time::{Beats, Seconds};
+pub use time::{Beats, ContentTime, Seconds};
 pub use tempo_map::{TempoEntry, TempoInterpolation, TempoMap, beats_to_seconds_stack, seconds_to_beats_stack};
 pub use command::{AudioEvent, Command, OscilloscopeData};
 pub use command::types::AutomationKeyframeData;

daw-backend/src/time.rs

@@ -16,6 +16,50 @@ pub struct Beats(pub f64);
 #[serde(transparent)]
 pub struct Seconds(pub f64);
 
+/// A time *inside a clip's own content*, in whatever unit that clip measures content in.
+///
+/// Clip content time is domain-polymorphic: SECONDS for sampled audio, video and vector, but BEATS
+/// for MIDI (musical, so it survives tempo changes). `ClipInstance::trim_start`/`trim_end` are
+/// content times, and storing them as bare `f64`s is what let a seconds delta get added to a MIDI
+/// clip's beats trim — splitting a MIDI clip at beat 4 landed at beat 2 at 120 BPM.
+///
+/// This type is deliberately a **dead end**: it has no `.to_seconds()`, no `.to_beats()`, and no
+/// arithmetic with `Seconds` or `Beats`. Content times can be compared and combined with each other
+/// (that's domain-safe — both operands are in the same clip's domain), but the only way to get a
+/// real timeline duration out is to resolve it against the clip that knows the domain, via
+/// `AudioClip::resolve_content_time` / `Document::resolve_content_time`. So a passthrough costs
+/// nothing, and mixing domains won't compile.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, PartialOrd, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(transparent)]
+pub struct ContentTime(pub f64);
+
+impl ContentTime {
+    pub const ZERO: Self = Self(0.0);
+
+    pub fn max(self, other: Self) -> Self { Self(self.0.max(other.0)) }
+    pub fn min(self, other: Self) -> Self { Self(self.0.min(other.0)) }
+
+    /// The raw magnitude, with the domain discarded.
+    ///
+    /// Only for code that is *already* working in this clip's content domain (trim arithmetic,
+    /// serialization, drawing a waveform whose x-axis is the clip's own content). If you are about
+    /// to combine this with a timeline position, resolve it against the clip instead.
+    pub fn raw(self) -> f64 { self.0 }
+}
+
+impl Add for ContentTime {
+    type Output = Self;
+    fn add(self, rhs: Self) -> Self { Self(self.0 + rhs.0) }
+}
+impl Sub for ContentTime {
+    type Output = Self;
+    fn sub(self, rhs: Self) -> Self { Self(self.0 - rhs.0) }
+}
+impl Rem for ContentTime {
+    type Output = Self;
+    fn rem(self, rhs: Self) -> Self { Self(self.0 % rhs.0) }
+}
+
 impl Beats {
     pub const ZERO: Self = Self(0.0);
 

daw-backend/src/tui/mod.rs

@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ pub fn run_tui(
             while let Ok(event) = rx.pop() {
                 match event {
                     AudioEvent::PlaybackPosition(pos) => {
-                        app.update_playback_position(pos);
+                        app.update_playback_position(pos.seconds_to_f64());
                     }
                     AudioEvent::PlaybackStopped => {
                         app.set_playing(false);

lightningbeam-ui/Cargo.lock

@@ -3628,7 +3628,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lightningbeam-editor"
-version = "1.0.8-alpha"
+version = "1.0.9-alpha"
 dependencies = [
  "beamdsp",
  "bytemuck",

lightningbeam-ui/GPU_VIDEO_DECODE_PLAN.md

@@ -1,142 +0,0 @@
-# GPU-resident video decode + dynamic decode resolution
-
-## Context
-
-Profiling the zero-copy H.264 export (single Group[Video, Audio] clip, `LB_RENDER_PROFILE=1`)
-broke the per-frame CPU "render" bucket down as:
-
-| Cost (ms/frame)         | 1080p | 4K    | What it is                                          |
-|-------------------------|-------|-------|-----------------------------------------------------|
-| decode                  | 3.1   | 19.0  | software ffmpeg decode (`video.rs::get_frame`)      |
-| background re-render     | 3.6   | 7.5   | static background pushed through Vello *every frame* |
-| video upload + blit      | 4.1   | 4.2   | per-frame transient texture alloc + `write_texture`  |
-| srgb                    | 0.4   | 0.4   | linear→sRGB pass                                     |
-
-The video correctly takes the GPU Video-instance path (not Vello-baked) — `LB_LAYER_DEBUG=1`
-shows `Video (1 instance)`. So the cost is **the video frame itself**: software decode, then an
-8 MB `write_texture` upload of the decoded RGBA every frame. At 4K, software decode (19 ms)
-dominates everything.
-
-### Two correctness problems found alongside the perf issue
-
-1. **Decode resolution is frozen to document size at import.** `load_video(clip, src, doc_w, doc_h)`
-   (`main.rs:4302`) sizes the decoder's swscale output to the document, capped to never upscale
-   (`video.rs:149`). Export *reuses that decoder*, so exporting **above** document resolution yields
-   video that was decoded to ≤document res and then GPU-**up**scaled — real source detail thrown away.
-2. **It can't follow the consumer or a document resize.** Preview wants small/fast frames; export
-   wants full res; changing the document size should re-target the decode. None of that works with a
-   size frozen at import.
-
-## Goal
-
-Decouple **decode resolution** from import/document size: the renderer requests a frame *at a target
-resolution*, and the decode path produces it. Hardware-decode H.264 (and later HEVC/AV1) into a GPU
-surface and keep it GPU-resident through composite into the encoder — no CPU frame copy in either
-direction. Software decode stays a **first-class** path (codecs/platforms without HW support), decoding
-at the requested target res. This fixes the 4K decode wall, the 8 MB upload, *and* the resolution bugs.
-
-## Design principles
-
-- **Decode native, scale to the consumer's target.**
-  - *Hardware path:* decode into a native VAAPI surface → import as a wgpu texture (reuse the
-    `gpu-video-encoder` `dmabuf.rs` / `vk_device.rs` plumbing, read direction) → the GPU blit that
-    already composites the Video instance scales native→target for free. Handles any target res and
-    document resizes inherently; the cached frame is a native GPU texture.
-  - *Software path:* decode native → `swscale` to the requested target (the reusable scaler is keyed
-    on input format/size **and** output size — rebuilt when the target changes). Preview requests
-    preview res (cheap); export requests export res (full quality).
-- **`VideoManager::get_frame` takes a target `(w, h)`** instead of relying on a frozen output size.
-  The frame cache is keyed to handle multiple live targets (preview + export) — either cache native
-  frames and scale on demand, or key by `(clip, ts, target)`; decide in Stage 2 by measuring cache
-  hit/scale tradeoff.
-- **Software is not optional.** Hardware decode is an acceleration of the same `get_frame` contract,
-  selected per source when the codec/driver supports it; everything falls back to software cleanly.
-
-## Approach (staged; each stage compiles + is independently useful)
-
-### Stage 0 — independent quick wins (not blocked on decode)
-- **Cache the static background** (`composite_document_to_hdr`): render once, reuse via a persistent
-  HDR texture (copy-in each frame) instead of a full Vello render + 2 passes/submits every frame.
-  Recovers ~3.6 ms (1080p) / ~7.5 ms (4K) per frame on *every* export. (In flight.)
-
-### Stage 1 — software: decode at the requested target res (testable; fixes the quality bug now)
-- Change `VideoManager::get_frame(clip, ts)` → `get_frame(clip, ts, target_w, target_h)`; thread the
-  target from the renderer (preview = current doc/preview res, export = export res). Cap at native.
-- Rework `VideoDecoder` so output size is per-request, not frozen at construction; cache the swscale
-  context per output size (already cached per stream — extend the key). Adjust the frame cache key.
-- Result: software exports are full-quality at any export res, and document resizes re-target decode.
-  No hardware needed; this is the correctness fix for the codecs HW can't handle anyway.
-
-### Stage 2 — hardware decode primitive (DONE, commit 255e164)
-`decoder::VaapiDecoder` in `gpu-video-encoder`: decode → VAAPI surface → DRM-PRIME DMA-BUF →
-`dmabuf::import_raw` → wgpu textures. Round-trip test (encode gray → decode → readback Y≈128) passes.
-
-### The device-affinity problem (drives the whole rest of the design)
-wgpu textures can't cross devices, and a decoded frame is a wgpu texture imported from a DMA-BUF —
-which **requires a device with the DMA-BUF-import extensions** (`VK_EXT_image_drm_format_modifier`
-+ external-memory), built via wgpu-hal `device_from_raw` (the safe `DeviceDescriptor` can't add
-them). So a hardware-decoded frame is only usable by a compositor running on **such** a device.
-- **Export** composites on the encoder's custom device → already fine.
-- **Preview** composites on eframe's *normal* device → can't import DMA-BUFs → can't use HW frames.
-
-Since **preview must HW-decode 4K** (software 4K decode ≈19 ms/frame), the resolution is a **single
-shared custom device** used by eframe + preview compositor + decoder + encoder. eframe 0.33 (local
-`egui-fork`) accepts it via `WgpuSetup::Existing { instance, adapter, device, queue }` — confirmed.
-The earlier "separate export device" becomes redundant once this lands.
-
-### Stage 3a — windowed shared `DrmDevice`, injected into eframe (highest-risk; blind)
-Today `vk_device::create()` is **headless**. Make a windowed variant (or extend it) that is a
-**superset** device: DMA-BUF import ext **+** `VK_KHR_swapchain` (device) and the WSI surface
-instance extensions, **+** everything eframe/egui/vello need — `adapter.limits()` (already; Vello
-needs `max_storage_buffers_per_shader_stage` ≥ 5), `max_texture_dimension_2d` 8192, and the optional
-features main.rs requests (`SHADER_F16`, `TIMESTAMP_QUERY[_INSIDE_ENCODERS]`). Pick the adapter that
-is the **VAAPI GPU** (the render node must match libva's, or DMA-BUF sharing fails on multi-GPU).
-- main.rs: try to build the shared device; on success pass `WgpuSetup::Existing`, else fall back to
-  the current `WgpuSetupCreateNew` (software decode only). Gate on Linux + VAAPI + a config/env
-  override; **must be bulletproof** — this device now renders *every* frame of *every* session for
-  Linux/VAAPI users, video or not. Milestone: editor runs normally on it with no video involved.
-
-### Stage 3b — VideoManager hardware decode on the shared device (blind)
-- `VideoManager` holds a `VaapiDecoder` per HW-decodable clip (built on the shared device), plus the
-  software `VideoDecoder` fallback. `get_frame` gains a GPU-returning variant: yields an imported NV12
-  texture pair (native res) instead of `Arc<Vec<u8>>`. Probe HW support per source; non-VAAPI /
-  unsupported codecs / non-Linux → software path (Stage 1, target-res).
-- Cache native GPU textures keyed by (clip, ts); revisit the byte budget (4K NV12 ≈ 12 MB each).
-
-### Stage 3c — compositor consumes the GPU frame (blind; user-verifies)
-- The video-instance composite path takes an NV12 texture (or a small NV12→RGB GPU pass) and blits it
-  to the target with the existing bilinear blit — **no `write_texture` upload**. GPU scales native→
-  target (preview res or export res). Both preview and the zero-copy export become
-  decode→composite(→encode) with no CPU frame. Software frames still upload as today.
-
-## Critical files
-- `lightningbeam-core/src/video.rs` — `VideoDecoder` (per-request output size, scaler cache),
-  `VideoManager::get_frame` (target param, cache key).
-- `lightningbeam-core/src/renderer.rs` — pass the render target res into the video-instance build.
-- `lightningbeam-editor/src/export/video_exporter.rs` — background cache (Stage 0); consume a GPU
-  texture instead of uploading RGBA (Stage 3).
-- `gpu-video-encoder/` (→ `gpu-video-codec`) — `dmabuf.rs`/`vk_device.rs` reused for the decode import.
-
-## Risks
-- **Shared custom device is the editor's main device (BIGGEST risk)** — Stage 3a makes a hand-built
-  wgpu-hal Vulkan device render every frame for Linux/VAAPI users. It must satisfy eframe + egui +
-  vello + winit presentation across varied Intel/AMD/Mesa stacks, or the editor won't start. Mitigate
-  with a strict try-and-fall-back-to-normal-device path + an env/config kill switch. Test broadly.
-- **Multi-GPU** — the shared render device must be the *same* GPU as libva's VAAPI device, or DMA-BUF
-  import fails. Adapter selection must match the render node to the VAAPI node (laptops with iGPU +
-  dGPU, PRIME).
-- **Codec coverage** — only some codecs are HW-decodable per GPU/driver; software must stay correct
-  and well-tested. Probe support per source, don't assume.
-- **Cache memory** — native-res GPU textures (esp. 4K NV12 ≈12 MB) are large; revisit the frame cache
-  budget, and the two live targets (preview res + export res) shouldn't thrash.
-- **Colorspace/format** — VAAPI decode surfaces are NV12/tiled; import handles NV12, but 10-bit/HDR
-  (P010) needs format handling. Decoded NV12 also needs the right BT.601/709 + range on the NV12→RGB
-  read (mirror the encoder's color tags, [[gpu-video-decode]] color-range work).
-- **Non-Linux / no-VAAPI** — must cleanly run on the normal eframe device with software decode.
-
-## Verification
-- Stage 0/1: visual — export above document res is now full-quality (not upscaled); profile shows
-  background ≈ 0 and (Stage 1) software export correct at the chosen res.
-- Stage 2: headless hardware test in `gpu-video-codec` (decode → wgpu texture, ffprobe/byte checks).
-- Stage 3 (user): 1080p + 4K H.264 export — decode/upload buckets collapse; software fallback for a
-  non-HW codec (e.g. ProRes) still produces correct full-res output.

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/action.rs

@@ -47,6 +47,113 @@ pub struct BackendContext<'a> {
     // Future: pub video_controller: Option<&'a mut VideoController>,
 }
 
+impl BackendContext<'_> {
+    /// Hand a clip instance to the audio engine and record it in the instance→backend map.
+    ///
+    /// Take folders are resolved through the instance's `active_take`, so the backend gets whichever
+    /// take is selected. Returns the backend track and instance IDs, or `None` when there's nothing
+    /// to sync yet (a recording in progress, or an empty take folder).
+    ///
+    /// Lives here rather than in any one action because more than one action needs it: adding an
+    /// instance, and switching a take folder's active take (which is a remove + re-add, there being
+    /// no in-place pool-swap command). Keeping one implementation keeps the trim/duration
+    /// conversions — the easy thing to get subtly wrong, since `trim_*` is SECONDS while
+    /// `timeline_*` is BEATS — from drifting between copies.
+    pub fn add_clip_instance(
+        &mut self,
+        document: &Document,
+        layer_id: &Uuid,
+        instance: &crate::clip::ClipInstance,
+    ) -> Result<Option<(daw_backend::TrackId, BackendClipInstanceId)>, String> {
+        use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
+
+        let clip = document
+            .get_audio_clip(&instance.clip_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Audio clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
+
+        let track_id = *self
+            .layer_to_track_map
+            .get(layer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not mapped to backend track", layer_id))?;
+
+        let resolved = instance.resolve(clip);
+        let content = clip.content_duration();
+        let internal_start = instance.trim_start;
+        let internal_end = instance
+            .trim_end
+            .unwrap_or(daw_backend::ContentTime(content.native()));
+        let start_time = instance.timeline_start;
+
+        // How long the clip occupies the timeline, in BEATS. `effective_duration_beats` resolves the
+        // content window in the clip's own domain — beats content carries over directly, wall-clock
+        // content converts at the clip's position — so neither kind can be read as the other here.
+        let effective_duration = instance.effective_duration_beats(content, document.tempo_map());
+
+        let controller = self
+            .audio_controller
+            .as_mut()
+            .ok_or_else(|| "Audio controller not available".to_string())?;
+
+        let backend_id = match resolved {
+            ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                use daw_backend::command::{Query, QueryResponse};
+
+                // MIDI content time IS beats, so the trims carry straight over.
+                let midi_instance = daw_backend::MidiClipInstance::new(
+                    0, // assigned by the backend
+                    midi_clip_id,
+                    daw_backend::Beats(internal_start.raw()),
+                    daw_backend::Beats(internal_end.raw()),
+                    start_time,
+                    effective_duration,
+                );
+
+                match controller
+                    .send_query(Query::AddMidiClipInstanceSync(track_id, midi_instance))?
+                {
+                    QueryResponse::MidiClipInstanceAdded(Ok(id)) => BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(id),
+                    QueryResponse::MidiClipInstanceAdded(Err(e)) => return Err(e),
+                    _ => return Err("Unexpected query response".to_string()),
+                }
+            }
+            ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => {
+                // Sampled-audio content time is SECONDS; the backend's start/duration are BEATS.
+                let id = controller.add_audio_clip(
+                    track_id,
+                    audio_pool_index,
+                    start_time,
+                    effective_duration,
+                    daw_backend::Seconds(internal_start.raw()),
+                );
+                BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(id)
+            }
+            // Nothing to sync until it has content.
+            ResolvedContent::Recording => return Ok(None),
+        };
+
+        self.clip_instance_to_backend_map
+            .insert(instance.id, backend_id);
+
+        Ok(Some((track_id, backend_id)))
+    }
+
+    /// Remove a clip instance's backend clip and drop it from the instance→backend map.
+    pub fn remove_clip_instance(
+        &mut self,
+        track_id: daw_backend::TrackId,
+        backend_id: BackendClipInstanceId,
+        instance_id: Uuid,
+    ) {
+        if let Some(controller) = self.audio_controller.as_mut() {
+            match backend_id {
+                BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(id) => controller.remove_midi_clip(track_id, id),
+                BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(id) => controller.remove_audio_clip(track_id, id),
+            }
+        }
+        self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.remove(&instance_id);
+    }
+}
+
 /// Action trait for undo/redo operations
 ///
 /// Each action must be able to execute (apply changes) and rollback (undo changes).

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/add_clip_instance.rs

@@ -89,10 +89,11 @@ impl Action for AddClipInstanceAction {
         // `get_clip_duration` is the content length in seconds; the placement span
         // must be beats (the timeline is beats-domain), so convert via the clip's
         // typed helper rather than treating the seconds span as beats.
-        let clip_duration = document.get_clip_duration(&self.clip_instance.clip_id)
+        // The clip's content duration in ITS OWN domain, so the trims resolve correctly for MIDI.
+        let clip_content = document.clip_trim_duration(&self.clip_instance.clip_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip {} not found", self.clip_instance.clip_id))?;
         let effective_duration = self.clip_instance
-            .effective_duration_beats(clip_duration, document.tempo_map());
+            .effective_duration_beats(clip_content, document.tempo_map());
 
         // Auto-adjust position for audio/video layers to avoid overlaps
         let adjusted_start = document.find_nearest_valid_position(
@@ -196,114 +197,24 @@ impl Action for AddClipInstanceAction {
             return Ok(());
         }
 
-        // Look up the clip from the document
+        // Add via the shared BackendContext helper — the same one SetActiveTakeAction uses, so
-        let clip = document
+        // the trim/duration conversions (and take-folder resolution) live in exactly one place.
-            .get_audio_clip(&self.clip_instance.clip_id)
+        if let Some((track_id, backend_id)) =
-            .ok_or_else(|| "Audio clip not found".to_string())?;
+            backend.add_clip_instance(document, &self.layer_id, &self.clip_instance)?
-
+        {
-        // Look up backend track ID from layer mapping
+            self.backend_track_id = Some(track_id);
-        let backend_track_id = backend
+            match backend_id {
-            .layer_to_track_map
+                crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(id) => {
-            .get(&self.layer_id)
+                    self.backend_midi_instance_id = Some(id)
-            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not mapped to backend track", self.layer_id))?;
+                }
-
+                crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(id) => {
-        // Get audio controller
+                    self.backend_audio_instance_id = Some(id)
-        let controller = backend
+                }
-            .audio_controller
+            }
-            .as_mut()
+        }
-            .ok_or_else(|| "Audio controller not available".to_string())?;
-
-        // Handle different clip types
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
-        match &clip.clip_type {
-            AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
-                // Create a MIDI clip instance referencing the existing clip in the backend pool
-                // No need to add to pool again - it was added during MIDI import
-                use daw_backend::command::{Query, QueryResponse};
-
-                // Calculate internal start/end from trim parameters
-                let internal_start = self.clip_instance.trim_start;
-                let internal_end = self.clip_instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
-                let external_start = self.clip_instance.timeline_start;
-
-                // Calculate external duration (for looping if timeline_duration is set).
-                // MIDI trims are beats-domain, so the fallback span is beats too.
-                let external_duration = self.clip_instance.timeline_duration
-                    .unwrap_or(daw_backend::Beats(internal_end - internal_start));
-
-                // Create MidiClipInstance
-                let instance = daw_backend::MidiClipInstance::new(
-                    0, // Instance ID will be assigned by backend
-                    *midi_clip_id,
-                    daw_backend::Beats(internal_start),
-                    daw_backend::Beats(internal_end),
-                    external_start,
-                    external_duration,
-                );
-
-                // Send query to add instance and get instance ID
-                let query = Query::AddMidiClipInstanceSync(*backend_track_id, instance);
-
-                match controller.send_query(query)? {
-                    QueryResponse::MidiClipInstanceAdded(Ok(instance_id)) => {
-                        self.backend_track_id = Some(*backend_track_id);
-                        self.backend_midi_instance_id = Some(instance_id);
-
-                        // Add to global clip instance mapping
-                        backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.insert(
-                            self.clip_instance.id,
-                            crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(instance_id)
-                        );
 
         Ok(())
     }
-                    QueryResponse::MidiClipInstanceAdded(Err(e)) => Err(e),
-                    _ => Err("Unexpected query response".to_string()),
-                }
-            }
-            AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => {
-                // `trim_*` / `clip.duration` are in SECONDS (audio content time),
-                // while `timeline_*` and the backend's `duration` are in BEATS.
-                let internal_start = self.clip_instance.trim_start;
-                let internal_end = self.clip_instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
-                let start_time = self.clip_instance.timeline_start;
-                // `effective_duration` is in BEATS. When `timeline_duration` is set
-                // it already is; otherwise the clip occupies its natural content
-                // length, so convert that seconds-span to beats at the clip's start
-                // (NOT `internal_end - internal_start`, which is seconds — that was
-                // the seconds-as-beats bug that made clips stop early off 60 BPM).
-                let effective_duration = self.clip_instance.timeline_duration.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-                    let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
-                    let content_secs = daw_backend::Seconds(internal_end - internal_start);
-                    tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(start_time) + content_secs)
-                        - start_time
-                });
-
-                let instance_id = controller.add_audio_clip(
-                    *backend_track_id,
-                    *audio_pool_index,
-                    start_time,
-                    effective_duration,
-                    daw_backend::Seconds(internal_start),
-                );
-
-                self.backend_track_id = Some(*backend_track_id);
-                self.backend_audio_instance_id = Some(instance_id);
-
-                // Add to global clip instance mapping
-                backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.insert(
-                    self.clip_instance.id,
-                    crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(instance_id)
-                );
-
-                Ok(())
-            }
-            AudioClipType::Recording => {
-                // Recording clips are not synced to backend until finalized
-                Ok(())
-            }
-        }
-    }
 
     fn rollback_backend(&mut self, backend: &mut BackendContext, _document: &Document) -> Result<(), String> {
         // Remove clip from backend if it was added

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/append_takes.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+//! Append freshly-recorded takes to an existing take folder.
+//!
+//! Cycle-recording over a region that already holds a take folder should *add* to that folder, not
+//! drop a second clip on top of it. Otherwise the takes from your second attempt are stranded in a
+//! separate, overlapping clip and you can't audition them against the first.
+//!
+//! The recorded content already exists in the backend pools by the time this runs (the engine put it
+//! there at stop), so this action only touches the document — plus the one backend clip the instance
+//! plays, which has to be repointed at the newly-active take.
+
+use crate::action::{Action, BackendClipInstanceId, BackendContext};
+use crate::clip::AudioTake;
+use crate::document::Document;
+use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+/// Action that appends takes to an instance's take list and selects the last of them.
+pub struct AppendTakesAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    /// The instance whose take list is being extended (and whose active take changes).
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+    /// The takes to add, in recording order.
+    new_takes: Vec<AudioTake>,
+
+    // Stored during execute for rollback.
+    old_take_count: usize,
+    old_active_take: Option<usize>,
+    executed: bool,
+}
+
+impl AppendTakesAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, new_takes: Vec<AudioTake>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            new_takes,
+            old_take_count: 0,
+            old_active_take: None,
+            executed: false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Swap the instance's backend clip to whatever take the document now says is active.
+    ///
+    /// Same remove + re-add as `SetActiveTakeAction` — there's no in-place pool-swap command.
+    fn resync(&self, backend: &mut BackendContext, document: &Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = document
+            .get_layer(&self.layer_id)
+            .and_then(|l| match l {
+                AnyLayer::Audio(al) => al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id),
+                _ => None,
+            })
+            .cloned()
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", self.instance_id))?;
+
+        let existing: Option<BackendClipInstanceId> = backend
+            .clip_instance_to_backend_map
+            .get(&self.instance_id)
+            .copied();
+        let track_id = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(&self.layer_id).copied();
+        if let (Some(backend_id), Some(track_id)) = (existing, track_id) {
+            backend.remove_clip_instance(track_id, backend_id, self.instance_id);
+        }
+
+        backend.add_clip_instance(document, &self.layer_id, &instance)?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for AppendTakesAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let layer = document
+            .get_layer_mut(&self.layer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not found", self.layer_id))?;
+        let AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer) = layer else {
+            return Err("Takes only exist on audio layers".to_string());
+        };
+        let instance = audio_layer
+            .clip_instances
+            .iter_mut()
+            .find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", self.instance_id))?;
+
+        // Only record the pre-state on the first execute; a redo must not overwrite it with the
+        // post-state left behind by the previous run.
+        if !self.executed {
+            self.old_take_count = instance.takes.len();
+            self.old_active_take = instance.active_take;
+        }
+
+        // Number the new takes on from what's already there. Existing names are left alone — the
+        // user may well have renamed them, and renumbering would clobber that.
+        let base = instance.takes.len();
+        for (i, take) in self.new_takes.iter().enumerate() {
+            let mut take = take.clone();
+            if take.name.is_empty() {
+                take.name = format!("Take {}", base + i + 1);
+            }
+            instance.takes.push(take);
+        }
+
+        // Land on the take just recorded, GarageBand-style.
+        instance.active_take = Some(instance.takes.len() - 1);
+        self.executed = true;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        if let Some(AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer)) = document.get_layer_mut(&self.layer_id) {
+            if let Some(instance) = audio_layer
+                .clip_instances
+                .iter_mut()
+                .find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id)
+            {
+                instance.takes.truncate(self.old_take_count);
+                instance.active_take = self.old_active_take;
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        format!("Record {} take(s)", self.new_takes.len())
+    }
+
+    fn execute_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        self.resync(backend, document)
+    }
+
+    fn rollback_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        self.resync(backend, document)
+    }
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/loop_clip_instances.rs

@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ impl Action for LoopClipInstancesAction {
 
 impl LoopClipInstancesAction {
     fn sync_backend(&self, backend: &mut crate::action::BackendContext, document: &Document, rollback: bool) -> Result<(), String> {
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+        use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
 
         let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
             Some(c) => c,
@@ -128,26 +128,22 @@ impl LoopClipInstancesAction {
                     (new_dur, new_lb)
                 };
 
-                let content_window = {
+                // Natural content length as a beats span (the fallback when no explicit
-                    let trim_end = instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
+                // timeline_duration is set). Resolved in the clip's own domain, so MIDI's beats
-                    (trim_end - instance.trim_start).max(0.0) // seconds
+                // content carries over directly rather than being read as seconds.
-                };
+                let content_window_beats = instance.effective_duration_beats(
-                // Natural content length as a beats span at the clip's start (the
+                    clip.content_duration(),
-                // fallback when no explicit timeline_duration is set).
+                    document.tempo_map(),
-                let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
+                );
-                let content_window_beats = tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(
-                    tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(instance.timeline_start)
-                        + daw_backend::Seconds(content_window),
-                ) - instance.timeline_start;
                 let right_duration = target_duration.unwrap_or(content_window_beats);
                 let left_duration = target_loop_before.unwrap_or(daw_backend::Beats::ZERO);
                 let external_duration = left_duration + right_duration;
                 let external_start = instance.timeline_start - left_duration;
 
                 let get_backend_clip_id = |inst_id: &Uuid| -> Result<u32, String> {
-                    match &clip.clip_type {
+                    match &instance.resolve(clip) {
-                        AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => Ok(*midi_clip_id),
+                        ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => Ok(*midi_clip_id),
-                        AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                        ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                             let backend_id = backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(inst_id)
                                 .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not mapped to backend", inst_id))?;
                             match backend_id {
@@ -155,7 +151,7 @@ impl LoopClipInstancesAction {
                                 _ => Err("Expected audio instance ID for sampled clip".to_string()),
                             }
                         }
-                        AudioClipType::Recording => Err("Cannot sync recording clip".to_string()),
+                        ResolvedContent::Recording => Err("Cannot sync recording clip".to_string()),
                     }
                 };
 

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/manage_takes.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,419 @@
+//! Take management: delete and rename the takes on a clip instance.
+//!
+//! Takes live on the INSTANCE, so both of these are naturally scoped to the one the user clicked —
+//! deleting a take from one half of a comped split leaves the other half's list alone.
+
+use crate::action::{Action, BackendClipInstanceId, BackendContext};
+use crate::clip::{AudioTake, ClipInstance};
+use crate::document::Document;
+use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+/// The instance a take action targets, looked up mutably.
+fn instance_mut<'a>(
+    document: &'a mut Document,
+    layer_id: &Uuid,
+    instance_id: &Uuid,
+) -> Result<&'a mut ClipInstance, String> {
+    let layer = document
+        .get_layer_mut(layer_id)
+        .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not found", layer_id))?;
+    let AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer) = layer else {
+        return Err("Takes only exist on audio layers".to_string());
+    };
+    audio_layer
+        .clip_instances
+        .iter_mut()
+        .find(|ci| ci.id == *instance_id)
+        .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", instance_id))
+}
+
+/// Swap an instance's backend clip to whatever take the document now says is active.
+///
+/// The same remove + re-add as `SetActiveTakeAction` — there's no in-place pool-swap command.
+fn resync(
+    backend: &mut BackendContext,
+    document: &Document,
+    layer_id: &Uuid,
+    instance_id: &Uuid,
+) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let instance = document
+        .get_layer(layer_id)
+        .and_then(|l| match l {
+            AnyLayer::Audio(al) => al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == *instance_id),
+            _ => None,
+        })
+        .cloned()
+        .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", instance_id))?;
+
+    let existing: Option<BackendClipInstanceId> = backend
+        .clip_instance_to_backend_map
+        .get(instance_id)
+        .copied();
+    let track_id = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(layer_id).copied();
+    if let (Some(backend_id), Some(track_id)) = (existing, track_id) {
+        backend.remove_clip_instance(track_id, backend_id, *instance_id);
+    }
+
+    backend.add_clip_instance(document, layer_id, &instance)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Remove a take from an instance's take list.
+///
+/// The take's recorded audio/MIDI stays in the backend pool — undo has to be able to put it back,
+/// and other instances (the other half of a split, say) may still be playing it.
+pub struct DeleteTakeAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+    take_index: usize,
+
+    // Stored during execute for rollback.
+    removed: Option<AudioTake>,
+    old_active_take: Option<usize>,
+}
+
+impl DeleteTakeAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, take_index: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            take_index,
+            removed: None,
+            old_active_take: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for DeleteTakeAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+
+        if self.take_index >= instance.takes.len() {
+            return Err(format!("Take {} does not exist", self.take_index + 1));
+        }
+        // An instance with no takes at all would fall back to the clip's own content, which for a
+        // cycle recording is a take we may just have deleted. Refuse rather than strand it.
+        if instance.takes.len() == 1 {
+            return Err("Can't delete the only take".to_string());
+        }
+
+        self.old_active_take = instance.active_take;
+        self.removed = Some(instance.takes.remove(self.take_index));
+
+        // Everything above the removed take shifts down one, so the selection has to move with it.
+        // Deleting the *active* take lands on the one that took its place (or the new last take, if
+        // it was at the end) — that keeps the clip sounding rather than silently picking take 1.
+        let active = instance.active_take.unwrap_or(0);
+        instance.active_take = Some(if active > self.take_index {
+            active - 1
+        } else if active == self.take_index {
+            self.take_index.min(instance.takes.len() - 1)
+        } else {
+            active
+        });
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let Some(take) = self.removed.take() else {
+            return Ok(());
+        };
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        let at = self.take_index.min(instance.takes.len());
+        instance.takes.insert(at, take);
+        instance.active_take = self.old_active_take;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        format!("Delete take {}", self.take_index + 1)
+    }
+
+    fn execute_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        resync(backend, document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)
+    }
+
+    fn rollback_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        resync(backend, document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Throw away every take except the one that's playing.
+///
+/// The tidy-up once you've picked your keeper. Scoped to this instance, so on a comped split it
+/// prunes the half you clicked and leaves the other half's alternatives intact.
+pub struct DeleteUnusedTakesAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+
+    // Stored during execute for rollback.
+    old_takes: Vec<AudioTake>,
+    old_active_take: Option<usize>,
+}
+
+impl DeleteUnusedTakesAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            old_takes: Vec::new(),
+            old_active_take: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for DeleteUnusedTakesAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        if instance.takes.len() < 2 {
+            return Err("Nothing to delete".to_string());
+        }
+
+        let keep = instance.active_take_index();
+        self.old_takes = instance.takes.clone();
+        self.old_active_take = instance.active_take;
+
+        let kept = instance.takes.remove(keep);
+        instance.takes.clear();
+        instance.takes.push(kept);
+        instance.active_take = Some(0);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        instance.takes = std::mem::take(&mut self.old_takes);
+        instance.active_take = self.old_active_take;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        "Delete unused takes".to_string()
+    }
+
+    // The take that plays doesn't change, so the backend clip is already correct.
+}
+
+/// Rename a take. Document-only — which take *plays* doesn't change, so the backend is untouched.
+pub struct RenameTakeAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+    take_index: usize,
+    new_name: String,
+    old_name: String,
+}
+
+impl RenameTakeAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, take_index: usize, new_name: String) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            take_index,
+            new_name,
+            old_name: String::new(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for RenameTakeAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        let take = instance
+            .takes
+            .get_mut(self.take_index)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Take {} does not exist", self.take_index + 1))?;
+        self.old_name = std::mem::replace(&mut take.name, self.new_name.clone());
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = instance_mut(document, &self.layer_id, &self.instance_id)?;
+        if let Some(take) = instance.takes.get_mut(self.take_index) {
+            take.name = self.old_name.clone();
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        format!("Rename take to \"{}\"", self.new_name)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::clip::TakeContent;
+    use crate::layer::AudioLayer;
+
+    /// A document with one audio layer holding one instance with 4 takes (pools 10..13).
+    fn doc_with_takes() -> (Document, Uuid, Uuid) {
+        let mut document = Document::new("Test");
+        let clip = crate::clip::AudioClip::new_sampled("Cycle rec", 10, 2.0);
+        let clip_id = document.add_audio_clip(clip);
+
+        let mut instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id);
+        instance.takes = (10..14)
+            .map(|pool| AudioTake {
+                name: format!("Take {}", pool - 9),
+                content: TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: pool },
+            })
+            .collect();
+        let instance_id = instance.id;
+
+        let mut layer = AudioLayer::new("Layer");
+        layer.clip_instances.push(instance);
+        let layer_id = document.root.add_child(AnyLayer::Audio(layer));
+        (document, layer_id, instance_id)
+    }
+
+    fn takes_of(document: &Document, layer_id: &Uuid, instance_id: &Uuid) -> ClipInstance {
+        let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer(layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+        al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == *instance_id).unwrap().clone()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_a_take_below_the_active_one_shifts_the_selection_down() {
+        // Everything above the removed take shifts down one, so a selection above it has to move
+        // with it — otherwise the instance silently starts playing a different take.
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(3); // playing pool 13
+        }
+
+        DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 1)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .expect("delete");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 3);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "index shifted down with the take");
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[inst.active_take_index()].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 13 },
+            "still playing the same take it was",
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_the_active_take_lands_on_its_replacement() {
+        // Deleting what you're listening to should hand you the take that took its place, not
+        // silently jump you back to take 1.
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(1); // playing pool 11
+        }
+
+        DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 1)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .expect("delete");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(1));
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[1].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 12 },
+            "the take that slid into the deleted one's place",
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_the_last_take_in_the_list_steps_back() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(3);
+        }
+
+        DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 3)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .expect("delete");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "there is no take 4 to land on");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn the_only_take_cannot_be_deleted() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].takes.truncate(1);
+        }
+        assert!(DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 0)
+            .execute(&mut document)
+            .is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn undoing_a_delete_puts_the_take_back_where_it_was() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(2);
+        }
+
+        let mut action = DeleteTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 1);
+        action.execute(&mut document).expect("delete");
+        action.rollback(&mut document).expect("undo");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 4);
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[1].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 11 },
+            "restored at its original index",
+        );
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "and the selection with it");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deleting_unused_takes_keeps_the_one_thats_playing() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        {
+            let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer_mut(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+            al.clip_instances[0].active_take = Some(2); // pool 12 — the keeper
+        }
+
+        let mut action = DeleteUnusedTakesAction::new(layer_id, instance_id);
+        action.execute(&mut document).expect("prune");
+
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(0));
+        assert_eq!(
+            inst.takes[0].content,
+            TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: 12 },
+            "the take that was playing survives, and nothing else",
+        );
+
+        action.rollback(&mut document).expect("undo");
+        let inst = takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id);
+        assert_eq!(inst.takes.len(), 4);
+        assert_eq!(inst.active_take, Some(2), "back to what was playing before");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn renaming_a_take_round_trips() {
+        let (mut document, layer_id, instance_id) = doc_with_takes();
+        let mut action =
+            RenameTakeAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, 2, "The good one".to_string());
+
+        action.execute(&mut document).expect("rename");
+        assert_eq!(takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id).takes[2].name, "The good one");
+
+        action.rollback(&mut document).expect("undo");
+        assert_eq!(takes_of(&document, &layer_id, &instance_id).takes[2].name, "Take 3");
+    }
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/mod.rs

@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ pub mod move_clip_instances;
 pub mod reorder_clip_instances;
 pub mod paint_bucket;
 pub mod remove_effect;
+pub mod set_cycle_region;
+pub mod append_takes;
+pub mod manage_takes;
+pub mod set_active_take;
 pub mod set_document_properties;
 pub mod set_instance_properties;
 pub mod set_layer_properties;
@@ -50,6 +54,10 @@ pub mod set_text_content;
 pub mod resize_text_box;
 
 pub use add_clip_instance::AddClipInstanceAction;
+pub use set_cycle_region::SetCycleRegionAction;
+pub use append_takes::AppendTakesAction;
+pub use manage_takes::{DeleteTakeAction, DeleteUnusedTakesAction, RenameTakeAction};
+pub use set_active_take::SetActiveTakeAction;
 pub use add_effect::AddEffectAction;
 pub use add_layer::AddLayerAction;
 pub use add_shape::AddShapeAction;

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/move_clip_instances.rs

@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
 
             let group: Vec<(Uuid, Beats, Beats)> = moves.iter().filter_map(|(id, old_start, _)| {
                 let inst = clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| &ci.id == id)?;
-                let dur = document.get_clip_duration(&inst.clip_id)?;
+                let dur = document.clip_trim_duration(&inst.clip_id)?;
                 let eff = inst.effective_duration_beats(dur, document.tempo_map());
                 Some((*id, *old_start, eff))
             }).collect();
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
 
     fn execute_backend(&mut self, backend: &mut crate::action::BackendContext, document: &Document) -> Result<(), String> {
         use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+        use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
 
         // Get audio controller
         let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
@@ -211,8 +211,9 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                         // Check if this clip has a metatrack
                         if let Some(&metatrack_id) = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(&instance.clip_id) {
                             controller.set_offset(metatrack_id, document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(*new_start));
-                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start));
+                            // A vector clip's content is wall-clock, so its content times ARE seconds.
-                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(daw_backend::Seconds));
+                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start.raw()));
+                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(|t| daw_backend::Seconds(t.raw())));
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -246,12 +247,12 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                     .ok_or_else(|| format!("Audio clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
 
                 // Handle move based on clip type
-                match &clip.clip_type {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
-                    AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: move_clip expects the pool clip ID
                         controller.move_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, *new_start);
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                         // For sampled audio: move_clip expects the instance ID
                         let backend_instance_id = backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(instance_id)
                             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not mapped to backend", instance_id))?;
@@ -263,7 +264,7 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                             _ => return Err("Expected audio instance ID for sampled clip".to_string()),
                         }
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                         // Recording clips cannot be moved - skip
                     }
                 }
@@ -275,7 +276,7 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
 
     fn rollback_backend(&mut self, backend: &mut crate::action::BackendContext, document: &Document) -> Result<(), String> {
         use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+        use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
 
         // Get audio controller
         let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
@@ -295,8 +296,9 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                     if let Some(instance) = vl.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == *instance_id) {
                         if let Some(&metatrack_id) = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(&instance.clip_id) {
                             controller.set_offset(metatrack_id, document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(*old_start));
-                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start));
+                            // A vector clip's content is wall-clock, so its content times ARE seconds.
-                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(daw_backend::Seconds));
+                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start.raw()));
+                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(|t| daw_backend::Seconds(t.raw())));
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -330,12 +332,12 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                     .ok_or_else(|| format!("Audio clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
 
                 // Handle move based on clip type (restore old position)
-                match &clip.clip_type {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
-                    AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: move_clip expects the pool clip ID
                         controller.move_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, *old_start);
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                         // For sampled audio: move_clip expects the instance ID
                         let backend_instance_id = backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(instance_id)
                             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not mapped to backend", instance_id))?;
@@ -347,7 +349,7 @@ impl Action for MoveClipInstancesAction {
                             _ => return Err("Expected audio instance ID for sampled clip".to_string()),
                         }
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                         // Recording clips cannot be moved - skip
                     }
                 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/remove_clip_instances.rs

@@ -138,92 +138,23 @@ impl Action for RemoveClipInstancesAction {
         backend: &mut BackendContext,
         document: &Document,
     ) -> Result<(), String> {
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+        if backend.audio_controller.is_none() {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
 
-        let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
+        // Re-add the clips that were removed. `BackendContext::add_clip_instance` is the same
-            Some(c) => c,
+        // helper the add and split actions use, so the trim/duration conversions (and take-folder
-            None => return Ok(()),
+        // resolution) stay in exactly one place instead of being copied into every action that has
-        };
+        // to put a clip back.
-
+        let saved = std::mem::take(&mut self.saved);
-        // Re-add clips that were removed from backend
+        for (layer_id, instance) in &saved {
-        for (layer_id, instance) in &self.saved {
+            if !matches!(document.get_layer(layer_id), Some(AnyLayer::Audio(_))) {
-            let layer = match document.get_layer(layer_id) {
-                Some(l) => l,
-                None => continue,
-            };
-            if !matches!(layer, AnyLayer::Audio(_)) {
                 continue;
             }
-
+            // A missing track/clip just means there's nothing to restore on the backend.
-            let track_id = match backend.layer_to_track_map.get(layer_id) {
+            let _ = backend.add_clip_instance(document, layer_id, instance);
-                Some(id) => *id,
-                None => continue,
-            };
-
-            let clip = match document.get_audio_clip(&instance.clip_id) {
-                Some(c) => c,
-                None => continue,
-            };
-
-            match &clip.clip_type {
-                AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
-                    use daw_backend::command::{Query, QueryResponse};
-
-                    let internal_start = instance.trim_start;
-                    let internal_end = instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
-                    let external_start = instance.timeline_start;
-                    // MIDI trims are beats-domain, so the fallback span is beats too.
-                    let external_duration = instance
-                        .timeline_duration
-                        .unwrap_or(daw_backend::Beats(internal_end - internal_start));
-
-                    let midi_instance = daw_backend::MidiClipInstance::new(
-                        0,
-                        *midi_clip_id,
-                        daw_backend::Beats(internal_start),
-                        daw_backend::Beats(internal_end),
-                        external_start,
-                        external_duration,
-                    );
-
-                    let query = Query::AddMidiClipInstanceSync(track_id, midi_instance);
-                    if let Ok(QueryResponse::MidiClipInstanceAdded(Ok(new_id))) =
-                        controller.send_query(query)
-                    {
-                        backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.insert(
-                            instance.id,
-                            BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(new_id),
-                        );
-                    }
-                }
-                AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => {
-                    let internal_start = instance.trim_start;
-                    let internal_end = instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
-                    let start_time = instance.timeline_start;
-                    // Fallback span is the content seconds converted to beats at the
-                    // clip's start (not the seconds span treated as beats).
-                    let effective_duration = instance.timeline_duration.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-                        let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
-                        let content_secs = daw_backend::Seconds(internal_end - internal_start);
-                        tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(start_time) + content_secs)
-                            - start_time
-                    });
-
-                    let new_id = controller.add_audio_clip(
-                        track_id,
-                        *audio_pool_index,
-                        start_time,
-                        effective_duration,
-                        daw_backend::Seconds(internal_start),
-                    );
-                    backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.insert(
-                        instance.id,
-                        BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(new_id),
-                    );
-                }
-                AudioClipType::Recording => {}
-            }
         }
+        self.saved = saved;
 
         // Clear saved backend IDs
         self.saved_backend_ids.clear();

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/set_active_take.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+//! Choose which take of a take-folder clip an instance plays.
+//!
+//! The take list lives on the *clip* but the selection lives on the *instance*, so two instances of
+//! the same folder can play different takes. Splitting a take-folder instance clones it, which is
+//! what makes comping work: set take 1 on the left half and take 3 on the right, and you've comped.
+//!
+//! There's no in-place pool-swap command in the backend, so switching a take means removing the
+//! instance's backend clip and re-adding it against the new take's audio/MIDI resource. Both halves
+//! of that go through `BackendContext`, which is also what `AddClipInstanceAction` uses.
+
+use crate::action::{Action, BackendClipInstanceId, BackendContext};
+use crate::document::Document;
+use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+/// Action that points a clip instance at a different take of its take folder.
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct SetActiveTakeAction {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    instance_id: Uuid,
+    new_take: Option<usize>,
+    old_take: Option<usize>,
+    /// The backend track/clip the instance was on before we swapped, so rollback can undo it.
+    backend_track_id: Option<daw_backend::TrackId>,
+}
+
+impl SetActiveTakeAction {
+    pub fn new(layer_id: Uuid, instance_id: Uuid, new_take: usize, old_take: Option<usize>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            layer_id,
+            instance_id,
+            new_take: Some(new_take),
+            old_take,
+            backend_track_id: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Point the instance at `take`, mutating the document. Shared by execute and rollback.
+    fn apply(&self, document: &mut Document, take: Option<usize>) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let layer = document
+            .get_layer_mut(&self.layer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not found", self.layer_id))?;
+        let AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer) = layer else {
+            return Err("Take folders only exist on audio layers".to_string());
+        };
+        let instance = audio_layer
+            .clip_instances
+            .iter_mut()
+            .find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", self.instance_id))?;
+        instance.active_take = take;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Swap the instance's backend clip to whatever take the document now says is active.
+    ///
+    /// Called after the document has already been mutated, so re-adding just re-resolves the
+    /// instance — `BackendContext::add_clip_instance` reads `active_take` itself.
+    fn resync(&mut self, backend: &mut BackendContext, document: &Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let instance = document
+            .get_layer(&self.layer_id)
+            .and_then(|l| match l {
+                AnyLayer::Audio(al) => al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id),
+                _ => None,
+            })
+            .cloned()
+            .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", self.instance_id))?;
+
+        // Drop the old backend clip first. Its track comes from the map we're about to overwrite,
+        // so read it before add_clip_instance replaces the entry.
+        let existing: Option<BackendClipInstanceId> = backend
+            .clip_instance_to_backend_map
+            .get(&self.instance_id)
+            .copied();
+        let track_id = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(&self.layer_id).copied();
+        if let (Some(backend_id), Some(track_id)) = (existing, track_id) {
+            backend.remove_clip_instance(track_id, backend_id, self.instance_id);
+        }
+
+        let added = backend.add_clip_instance(document, &self.layer_id, &instance)?;
+        self.backend_track_id = added.map(|(track_id, _)| track_id);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for SetActiveTakeAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        self.apply(document, self.new_take)
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        self.apply(document, self.old_take)
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        match self.new_take {
+            Some(i) => format!("Select take {}", i + 1),
+            None => "Select take".to_string(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn execute_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        self.resync(backend, document)
+    }
+
+    fn rollback_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        self.resync(backend, document)
+    }
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/set_cycle_region.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+//! Set the transport cycle (loop) region.
+//!
+//! The cycle region is document state (it's saved in the `.beam`), so changing it goes through the
+//! action system like any other edit: it's undoable and it marks the document modified.
+//!
+//! The region is stored in **beats** so it stays put musically across tempo changes. Callers commit
+//! one action per gesture (e.g. on drag release, or a toggle click) rather than one per frame —
+//! the timeline previews the drag from its own local state, exactly like a clip drag does.
+
+use crate::action::{Action, BackendContext};
+use crate::document::Document;
+use daw_backend::Beats;
+
+/// Action that sets the cycle region and/or whether the transport loops over it.
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct SetCycleRegionAction {
+    old_region: Option<(Beats, Beats)>,
+    old_enabled: bool,
+    new_region: Option<(Beats, Beats)>,
+    new_enabled: bool,
+}
+
+impl SetCycleRegionAction {
+    /// Build from the document's current state and the desired new region/enabled flag.
+    pub fn new(
+        document: &Document,
+        new_region: Option<(Beats, Beats)>,
+        new_enabled: bool,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            old_region: document.cycle_region,
+            old_enabled: document.cycle_enabled,
+            new_region,
+            new_enabled,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Toggle looping on/off, leaving the region itself alone.
+    pub fn toggle_enabled(document: &Document) -> Self {
+        Self::new(document, document.cycle_region, !document.cycle_enabled)
+    }
+
+    /// True if this action would not actually change anything (lets callers skip a no-op undo entry).
+    pub fn is_noop(&self) -> bool {
+        self.old_region == self.new_region && self.old_enabled == self.new_enabled
+    }
+}
+
+impl Action for SetCycleRegionAction {
+    fn execute(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        document.cycle_region = self.new_region;
+        document.cycle_enabled = self.new_enabled;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback(&mut self, document: &mut Document) -> Result<(), String> {
+        document.cycle_region = self.old_region;
+        document.cycle_enabled = self.old_enabled;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn description(&self) -> String {
+        "Set cycle region".to_string()
+    }
+
+    fn execute_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        _document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
+            Some(c) => c,
+            None => return Ok(()),
+        };
+        controller.set_loop_region(self.new_region);
+        controller.set_loop_enabled(self.new_enabled);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn rollback_backend(
+        &mut self,
+        backend: &mut BackendContext,
+        _document: &Document,
+    ) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
+            Some(c) => c,
+            None => return Ok(()),
+        };
+        controller.set_loop_region(self.old_region);
+        controller.set_loop_enabled(self.old_enabled);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/split_clip_instance.rs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use crate::action::{Action, BackendContext};
 use crate::clip::ClipInstance;
 use crate::document::Document;
 use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
+use daw_backend::ContentTime;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 /// Action that splits a clip instance at a specific timeline position
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ pub struct SplitClipInstanceAction {
 
     // Stored during execute for rollback
     /// Original trim_end value of the left (original) instance
-    original_trim_end: Option<f64>,
+    original_trim_end: Option<ContentTime>,
     /// Original timeline_duration value of the left (original) instance (beats)
     original_timeline_duration: Option<daw_backend::Beats>,
     /// ID of the new (right) instance created by the split
@@ -122,13 +123,15 @@ impl Action for SplitClipInstanceAction {
             .find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not found", self.instance_id))?;
 
-        // Get the clip's duration
+        // The clip's content duration in its OWN domain — seconds for audio/video/vector, beats for
-        let clip_duration = document
+        // MIDI. All the content math below is trim-domain, so it has to be done in whichever domain
-            .get_clip_duration(&instance.clip_id)
+        // this clip uses; a seconds duration would silently be added to a MIDI clip's beats trim.
+        let trim_duration = document
+            .clip_trim_duration(&instance.clip_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
 
         // Calculate the effective duration and timeline end (both in beats)
-        let effective_duration = instance.effective_duration(clip_duration, document.tempo_map());
+        let effective_duration = instance.effective_duration(trim_duration, document.tempo_map());
         let timeline_end = instance.timeline_start + effective_duration;
 
         // Validate: split_time must be strictly within the clip's timeline span
@@ -146,27 +149,30 @@ impl Action for SplitClipInstanceAction {
         self.original_trim_end = instance.trim_end;
         self.original_timeline_duration = instance.timeline_duration;
 
-        // Check if this is a looping clip. `content_duration` is a trim-domain
-        // span (seconds), so `clip_duration` must be unwrapped as seconds.
         let is_looping = instance.timeline_duration.is_some();
-        let content_duration = instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip_duration.seconds_to_f64()) - instance.trim_start;
+        let content_duration = ContentTime(instance.content_window(trim_duration).native());
 
         // Timeline split point (beats).
         let time_into_clip = self.split_time - instance.timeline_start;
         let left_duration = time_into_clip;
         let right_duration = effective_duration - left_duration;
 
-        // How far the split lands into the clip's *content* (seconds, trim domain).
+        // How far the split lands into the clip's *content*, expressed in the content domain: beats
+        // content takes the beats delta directly, wall-clock content takes the seconds delta.
         let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
-        let time_into_clip_secs = (tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(self.split_time)
+        let time_into_content = ContentTime(match trim_duration {
-            - tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(instance.timeline_start)).seconds_to_f64();
+            crate::clip::ClipDuration::Beats(_) => time_into_clip.beats_to_f64(),
+            crate::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(_) => (tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(self.split_time)
+                - tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(instance.timeline_start))
+            .seconds_to_f64(),
+        });
 
-        // Calculate content split time (seconds)
+        // Calculate the content split point (content domain).
-        let content_split_time = if is_looping {
+        let content_split_time = if is_looping && content_duration > ContentTime::ZERO {
             // For looping clips, wrap around content
-            instance.trim_start + (time_into_clip_secs % content_duration)
+            instance.trim_start + (time_into_content % content_duration)
         } else {
-            instance.trim_start + time_into_clip_secs
+            instance.trim_start + time_into_content
         };
 
         // Clone the instance for the right side
@@ -357,120 +363,64 @@ impl Action for SplitClipInstanceAction {
             .get_audio_clip(&new_instance.clip_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| "Audio clip not found".to_string())?;
 
-        // Look up backend track ID from layer mapping
+        use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
-        let backend_track_id = backend
+        if matches!(original_instance.resolve(clip), ResolvedContent::Recording) {
+            return Err("Cannot split a clip that is currently recording".to_string());
+        }
+
+        // A split is: shorten the left half's backend clip, then add the right half as a new one.
+        //
+        // 1. Trim the left (original) instance. `trim_range` tags the bounds with the clip's own
+        //    content domain, so a MIDI clip's beats trims can't be sent as seconds.
+        let left_trim = clip.trim_range(
+            original_instance.trim_start,
+            original_instance
+                .trim_end
+                .unwrap_or(ContentTime(clip.content_duration().native())),
+        );
+        let new_instance = new_instance.clone();
+
+        let backend_track_id = *backend
             .layer_to_track_map
             .get(&self.layer_id)
             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Layer {} not mapped to backend track", self.layer_id))?;
+        let left_backend_id = backend
+            .clip_instance_to_backend_map
+            .get(&self.instance_id)
+            .copied();
 
-        // Get audio controller
+        {
             let controller = backend
                 .audio_controller
                 .as_mut()
                 .ok_or_else(|| "Audio controller not available".to_string())?;
-
+            match left_backend_id {
-        // Handle different clip types
+                Some(crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(id))
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+                | Some(crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(id)) => {
-        match &clip.clip_type {
+                    controller.trim_clip(backend_track_id, id, left_trim);
-            AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                }
-                use daw_backend::command::{Query, QueryResponse};
+                None => {}
-
+            }
-                // 1. Trim the original (left) instance
-                let orig_internal_start = original_instance.trim_start;
-                let orig_internal_end = original_instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
-
-                // Look up the original backend instance ID
-                if let Some(crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(orig_backend_id)) =
-                    backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(&self.instance_id)
-                {
-                    controller.trim_clip(*backend_track_id, *orig_backend_id, orig_internal_start, orig_internal_end);
         }
 
-                // 2. Add the new (right) instance
+        // 2. Add the right (new) instance via the shared helper — same one AddClipInstanceAction
-                let internal_start = new_instance.trim_start;
+        //    uses, so the trim/duration conversions live in exactly one place.
-                let internal_end = new_instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
+        if let Some((track_id, backend_id)) =
-                let external_start = new_instance.timeline_start;
+            backend.add_clip_instance(document, &self.layer_id, &new_instance)?
-                // MIDI trims are beats-domain, so the fallback span is beats too.
+        {
-                let external_duration = new_instance
+            self.backend_track_id = Some(track_id);
-                    .timeline_duration
+            match backend_id {
-                    .unwrap_or(daw_backend::Beats(internal_end - internal_start));
+                crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(id) => {
-
+                    self.backend_midi_instance_id = Some(id)
-                let instance = daw_backend::MidiClipInstance::new(
+                }
-                    0,
+                crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(id) => {
-                    *midi_clip_id,
+                    self.backend_audio_instance_id = Some(id)
-                    daw_backend::Beats(internal_start),
+                }
-                    daw_backend::Beats(internal_end),
+            }
-                    external_start,
+        }
-                    external_duration,
-                );
-
-                let query = Query::AddMidiClipInstanceSync(*backend_track_id, instance);
-
-                match controller.send_query(query)? {
-                    QueryResponse::MidiClipInstanceAdded(Ok(instance_id)) => {
-                        self.backend_track_id = Some(*backend_track_id);
-                        self.backend_midi_instance_id = Some(instance_id);
-
-                        backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.insert(
-                            new_instance_id,
-                            crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(instance_id),
-                        );
 
         Ok(())
     }
-                    QueryResponse::MidiClipInstanceAdded(Err(e)) => Err(e),
-                    _ => Err("Unexpected query response".to_string()),
-                }
-            }
-            AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => {
-                // 1. Trim the original (left) instance
-                let orig_internal_start = original_instance.trim_start;
-                let orig_internal_end = original_instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
-
-                // Look up the original backend instance ID
-                if let Some(crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(orig_backend_id)) =
-                    backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(&self.instance_id)
-                {
-                    controller.trim_clip(*backend_track_id, *orig_backend_id, orig_internal_start, orig_internal_end);
-                }
-
-                // 2. Add the new (right) instance
-                let internal_start = new_instance.trim_start;
-                let internal_end = new_instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
-                let start_time = new_instance.timeline_start;
-                // Fallback span is the content seconds converted to beats at the
-                // clip's start (not the seconds span treated as beats).
-                let effective_duration = new_instance.timeline_duration.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-                    let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
-                    let content_secs = daw_backend::Seconds(internal_end - internal_start);
-                    tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(start_time) + content_secs)
-                        - start_time
-                });
-
-                let instance_id = controller.add_audio_clip(
-                    *backend_track_id,
-                    *audio_pool_index,
-                    start_time,
-                    effective_duration,
-                    daw_backend::Seconds(internal_start),
-                );
-
-                self.backend_track_id = Some(*backend_track_id);
-                self.backend_audio_instance_id = Some(instance_id);
-
-                backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.insert(
-                    new_instance_id,
-                    crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(instance_id),
-                );
-
-                Ok(())
-            }
-            AudioClipType::Recording => {
-                // Recording clips cannot be split
-                Err("Cannot split a clip that is currently recording".to_string())
-            }
-        }
-    }
 
     fn rollback_backend(
         &mut self,
@@ -499,26 +449,28 @@ impl Action for SplitClipInstanceAction {
                     if let Some(instance) = al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == self.instance_id) {
                         if let Some(clip) = document.get_audio_clip(&instance.clip_id) {
                             let orig_internal_start = instance.trim_start;
-                            let orig_internal_end = self.original_trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
+                            let orig_internal_end = self
+                                .original_trim_end
+                                .unwrap_or(ContentTime(clip.content_duration().native()));
 
                             // Restore based on clip type
-                            use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+                            use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
-                            match &clip.clip_type {
+                            match &instance.resolve(clip) {
-                                AudioClipType::Midi { .. } => {
+                                ResolvedContent::Midi { .. } => {
                                     if let Some(crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(orig_backend_id)) =
                                         backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(&self.instance_id)
                                     {
-                                        controller.trim_clip(track_id, *orig_backend_id, orig_internal_start, orig_internal_end);
+                                        controller.trim_clip(track_id, *orig_backend_id, clip.trim_range(orig_internal_start, orig_internal_end));
                                     }
                                 }
-                                AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                                ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                                     if let Some(crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(orig_backend_id)) =
                                         backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(&self.instance_id)
                                     {
-                                        controller.trim_clip(track_id, *orig_backend_id, orig_internal_start, orig_internal_end);
+                                        controller.trim_clip(track_id, *orig_backend_id, clip.trim_range(orig_internal_start, orig_internal_end));
                                     }
                                 }
-                                AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                                ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                                     // Recording clips - nothing to rollback
                                 }
                             }
@@ -554,8 +506,8 @@ mod tests {
         // Create a clip instance at timeline 0, with trim 0-10 (10 seconds)
         let mut clip_instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id);
         clip_instance.timeline_start = daw_backend::Beats::ZERO;
-        clip_instance.trim_start = 0.0;
+        clip_instance.trim_start = ContentTime::ZERO;
-        clip_instance.trim_end = Some(10.0);
+        clip_instance.trim_end = Some(ContentTime(10.0));
         let instance_id = clip_instance.id;
         vector_layer.clip_instances.push(clip_instance);
 
@@ -575,4 +527,42 @@ mod tests {
         let action = SplitClipInstanceAction::new(Uuid::new_v4(), Uuid::new_v4(), daw_backend::Beats(5.0));
         assert_eq!(action.description(), "Split clip instance");
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn splitting_a_midi_clip_stays_in_the_beats_domain() {
+        // Regression: `trim_start`/`trim_end` are domain-polymorphic — SECONDS for audio/video/
+        // vector, but BEATS for MIDI (the backend takes MIDI trims as `Beats`). Split used to map
+        // the split point into the clip's content in seconds unconditionally, so on a MIDI clip it
+        // added a seconds delta to a beats offset. At anything but 60 BPM the right half started at
+        // the wrong place in the content.
+        //
+        // At 120 BPM, beat 4 is 2 SECONDS in. The right half must trim to beat 4, not "4 seconds"
+        // (= beat 8) and not 2 (the seconds value).
+        let mut document = Document::new("Test");
+        document.set_bpm(120.0);
+
+        // 8-beat MIDI clip at the timeline origin.
+        let clip = crate::clip::AudioClip::new_midi("Midi", 1, daw_backend::Beats(8.0));
+        let clip_id = document.add_audio_clip(clip);
+
+        let mut audio_layer = crate::layer::AudioLayer::new("Layer 1");
+        let mut instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id);
+        instance.timeline_start = daw_backend::Beats::ZERO;
+        instance.trim_start = ContentTime::ZERO;
+        instance.trim_end = Some(ContentTime(8.0)); // beats
+        let instance_id = instance.id;
+        audio_layer.clip_instances.push(instance);
+        let layer_id = document.root.add_child(AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer));
+
+        let mut action = SplitClipInstanceAction::new(layer_id, instance_id, daw_backend::Beats(4.0));
+        action.execute(&mut document).expect("split");
+        let new_id = action.new_instance_id().expect("right instance");
+
+        let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = document.get_layer(&layer_id).unwrap() else { panic!() };
+        let right = al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == new_id).unwrap();
+        let left = al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == instance_id).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(right.trim_start, ContentTime(4.0), "right half must start 4 BEATS into the content");
+        assert_eq!(left.trim_end, Some(ContentTime(4.0)), "left half must end 4 BEATS into the content");
+    }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/actions/trim_clip_instances.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use crate::action::Action;
 use crate::clip::ClipInstance;
 use crate::document::Document;
 use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
-use daw_backend::{Beats, Seconds};
+use daw_backend::{Beats, ContentTime, Seconds};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
@@ -32,15 +32,57 @@ pub struct TrimClipInstancesAction {
 pub struct TrimData {
     /// For TrimLeft: trim_start value
     /// For TrimRight: trim_end value (Option because it can be None)
-    pub trim_value: Option<f64>,
+    ///
+    /// A content time — measured in the clip's own domain (seconds for audio/video/vector, beats
+    /// for MIDI), so it must be resolved against the clip before meeting a timeline position.
+    pub trim_value: Option<ContentTime>,
     /// For TrimLeft: timeline_start value (where the clip appears on timeline, beats)
     /// For TrimRight: unused (None)
     pub timeline_start: Option<Beats>,
 }
 
+/// A wall-clock gap on the timeline, expressed in a clip's content domain.
+///
+/// Trim validation clamps how far a clip may be dragged against the empty space next to it, and that
+/// space is measured on the timeline (seconds) while the trim lives in the clip's content domain. For
+/// wall-clock content they're the same number; for MIDI (beats content) the gap has to be converted
+/// at the clip's position, or a seconds gap silently clamps a beats trim.
+fn gap_to_content(
+    gap: Seconds,
+    clip_content: crate::clip::ClipDuration,
+    timeline_start: Beats,
+    tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap,
+) -> ContentTime {
+    match clip_content {
+        crate::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(_) => ContentTime(gap.seconds_to_f64()),
+        crate::clip::ClipDuration::Beats(_) => {
+            let beats = tempo_map
+                .seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(timeline_start) + gap)
+                - timeline_start;
+            ContentTime(beats.beats_to_f64())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// The inverse: a content-domain span as wall-clock seconds at the clip's position.
+fn content_to_secs(
+    span: ContentTime,
+    clip_content: crate::clip::ClipDuration,
+    timeline_start: Beats,
+    tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap,
+) -> Seconds {
+    match clip_content {
+        crate::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(_) => Seconds(span.raw()),
+        crate::clip::ClipDuration::Beats(_) => {
+            tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(timeline_start + Beats(span.raw()))
+                - tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(timeline_start)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 impl TrimData {
     /// Create TrimData for left trim
-    pub fn left(trim_start: f64, timeline_start: Beats) -> Self {
+    pub fn left(trim_start: ContentTime, timeline_start: Beats) -> Self {
         Self {
             trim_value: Some(trim_start),
             timeline_start: Some(timeline_start),
@@ -48,7 +90,7 @@ impl TrimData {
     }
 
     /// Create TrimData for right trim
-    pub fn right(trim_end: Option<f64>) -> Self {
+    pub fn right(trim_end: Option<ContentTime>) -> Self {
         Self {
             trim_value: trim_end,
             timeline_start: None,
@@ -192,7 +234,8 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                     .find(|ci| &ci.id == instance_id)
                     .ok_or_else(|| format!("Instance {} not found", instance_id))?;
 
-                let clip_duration = document.get_clip_duration(&instance.clip_id)
+                // The clip's content duration in ITS OWN domain, so trims resolve correctly for MIDI.
+                let clip_content = document.clip_trim_duration(&instance.clip_id)
                     .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
 
                 let mut clamped_new = new.clone();
@@ -204,23 +247,34 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                         {
                             // If extending to the left (new_trim < old_trim)
                             if should_validate && new_trim < old_trim {
-                                // Max leftward extension as content seconds (the gap's wall-clock span).
+                                let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
-                                let max_extend_secs = document.find_max_trim_extend_left(
+
+                                // Max leftward extension: the gap's wall-clock span, converted into
+                                // the clip's content domain so it can clamp a content-domain trim.
+                                let max_extend = gap_to_content(
+                                    document.find_max_trim_extend_left(
                                         layer_id,
                                         instance_id,
                                         instance.timeline_start,
-                                ).seconds_to_f64();
+                                    ),
+                                    clip_content,
+                                    instance.timeline_start,
+                                    tempo_map,
+                                );
 
-                                // Calculate how much we want to extend (content seconds)
                                 let desired_extend = old_trim - new_trim;
-
+                                let actual_extend = desired_extend.min(max_extend);
-                                // Clamp to max allowed
-                                let actual_extend = desired_extend.min(max_extend_secs);
                                 let clamped_trim_start = old_trim - actual_extend;
-                                // Move the timeline left by the same wall-clock seconds.
+
-                                let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
+                                // Move the timeline left by the same span, as wall-clock seconds.
+                                let shift = content_to_secs(
+                                    actual_extend,
+                                    clip_content,
+                                    instance.timeline_start,
+                                    tempo_map,
+                                );
                                 let clamped_timeline_start = tempo_map
-                                    .seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(old_timeline) - Seconds(actual_extend))
+                                    .seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(old_timeline) - shift)
                                     .max(Beats::ZERO);
 
                                 clamped_new = TrimData::left(clamped_trim_start, clamped_timeline_start);
@@ -228,36 +282,39 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                         }
                     }
                     TrimType::TrimRight => {
-                        let old_trim_end = old.trim_value.unwrap_or(clip_duration.seconds_to_f64());
+                        let content_end = ContentTime(clip_content.native());
-                        let new_trim_end = new.trim_value.unwrap_or(clip_duration.seconds_to_f64());
+                        let old_trim_end = old.trim_value.unwrap_or(content_end);
+                        let new_trim_end = new.trim_value.unwrap_or(content_end);
 
                         // If extending to the right (new_trim_end > old_trim_end)
                         if should_validate && new_trim_end > old_trim_end {
                             let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
-                            // Current effective duration in beats (content seconds
-                            // converted to beats at the clip's start).
-                            let content_secs = Seconds(old_trim_end - instance.trim_start);
-                            let current_effective_duration = tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(
-                                tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(instance.timeline_start) + content_secs,
-                            ) - instance.timeline_start;
 
-                            // Max rightward extension as content seconds (the gap's wall-clock span).
+                            // How long the clip currently occupies the timeline, in beats. Resolved
-                            let max_extend_secs = document.find_max_trim_extend_right(
+                            // in the clip's own domain, so a MIDI clip's beats content isn't run
+                            // through the seconds→beats conversion a second time.
+                            let current_effective_duration = instance
+                                .effective_duration_beats(clip_content, tempo_map);
+
+                            // Max rightward extension: the gap's wall-clock span, in content domain.
+                            let max_extend = gap_to_content(
+                                document.find_max_trim_extend_right(
                                     layer_id,
                                     instance_id,
                                     instance.timeline_start,
                                     current_effective_duration,
-                            ).seconds_to_f64();
+                                ),
+                                clip_content,
+                                instance.timeline_start,
+                                tempo_map,
+                            );
 
-                            // Calculate how much we want to extend (content seconds)
                             let desired_extend = new_trim_end - old_trim_end;
-
+                            let actual_extend = desired_extend.min(max_extend);
-                            // Clamp to max allowed
-                            let actual_extend = desired_extend.min(max_extend_secs);
                             let clamped_trim_end = old_trim_end + actual_extend;
 
-                            // Don't exceed clip duration
+                            // Don't exceed the clip's content.
-                            let final_trim_end = clamped_trim_end.min(clip_duration.seconds_to_f64());
+                            let final_trim_end = clamped_trim_end.min(content_end);
 
                             clamped_new = TrimData::right(Some(final_trim_end));
                         }
@@ -366,7 +423,7 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
 
     fn execute_backend(&mut self, backend: &mut crate::action::BackendContext, document: &Document) -> Result<(), String> {
         use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+        use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
 
         // Get audio controller
         let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
@@ -387,8 +444,9 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                         if let Some(&metatrack_id) = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(&instance.clip_id) {
                             // Instance already has new values after execute()
                             controller.set_offset(metatrack_id, document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(instance.timeline_start));
-                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start));
+                            // A vector clip's content is wall-clock, so its content times ARE seconds.
-                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(daw_backend::Seconds));
+                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start.raw()));
+                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(|t| daw_backend::Seconds(t.raw())));
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -424,27 +482,29 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                 // Calculate new internal_start and internal_end for backend
                 // Note: instance already has the new trim values after execute()
                 let internal_start = instance.trim_start;
-                let internal_end = instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native());
+                let internal_end = instance
+                    .trim_end
+                    .unwrap_or(ContentTime(clip.content_duration().native()));
 
                 // Handle trim based on clip type
-                match &clip.clip_type {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
-                    AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: trim_clip expects the pool clip ID
-                        controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, internal_start, internal_end);
+                        controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, clip.trim_range(internal_start, internal_end));
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                         // For sampled audio: trim_clip expects the instance ID
                         let backend_instance_id = backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(instance_id)
                             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not mapped to backend", instance_id))?;
 
                         match backend_instance_id {
                             crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(audio_id) => {
-                                controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *audio_id, internal_start, internal_end);
+                                controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *audio_id, clip.trim_range(internal_start, internal_end));
                             }
                             _ => return Err("Expected audio instance ID for sampled clip".to_string()),
                         }
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                         // Recording clips cannot be trimmed - skip
                     }
                 }
@@ -456,7 +516,7 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
 
     fn rollback_backend(&mut self, backend: &mut crate::action::BackendContext, document: &Document) -> Result<(), String> {
         use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
-        use crate::clip::AudioClipType;
+        use crate::clip::ResolvedContent;
 
         // Get audio controller
         let controller = match backend.audio_controller.as_mut() {
@@ -477,8 +537,9 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                         if let Some(&metatrack_id) = backend.layer_to_track_map.get(&instance.clip_id) {
                             // Instance already has old values after rollback()
                             controller.set_offset(metatrack_id, document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(instance.timeline_start));
-                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start));
+                            // A vector clip's content is wall-clock, so its content times ARE seconds.
-                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(daw_backend::Seconds));
+                            controller.set_trim_start(metatrack_id, daw_backend::Seconds(instance.trim_start.raw()));
+                            controller.set_trim_end(metatrack_id, instance.trim_end.map(|t| daw_backend::Seconds(t.raw())));
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -512,34 +573,35 @@ impl Action for TrimClipInstancesAction {
                     .ok_or_else(|| format!("Audio clip {} not found", instance.clip_id))?;
 
                 // Calculate old internal_start and internal_end for backend
+                let content_end = ContentTime(clip.content_duration().native());
                 let internal_start = match trim_type {
-                    TrimType::TrimLeft => old.trim_value.unwrap_or(0.0),
+                    TrimType::TrimLeft => old.trim_value.unwrap_or(ContentTime::ZERO),
                     TrimType::TrimRight => instance.trim_start, // trim_start wasn't changed
                 };
                 let internal_end = match trim_type {
-                    TrimType::TrimLeft => instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native()), // trim_end wasn't changed
+                    TrimType::TrimLeft => instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(content_end), // trim_end wasn't changed
-                    TrimType::TrimRight => old.trim_value.unwrap_or(clip.content_duration().native()),
+                    TrimType::TrimRight => old.trim_value.unwrap_or(content_end),
                 };
 
                 // Handle trim based on clip type
-                match &clip.clip_type {
+                match &instance.resolve(clip) {
-                    AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                         // For MIDI: trim_clip expects the pool clip ID
-                        controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, internal_start, internal_end);
+                        controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *midi_clip_id, clip.trim_range(internal_start, internal_end));
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                         // For sampled audio: trim_clip expects the instance ID
                         let backend_instance_id = backend.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(instance_id)
                             .ok_or_else(|| format!("Clip instance {} not mapped to backend", instance_id))?;
 
                         match backend_instance_id {
                             crate::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(audio_id) => {
-                                controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *audio_id, internal_start, internal_end);
+                                controller.trim_clip(*track_id, *audio_id, clip.trim_range(internal_start, internal_end));
                             }
                             _ => return Err("Expected audio instance ID for sampled clip".to_string()),
                         }
                     }
-                    AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                    ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                         // Recording clips cannot be trimmed - skip
                     }
                 }
@@ -569,7 +631,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let mut clip_instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id);
         clip_instance.timeline_start = Beats::ZERO;
-        clip_instance.trim_start = 0.0;
+        clip_instance.trim_start = ContentTime::ZERO;
         let instance_id = clip_instance.id;
         vector_layer.clip_instances.push(clip_instance);
 
@@ -582,8 +644,8 @@ mod tests {
             vec![(
                 instance_id,
                 TrimType::TrimLeft,
-                TrimData::left(0.0, Beats::ZERO),
+                TrimData::left(ContentTime::ZERO, Beats::ZERO),
-                TrimData::left(2.0, Beats(2.0)),
+                TrimData::left(ContentTime(2.0), Beats(2.0)),
             )],
         );
 
@@ -599,7 +661,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .iter()
                 .find(|ci| ci.id == instance_id)
                 .unwrap();
-            assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, 2.0);
+            assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, ContentTime(2.0));
             assert_eq!(instance.timeline_start, Beats(2.0));
         }
 
@@ -613,7 +675,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .iter()
                 .find(|ci| ci.id == instance_id)
                 .unwrap();
-            assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, 0.0);
+            assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, ContentTime::ZERO);
             assert_eq!(instance.timeline_start, Beats::ZERO);
         }
     }
@@ -644,7 +706,7 @@ mod tests {
                 instance_id,
                 TrimType::TrimRight,
                 TrimData::right(None),
-                TrimData::right(Some(8.0)),
+                TrimData::right(Some(ContentTime(8.0))),
             )],
         );
 
@@ -660,7 +722,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .iter()
                 .find(|ci| ci.id == instance_id)
                 .unwrap();
-            assert_eq!(instance.trim_end, Some(8.0));
+            assert_eq!(instance.trim_end, Some(ContentTime(8.0)));
         }
 
         // Rollback

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/clip.rs

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 use crate::layer::AnyLayer;
 use crate::layer_tree::LayerTree;
 use crate::object::Transform;
-use daw_backend::{Beats, Seconds};
+use daw_backend::{Beats, ContentTime, Seconds};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use uuid::Uuid;
@@ -130,10 +130,14 @@ impl VectorClip {
                 let end_beats: Beats = if let Some(td_beats) = ci.timeline_duration {
                     ci.timeline_start + td_beats
                 } else if let Some(te) = ci.trim_end {
-                    let secs = (te - ci.trim_start).max(0.0);
+                    // `clip_duration_fn` hands back seconds, so this whole path treats nested
+                    // content as wall-clock. That's right for the vector/video/audio clips a vector
+                    // clip actually nests; a nested MIDI clip (beats content) would need resolving
+                    // against its clip, which this callback can't do. Pre-existing limitation.
+                    let secs = (te - ci.trim_start).raw().max(0.0);
                     tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(ci.timeline_start) + Seconds(secs))
                 } else if let Some(clip_dur_secs) = clip_duration_fn(&ci.clip_id) {
-                    let secs = (clip_dur_secs - ci.trim_start).max(0.0);
+                    let secs = (clip_dur_secs - ci.trim_start.raw()).max(0.0);
                     tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(ci.timeline_start) + Seconds(secs))
                 } else {
                     continue;
@@ -201,7 +205,9 @@ impl VectorClip {
                     // Convert parent clip time (seconds) to nested clip local time (seconds).
                     // timeline_start is in beats; convert to seconds using document BPM.
                     let start_secs = document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(clip_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
-                    let nested_clip_time = ((clip_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start;
+                    // Nested clips here are vector clips, whose content is wall-clock seconds.
+                    let nested_clip_time =
+                        ((clip_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start.raw();
 
                     // Look up the nested clip definition
                     let nested_bounds = if let Some(nested_clip) = document.get_vector_clip(&clip_instance.clip_id) {
@@ -468,6 +474,25 @@ pub enum AudioClipType {
     Recording,
 }
 
+/// One take of a cycle recording — see [`ClipInstance::takes`].
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct AudioTake {
+    /// Display name, e.g. "Take 1". User-editable.
+    pub name: String,
+    /// The recorded content this take points at.
+    pub content: TakeContent,
+}
+
+/// What a take actually holds. An instance's takes are all the same kind — one cycle-record session
+/// captures either audio or MIDI, never a mix.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub enum TakeContent {
+    /// Sampled audio: index into the audio pool.
+    Audio { audio_pool_index: usize },
+    /// MIDI: backend MIDI clip ID.
+    Midi { midi_clip_id: u32 },
+}
+
 /// A clip's content duration, tagged by its native unit.
 ///
 /// Sampled/recording audio and video measure content in wall-clock **seconds**; MIDI measures
@@ -497,6 +522,17 @@ impl ClipDuration {
             ClipDuration::Beats(b) => b.beats_to_f64(),
         }
     }
+
+    /// Tag a [`ContentTime`] with *this* duration's domain.
+    ///
+    /// Handy when you already hold a clip's content duration (so you know the domain) and need to
+    /// resolve one of its trim bounds, without going back to the clip.
+    pub fn same_domain(self, t: ContentTime) -> ClipDuration {
+        match self {
+            ClipDuration::Seconds(_) => ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(t.raw())),
+            ClipDuration::Beats(_) => ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(t.raw())),
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 /// Audio clip
@@ -532,28 +568,31 @@ impl AudioClip {
     /// The clip's content duration, tagged with its native domain (seconds for sampled/recording,
     /// beats for MIDI). This is the only sanctioned way to read the raw `duration` field.
     pub fn content_duration(&self) -> ClipDuration {
-        match self.clip_type {
+        if self.is_midi_domain() {
-            AudioClipType::Midi { .. } => ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(self.duration)),
+            ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(self.duration))
-            AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } | AudioClipType::Recording => {
+        } else {
             ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(self.duration))
         }
     }
-    }
 
     /// Set the content duration. Debug-asserts the value's domain matches the clip type so a
     /// beats duration can't be stored on a seconds clip (or vice-versa).
     pub fn set_content_duration(&mut self, duration: ClipDuration) {
         debug_assert!(
             matches!(
-                (&self.clip_type, duration),
+                (self.is_midi_domain(), duration),
-                (AudioClipType::Midi { .. }, ClipDuration::Beats(_))
+                (true, ClipDuration::Beats(_)) | (false, ClipDuration::Seconds(_))
-                    | (AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } | AudioClipType::Recording, ClipDuration::Seconds(_))
             ),
             "clip duration domain must match clip type",
         );
         self.duration = duration.native();
     }
 
+    /// Whether this clip's `duration` is measured in beats (MIDI) rather than seconds.
+    fn is_midi_domain(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self.clip_type, AudioClipType::Midi { .. })
+    }
+
     /// Create a new sampled audio clip
     ///
     /// # Arguments
@@ -637,6 +676,73 @@ impl AudioClip {
             _ => None,
         }
     }
+
+    /// The clip's own content, ignoring takes.
+    ///
+    /// Callers that are handing content to the backend want [`ClipInstance::resolve`] instead — an
+    /// instance with takes overrides the clip's content with whichever take is active.
+    pub fn resolve(&self) -> ResolvedContent {
+        match &self.clip_type {
+            AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => ResolvedContent::Audio {
+                audio_pool_index: *audio_pool_index,
+            },
+            AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => ResolvedContent::Midi {
+                midi_clip_id: *midi_clip_id,
+            },
+            AudioClipType::Recording => ResolvedContent::Recording,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Resolve a content time against this clip's domain.
+    ///
+    /// This is the ONLY sanctioned way to turn a [`ContentTime`] into a real duration — the type has
+    /// no `.to_seconds()` of its own precisely so that the clip, which is the one thing that knows
+    /// whether its content is measured in seconds or beats, has to be consulted.
+    pub fn resolve_content_time(&self, t: ContentTime) -> ClipDuration {
+        if self.is_midi_domain() {
+            ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(t.raw()))
+        } else {
+            ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(t.raw()))
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Tag a pair of trim bounds with this clip's content domain, ready for the backend.
+    ///
+    /// Building the [`TrimRange`] from the clip means a caller can't reach for the wrong variant:
+    /// the clip is the one thing that knows the domain.
+    pub fn trim_range(&self, start: ContentTime, end: ContentTime) -> daw_backend::command::TrimRange {
+        if self.is_midi_domain() {
+            daw_backend::command::TrimRange::Beats {
+                start: Beats(start.raw()),
+                end: Beats(end.raw()),
+            }
+        } else {
+            daw_backend::command::TrimRange::Seconds {
+                start: Seconds(start.raw()),
+                end: Seconds(end.raw()),
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Whether this clip's own content is the given audio pool index.
+    pub fn owns_audio_pool_index(&self, pool_index: usize) -> bool {
+        self.audio_pool_index() == Some(pool_index)
+    }
+
+    /// Whether this clip's own content is the given backend MIDI clip ID.
+    pub fn owns_midi_clip_id(&self, id: u32) -> bool {
+        self.midi_clip_id() == Some(id)
+    }
+}
+
+/// What a clip instance actually plays, once takes are resolved to the active one.
+/// Produced by [`ClipInstance::resolve`].
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum ResolvedContent {
+    Audio { audio_pool_index: usize },
+    Midi { midi_clip_id: u32 },
+    /// A recording in progress (or an empty take folder) — no backend content yet.
+    Recording,
 }
 
 /// Unified clip enum for polymorphic handling
@@ -715,16 +821,17 @@ pub struct ClipInstance {
     /// Default: None (use trimmed clip duration, no looping)
     pub timeline_duration: Option<Beats>,
 
-    /// Trim start: offset into the clip's internal content, in **seconds**.
+    /// Trim start: offset into the clip's internal content.
-    /// - For audio: byte-offset into the audio file
+    ///
-    /// - For video: seek position in the video file
+    /// A [`ContentTime`] — measured in the CLIP's content domain, which is seconds for sampled
-    /// - For vector: time offset into the animation
+    /// audio/video/vector but BEATS for MIDI. Resolve it against the clip
+    /// ([`Document::resolve_content_time`]) before combining it with anything on the timeline.
     /// Default: 0.0
-    pub trim_start: f64,
+    pub trim_start: ContentTime,
 
-    /// Trim end: offset into the clip's internal content, in **seconds**.
+    /// Trim end: offset into the clip's internal content. See [`Self::trim_start`].
     /// Default: None (use full clip duration)
-    pub trim_end: Option<f64>,
+    pub trim_end: Option<ContentTime>,
 
     /// Playback speed multiplier
     /// 1.0 = normal speed, 0.5 = half speed, 2.0 = double speed
@@ -741,6 +848,35 @@ pub struct ClipInstance {
     /// Default: None (no pre-loop)
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub loop_before: Option<Beats>,
+
+    /// Alternate takes from cycle recording. Empty = an ordinary instance with no takes.
+    ///
+    /// The takes live on the INSTANCE, not the clip, so managing them is per-instance: deleting or
+    /// renaming a take on one instance leaves every other instance alone. Splitting clones the list
+    /// along with the rest of the instance, so the two halves get independent take lists — and,
+    /// since they can each select a different take, comping still falls out for free.
+    ///
+    /// Every take spans the full cycle region (partial passes are padded with silence at capture
+    /// time), so they're all the same length as the clip's own content. That uniformity is what lets
+    /// a take switch leave the instance's geometry untouched.
+    ///
+    /// When non-empty, these OVERRIDE the clip's own content — see [`Self::resolve`].
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty")]
+    pub takes: Vec<AudioTake>,
+
+    /// Which of [`Self::takes`] plays. `None` (or a stale index) means take 0.
+    /// Default: None
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub active_take: Option<usize>,
+
+    /// The cycle region's length in beats when these takes were recorded.
+    ///
+    /// Audio takes are cut geometrically (by sample count), so they're only meaningful against the
+    /// tempo they were recorded at. Keeping the recorded length lets a future time-stretch/conform
+    /// feature reconcile them if the tempo moves underneath, and lets a new recording tell whether
+    /// it belongs in this take list or a fresh one.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub recorded_loop_beats: Option<Beats>,
 }
 
 /// High 64-bit sentinel used to identify UUIDs that encode a backend audio clip instance ID.
@@ -794,11 +930,14 @@ impl ClipInstance {
             name: None,
             timeline_start: Beats::ZERO,
             timeline_duration: None,
-            trim_start: 0.0,
+            trim_start: ContentTime::ZERO,
             trim_end: None,
             playback_speed: 1.0,
             gain: 1.0,
             loop_before: None,
+            takes: Vec::new(),
+            active_take: None,
+            recorded_loop_beats: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -812,11 +951,14 @@ impl ClipInstance {
             name: None,
             timeline_start: Beats::ZERO,
             timeline_duration: None,
-            trim_start: 0.0,
+            trim_start: ContentTime::ZERO,
             trim_end: None,
             playback_speed: 1.0,
             gain: 1.0,
             loop_before: None,
+            takes: Vec::new(),
+            active_take: None,
+            recorded_loop_beats: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -852,7 +994,7 @@ impl ClipInstance {
     }
 
     /// Set trimming (start and end time within the clip's internal content)
-    pub fn with_trimming(mut self, trim_start: f64, trim_end: Option<f64>) -> Self {
+    pub fn with_trimming(mut self, trim_start: ContentTime, trim_end: Option<ContentTime>) -> Self {
         self.trim_start = trim_start;
         self.trim_end = trim_end;
         self
@@ -876,24 +1018,89 @@ impl ClipInstance {
         self
     }
 
-    /// Content window size in seconds: `trim_end - trim_start`.
+    /// The take this instance plays, if it has any.
+    ///
+    /// A `None`/stale `active_take` falls back to take 0 — an index can go stale (an undo that
+    /// shrank the list, an old `.beam`), and silently playing the first take beats playing nothing.
+    pub fn active_take(&self) -> Option<&AudioTake> {
+        self.takes
+            .get(self.active_take.unwrap_or(0))
+            .or_else(|| self.takes.first())
+    }
+
+    /// The index [`Self::active_take`] actually resolves to, clamped into range.
+    pub fn active_take_index(&self) -> usize {
+        let i = self.active_take.unwrap_or(0);
+        if i < self.takes.len() { i } else { 0 }
+    }
+
+    /// What this instance plays: its active take if it has takes, otherwise the clip's own content.
+    ///
+    /// This is the sanctioned way to ask "what content do I hand the backend for this instance?".
+    /// Takes are never a distinct *case* at the call site — an instance with takes is just an audio
+    /// or MIDI instance whose identity depends on which take is live.
+    pub fn resolve(&self, clip: &AudioClip) -> ResolvedContent {
+        match self.active_take().map(|t| &t.content) {
+            Some(TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index }) => ResolvedContent::Audio {
+                audio_pool_index: *audio_pool_index,
+            },
+            Some(TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id }) => ResolvedContent::Midi {
+                midi_clip_id: *midi_clip_id,
+            },
+            None => clip.resolve(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The audio pool index this instance plays. See [`Self::resolve`].
+    pub fn resolved_audio_pool_index(&self, clip: &AudioClip) -> Option<usize> {
+        match self.resolve(clip) {
+            ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => Some(audio_pool_index),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The backend MIDI clip ID this instance plays. See [`Self::resolve`].
+    pub fn resolved_midi_clip_id(&self, clip: &AudioClip) -> Option<u32> {
+        match self.resolve(clip) {
+            ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => Some(midi_clip_id),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Content window (`trim_end - trim_start`) in the clip's own content domain.
     /// Used for internal looping calculations.
-    pub fn content_window_secs(&self, clip_duration_secs: Seconds) -> Seconds {
+    pub fn content_window(&self, clip_content: ClipDuration) -> ClipDuration {
-        let end = self.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip_duration_secs.seconds_to_f64());
+        let end = self.trim_end.map_or(clip_content.native(), |t| t.raw());
-        Seconds((end - self.trim_start).max(0.0))
+        let window = (end - self.trim_start.raw()).max(0.0);
+        match clip_content {
+            ClipDuration::Beats(_) => ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(window)),
+            ClipDuration::Seconds(_) => ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(window)),
+        }
     }
 
     /// How long this instance appears on the timeline, in **beats**.
     ///
-    /// If `timeline_duration` is set, returns that (enabling content looping).
+    /// If `timeline_duration` is set, returns that (enabling content looping). Otherwise the clip
-    /// Otherwise converts the content window from seconds to beats using the tempo map.
+    /// occupies its content window — converted to beats *in the clip's own domain*:
-    pub fn effective_duration_beats(&self, clip_duration_secs: Seconds, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Beats {
+    ///
+    /// - MIDI content is already beats and is tempo-invariant, so it carries over directly.
+    /// - Wall-clock content (audio/video/vector) is a seconds span, so it converts at the clip's
+    ///   position on the timeline.
+    ///
+    /// Taking a `ClipDuration` rather than a bare `Seconds` is what keeps those apart: this used to
+    /// take seconds and subtract `trim_start` from it, which for a TRIMMED MIDI clip subtracted a
+    /// beats offset from a seconds duration and got the clip's length wrong.
+    pub fn effective_duration_beats(&self, clip_content: ClipDuration, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Beats {
         if let Some(td) = self.timeline_duration {
             return td;
         }
-        let window = self.content_window_secs(clip_duration_secs);
+        match self.content_window(clip_content) {
+            ClipDuration::Beats(b) => b,
+            ClipDuration::Seconds(s) => {
                 let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(self.timeline_start);
-        tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(start_secs + window) - self.timeline_start
+                tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(start_secs + s) - self.timeline_start
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     /// Left edge of the clip's visual extent on the timeline, in **beats**.
@@ -902,27 +1109,32 @@ impl ClipInstance {
     }
 
     /// Total visual duration (loop_before + effective_duration), in **beats**.
-    pub fn total_duration(&self, clip_duration_secs: Seconds, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Beats {
+    pub fn total_duration(&self, clip_content: ClipDuration, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Beats {
-        self.loop_before.unwrap_or(Beats::ZERO) + self.effective_duration_beats(clip_duration_secs, tempo_map)
+        self.loop_before.unwrap_or(Beats::ZERO) + self.effective_duration_beats(clip_content, tempo_map)
     }
 
     /// Map a playback time (in **seconds**) to clip-local content time (in **seconds**).
     ///
-    /// Returns `None` if the clip instance is not active at `time_secs`.
+    /// The trim bounds are resolved through `clip_content`'s domain first, so a MIDI clip's beats
-    pub fn remap_time_secs(&self, time: Seconds, clip_duration_secs: Seconds, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Option<Seconds> {
+    /// trims are converted rather than read as seconds. Callers are the wall-clock consumers (video
+    /// seek, vector/raster rendering), which want seconds regardless of how the clip stores content.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `None` if the clip instance is not active at `time`.
+    pub fn remap_time_secs(&self, time: Seconds, clip_content: ClipDuration, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Option<Seconds> {
         let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(self.timeline_start);
-        let dur_beats = self.effective_duration_beats(clip_duration_secs, tempo_map);
+        let dur_beats = self.effective_duration_beats(clip_content, tempo_map);
         let end_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(self.timeline_start + dur_beats);
 
         if time < start_secs || time >= end_secs {
             return None;
         }
 
+        let trim_start_secs = clip_content.same_domain(self.trim_start).to_seconds(tempo_map);
         let content_time = (time - start_secs) * self.playback_speed;
-        let content_window = self.content_window_secs(clip_duration_secs);
+        let content_window = self.content_window(clip_content).to_seconds(tempo_map);
 
         if content_window == Seconds::ZERO {
-            return Some(Seconds(self.trim_start));
+            return Some(trim_start_secs);
         }
 
         let looped = if content_time > content_window {
@@ -931,19 +1143,19 @@ impl ClipInstance {
             content_time
         };
 
-        Some(Seconds(self.trim_start) + looped)
+        Some(trim_start_secs + looped)
     }
 
     /// Alias for `remap_time_secs`.
     #[inline]
-    pub fn remap_time(&self, time: Seconds, clip_duration_secs: Seconds, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Option<Seconds> {
+    pub fn remap_time(&self, time: Seconds, clip_content: ClipDuration, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Option<Seconds> {
-        self.remap_time_secs(time, clip_duration_secs, tempo_map)
+        self.remap_time_secs(time, clip_content, tempo_map)
     }
 
     /// Alias for `effective_duration_beats`.
     #[inline]
-    pub fn effective_duration(&self, clip_duration_secs: Seconds, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Beats {
+    pub fn effective_duration(&self, clip_content: ClipDuration, tempo_map: &crate::tempo_map::TempoMap) -> Beats {
-        self.effective_duration_beats(clip_duration_secs, tempo_map)
+        self.effective_duration_beats(clip_content, tempo_map)
     }
 
     /// Convert to affine transform
@@ -1020,7 +1232,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(instance.clip_id, clip_id);
         assert_eq!(instance.opacity, 1.0);
         assert_eq!(instance.timeline_start, Beats::ZERO);
-        assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, 0.0);
+        assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, ContentTime::ZERO);
         assert_eq!(instance.trim_end, None);
         assert_eq!(instance.playback_speed, 1.0);
         assert_eq!(instance.gain, 1.0);
@@ -1030,27 +1242,52 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_clip_instance_trimming() {
         let clip_id = Uuid::new_v4();
         let instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id)
-            .with_trimming(2.0, Some(8.0));
+            .with_trimming(ContentTime(2.0), Some(ContentTime(8.0)));
 
-        assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, 2.0);
+        assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, ContentTime(2.0));
-        assert_eq!(instance.trim_end, Some(8.0));
+        assert_eq!(instance.trim_end, Some(ContentTime(8.0)));
         // At 60 BPM the tempo map is identity (1 beat == 1 second), so the
         // beats-domain effective duration equals the seconds content window.
         let tempo_map = crate::tempo_map::TempoMap::constant(60.0);
-        assert_eq!(instance.effective_duration(Seconds(10.0), &tempo_map), Beats(6.0));
+        let content = ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(10.0));
+        assert_eq!(instance.effective_duration(content, &tempo_map), Beats(6.0));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn test_clip_instance_no_end_trim() {
         let clip_id = Uuid::new_v4();
         let instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id)
-            .with_trimming(2.0, None);
+            .with_trimming(ContentTime(2.0), None);
 
-        assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, 2.0);
+        assert_eq!(instance.trim_start, ContentTime(2.0));
         assert_eq!(instance.trim_end, None);
         // At 60 BPM the tempo map is identity (1 beat == 1 second).
         let tempo_map = crate::tempo_map::TempoMap::constant(60.0);
-        assert_eq!(instance.effective_duration(Seconds(10.0), &tempo_map), Beats(8.0));
+        let content = ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(10.0));
+        assert_eq!(instance.effective_duration(content, &tempo_map), Beats(8.0));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn trimmed_midi_clip_keeps_its_beats_length_across_tempo() {
+        // Regression: `effective_duration_beats` used to take a SECONDS clip duration and subtract
+        // `trim_start` from it. For a TRIMMED MIDI clip that subtracted a beats offset from a
+        // seconds duration, so the clip's timeline length came out wrong at any tempo but 60 BPM.
+        //
+        // MIDI content is beats and tempo-invariant: a clip trimmed to beats 2..6 is 4 beats long
+        // whatever the tempo says.
+        let clip_id = Uuid::new_v4();
+        let instance = ClipInstance::new(clip_id)
+            .with_trimming(ContentTime(2.0), Some(ContentTime(6.0)));
+        let content = ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(8.0));
+
+        for bpm in [60.0, 120.0, 90.0] {
+            let tempo_map = crate::tempo_map::TempoMap::constant(bpm);
+            assert_eq!(
+                instance.effective_duration(content, &tempo_map),
+                Beats(4.0),
+                "a MIDI clip trimmed to beats 2..6 is 4 beats long at {bpm} BPM",
+            );
+        }
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -1070,4 +1307,109 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(instance.playback_speed, 2.0);
         assert_eq!(instance.gain, 0.8);
     }
+
+    /// A clip whose own content is pool 10, plus an instance carrying takes over the given pools.
+    fn with_takes(pool_indices: &[usize]) -> (AudioClip, ClipInstance) {
+        let clip = AudioClip::new_sampled("Cycle rec", pool_indices[0], 2.0);
+        let mut instance = ClipInstance::new(clip.id);
+        instance.takes = pool_indices
+            .iter()
+            .enumerate()
+            .map(|(i, &audio_pool_index)| AudioTake {
+                name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
+                content: TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index },
+            })
+            .collect();
+        instance.recorded_loop_beats = Some(Beats(8.0));
+        (clip, instance)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn active_take_selects_the_pool_file() {
+        let (clip, mut instance) = with_takes(&[10, 11, 12]);
+        instance.active_take = Some(0);
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
+        instance.active_take = Some(2);
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(12));
+        // None means take 0.
+        instance.active_take = None;
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn out_of_range_take_falls_back_to_the_first() {
+        // An index can go stale (an undo that shrank the list, an old .beam). Playing the first take
+        // beats playing nothing.
+        let (clip, mut instance) = with_takes(&[10, 11]);
+        instance.active_take = Some(99);
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
+        assert_eq!(instance.active_take_index(), 0);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn an_instance_without_takes_plays_the_clips_own_content() {
+        let clip = AudioClip::new_sampled("Plain", 42, 2.0);
+        let instance = ClipInstance::new(clip.id);
+        assert!(instance.takes.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(42));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn midi_takes_resolve_to_midi_content() {
+        let clip = AudioClip::new_midi("Cycle rec", 7, Beats(4.0));
+        let mut instance = ClipInstance::new(clip.id);
+        instance.takes = vec![AudioTake {
+            name: "Take 1".into(),
+            content: TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id: 7 },
+        }];
+        assert_eq!(clip.content_duration(), ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(4.0)));
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_midi_clip_id(&clip), Some(7));
+        assert_eq!(instance.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn splitting_gives_each_half_an_independent_take_list() {
+        // Takes live on the INSTANCE, so a split (which clones the instance) hands each half its own
+        // list. Two consequences, both wanted: the halves can select different takes (comping), and
+        // deleting a take from one leaves the other alone.
+        let (clip, left_src) = with_takes(&[10, 11, 12]);
+        let mut left = left_src.clone();
+        let mut right = left_src.clone();
+        right.id = Uuid::new_v4();
+
+        left.active_take = Some(0);
+        right.active_take = Some(2);
+        assert_eq!(left.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(10));
+        assert_eq!(right.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip), Some(12));
+
+        // Delete take 2 (pool 11) from the left half only.
+        left.takes.remove(1);
+        assert_eq!(left.takes.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(right.takes.len(), 3, "the other half keeps its own takes");
+        assert_eq!(
+            right.resolved_audio_pool_index(&clip),
+            Some(12),
+            "and its selection still points where it did",
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn clip_instance_without_active_take_deserializes() {
+        // Back-compat: .beam files written before take folders have no `active_take` field.
+        let json = r#"{
+            "id": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
+            "clip_id": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440001",
+            "transform": {"x": 0.0, "y": 0.0, "rotation": 0.0, "scale_x": 1.0, "scale_y": 1.0, "skew_x": 0.0, "skew_y": 0.0},
+            "opacity": 1.0,
+            "name": null,
+            "timeline_start": 0.0,
+            "timeline_duration": null,
+            "trim_start": 0.0,
+            "trim_end": null,
+            "playback_speed": 1.0,
+            "gain": 1.0
+        }"#;
+        let instance: ClipInstance = serde_json::from_str(json).expect("old instances must load");
+        assert_eq!(instance.active_take, None);
+    }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/document.rs

@@ -201,6 +201,17 @@ pub struct Document {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub time_signature: TimeSignature,
 
+    /// Transport cycle (loop) region, as `(start, end)` in **beats**.
+    ///
+    /// Authored in beats so it stays put musically when the tempo changes. `None` = no region set.
+    /// Saved with the project; `#[serde(default)]` keeps older `.beam` files loading.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub cycle_region: Option<(Beats, Beats)>,
+
+    /// Whether the transport loops over `cycle_region`.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub cycle_enabled: bool,
+
     /// Master track (master bus + tempo automation lane).
     /// Stored separately from the root layer tree; shown in timeline when
     /// `show_master_track` is enabled in the editor state.
@@ -297,6 +308,8 @@ impl Default for Document {
             height: 1080.0,
             framerate: 60.0,
             time_signature: TimeSignature::default(),
+            cycle_region: None,
+            cycle_enabled: false,
             master_layer: {
                 let mut ml = GroupLayer::new_master(120.0);
                 ml.layer.id = uuid::Uuid::new_v4();
@@ -451,8 +464,11 @@ impl Document {
             let end_beats: Beats = if let Some(timeline_duration) = instance.timeline_duration {
                 instance.timeline_start + timeline_duration
             } else {
-                let trim_end = instance.trim_end.unwrap_or(clip_duration);
+                // `clip_duration` arrives as seconds (the recursive helper's signature), so this
-                let trimmed_secs = ((trim_end - instance.trim_start) / instance.playback_speed).max(0.0);
+                // path is the wall-clock one; MIDI content would need resolving against its clip.
+                let trim_end = instance.trim_end.map_or(clip_duration, |t| t.raw());
+                let trimmed_secs =
+                    ((trim_end - instance.trim_start.raw()) / instance.playback_speed).max(0.0);
                 let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(instance.timeline_start);
                 tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(start_secs + Seconds(trimmed_secs))
             };
@@ -767,16 +783,18 @@ impl Document {
     }
 
     /// Find the document audio clip (UUID + ref) that owns the given backend pool index.
+    /// A take folder owns one pool file per take, so any of them maps back to the folder.
     pub fn audio_clip_by_pool_index(&self, pool_index: usize) -> Option<(Uuid, &AudioClip)> {
         self.audio_clips.iter()
-            .find(|(_, c)| c.audio_pool_index() == Some(pool_index))
+            .find(|(_, c)| c.owns_audio_pool_index(pool_index))
             .map(|(&id, c)| (id, c))
     }
 
     /// Find the document audio clip (UUID + ref) that owns the given backend MIDI clip ID.
+    /// As above, a take folder owns one MIDI clip per take.
     pub fn audio_clip_by_midi_clip_id(&self, midi_clip_id: u32) -> Option<(Uuid, &AudioClip)> {
         self.audio_clips.iter()
-            .find(|(_, c)| c.midi_clip_id() == Some(midi_clip_id))
+            .find(|(_, c)| c.owns_midi_clip_id(midi_clip_id))
             .map(|(&id, c)| (id, c))
     }
 
@@ -898,6 +916,81 @@ impl Document {
     /// Searches through all clip libraries to find the clip and return its duration.
     /// For effect definitions, returns `EFFECT_DURATION` (f64::MAX) since effects
     /// have infinite internal duration.
+    /// A clip's content duration **in the domain its `trim_start`/`trim_end` are measured in**.
+    ///
+    /// Content time is domain-polymorphic exactly like `AudioClip::duration`: SECONDS for sampled
+    /// audio, video and vector, but BEATS for MIDI. Anything doing arithmetic against a trim value —
+    /// mapping a timeline position into the clip's content, say — has to work in that same domain,
+    /// and [`Self::get_clip_duration`] can't tell it which: that one always converts to seconds.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `None` for unknown clips.
+    pub fn clip_trim_duration(&self, clip_id: &Uuid) -> Option<crate::clip::ClipDuration> {
+        if let Some(clip) = self.audio_clips.get(clip_id) {
+            return Some(clip.content_duration());
+        }
+        // Everything else measures its content in wall-clock seconds.
+        self.get_clip_duration(clip_id).map(crate::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds)
+    }
+
+    /// Find an existing take folder on `layer_id` that a new cycle recording should be appended to.
+    ///
+    /// Cycle-recording over a region that already holds a take folder should ADD to that folder
+    /// rather than drop a second clip on top of it — otherwise the new takes are stranded in a
+    /// separate, overlapping clip and can't be auditioned against the ones already there.
+    ///
+    /// "The same region" means the instance starts at `loop_start` and its folder was recorded
+    /// against the same loop length. Matching the length too means resizing the cycle region starts
+    /// a fresh folder rather than appending takes of a different length to an existing one, which
+    /// would break the uniform-take invariant comping depends on.
+    ///
+    /// `exclude` is the in-progress recording's own instance, which is on the layer but isn't a
+    /// candidate. Returns the instance id.
+    pub fn take_folder_at(
+        &self,
+        layer_id: &Uuid,
+        loop_start: Beats,
+        loop_len: Beats,
+        exclude: &Uuid,
+    ) -> Option<Uuid> {
+        let Some(AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer)) = self.get_layer(layer_id) else {
+            return None;
+        };
+        const EPS: f64 = 1e-6;
+        audio_layer.clip_instances.iter().find_map(|ci| {
+            if ci.id == *exclude
+                || ci.takes.is_empty()
+                || (ci.timeline_start - loop_start).beats_to_f64().abs() > EPS
+            {
+                return None;
+            }
+            let recorded = ci.recorded_loop_beats?;
+            ((recorded - loop_len).beats_to_f64().abs() < EPS).then_some(ci.id)
+        })
+    }
+
+    /// Resolve a [`ContentTime`] (a trim bound) against the clip it belongs to.
+    ///
+    /// The clip is the only thing that knows whether its content is measured in seconds or beats, so
+    /// this is the sanctioned exit from `ContentTime`. Works for every clip kind, not just audio.
+    /// Returns `None` for unknown clips.
+    pub fn resolve_content_time(
+        &self,
+        clip_id: &Uuid,
+        t: daw_backend::ContentTime,
+    ) -> Option<crate::clip::ClipDuration> {
+        if let Some(clip) = self.audio_clips.get(clip_id) {
+            return Some(clip.resolve_content_time(t));
+        }
+        if self.vector_clips.contains_key(clip_id)
+            || self.video_clips.contains_key(clip_id)
+            || self.effect_definitions.contains_key(clip_id)
+        {
+            // Wall-clock content.
+            return Some(crate::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(t.raw())));
+        }
+        None
+    }
+
     pub fn get_clip_duration(&self, clip_id: &Uuid) -> Option<Seconds> {
         if let Some(clip) = self.vector_clips.get(clip_id) {
             if clip.is_group {
@@ -951,9 +1044,9 @@ impl Document {
         };
 
         let instance = instances.iter().find(|inst| &inst.id == instance_id)?;
-        let clip_duration = self.get_clip_duration(&instance.clip_id)?;
+        // The clip's content duration in ITS OWN domain, so the trims resolve correctly for MIDI.
-        // End position on the timeline, in beats (convert the seconds content window via tempo map).
+        let clip_content = self.clip_trim_duration(&instance.clip_id)?;
-        Some(instance.timeline_start + instance.effective_duration_beats(clip_duration, self.tempo_map()))
+        Some(instance.timeline_start + instance.effective_duration_beats(clip_content, self.tempo_map()))
     }
 
     /// Check if a time range overlaps with any existing clip on the layer
@@ -993,13 +1086,14 @@ impl Document {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            // Calculate instance extent (accounting for loop_before)
+            // Calculate instance extent (accounting for loop_before). Content duration in the clip's
-            let Some(clip_duration) = self.get_clip_duration(&instance.clip_id) else {
+            // own domain, so the trims resolve correctly for MIDI.
+            let Some(clip_content) = self.clip_trim_duration(&instance.clip_id) else {
                 continue;
             };
 
             let instance_start = instance.effective_start();
-            let instance_end = instance.timeline_start + instance.effective_duration(clip_duration, self.tempo_map());
+            let instance_end = instance.timeline_start + instance.effective_duration(clip_content, self.tempo_map());
 
             // Check overlap: start_a < end_b AND start_b < end_a
             if start_time < instance_end && instance_start < end_time {
@@ -1056,7 +1150,7 @@ impl Document {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            if let Some(clip_dur) = self.get_clip_duration(&instance.clip_id) {
+            if let Some(clip_dur) = self.clip_trim_duration(&instance.clip_id) {
                 let inst_start = instance.effective_start();
                 let inst_end = instance.timeline_start + instance.effective_duration(clip_dur, self.tempo_map());
                 occupied_ranges.push((inst_start, inst_end, instance.id));
@@ -1152,7 +1246,7 @@ impl Document {
             if group_ids.contains(&inst.id) {
                 continue;
             }
-            if let Some(dur) = self.get_clip_duration(&inst.clip_id) {
+            if let Some(dur) = self.clip_trim_duration(&inst.clip_id) {
                 let start = inst.effective_start();
                 let end = inst.timeline_start + inst.effective_duration(dur, self.tempo_map());
                 non_group.push((start, end));
@@ -1226,9 +1320,8 @@ impl Document {
             }
 
             // Calculate other clip's extent (accounting for loop_before)
-            if let Some(clip_duration) = self.get_clip_duration(&other.clip_id) {
+            if let Some(clip_duration) = self.clip_trim_duration(&other.clip_id) {
                 let other_end = other.timeline_start + other.effective_duration(clip_duration, self.tempo_map());
-                // (clip_duration is Seconds via get_clip_duration; effective_duration converts.)
 
                 // If this clip is to the left and closer than current nearest
                 if other_end <= current_timeline_start && other_end > nearest_end {
@@ -1326,7 +1419,7 @@ impl Document {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            if let Some(clip_duration) = self.get_clip_duration(&other.clip_id) {
+            if let Some(clip_duration) = self.clip_trim_duration(&other.clip_id) {
                 let other_end = other.timeline_start + other.effective_duration(clip_duration, self.tempo_map());
 
                 if other_end <= current_effective_start && other_end > nearest_end {

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/effect_layer.rs

@@ -152,7 +152,12 @@ impl EffectLayer {
         self.clip_instances
             .iter()
             .filter(|e| {
-                let end = e.timeline_start + e.effective_duration(daw_backend::Seconds(EFFECT_DURATION), tempo_map);
+                // Effects have an "infinite" wall-clock content length.
+                let end = e.timeline_start
+                    + e.effective_duration(
+                        crate::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(daw_backend::Seconds(EFFECT_DURATION)),
+                        tempo_map,
+                    );
                 time_beats >= e.timeline_start && time_beats < end
             })
             .collect()

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/hit_test.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 //! Provides functions for testing if points or rectangles intersect with
 //! vector graph elements and clip instances, taking into account transform hierarchies.
 
-use crate::clip::ClipInstance;
+use crate::clip::{ClipDuration, ClipInstance};
 use crate::vector_graph::{VertexId, EdgeId, FillId};
 use crate::layer::VectorLayer;
 use crate::shape::Shape;
@@ -260,7 +260,10 @@ pub fn hit_test_clip_instances(
     for clip_instance in clip_instances.iter().rev() {
         // Check time bounds: skip clip instances not active at this time
         // timeline_start/instance_end are in beats; convert timeline_time (seconds) to beats.
-        let clip_duration = document.get_clip_duration(&clip_instance.clip_id).unwrap_or(daw_backend::Seconds::ZERO);
+        // Hit-testing runs on vector/raster content, which is wall-clock seconds.
+        let clip_duration = ClipDuration::Seconds(
+            document.get_clip_duration(&clip_instance.clip_id).unwrap_or(daw_backend::Seconds::ZERO),
+        );
         let instance_end = clip_instance.timeline_start + clip_instance.effective_duration(clip_duration, tempo_map);
         let timeline_beats = tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(daw_backend::Seconds(timeline_time));
         if timeline_beats < clip_instance.timeline_start || timeline_beats >= instance_end {
@@ -269,7 +272,8 @@ pub fn hit_test_clip_instances(
 
         // clip_time is in seconds; offset from clip start (in seconds) + trim_start (seconds)
         let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(clip_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
-        let clip_time = ((timeline_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start;
+        let clip_time =
+            ((timeline_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start.raw();
 
         let content_bounds = if let Some(vector_clip) = document.get_vector_clip(&clip_instance.clip_id) {
             vector_clip.calculate_content_bounds(document, clip_time)
@@ -304,7 +308,10 @@ pub fn hit_test_clip_instances_in_rect(
     for clip_instance in clip_instances {
         // Check time bounds: skip clip instances not active at this time
         // timeline_start/instance_end are in beats; convert timeline_time (seconds) to beats.
-        let clip_duration = document.get_clip_duration(&clip_instance.clip_id).unwrap_or(daw_backend::Seconds::ZERO);
+        // Hit-testing runs on vector/raster content, which is wall-clock seconds.
+        let clip_duration = ClipDuration::Seconds(
+            document.get_clip_duration(&clip_instance.clip_id).unwrap_or(daw_backend::Seconds::ZERO),
+        );
         let instance_end = clip_instance.timeline_start + clip_instance.effective_duration(clip_duration, tempo_map);
         let timeline_beats = tempo_map.seconds_to_beats(daw_backend::Seconds(timeline_time));
         if timeline_beats < clip_instance.timeline_start || timeline_beats >= instance_end {
@@ -312,7 +319,8 @@ pub fn hit_test_clip_instances_in_rect(
         }
 
         let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(clip_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
-        let clip_time = ((timeline_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start;
+        let clip_time =
+            ((timeline_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start.raw();
 
         let content_bounds = if let Some(vector_clip) = document.get_vector_clip(&clip_instance.clip_id) {
             vector_clip.calculate_content_bounds(document, clip_time)

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-core/src/renderer.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 //! The compositing mode enables proper per-layer opacity, blend modes, and effects.
 
 use crate::animation::TransformProperty;
-use crate::clip::{ClipInstance, ImageAsset};
+use crate::clip::{ClipDuration, ClipInstance, ImageAsset};
 use crate::document::Document;
 use daw_backend::Seconds;
 use crate::gpu::BlendMode;
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ pub fn render_layer_isolated(
             let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
             for clip_instance in &video_layer.clip_instances {
                 let Some(video_clip) = document.video_clips.get(&clip_instance.clip_id) else { continue };
-                let Some(clip_time) = clip_instance.remap_time(Seconds(time), Seconds(video_clip.duration), tempo_map) else { continue };
+                let Some(clip_time) = clip_instance.remap_time(Seconds(time), ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(video_clip.duration)), tempo_map) else { continue };
                 let clip_time = clip_time.seconds_to_f64();
                 let Some(frame) = video_mgr.get_frame(&clip_instance.clip_id, clip_time, target_w, target_h) else { continue };
 
@@ -1019,7 +1019,10 @@ fn render_clip_instance(
         }
         0.0
     } else {
-        let clip_dur = document.get_clip_duration(&vector_clip.id).unwrap_or(Seconds(vector_clip.duration));
+        // A vector clip's content is wall-clock seconds.
+        let clip_dur = ClipDuration::Seconds(
+            document.get_clip_duration(&vector_clip.id).unwrap_or(Seconds(vector_clip.duration)),
+        );
         let Some(t) = clip_instance.remap_time(Seconds(time), clip_dur, tempo_map) else {
             return; // Clip instance not active at this time
         };
@@ -1174,7 +1177,7 @@ fn render_video_layer(
 
         // Remap timeline time to clip's internal time
         let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
-        let Some(clip_time) = clip_instance.remap_time(Seconds(time), Seconds(video_clip.duration), tempo_map) else {
+        let Some(clip_time) = clip_instance.remap_time(Seconds(time), ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(video_clip.duration)), tempo_map) else {
             continue; // Clip instance not active at this time
         };
         let clip_time = clip_time.seconds_to_f64();
@@ -1910,7 +1913,10 @@ fn render_clip_instance_cpu(
         if time < start_secs || time >= end { return; }
         0.0
     } else {
-        let clip_dur = document.get_clip_duration(&vector_clip.id).unwrap_or(Seconds(vector_clip.duration));
+        // A vector clip's content is wall-clock seconds.
+        let clip_dur = ClipDuration::Seconds(
+            document.get_clip_duration(&vector_clip.id).unwrap_or(Seconds(vector_clip.duration)),
+        );
         let Some(t) = clip_instance.remap_time(Seconds(time), clip_dur, tempo_map) else { return };
         t.seconds_to_f64()
     };

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "lightningbeam-editor"
-version = "1.0.9-alpha"
+version = "1.0.10-alpha"
 edition = "2021"
 description = "Multimedia editor for audio, video and 2D animation"
 license = "GPL-3.0-or-later"

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/config.rs

@@ -35,6 +35,18 @@ pub struct AppConfig {
     #[serde(default = "defaults::audio_buffer_size")]
     pub audio_buffer_size: u32,
 
+    /// How a cycle MIDI recording treats its passes.
+    ///
+    /// `false` (default) = **merge**: every pass overdubs into one clip, and earlier passes play back
+    /// as you record so you can layer against them. `true` = **separate takes**: each pass becomes
+    /// its own take in a take folder, exactly as audio always does, and earlier passes stay silent
+    /// (they're alternatives, not layers).
+    ///
+    /// Only applies when the transport actually wraps; a recording that stops inside the first pass
+    /// is an ordinary single recording either way.
+    #[serde(default = "defaults::cycle_midi_separate_takes")]
+    pub cycle_midi_separate_takes: bool,
+
     /// Reopen last session on startup
     #[serde(default = "defaults::reopen_last_session")]
     pub reopen_last_session: bool,
@@ -78,6 +90,47 @@ pub struct AppConfig {
     /// Last-used audio-export "Album" tag, remembered so it prefills next time.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub last_audio_album: String,
+
+    /// What the stylus's lower barrel button does while held.
+    #[serde(default = "defaults::tablet_button_lower")]
+    pub tablet_button_lower: TabletButtonAction,
+
+    /// What the stylus's upper barrel button does while held.
+    #[serde(default = "defaults::tablet_button_upper")]
+    pub tablet_button_upper: TabletButtonAction,
+}
+
+/// What a stylus barrel button does while held down.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, Default)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum TabletButtonAction {
+    /// Do nothing.
+    None,
+    /// Drag to pan the stage.
+    #[default]
+    Pan,
+    /// Temporarily switch to the eyedropper.
+    Eyedropper,
+    /// Temporarily switch to the eraser.
+    Erase,
+}
+
+impl TabletButtonAction {
+    pub const ALL: [TabletButtonAction; 4] = [
+        TabletButtonAction::None,
+        TabletButtonAction::Pan,
+        TabletButtonAction::Eyedropper,
+        TabletButtonAction::Erase,
+    ];
+
+    pub fn label(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            TabletButtonAction::None => "None",
+            TabletButtonAction::Pan => "Pan",
+            TabletButtonAction::Eyedropper => "Eyedropper",
+            TabletButtonAction::Erase => "Eraser",
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl Default for AppConfig {
@@ -90,6 +143,7 @@ impl Default for AppConfig {
             file_height: defaults::file_height(),
             scroll_speed: defaults::scroll_speed(),
             audio_buffer_size: defaults::audio_buffer_size(),
+            cycle_midi_separate_takes: defaults::cycle_midi_separate_takes(),
             reopen_last_session: defaults::reopen_last_session(),
             restore_layout_from_file: defaults::restore_layout_from_file(),
             debug: defaults::debug(),
@@ -100,6 +154,8 @@ impl Default for AppConfig {
             waveform_floor_samples_per_texel: defaults::waveform_floor_samples_per_texel(),
             last_audio_artist: String::new(),
             last_audio_album: String::new(),
+            tablet_button_lower: defaults::tablet_button_lower(),
+            tablet_button_upper: defaults::tablet_button_upper(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -290,12 +346,16 @@ impl AppConfig {
 
 /// Default values for preferences (matches JS implementation)
 mod defaults {
+    use super::TabletButtonAction;
+    pub fn tablet_button_lower() -> TabletButtonAction { TabletButtonAction::Pan }
+    pub fn tablet_button_upper() -> TabletButtonAction { TabletButtonAction::Eyedropper }
     pub fn bpm() -> u32 { 120 }
     pub fn framerate() -> u32 { 24 }
     pub fn file_width() -> u32 { 800 }
     pub fn file_height() -> u32 { 600 }
     pub fn scroll_speed() -> f64 { 1.0 }
     pub fn audio_buffer_size() -> u32 { 256 }
+    pub fn cycle_midi_separate_takes() -> bool { false }
     pub fn reopen_last_session() -> bool { false }
     pub fn restore_layout_from_file() -> bool { true }
     pub fn debug() -> bool { false }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/custom_cursor.rs

@@ -1,205 +1,380 @@
 //! Custom cursor system
 //!
-//! Provides SVG-based custom cursors beyond egui's built-in system cursors.
+//! Tool cursors are drawn from the bundled Lucide icon font. A tool falls into one of three
-//! When a custom cursor is active, the system cursor is hidden and the SVG
+//! kinds, because "draw the tool's icon at the pointer" only works for icons that actually have
-//! cursor image is drawn at the pointer position.
+//! a point:
+//!
+//! * [`CursorKind::System`] — the OS cursor already says it better than we can (the arrow for
+//!   Select, the move cross for Transform). We use the real OS cursor.
+//! * [`CursorKind::Precise`] — the glyph has an unambiguous tip (pencil, brush, pipette), so it
+//!   *is* the cursor: the tip lands exactly on the click point.
+//! * [`CursorKind::Badge`] — the glyph has no focus point (stamp, bandage, spray can). Using it
+//!   alone would leave you guessing where you're clicking, so we pair it with a crosshair: the
+//!   crosshair marks the click point and the glyph hangs off its bottom-right.
+//!
+//! Rather than *painting* the cursor into the egui scene, we rasterize it and hand it to the
+//! windowing system as a real OS cursor (`egui::CursorImage` → winit `CustomCursor`). A painted
+//! cursor is composited with our frame and therefore always trails the pointer by a frame or
+//! more; an OS cursor is composited by the window system and doesn't lag at all.
+//!
+//! The glyphs are rasterized out of egui's own font atlas using the same placement maths as
+//! `epaint`'s text tessellator, so a glyph lands exactly where `painter.text` would have put it.
 
 use eframe::egui;
-use egui::TextureHandle;
 use lightningbeam_core::tool::Tool;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::sync::Arc;
 
-/// Custom cursor identifiers
+use crate::mobile::icons;
+
+/// What kind of cursor a tool gets.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq)]
+pub enum CursorKind {
+    /// Use a native OS cursor; build nothing ourselves.
+    System(egui::CursorIcon),
+    /// The glyph is the cursor. `hotspot` is the click point in Lucide's 24×24 icon grid.
+    Precise {
+        glyph: &'static str,
+        hotspot: egui::Vec2,
+    },
+    /// A crosshair marks the click point; the glyph sits to its bottom-right.
+    Badge { glyph: &'static str },
+}
+
+/// Hotspot for a glyph whose tip is at the bottom-left (pencil, brush, pen, pipette).
+const TIP_BOTTOM_LEFT: egui::Vec2 = egui::vec2(3.0, 21.0);
+/// Hotspot for a glyph centred on the click point.
+const TIP_CENTER: egui::Vec2 = egui::vec2(12.0, 12.0);
+
+/// Which cursor a stage tool uses.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 pub enum CustomCursor {
-    // Stage tool cursors
+    Tool(Tool),
-    Select,
+    /// Timeline: dragging the end of the loop region.
-    Draw,
-    Transform,
-    Rectangle,
-    Ellipse,
-    PaintBucket,
-    Eyedropper,
-    Line,
-    Polygon,
-    BezierEdit,
-    Text,
-    // Timeline cursors
     LoopExtend,
 }
 
 impl CustomCursor {
-    /// Convert a Tool enum to the corresponding custom cursor
     pub fn from_tool(tool: Tool) -> Self {
+        CustomCursor::Tool(tool)
+    }
+
+    pub fn kind(&self) -> CursorKind {
+        use egui::CursorIcon as Sys;
+
+        let tool = match self {
+            CustomCursor::LoopExtend => {
+                return CursorKind::Precise {
+                    glyph: icons::REPEAT,
+                    hotspot: TIP_CENTER,
+                }
+            }
+            CustomCursor::Tool(t) => *t,
+        };
+
+        let precise = |glyph, hotspot| CursorKind::Precise { glyph, hotspot };
+        let badge = |glyph| CursorKind::Badge { glyph };
+
         match tool {
-            Tool::Select        => CustomCursor::Select,
+            // The OS knows these better than we do.
-            Tool::Draw          => CustomCursor::Draw,
+            Tool::Select => CursorKind::System(Sys::Default),
-            Tool::Transform     => CustomCursor::Transform,
+            Tool::Transform => CursorKind::System(Sys::Move),
-            Tool::Rectangle     => CustomCursor::Rectangle,
-            Tool::Ellipse       => CustomCursor::Ellipse,
-            Tool::PaintBucket   => CustomCursor::PaintBucket,
-            Tool::Eyedropper    => CustomCursor::Eyedropper,
-            Tool::Line          => CustomCursor::Line,
-            Tool::Polygon       => CustomCursor::Polygon,
-            Tool::BezierEdit    => CustomCursor::BezierEdit,
-            Tool::Text          => CustomCursor::Text,
-            Tool::RegionSelect  => CustomCursor::Select,
-            Tool::Split         => CustomCursor::Select,
-            Tool::Erase         => CustomCursor::Draw,
-            Tool::Smudge        => CustomCursor::Draw,
-            Tool::SelectLasso   => CustomCursor::Select,
-            // Raster brush tools — use draw cursor until implemented
-            Tool::Pencil
-            | Tool::Pen
-            | Tool::Airbrush
-            | Tool::CloneStamp
-            | Tool::HealingBrush
-            | Tool::PatternStamp
-            | Tool::DodgeBurn
-            | Tool::Sponge
-            | Tool::BlurSharpen => CustomCursor::Draw,
-            // Selection tools — use select cursor until implemented
-            Tool::SelectEllipse
-            | Tool::MagicWand
-            | Tool::QuickSelect => CustomCursor::Select,
-            // Other tools — use select cursor until implemented
-            Tool::Gradient
-            | Tool::CustomShape
-            | Tool::Warp
-            | Tool::Liquify     => CustomCursor::Select,
-        }
-    }
 
-    /// Hotspot offset — the "click point" relative to the image top-left
+            // Glyphs with a real tip: the icon is the cursor.
-    pub fn hotspot(&self) -> egui::Vec2 {
+            Tool::Draw => precise(icons::BRUSH, TIP_BOTTOM_LEFT),
-        match self {
+            Tool::Pencil => precise(icons::PENCIL, TIP_BOTTOM_LEFT),
-            // Select cursor: pointer tip at top-left
+            Tool::Pen => precise(icons::PEN_TOOL, TIP_BOTTOM_LEFT),
-            CustomCursor::Select => egui::vec2(3.0, 1.0),
+            Tool::Eyedropper => precise(icons::PIPETTE, TIP_BOTTOM_LEFT),
-            // Drawing tools: tip at bottom-left
+            Tool::PaintBucket => precise(icons::PAINT_BUCKET, TIP_BOTTOM_LEFT),
-            CustomCursor::Draw => egui::vec2(1.0, 23.0),
+            Tool::Text => precise(icons::TEXT_CURSOR, TIP_CENTER),
-            // Transform: center
-            CustomCursor::Transform => egui::vec2(12.0, 12.0),
-            // Shape tools: crosshair at center
-            CustomCursor::Rectangle
-            | CustomCursor::Ellipse
-            | CustomCursor::Line
-            | CustomCursor::Polygon => egui::vec2(12.0, 12.0),
-            // Paint bucket: tip at bottom-left
-            CustomCursor::PaintBucket => egui::vec2(2.0, 21.0),
-            // Eyedropper: tip at bottom
-            CustomCursor::Eyedropper => egui::vec2(4.0, 22.0),
-            // Bezier edit: tip at top-left
-            CustomCursor::BezierEdit => egui::vec2(3.0, 1.0),
-            // Text: I-beam center
-            CustomCursor::Text => egui::vec2(12.0, 12.0),
-            // Loop extend: center of circular arrow
-            CustomCursor::LoopExtend => egui::vec2(12.0, 12.0),
-        }
-    }
 
-    /// Get the embedded SVG data for this cursor
+            // Shape tools: crosshair for precision, glyph to say which shape.
-    fn svg_data(&self) -> &'static [u8] {
+            Tool::Rectangle => badge(icons::SQUARE),
-        match self {
+            Tool::Ellipse => badge(icons::CIRCLE),
-            CustomCursor::Select => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/select.svg"),
+            Tool::Line => badge(icons::MINUS),
-            CustomCursor::Draw => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/draw.svg"),
+            Tool::Polygon => badge(icons::HEXAGON),
-            CustomCursor::Transform => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/transform.svg"),
+            Tool::CustomShape => badge(icons::SHAPES),
-            CustomCursor::Rectangle => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/rectangle.svg"),
+
-            CustomCursor::Ellipse => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/ellipse.svg"),
+            // Selection tools.
-            CustomCursor::PaintBucket => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/paint_bucket.svg"),
+            Tool::RegionSelect => badge(icons::SQUARE_DASHED),
-            CustomCursor::Eyedropper => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/eyedropper.svg"),
+            Tool::SelectEllipse => badge(icons::CIRCLE_DASHED),
-            CustomCursor::Line => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/line.svg"),
+            Tool::SelectLasso => badge(icons::LASSO_SELECT),
-            CustomCursor::Polygon => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/polygon.svg"),
+            Tool::MagicWand => badge(icons::WAND_SPARKLES),
-            CustomCursor::BezierEdit => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/bezier_edit.svg"),
+            Tool::QuickSelect => badge(icons::BRUSH),
-            CustomCursor::Text => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/text.svg"),
+            Tool::Split => badge(icons::SCISSORS),
-            CustomCursor::LoopExtend => include_bytes!("../../../src/assets/arrow-counterclockwise.svg"),
+
+            // Raster tools whose icons have no focus point. These also draw a brush-size ring on
+            // the stage, which is the real precision cue.
+            Tool::Erase => badge(icons::ERASER),
+            Tool::Airbrush => badge(icons::SPRAY_CAN),
+            Tool::Smudge => badge(icons::POINTER),
+            Tool::CloneStamp => badge(icons::STAMP),
+            Tool::PatternStamp => badge(icons::SHAPES),
+            Tool::HealingBrush => badge(icons::BANDAGE),
+            Tool::DodgeBurn => badge(icons::SUN_MOON),
+            Tool::Sponge => badge(icons::DROPLETS),
+            Tool::BlurSharpen => badge(icons::CONTRAST),
+            Tool::Gradient => badge(icons::BLEND),
+            Tool::Warp => badge(icons::SCALING),
+            Tool::Liquify => badge(icons::DROPLET),
+
+            // Vertex editing: crosshair to place the point, glyph to say we're in bezier mode.
+            Tool::BezierEdit => badge(icons::SPLINE),
         }
     }
 }
 
-/// Cache of rasterized cursor textures (black fill + white outline version)
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Geometry (logical points; scaled by pixels_per_point when rasterized)
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// Rendered size of a cursor glyph.
+const GLYPH_SIZE: f32 = 18.0;
+/// Lucide icons are authored on a 24×24 grid; hotspots are given in those units.
+const ICON_GRID: f32 = 24.0;
+/// Where a badge glyph's top-left sits relative to the crosshair centre.
+const BADGE_OFFSET: egui::Vec2 = egui::vec2(6.0, 6.0);
+/// Half-length of a crosshair arm.
+const CROSSHAIR_ARM: f32 = 7.0;
+/// Gap between the crosshair centre and the start of each arm, so the click point stays visible.
+const CROSSHAIR_GAP: f32 = 2.0;
+/// Margin around the artwork, leaving room for the outline.
+const MARGIN: f32 = 1.5;
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Rasterization
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// Cache of rasterized cursor images, keyed by cursor and DPI scale.
+#[derive(Default)]
 pub struct CursorCache {
-    /// Black cursor for the main image
+    images: HashMap<(CustomCursor, u32), Option<egui::CursorImage>>,
-    textures: HashMap<CustomCursor, TextureHandle>,
+    next_id: u64,
-    /// White cursor for the outline
-    outline_textures: HashMap<CustomCursor, TextureHandle>,
 }
 
 impl CursorCache {
     pub fn new() -> Self {
-        Self {
+        Self::default()
-            textures: HashMap::new(),
-            outline_textures: HashMap::new(),
-        }
     }
 
-    /// Get or lazily load the black (fill) cursor texture
+    fn get_or_build(
-    pub fn get_or_load(&mut self, cursor: CustomCursor, ctx: &egui::Context) -> &TextureHandle {
+        &mut self,
-        self.textures.entry(cursor).or_insert_with(|| {
+        ctx: &egui::Context,
-            let svg_data = cursor.svg_data();
+        cursor: CustomCursor,
-            let svg_string = String::from_utf8_lossy(svg_data);
+        ppp: f32,
-            let svg_with_color = svg_string.replace("currentColor", "#000000");
+    ) -> Option<egui::CursorImage> {
-            rasterize_cursor_svg(svg_with_color.as_bytes(), &format!("cursor_{:?}", cursor), CURSOR_SIZE, ctx)
+        let key = (cursor, ppp.to_bits());
-                .expect("Failed to rasterize cursor SVG")
+        if let Some(cached) = self.images.get(&key) {
-        })
+            return cached.clone();
         }
 
-    /// Get or lazily load the white (outline) cursor texture
+        let id = self.next_id;
-    pub fn get_or_load_outline(&mut self, cursor: CustomCursor, ctx: &egui::Context) -> &TextureHandle {
+        self.next_id += 1;
-        self.outline_textures.entry(cursor).or_insert_with(|| {
+
-            let svg_data = cursor.svg_data();
+        let built = build_cursor_image(ctx, cursor.kind(), ppp, id);
-            let svg_string = String::from_utf8_lossy(svg_data);
+        self.images.insert(key, built.clone());
-            // Replace all colors with white for the outline
+        built
-            let svg_white = svg_string
-                .replace("currentColor", "#ffffff")
-                .replace("#000000", "#ffffff")
-                .replace("#000", "#ffffff");
-            rasterize_cursor_svg(svg_white.as_bytes(), &format!("cursor_{:?}_outline", cursor), CURSOR_SIZE, ctx)
-                .expect("Failed to rasterize cursor SVG outline")
-        })
     }
 }
 
-const CURSOR_SIZE: u32 = 24;
+/// An alpha coverage mask being composed, in physical pixels.
-const OUTLINE_OFFSET: f32 = 1.0;
+struct Mask {
+    w: usize,
+    h: usize,
+    a: Vec<f32>,
+}
 
-/// Rasterize an SVG into an egui texture (same approach as main.rs rasterize_svg)
+impl Mask {
-fn rasterize_cursor_svg(
+    fn new(w: usize, h: usize) -> Self {
-    svg_data: &[u8],
+        Self { w, h, a: vec![0.0; w * h] }
-    name: &str,
+    }
-    render_size: u32,
+
+    fn add(&mut self, x: usize, y: usize, coverage: f32) {
+        if x < self.w && y < self.h {
+            let p = &mut self.a[y * self.w + x];
+            *p = (*p + coverage).min(1.0);
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn get(&self, x: isize, y: isize) -> f32 {
+        if x < 0 || y < 0 || x as usize >= self.w || y as usize >= self.h {
+            0.0
+        } else {
+            self.a[y as usize * self.w + x as usize]
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Fill an axis-aligned rect (physical px, may be fractional) with full coverage.
+    fn fill_rect(&mut self, rect: egui::Rect) {
+        let x0 = rect.min.x.floor().max(0.0) as usize;
+        let y0 = rect.min.y.floor().max(0.0) as usize;
+        let x1 = (rect.max.x.ceil() as usize).min(self.w);
+        let y1 = (rect.max.y.ceil() as usize).min(self.h);
+        for y in y0..y1 {
+            for x in x0..x1 {
+                self.add(x, y, 1.0);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Rasterize a cursor into a premultiplied-RGBA image: black artwork with a white outline, so it
+/// reads against both light and dark backgrounds.
+fn build_cursor_image(
     ctx: &egui::Context,
-) -> Option<TextureHandle> {
+    kind: CursorKind,
-    let tree = resvg::usvg::Tree::from_data(svg_data, &resvg::usvg::Options::default()).ok()?;
+    ppp: f32,
-    let pixmap_size = tree.size().to_int_size();
+    id: u64,
-    let scale_x = render_size as f32 / pixmap_size.width() as f32;
+) -> Option<egui::CursorImage> {
-    let scale_y = render_size as f32 / pixmap_size.height() as f32;
+    let (glyph, glyph_origin, hotspot, crosshair) = match kind {
-    let mut pixmap = resvg::tiny_skia::Pixmap::new(render_size, render_size)?;
+        CursorKind::System(_) => return None,
-    resvg::render(
+        CursorKind::Precise { glyph, hotspot } => {
-        &tree,
+            let scale = GLYPH_SIZE / ICON_GRID;
-        resvg::tiny_skia::Transform::from_scale(scale_x, scale_y),
+            (
-        &mut pixmap.as_mut(),
+                glyph,
-    );
+                egui::vec2(MARGIN, MARGIN),
-    let rgba_data = pixmap.data().to_vec();
+                egui::pos2(MARGIN, MARGIN) + hotspot * scale,
-    let color_image = egui::ColorImage::from_rgba_unmultiplied(
+                false,
-        [render_size as usize, render_size as usize],
+            )
-        &rgba_data,
+        }
-    );
+        CursorKind::Badge { glyph } => {
-    Some(ctx.load_texture(name, color_image, egui::TextureOptions::LINEAR))
+            // The crosshair centre is the click point; place it a margin + arm in from the corner.
+            let centre = egui::pos2(MARGIN + CROSSHAIR_ARM, MARGIN + CROSSHAIR_ARM);
+            (glyph, centre.to_vec2() + BADGE_OFFSET, centre, true)
+        }
+    };
+
+    // Lay the glyph out exactly as `painter.text(.., Align2::LEFT_TOP, ..)` would, so we inherit
+    // epaint's placement rather than re-deriving it from font metrics.
+    let galley = ctx.fonts_mut(|f| {
+        f.layout_no_wrap(
+            glyph.to_owned(),
+            icons::font(GLYPH_SIZE),
+            egui::Color32::WHITE,
+        )
+    });
+
+    // Canvas must cover the glyph, and the crosshair too when there is one.
+    let mut content = egui::Rect::from_min_size(glyph_origin.to_pos2(), galley.size());
+    if crosshair {
+        content = content.union(egui::Rect::from_center_size(
+            hotspot,
+            egui::Vec2::splat(2.0 * CROSSHAIR_ARM),
+        ));
+    }
+    let canvas = content.expand(MARGIN);
+
+    let w = (canvas.width() * ppp).ceil() as usize;
+    let h = (canvas.height() * ppp).ceil() as usize;
+    if w == 0 || h == 0 || w > 2048 || h > 2048 {
+        return None; // winit caps cursors at 2048px.
+    }
+
+    let mut mask = Mask::new(w, h);
+    // Everything is positioned relative to the canvas origin.
+    let to_px = |p: egui::Pos2| ((p - canvas.min.to_vec2()).to_vec2() * ppp).to_pos2();
+
+    // --- Crosshair ---
+    if crosshair {
+        let c = to_px(hotspot);
+        let thickness = ppp.max(1.0); // one physical pixel, at least
+        let arm = CROSSHAIR_ARM * ppp;
+        let gap = CROSSHAIR_GAP * ppp;
+        // Four arms, leaving a gap at the centre so the exact click point stays visible.
+        for (dx, dy) in [(-1.0, 0.0), (1.0, 0.0), (0.0, -1.0), (0.0, 1.0)] {
+            let from = egui::pos2(c.x + dx * gap, c.y + dy * gap);
+            let to = egui::pos2(c.x + dx * arm, c.y + dy * arm);
+            let rect = egui::Rect::from_two_pos(from, to).expand2(if dx == 0.0 {
+                egui::vec2(thickness / 2.0, 0.0)
+            } else {
+                egui::vec2(0.0, thickness / 2.0)
+            });
+            mask.fill_rect(rect);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // --- Glyph, copied out of egui's font atlas ---
+    let atlas = ctx.fonts_mut(|f| f.image());
+    let atlas_w = atlas.size[0];
+    for row in &galley.rows {
+        for g in &row.glyphs {
+            let uv = g.uv_rect;
+            if uv.is_nothing() {
+                continue;
+            }
+            // Same maths as epaint's text tessellator: the glyph's top-left in points is
+            // `glyph.pos + uv_rect.offset`, relative to the galley's top-left.
+            let left_top = to_px((glyph_origin + (g.pos + uv.offset).to_vec2()).to_pos2());
+            let src_w = (uv.max[0] - uv.min[0]) as usize;
+            let src_h = (uv.max[1] - uv.min[1]) as usize;
+
+            for sy in 0..src_h {
+                for sx in 0..src_w {
+                    let src_i = (uv.min[1] as usize + sy) * atlas_w + (uv.min[0] as usize + sx);
+                    let Some(px) = atlas.pixels.get(src_i) else { continue };
+                    let coverage = px.a() as f32 / 255.0;
+                    if coverage <= 0.0 {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    let dx = (left_top.x.round() as isize) + sx as isize;
+                    let dy = (left_top.y.round() as isize) + sy as isize;
+                    if dx >= 0 && dy >= 0 {
+                        mask.add(dx as usize, dy as usize, coverage);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // --- Compose: black fill over a white outline (dilate the mask by one pixel) ---
+    let mut rgba = vec![0u8; w * h * 4];
+    for y in 0..h {
+        for x in 0..w {
+            let fill = mask.get(x as isize, y as isize);
+
+            let mut outline: f32 = 0.0;
+            for oy in -1..=1_isize {
+                for ox in -1..=1_isize {
+                    outline = outline.max(mask.get(x as isize + ox, y as isize + oy));
+                }
+            }
+
+            // White outline underneath, black fill on top; premultiplied.
+            let white = outline * (1.0 - fill);
+            let alpha = fill + outline * (1.0 - fill);
+            let c = (white * 255.0).round().clamp(0.0, 255.0) as u8;
+
+            let i = (y * w + x) * 4;
+            rgba[i] = c;
+            rgba[i + 1] = c;
+            rgba[i + 2] = c;
+            rgba[i + 3] = (alpha * 255.0).round().clamp(0.0, 255.0) as u8;
+        }
+    }
+
+    let hot = to_px(hotspot);
+    Some(egui::CursorImage {
+        id,
+        rgba: Arc::new(rgba),
+        size: (w as u16, h as u16),
+        hotspot: (
+            hot.x.round().clamp(0.0, w as f32 - 1.0) as u16,
+            hot.y.round().clamp(0.0, h as f32 - 1.0) as u16,
+        ),
+    })
 }
 
 // --- Per-frame cursor slot using egui context data ---
 
-/// Key for storing the active custom cursor in egui's per-frame data
 #[derive(Clone, Copy)]
 struct ActiveCustomCursor(CustomCursor);
 
 /// Set the custom cursor for this frame. Call from any pane during rendering.
-/// This hides the system cursor and draws the SVG cursor at pointer position.
 pub fn set(ctx: &egui::Context, cursor: CustomCursor) {
     ctx.data_mut(|d| d.insert_temp(egui::Id::new("active_custom_cursor"), ActiveCustomCursor(cursor)));
 }
 
-/// Render the custom cursor overlay. Call at the end of the main update loop.
+/// Hand the active cursor to the windowing system. Call at the end of the main update loop.
 pub fn render_overlay(ctx: &egui::Context, cache: &mut CursorCache) {
     // Take and remove the cursor so it doesn't persist to the next frame
     let id = egui::Id::new("active_custom_cursor");
@@ -209,43 +384,24 @@ pub fn render_overlay(ctx: &egui::Context, cache: &mut CursorCache) {
         val
     });
 
-    if let Some(ActiveCustomCursor(cursor)) = cursor {
+    let Some(ActiveCustomCursor(cursor)) = cursor else { return };
-        // If a system cursor was explicitly set (resize handles, text inputs, etc.),
+
-        // let it take priority over the custom cursor
+    // If a widget explicitly asked for a system cursor (resize handles, text inputs, ...), let it
-        let system_cursor = ctx.output(|o| o.cursor_icon);
+    // win — it knows something about the hover target that we don't.
-        if system_cursor != egui::CursorIcon::Default {
+    if ctx.output(|o| o.cursor_icon) != egui::CursorIcon::Default {
         return;
     }
 
-        // Hide the system cursor
+    match cursor.kind() {
-        ctx.set_cursor_icon(egui::CursorIcon::None);
+        CursorKind::System(icon) => ctx.set_cursor_icon(icon),
-
+        _ => {
-        if let Some(pos) = ctx.input(|i| i.pointer.latest_pos()) {
+            let ppp = ctx.pixels_per_point();
-            let hotspot = cursor.hotspot();
+            if let Some(image) = cache.get_or_build(ctx, cursor, ppp) {
-            let size = egui::vec2(CURSOR_SIZE as f32, CURSOR_SIZE as f32);
+                ctx.set_cursor_image(Some(image));
-            let uv = egui::Rect::from_min_max(egui::pos2(0.0, 0.0), egui::pos2(1.0, 1.0));
+            } else {
-            let painter = ctx.debug_painter();
+                // Rasterization failed — better a crosshair than an invisible cursor.
-
+                ctx.set_cursor_icon(egui::CursorIcon::Crosshair);
-            // Draw white outline: render white version offset in 8 directions
-            let outline_tex = cache.get_or_load_outline(cursor, ctx);
-            let outline_id = outline_tex.id();
-            for &(dx, dy) in &[
-                (-OUTLINE_OFFSET, 0.0), (OUTLINE_OFFSET, 0.0),
-                (0.0, -OUTLINE_OFFSET), (0.0, OUTLINE_OFFSET),
-                (-OUTLINE_OFFSET, -OUTLINE_OFFSET), (OUTLINE_OFFSET, -OUTLINE_OFFSET),
-                (-OUTLINE_OFFSET, OUTLINE_OFFSET), (OUTLINE_OFFSET, OUTLINE_OFFSET),
-            ] {
-                let offset_rect = egui::Rect::from_min_size(
-                    pos - hotspot + egui::vec2(dx, dy),
-                    size,
-                );
-                painter.image(outline_id, offset_rect, uv, egui::Color32::WHITE);
             }
-
-            // Draw black fill on top
-            let fill_tex = cache.get_or_load(cursor, ctx);
-            let cursor_rect = egui::Rect::from_min_size(pos - hotspot, size);
-            painter.image(fill_tex.id(), cursor_rect, uv, egui::Color32::WHITE);
         }
     }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/export/video_exporter.rs

@@ -1064,7 +1064,12 @@ fn composite_document_to_hdr(
                     }
                     let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
                     let effect_end_beats = effect_instance.timeline_start
-                        + effect_instance.effective_duration(daw_backend::Seconds(lightningbeam_core::effect::EFFECT_DURATION), tempo_map);
+                        + effect_instance.effective_duration(
+                            lightningbeam_core::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(daw_backend::Seconds(
+                                lightningbeam_core::effect::EFFECT_DURATION,
+                            )),
+                            tempo_map,
+                        );
                     let effect_inst = lightningbeam_core::effect::EffectInstance::new(
                         effect_def,
                         tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(effect_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64(),

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/main.rs

@@ -1105,6 +1105,23 @@ impl EditingContext {
     }
 }
 
+/// A finished cycle recording whose takes belong to a take folder that already exists at that
+/// region, queued for [`EditorApp::append_cycle_takes`].
+struct PendingTakeAppend {
+    layer_id: Uuid,
+    /// The throwaway clip + instance the recording itself was captured into.
+    recording_instance_id: Uuid,
+    recording_clip_id: Uuid,
+    /// The recording's backend clip, which has to be torn down or it keeps playing alongside the
+    /// take folder we're appending to. Carried explicitly rather than looked up in
+    /// `clip_instance_to_backend_map`, because on the audio path the recording instance isn't in
+    /// that map yet — it's only added after promotion, which the append path skips.
+    recording_backend_id: Option<lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId>,
+    loop_start: Beats,
+    loop_len: Beats,
+    takes: Vec<lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake>,
+}
+
 struct EditorApp {
     layouts: Vec<LayoutDefinition>,
     current_layout_index: usize,
@@ -1136,7 +1153,6 @@ struct EditorApp {
     selected_tool: Tool, // Currently selected drawing tool
     fill_color: egui::Color32, // Fill color for drawing
     stroke_color: egui::Color32, // Stroke color for drawing
-    active_color_mode: panes::ColorMode, // Which color (fill/stroke) was last interacted with
     pane_instances: HashMap<NodePath, PaneInstance>, // Pane instances per path
     menu_system: Option<MenuSystem>, // Native menu system for event checking
     pending_view_action: Option<MenuAction>, // Pending view action (zoom, recenter) to be handled by hovered pane
@@ -1213,6 +1229,10 @@ struct EditorApp {
     metronome_enabled: bool,              // Whether metronome clicks during recording
     count_in_enabled: bool,              // Whether count-in fires before recording
     recording_clips: HashMap<Uuid, u32>,  // layer_id -> backend clip_id during recording
+    /// Cycle takes waiting to be folded into an existing take folder. Queued from the audio-event
+    /// loop (which holds a borrow on the event queue, so it can't call a `&mut self` method) and
+    /// drained just after it.
+    pending_take_appends: Vec<PendingTakeAppend>,
     recording_start_time: f64,            // Playback time when recording started
     recording_layer_ids: Vec<Uuid>,       // Layers being recorded to (for creating clips)
     // Asset drag-and-drop state
@@ -1351,9 +1371,9 @@ struct EditorApp {
     effect_thumbnail_generator: Option<EffectThumbnailGenerator>,
 
     /// Custom cursor cache for SVG cursors
-    cursor_cache: custom_cursor::CursorCache,
     /// Cross-platform graphics tablet (pen/stylus) input state
     tablet: tablet::TabletInput,
+    cursor_cache: custom_cursor::CursorCache,
     /// Debug test mode (F5) — input recording, panic capture & visual replay
     #[cfg(debug_assertions)]
     test_mode: test_mode::TestModeState,
@@ -1410,6 +1430,10 @@ impl EditorApp {
 
         // Load application config
         let mut config = AppConfig::load();
+
+        // Mirror the configured stylus barrel-button actions into the tablet layer.
+        tablet::set_button_actions(config.tablet_button_lower, config.tablet_button_upper);
+
         // One-time cleanup: earlier builds added a Recovered file to Recent on restore. Drop any
         // recovery-dir paths that leaked in (and re-save if we removed any) so they don't show in
         // Recent or get auto-reopened below.
@@ -1532,7 +1556,6 @@ impl EditorApp {
             selected_tool: Tool::Select, // Default tool
             fill_color: egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 100, 255), // Default blue fill
             stroke_color: egui::Color32::from_rgb(0, 0, 0), // Default black stroke
-            active_color_mode: panes::ColorMode::default(), // Default to fill color
             pane_instances: HashMap::new(), // Initialize empty, panes created on-demand
             menu_system,
             pending_view_action: None,
@@ -1581,6 +1604,7 @@ impl EditorApp {
             metronome_enabled: false,         // Metronome off by default
             count_in_enabled: false,         // Count-in off by default
             recording_clips: HashMap::new(),  // No active recording clips
+            pending_take_appends: Vec::new(),
             recording_start_time: 0.0,        // Will be set when recording starts
             recording_layer_ids: Vec::new(),  // Will be populated when recording starts
             dragging_asset: None, // No asset being dragged initially
@@ -1645,8 +1669,8 @@ impl EditorApp {
             test_mode: test_mode::TestModeState::new(panic_snapshot, pending_event, is_replaying, pending_geometry),
 
             // Debug overlay (F3)
-            cursor_cache: custom_cursor::CursorCache::new(),
             tablet: tablet::TabletInput::new(cc),
+            cursor_cache: custom_cursor::CursorCache::new(),
             debug_overlay_visible: false,
             debug_stats_collector: debug_overlay::DebugStatsCollector::new(),
             gpu_info,
@@ -2036,9 +2060,113 @@ impl EditorApp {
     /// 2. For MIDI: Loads the default instrument
     /// 3. Stores the bidirectional mapping
     /// 4. Syncs any existing clips on the layer
+    /// Fold freshly-recorded cycle takes into an existing take folder covering the same region, if
+    /// there is one. Returns true if it did.
+    ///
+    /// Recording more takes over a region you've already recorded should extend that folder, not
+    /// stack a second clip on top of it — otherwise the new takes are stranded in an overlapping
+    /// clip and you can't audition them against the ones already there.
+    ///
+    /// The in-progress recording's own clip and instance are throwaway scaffolding in this case (the
+    /// takes themselves already live in the backend pools), so they're discarded. They were never
+    /// committed as an action, so there's nothing on the undo stack to unwind — the single
+    /// `AppendTakesAction` is the whole undoable step.
+    fn append_cycle_takes(
+        &mut self,
+        layer_id: uuid::Uuid,
+        recording_instance_id: uuid::Uuid,
+        recording_clip_id: uuid::Uuid,
+        recording_backend_id: Option<lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId>,
+        loop_start: Beats,
+        loop_len: Beats,
+        takes: Vec<lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake>,
+    ) -> bool {
+        let Some(target_instance_id) = self.action_executor.document().take_folder_at(
+            &layer_id,
+            loop_start,
+            loop_len,
+            &recording_instance_id,
+        ) else {
+            return false;
+        };
+
+        // Tear down the recording's own backend clip. Without this it keeps playing on top of the
+        // take folder we're appending to — two takes sounding at once. The target instance's clip is
+        // separately repointed at the new active take by the action's backend sync below.
+        let backend_id = recording_backend_id
+            .or_else(|| self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.remove(&recording_instance_id));
+        self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.remove(&recording_instance_id);
+        let track_id = self.layer_to_track_map.get(&layer_id).copied();
+        if let (Some(backend_id), Some(track_id), Some(controller_arc)) =
+            (backend_id, track_id, self.audio_controller.as_ref())
+        {
+            let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
+            match backend_id {
+                lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(id) => {
+                    controller.remove_audio_clip(track_id, id)
+                }
+                lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Midi(id) => {
+                    controller.remove_midi_clip(track_id, id)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Discard the scaffolding clip + instance.
+        {
+            let doc = self.action_executor.document_mut();
+            if let Some(AnyLayer::Audio(al)) = doc.get_layer_mut(&layer_id) {
+                al.clip_instances.retain(|ci| ci.id != recording_instance_id);
+            }
+            doc.audio_clips.remove(&recording_clip_id);
+        }
+
+        let action = lightningbeam_core::actions::AppendTakesAction::new(
+            layer_id,
+            target_instance_id,
+            takes,
+        );
+
+        if let Some(controller_arc) = self.audio_controller.clone() {
+            let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
+            let mut backend_context = lightningbeam_core::action::BackendContext {
+                audio_controller: Some(&mut *controller),
+                layer_to_track_map: &self.layer_to_track_map,
+                clip_instance_to_backend_map: &mut self.clip_instance_to_backend_map,
+            };
+            if let Err(e) = self
+                .action_executor
+                .execute_with_backend(Box::new(action), &mut backend_context)
+            {
+                eprintln!("Failed to append cycle takes: {}", e);
+            }
+        }
+
+        self.autosave.pending_event = true;
+        true
+    }
+
     fn sync_audio_layers_to_backend(&mut self) {
         use lightningbeam_core::layer::{AnyLayer, AudioLayerType};
 
+        // Push the document's cycle region to the engine. Needed on load/new: the region is
+        // document state, but the engine starts blank (and is cleared on Reset), so without this a
+        // loaded project would show its cycle strip while the transport never actually looped.
+        // Changes made later go through SetCycleRegionAction's execute_backend.
+        {
+            let (region, enabled) = {
+                let doc = self.action_executor.document();
+                (doc.cycle_region, doc.cycle_enabled)
+            };
+            if let Some(ref controller_arc) = self.audio_controller {
+                let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
+                controller.set_loop_region(region);
+                controller.set_loop_enabled(enabled);
+                // Cycle MIDI mode is a *preference*, not document state, so it rides along here
+                // rather than through an action.
+                controller.set_cycle_midi_separate_takes(self.config.cycle_midi_separate_takes);
+            }
+        }
+
         // Ensure the master layer has a backend group track.
         let master_layer_id = self.action_executor.document().master_layer.layer.id;
         if !self.layer_to_track_map.contains_key(&master_layer_id) {
@@ -2371,7 +2499,7 @@ impl EditorApp {
         ) -> Vec<uuid::Uuid> {
             let mut result = Vec::new();
             for instance in clip_instances {
-                if let Some(clip_duration) = document.get_clip_duration(&instance.clip_id) {
+                if let Some(clip_duration) = document.clip_trim_duration(&instance.clip_id) {
                     let effective_duration = instance.effective_duration(clip_duration, document.tempo_map());
                     let timeline_end = instance.timeline_start + effective_duration;
 
@@ -3260,7 +3388,9 @@ impl EditorApp {
             let duplicates: Vec<lightningbeam_core::clip::ClipInstance> = clips_to_duplicate.iter().map(|original| {
                 let mut duplicate = original.clone();
                 duplicate.id = uuid::Uuid::new_v4();
-                let clip_duration = document.get_clip_duration(&original.clip_id).unwrap_or(Seconds(1.0));
+                let clip_duration = document
+                    .clip_trim_duration(&original.clip_id)
+                    .unwrap_or(ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(1.0)));
                 let effective_duration = original.effective_duration(clip_duration, document.tempo_map());
                 duplicate.timeline_start = original.timeline_start + effective_duration;
                 if let Some((new_clip_def_id, _)) = midi_clip_replacements.get(&original.clip_id) {
@@ -5461,7 +5591,7 @@ impl EditorApp {
                     // matches the video clip exactly).
                     let (_dur, sample_rate, channels) = controller
                         .get_pool_file_info(pool_index)
-                        .unwrap_or((video_duration, 0, 0));
+                        .unwrap_or((Seconds(video_duration), 0, 0));
                     drop(controller);
 
                     let audio_clip_name = format!("{} (Audio)", video_name);
@@ -6368,7 +6498,9 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                     use daw_backend::AudioEvent;
                     match event {
                         AudioEvent::PlaybackPosition(time) => {
-                            self.playback_time = time;
+                            // `playback_time` is the UI's seconds playhead (see the timeline's
+                            // seconds/beats model); unwrap at this boundary, not before it.
+                            self.playback_time = time.seconds_to_f64();
                         }
                         AudioEvent::PlaybackStopped => {
                             self.is_playing = false;
@@ -6474,6 +6606,25 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                         })
                                 };
 
+                                // While cycling, the recording keeps running but the clip only ever
+                                // occupies ONE region — each further pass is a new take layered on
+                                // the same span, not more length. Cap the preview there so the bar
+                                // doesn't grow off past the loop end while the playhead wraps.
+                                let cycle_cap = {
+                                    let doc = self.action_executor.document();
+                                    match (doc.cycle_enabled, doc.cycle_region) {
+                                        (true, Some((ls, le))) if le > ls => {
+                                            let tm = doc.tempo_map();
+                                            Some(tm.beats_to_seconds(le) - tm.beats_to_seconds(ls))
+                                        }
+                                        _ => None,
+                                    }
+                                };
+                                let duration = match cycle_cap {
+                                    Some(cap) if duration > cap => cap,
+                                    _ => duration,
+                                };
+
                                 // Then update the clip duration (mutable borrow)
                                 if let Some(doc_clip_id) = doc_clip_id {
                                     if let Some(clip) = self.action_executor.document_mut().audio_clips.get_mut(&doc_clip_id) {
@@ -6485,6 +6636,158 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                             }
                             ctx.request_repaint();
                         }
+                        AudioEvent::CycleRecordingStopped { clip_id: backend_clip_id, takes, loop_start, loop_len_beats, loop_len_seconds } => {
+                            eprintln!("[STOP] CycleRecordingStopped: {} takes", takes.len());
+
+                            // Clean up the live-recording waveform cache (keyed usize::MAX).
+                            self.raw_audio_cache.remove(&usize::MAX);
+                            self.waveform_gpu_dirty.remove(&usize::MAX);
+
+                            // Pull every take's samples in for waveform rendering — the user can
+                            // switch to any of them, not just the active one.
+                            if let Some(ref controller_arc) = self.audio_controller {
+                                let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
+                                for &(pool_index, _) in &takes {
+                                    match controller.get_pool_audio_samples(pool_index) {
+                                        Ok((samples, sr, ch)) => {
+                                            self.raw_audio_cache.insert(pool_index, (Arc::new(samples), sr, ch));
+                                            self.waveform_gpu_dirty.insert(pool_index);
+                                            self.audio_pools_with_new_waveforms.insert(pool_index);
+                                        }
+                                        Err(e) => eprintln!("Failed to fetch take audio: {}", e),
+                                    }
+                                    self.audio_duration_cache.insert(pool_index, loop_len_seconds.seconds_to_f64());
+                                }
+                            }
+
+                            let recording_layer = self.recording_clips.iter()
+                                .find(|(_, &cid)| cid == backend_clip_id)
+                                .map(|(&lid, _)| lid);
+
+                            if let (Some(layer_id), false) = (recording_layer, takes.is_empty()) {
+                                let (clip_id, instance_id) = {
+                                    let document = self.action_executor.document();
+                                    document.get_layer(&layer_id)
+                                        .and_then(|layer| {
+                                            if let lightningbeam_core::layer::AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer) = layer {
+                                                audio_layer.clip_instances.last().map(|i| (i.clip_id, i.id))
+                                            } else {
+                                                None
+                                            }
+                                        })
+                                        .unwrap_or((uuid::Uuid::nil(), uuid::Uuid::nil()))
+                                };
+
+                                if !clip_id.is_nil() {
+                                    self.autosave.pending_event = true;
+                                    let last_take = takes.len() - 1;
+
+                                    let new_takes: Vec<lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake> = takes
+                                        .iter()
+                                        .map(|&(pool_index, _)| lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
+                                            // Renumbered by the folder that ends up owning them.
+                                            name: String::new(),
+                                            content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: pool_index },
+                                        })
+                                        .collect();
+
+                                    // If this region already holds a take folder, extend it rather
+                                    // than dropping a second clip on top. Queued and run just after
+                                    // this loop, which holds a borrow on the event queue.
+                                    if self.action_executor.document()
+                                        .take_folder_at(&layer_id, loop_start, loop_len_beats, &instance_id)
+                                        .is_some()
+                                    {
+                                        self.pending_take_appends.push(PendingTakeAppend {
+                                            layer_id,
+                                            recording_instance_id: instance_id,
+                                            recording_clip_id: clip_id,
+                                            // The engine's recording clip. It isn't in
+                                            // clip_instance_to_backend_map yet (that only happens on
+                                            // promotion, which we're skipping), so hand it over
+                                            // directly or it'll keep sounding alongside the folder.
+                                            recording_backend_id: Some(
+                                                lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(backend_clip_id),
+                                            ),
+                                            loop_start,
+                                            loop_len: loop_len_beats,
+                                            takes: new_takes,
+                                        });
+                                        self.recording_clips.retain(|_, &mut cid| cid != backend_clip_id);
+                                        ctx.request_repaint();
+                                        continue;
+                                    }
+
+                                    // Finalize the recording clip, and hang the takes off the INSTANCE.
+                                    {
+                                        let doc = self.action_executor.document_mut();
+                                        if let Some(clip) = doc.audio_clips.get_mut(&clip_id) {
+                                            // The clip's own content is take 1; the instance's take
+                                            // list overrides it with whichever take is active. Every
+                                            // take is exactly one cycle region long, so the clip's
+                                            // duration is the region.
+                                            clip.finalize_recording(
+                                                takes[0].0,
+                                                loop_len_seconds.seconds_to_f64(),
+                                            );
+                                            clip.name = format!("Cycle recording ({} takes)", takes.len());
+                                        }
+
+                                        // Anchor the instance to the region and select the most
+                                        // recent take, GarageBand-style.
+                                        //
+                                        // timeline_duration stays None on purpose: pinning it would
+                                        // make a later tempo change loop/repeat the take's content
+                                        // to fill the span instead of letting it drift naturally.
+                                        if let Some(lightningbeam_core::layer::AnyLayer::Audio(al)) = doc.get_layer_mut(&layer_id) {
+                                            if let Some(inst) = al.clip_instances.iter_mut().find(|ci| ci.id == instance_id) {
+                                                inst.timeline_start = loop_start;
+                                                inst.timeline_duration = None;
+                                                // Audio take content is seconds, and each take spans
+                                                // exactly one cycle region.
+                                                inst.trim_start = daw_backend::ContentTime::ZERO;
+                                                inst.trim_end =
+                                                    Some(daw_backend::ContentTime(loop_len_seconds.seconds_to_f64()));
+                                                inst.takes = takes.iter().enumerate().map(|(i, &(pool_index, _))| {
+                                                    lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
+                                                        name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
+                                                        content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Audio { audio_pool_index: pool_index },
+                                                    }
+                                                }).collect();
+                                                inst.active_take = Some(last_take);
+                                                inst.recorded_loop_beats = Some(loop_len_beats);
+                                            }
+                                        }
+                                    }
+
+                                    // The backend already has a clip for the active take (the engine
+                                    // pointed it at the last take on stop), so map to it rather than
+                                    // adding a duplicate.
+                                    let backend_id = lightningbeam_core::action::BackendClipInstanceId::Audio(backend_clip_id);
+                                    self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.insert(instance_id, backend_id);
+
+                                    // Commit the whole cycle-record session as ONE undoable action.
+                                    let clip_instance = self.layer_to_track_map.get(&layer_id).copied().and_then(|track_id| {
+                                        self.action_executor.document()
+                                            .get_layer(&layer_id)
+                                            .and_then(|l| if let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = l {
+                                                al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == instance_id).cloned()
+                                            } else { None })
+                                            .map(|ci| (track_id, ci))
+                                    });
+                                    if let Some((track_id, clip_instance)) = clip_instance {
+                                        let action = lightningbeam_core::actions::AddClipInstanceAction::already_applied(
+                                            layer_id, clip_instance, track_id, backend_id,
+                                        );
+                                        self.action_executor.push_applied(Box::new(action));
+                                    } else {
+                                        self.media_modified = true;
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+
+                            self.recording_clips.retain(|_, &mut cid| cid != backend_clip_id);
+                        }
                         AudioEvent::RecordingStopped(_backend_clip_id, pool_index, _waveform) => {
                             eprintln!("[STOP] AudioEvent::RecordingStopped received (pool_index={})", pool_index);
 
@@ -6510,6 +6813,7 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                 let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
                                 match controller.get_pool_file_info(pool_index) {
                                     Ok((dur, _, _)) => {
+                                        let dur = dur.seconds_to_f64();
                                         eprintln!("[AUDIO] Got duration from backend: {:.4}s", dur);
                                         self.audio_duration_cache.insert(pool_index, dur);
                                         dur
@@ -6543,7 +6847,7 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                                 None
                                             }
                                         })
-                                        .unwrap_or((uuid::Uuid::nil(), uuid::Uuid::nil(), Beats::ZERO, 0.0))
+                                        .unwrap_or((uuid::Uuid::nil(), uuid::Uuid::nil(), Beats::ZERO, daw_backend::ContentTime::ZERO))
                                 };
 
                                 if !clip_id.is_nil() {
@@ -6667,7 +6971,11 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                             );
                                         }
                                     }
-                                    // Update the clip's duration so the timeline bar grows
+                                    // Update the clip's duration so the timeline bar grows. Once the
+                                    // transport has wrapped, the backend reports the whole cycle
+                                    // region here and keeps reporting it, so the bar grows through
+                                    // the first pass and then holds — every further pass merges into
+                                    // the same clip rather than extending it.
                                     if let Some(clip) = self.action_executor.document_mut().audio_clips.get_mut(&doc_clip_id) {
                                         clip.set_content_duration(ClipDuration::Beats(duration));
                                     }
@@ -6687,6 +6995,144 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                             }
                             ctx.request_repaint();
                         }
+                        AudioEvent::MidiCycleRecordingStopped { track_id, clip_ids, loop_start, loop_len_beats } => {
+                            println!("🎹 MIDI cycle recording stopped: {} takes", clip_ids.len());
+
+                            // Pull every take's events into the cache — the user can switch to any of
+                            // them, not just the active one.
+                            if let Some(ref controller_arc) = self.audio_controller {
+                                let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
+                                for &take_clip_id in &clip_ids {
+                                    if let Ok(data) = controller.query_midi_clip(track_id, take_clip_id) {
+                                        self.midi_event_cache.insert(take_clip_id, data.events);
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+
+                            let layer_id = self.track_to_layer_map.get(&track_id).copied();
+                            if let (Some(layer_id), Some(&first_clip_id)) = (layer_id, clip_ids.first()) {
+                                // The doc clip is the one the recording started on — which the backend
+                                // reused as take 1.
+                                let doc_clip_id = self.action_executor.document()
+                                    .audio_clip_by_midi_clip_id(first_clip_id)
+                                    .map(|(id, _)| id);
+
+                                if let Some(doc_clip_id) = doc_clip_id {
+                                    self.autosave.pending_event = true;
+                                    let last_take = clip_ids.len() - 1;
+
+                                    let recording_instance_id = self.action_executor.document()
+                                        .get_layer(&layer_id)
+                                        .and_then(|l| if let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = l {
+                                            al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.clip_id == doc_clip_id).map(|ci| ci.id)
+                                        } else { None });
+
+                                    let new_takes: Vec<lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake> = clip_ids
+                                        .iter()
+                                        .map(|&mid| lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
+                                            // Renumbered by the folder that ends up owning them.
+                                            name: String::new(),
+                                            content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id: mid },
+                                        })
+                                        .collect();
+
+                                    // If this region already holds a take folder, extend it rather
+                                    // than dropping a second clip on top. Queued and run just after
+                                    // this loop, which holds a borrow on the event queue.
+                                    let existing_folder = recording_instance_id.filter(|rec_inst| {
+                                        self.action_executor.document()
+                                            .take_folder_at(&layer_id, loop_start, loop_len_beats, rec_inst)
+                                            .is_some()
+                                    });
+                                    if let Some(rec_inst) = existing_folder {
+                                        self.pending_take_appends.push(PendingTakeAppend {
+                                            layer_id,
+                                            recording_instance_id: rec_inst,
+                                            recording_clip_id: doc_clip_id,
+                                            // The MIDI path maps its recording instance during
+                                            // MidiRecordingProgress, so the map has it.
+                                            recording_backend_id: None,
+                                            loop_start,
+                                            loop_len: loop_len_beats,
+                                            takes: new_takes,
+                                        });
+                                        self.recording_layer_ids.retain(|id| *id != layer_id);
+                                        self.recording_clips.remove(&layer_id);
+                                        if self.recording_layer_ids.is_empty() {
+                                            self.is_recording = false;
+                                            self.recording_clips.clear();
+                                        }
+                                        ctx.request_repaint();
+                                        continue;
+                                    }
+
+                                    {
+                                        let doc = self.action_executor.document_mut();
+                                        if let Some(clip) = doc.audio_clips.get_mut(&doc_clip_id) {
+                                            // The clip's own content stays take 1 (the clip the
+                                            // recording started on); the instance's take list
+                                            // overrides it with whichever take is active. MIDI takes
+                                            // are beats-domain and each spans one cycle region.
+                                            clip.set_content_duration(ClipDuration::Beats(loop_len_beats));
+                                            clip.name = format!("Cycle recording ({} takes)", clip_ids.len());
+                                        }
+
+                                        // Anchor to the region and select the most recent take.
+                                        // timeline_duration stays None on purpose — pinning it would
+                                        // make a later tempo change loop the take's content to fill
+                                        // the span instead of letting it drift naturally.
+                                        if let Some(AnyLayer::Audio(al)) = doc.get_layer_mut(&layer_id) {
+                                            if let Some(inst) = al.clip_instances.iter_mut().find(|ci| ci.clip_id == doc_clip_id) {
+                                                inst.timeline_start = loop_start;
+                                                inst.timeline_duration = None;
+                                                inst.trim_start = daw_backend::ContentTime::ZERO;
+                                                inst.trim_end = Some(daw_backend::ContentTime(loop_len_beats.beats_to_f64()));
+                                                inst.takes = clip_ids.iter().enumerate().map(|(i, &mid)| {
+                                                    lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioTake {
+                                                        name: format!("Take {}", i + 1),
+                                                        content: lightningbeam_core::clip::TakeContent::Midi { midi_clip_id: mid },
+                                                    }
+                                                }).collect();
+                                                inst.active_take = Some(last_take);
+                                                inst.recorded_loop_beats = Some(loop_len_beats);
+                                            }
+                                        }
+                                    }
+
+                                    // Commit the whole cycle-record session as ONE undoable action.
+                                    // The backend instance was mapped during MidiRecordingProgress and
+                                    // the engine already repointed it at the active take.
+                                    let instance = self.action_executor.document()
+                                        .get_layer(&layer_id)
+                                        .and_then(|l| if let AnyLayer::Audio(al) = l {
+                                            al.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.clip_id == doc_clip_id).cloned()
+                                        } else { None });
+                                    if let Some(instance) = instance {
+                                        match (self.layer_to_track_map.get(&layer_id).copied(),
+                                               self.clip_instance_to_backend_map.get(&instance.id).copied()) {
+                                            (Some(tid), Some(backend_id)) => {
+                                                let action = lightningbeam_core::actions::AddClipInstanceAction::already_applied(
+                                                    layer_id, instance, tid, backend_id,
+                                                );
+                                                self.action_executor.push_applied(Box::new(action));
+                                            }
+                                            _ => self.media_modified = true,
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+
+                            // Clear recording state, same as the single-clip MIDI path.
+                            if let Some(&layer_id) = self.track_to_layer_map.get(&track_id) {
+                                self.recording_layer_ids.retain(|id| *id != layer_id);
+                                self.recording_clips.remove(&layer_id);
+                            }
+                            if self.recording_layer_ids.is_empty() {
+                                self.is_recording = false;
+                                self.recording_clips.clear();
+                            }
+                            ctx.request_repaint();
+                        }
                         AudioEvent::MidiRecordingStopped(track_id, clip_id, note_count) => {
                             println!("🎹 MIDI recording stopped: track={:?}, clip_id={}, {} notes",
                                      track_id, clip_id, note_count);
@@ -6705,7 +7151,7 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
                                             .map(|(id, _)| id);
                                         if let Some(doc_clip_id) = doc_clip_id {
                                             if let Some(clip) = self.action_executor.document_mut().audio_clips.get_mut(&doc_clip_id) {
-                                                clip.set_content_duration(ClipDuration::Beats(Beats(midi_clip_data.duration)));
+                                                clip.set_content_duration(ClipDuration::Beats(midi_clip_data.duration));
                                                 clip.name = format!("MIDI Recording {}", clip_id);
                                             }
                                         }
@@ -6833,6 +7279,20 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
 
         }
 
+        // Cycle takes that landed on an existing take folder. Deferred out of the event loop above,
+        // which holds a borrow on the event queue and so can't call a `&mut self` method.
+        for req in std::mem::take(&mut self.pending_take_appends) {
+            self.append_cycle_takes(
+                req.layer_id,
+                req.recording_instance_id,
+                req.recording_clip_id,
+                req.recording_backend_id,
+                req.loop_start,
+                req.loop_len,
+                req.takes,
+            );
+        }
+
         // Update input monitoring based on active layer (only send command when changed)
         {
             let should_monitor = self.audio_controller.is_some() && self.active_layer_id.map_or(false, |layer_id| {
@@ -7027,6 +7487,11 @@ impl eframe::App for EditorApp {
             if result.buffer_size_changed {
                 println!("⚠️  Audio buffer size will be applied on next app restart");
             }
+            // Cycle MIDI mode takes effect immediately — no restart needed, unlike the buffer size.
+            if let Some(ref controller_arc) = self.audio_controller {
+                let mut controller = controller_arc.lock().unwrap();
+                controller.set_cycle_midi_separate_takes(self.config.cycle_midi_separate_takes);
+            }
             // Apply new keybindings if changed
             if let Some(new_keymap) = result.new_keymap {
                 self.keymap = new_keymap;
@@ -7949,7 +8414,6 @@ impl EditorApp {
                     selected_tool: &mut self.selected_tool,
                     fill_color: &mut self.fill_color,
                     stroke_color: &mut self.stroke_color,
-                    active_color_mode: &mut self.active_color_mode,
                     pending_view_action: &mut self.pending_view_action,
                     fallback_pane_priority: &mut scratch.fallback_pane_priority,
                     pending_handlers: &mut scratch.pending_handlers,

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/mobile/icons.rs

@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ pub const GRIP_HORIZONTAL: &str = "\u{e0ea}";
 pub const CHEVRONS_UP: &str = "\u{e074}";
 pub const PLAY: &str = "\u{e13c}";
 pub const PAUSE: &str = "\u{e12e}";
+pub const REPEAT: &str = "\u{e146}"; // cycle / loop region toggle
+pub const TRASH: &str = "\u{e18d}"; // delete a take
 pub const SETTINGS: &str = "\u{e154}";
 pub const SEARCH: &str = "\u{e151}";
 pub const PLUS: &str = "\u{e13d}";
@@ -81,3 +83,60 @@ pub const FILE_PLUS: &str = "\u{e0c9}";
 pub const COPY: &str = "\u{e09e}";
 pub const LAYERS: &str = "\u{e529}";
 pub const ELLIPSIS: &str = "\u{e0b6}";
+// Undo / redo (stage header).
+pub const UNDO_2: &str = "\u{e2a1}";
+pub const REDO_2: &str = "\u{e2a0}";
+// Tool cursors (see custom_cursor.rs).
+pub const STAMP: &str = "\u{e3bb}";
+pub const SPRAY_CAN: &str = "\u{e495}";
+pub const BANDAGE: &str = "\u{e61d}";
+pub const DROPLET: &str = "\u{e0b4}";
+pub const TEXT_CURSOR: &str = "\u{e264}";
+pub const CROSSHAIR: &str = "\u{e0ac}";
+pub const POINTER: &str = "\u{e1e8}";
+pub const CONTRAST: &str = "\u{e09d}";
+pub const WIND: &str = "\u{e1b0}";
+pub const SUN_MOON: &str = "\u{e2b2}";
+pub const SPLINE: &str = "\u{e38b}";
+pub const DROPLETS: &str = "\u{e0b5}";
+pub const CIRCLE_DASHED: &str = "\u{e4b0}";
+pub const PALETTE: &str = "\u{e1dd}";
+pub const SHAPES: &str = "\u{e4b3}";
+pub const SCALING: &str = "\u{e2ec}";
+pub const FRAME: &str = "\u{e291}";
+// Timeline layer-row toggles.
+pub const VOLUME_2: &str = "\u{e1ab}"; // unmuted
+pub const VOLUME_X: &str = "\u{e1ac}"; // muted
+pub const HEADPHONES: &str = "\u{e0f1}"; // solo
+pub const LOCK: &str = "\u{e10b}";
+pub const LOCK_OPEN: &str = "\u{e10c}";
+pub const EYE: &str = "\u{e0ba}";
+pub const EYE_OFF: &str = "\u{e0bb}";
+pub const VIDEO: &str = "\u{e1a5}"; // camera enabled
+pub const VIDEO_OFF: &str = "\u{e1a6}"; // camera disabled
+
+/// Lucide glyph for tools that have no bundled SVG icon. `None` means the tool has a real SVG
+/// icon in `src/assets/` and the caller should use that instead.
+pub fn tool_glyph(tool: lightningbeam_core::tool::Tool) -> Option<&'static str> {
+    use lightningbeam_core::tool::Tool;
+    Some(match tool {
+        Tool::Pencil => PENCIL,
+        Tool::Pen => PEN_TOOL,
+        Tool::Airbrush => SPRAY_CAN,
+        Tool::CloneStamp => STAMP,
+        Tool::HealingBrush => BANDAGE,
+        Tool::PatternStamp => SHAPES,
+        Tool::DodgeBurn => SUN_MOON,
+        Tool::Sponge => DROPLETS,
+        Tool::BlurSharpen => CONTRAST,
+        Tool::Gradient => BLEND,
+        Tool::CustomShape => HEXAGON,
+        Tool::SelectEllipse => CIRCLE_DASHED,
+        Tool::MagicWand => WAND_SPARKLES,
+        Tool::QuickSelect => BRUSH,
+        Tool::Warp => SCALING,
+        Tool::Liquify => DROPLET,
+        Tool::SelectLasso => LASSO_SELECT,
+        _ => return None,
+    })
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/asset_library.rs

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 //! - Image Assets (static images)
 
 use eframe::egui;
-use lightningbeam_core::clip::{AudioClipType, VectorClip};
+use lightningbeam_core::clip::{ResolvedContent, VectorClip};
 use lightningbeam_core::document::Document;
 use lightningbeam_core::layer::AnyLayer;
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
@@ -918,11 +918,11 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.clip_type {
+            let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.resolve() {
-                AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => ("Sampled".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioSampled),
+                ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => ("Sampled".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioSampled),
-                AudioClipType::Midi { .. } => ("MIDI".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioMidi),
+                ResolvedContent::Midi { .. } => ("MIDI".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioMidi),
-                AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                ResolvedContent::Recording => {
-                    // Skip recording-in-progress clips from asset library
+                    // Skip recording-in-progress clips (and empty take folders) from asset library
                     continue;
                 }
             };
@@ -1118,15 +1118,15 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
 
                 for (id, clip) in &document.audio_clips {
                     if !linked_audio_ids.contains(id) && clip.folder_id == current_folder {
-                        let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.clip_type {
+                        let (extra_info, drag_clip_type) = match &clip.resolve() {
-                            AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                                 ("Sampled".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioSampled)
                             }
-                            AudioClipType::Midi { .. } => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Midi { .. } => {
                                 ("MIDI".to_string(), DragClipType::AudioMidi)
                             }
-                            AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Recording => {
-                                // Skip recording-in-progress clips
+                                // Skip recording-in-progress clips (and empty take folders)
                                 continue;
                             }
                         };
@@ -1765,7 +1765,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
             let prefetched_waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> =
                 if asset_category == AssetCategory::Audio && !self.thumbnail_cache.has(&asset_id) {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
-                        if let AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } = &clip.clip_type {
+                        if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.audio_pool_index().as_ref() {
                             shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
                                 .map(|raw| peaks_from_raw_audio(raw, THUMBNAIL_SIZE as usize))
                         } else {
@@ -1790,8 +1790,8 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                     AssetCategory::Audio => {
                         if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                             let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                            match &clip.clip_type {
+                            match &clip.resolve() {
-                                AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                                ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                                     let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                     if let Some(ref peaks) = prefetched_waveform {
                                         Some(generate_waveform_thumbnail(peaks, bg_color, wave_color))
@@ -1799,7 +1799,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                         Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                     }
                                 }
-                                AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                                ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                                     let note_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                     if let Some(events) = shared.midi_event_cache.get(midi_clip_id) {
                                         Some(generate_midi_thumbnail(events, clip.content_duration().native(), bg_color, note_color))
@@ -1807,7 +1807,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                         Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                     }
                                 }
-                                AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                                ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                                     // Recording in progress - show placeholder
                                     Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                 }
@@ -2344,8 +2344,8 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                 AssetCategory::Audio => {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                         let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                        match &clip.clip_type {
+                        match &clip.resolve() {
-                            AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => {
                                 let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                 let waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> = shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
                                     .map(|raw| peaks_from_raw_audio(raw, THUMBNAIL_SIZE as usize));
@@ -2355,7 +2355,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                     Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                 }
                             }
-                            AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                                 let note_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                 if let Some(events) = shared.midi_event_cache.get(midi_clip_id) {
                                     Some(generate_midi_thumbnail(events, clip.content_duration().native(), bg_color, note_color))
@@ -2363,7 +2363,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                     Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                 }
                             }
-                            AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                                 Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                             }
                         }
@@ -2481,8 +2481,8 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                 AssetCategory::Audio => {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                         let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                        match &clip.clip_type {
+                        match &clip.resolve() {
-                            AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Audio { audio_pool_index } => {
                                 let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                 let waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> = shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
                                     .map(|raw| peaks_from_raw_audio(raw, THUMBNAIL_SIZE as usize));
@@ -2492,7 +2492,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                     Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                 }
                             }
-                            AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                                 let note_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                 if let Some(events) = shared.midi_event_cache.get(midi_clip_id) {
                                     Some(generate_midi_thumbnail(events, clip.content_duration().native(), bg_color, note_color))
@@ -2500,7 +2500,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                     Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                 }
                             }
-                            AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                            ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                                 Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                             }
                         }
@@ -2802,7 +2802,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                         let prefetched_waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> =
                             if asset_category == AssetCategory::Audio && !self.thumbnail_cache.has(&asset_id) {
                                 if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
-                                    if let AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } = &clip.clip_type {
+                                    if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.audio_pool_index().as_ref() {
                                         let waveform: Option<Vec<(f32, f32)>> = shared.raw_audio_cache.get(audio_pool_index)
                                             .map(|raw| peaks_from_raw_audio(raw, THUMBNAIL_SIZE as usize));
                                         if waveform.is_some() {
@@ -2842,8 +2842,8 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                     // Check if it's sampled or MIDI
                                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&asset_id) {
                                         let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
-                                        match &clip.clip_type {
+                                        match &clip.resolve() {
-                                            AudioClipType::Sampled { .. } => {
+                                            ResolvedContent::Audio { .. } => {
                                                 let wave_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
                                                 if let Some(ref peaks) = prefetched_waveform {
                                                     println!("✅ Generating waveform thumbnail with {} peaks for asset {}", peaks.len(), asset_id);
@@ -2853,7 +2853,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                                     Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                                 }
                                             }
-                                            AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
+                                            ResolvedContent::Midi { midi_clip_id } => {
                                                 let bg_color = egui::Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(40, 40, 40, 200);
                                                 let note_color = egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 200, 100);
 
@@ -2863,7 +2863,7 @@ impl AssetLibraryPane {
                                                     Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                                 }
                                             }
-                                            AudioClipType::Recording => {
+                                            ResolvedContent::Recording => {
                                                 Some(generate_placeholder_thumbnail(AssetCategory::Audio, 200))
                                             }
                                         }
@@ -3187,7 +3187,7 @@ impl PaneRenderer for AssetLibraryPane {
             println!("🎨 [ASSET_LIB] Checking for thumbnails to invalidate (pools: {:?})", shared.audio_pools_with_new_waveforms);
             let mut invalidated_any = false;
             for (asset_id, clip) in &document_arc.audio_clips {
-                if let lightningbeam_core::clip::AudioClipType::Sampled { audio_pool_index } = &clip.clip_type {
+                if let Some(audio_pool_index) = clip.audio_pool_index().as_ref() {
                     if shared.audio_pools_with_new_waveforms.contains(audio_pool_index) {
                         println!("❌ [ASSET_LIB] Invalidating thumbnail for asset {} (pool {})", asset_id, audio_pool_index);
                         self.thumbnail_cache.invalidate(asset_id);

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/gradient_editor.rs

@@ -160,27 +160,27 @@ pub fn gradient_stop_editor(
             delete_idx = Some(i);
         }
 
-        // Color picker popup — opens on click, closes on click-outside.
+        // Color picker popup — opens on click, closes on a press outside it.
-        egui::containers::Popup::from_toggle_button_response(&resp)
+        let stop_color = gradient.stops[i].color;
-            .show(|ui| {
-                ui.spacing_mut().slider_width = 200.0;
-                let stop = &mut gradient.stops[i];
         let mut c32 = Color32::from_rgba_unmultiplied(
-                    stop.color.r, stop.color.g, stop.color.b, stop.color.a,
+            stop_color.r, stop_color.g, stop_color.b, stop_color.a,
         );
-                if egui::color_picker::color_picker_color32(
+        if crate::widgets::color_swatch::color_picker_popup(
-                    ui, &mut c32, egui::color_picker::Alpha::OnlyBlend,
+            ui,
+            resp.id.with("stop_color_popup"),
+            &resp,
+            &mut c32,
+            resp.rect,
         ) {
-                    // Color32 stores premultiplied RGB; unmultiply before storing
+            // Color32 stores premultiplied RGB; unmultiply before storing as straight-alpha
-                    // as straight-alpha ShapeColor to avoid darkening on round-trip.
+            // ShapeColor to avoid darkening on round-trip.
             let [pr, pg, pb, a] = c32.to_array();
             let unpm = |c: u8| -> u8 {
                 if a == 0 { 0 } else { ((c as u32 * 255 + a as u32 / 2) / a as u32).min(255) as u8 }
             };
-                    stop.color = ShapeColor::rgba(unpm(pr), unpm(pg), unpm(pb), a);
+            gradient.stops[i].color = ShapeColor::rgba(unpm(pr), unpm(pg), unpm(pb), a);
             changed = true;
         }
-            });
     }
 
     // Apply drag to whichever stop selected_stop points at.

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/infopanel.rs

@@ -28,14 +28,9 @@ pub struct InfopanelPane {
     tool_section_open: bool,
     /// Whether the shape properties section is expanded
     shape_section_open: bool,
-    /// Index of the selected paint brush preset (None = custom / unset)
+    /// Whether each tool's brush picker is expanded. The *selected* preset lives on the tool's
-    selected_brush_preset: Option<usize>,
+    /// `BrushSlot`, since it's part of the document-independent tool state, not panel chrome.
-    /// Whether the paint brush picker is expanded
+    brush_picker_expanded: std::collections::HashMap<crate::tools::BrushKind, bool>,
-    brush_picker_expanded: bool,
-    /// Index of the selected eraser brush preset
-    selected_eraser_preset: Option<usize>,
-    /// Whether the eraser brush picker is expanded
-    eraser_picker_expanded: bool,
     /// Cached preview textures, one per preset (populated lazily).
     brush_preview_textures: Vec<egui::TextureHandle>,
     /// Selected stop index for gradient editor in shape section.
@@ -61,15 +56,10 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
         // Kick off background loading of the font-picker fonts at startup so the dropdown
         // is ready without a hitch by the time the user opens it.
         lightningbeam_core::fonts::start_preload();
-        let presets = bundled_brushes();
-        let default_eraser_idx = presets.iter().position(|p| p.name == "Brush");
         Self {
             tool_section_open: true,
             shape_section_open: true,
-            selected_brush_preset: None,
+            brush_picker_expanded: std::collections::HashMap::new(),
-            brush_picker_expanded: false,
-            selected_eraser_preset: default_eraser_idx,
-            eraser_picker_expanded: false,
             brush_preview_textures: Vec::new(),
             selected_shape_gradient_stop: None,
             selected_tool_gradient_stop: None,
@@ -251,7 +241,7 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
             || is_raster_select || is_raster_shape || matches!(
             tool,
             Tool::PaintBucket | Tool::RegionSelect | Tool::MagicWand | Tool::QuickSelect
-            | Tool::Warp | Tool::Liquify | Tool::Gradient
+            | Tool::Warp | Tool::Liquify | Tool::Gradient | Tool::Eyedropper
         );
 
         if !has_options {
@@ -285,12 +275,11 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
                     return;
                 }
 
-                // Raster paint tool: delegate to per-tool impl.
+                // Raster paint tool: tool-unique controls, then the shared brush controls
+                // (library, color, size/strength/hardness/spacing) that every brush tool gets.
                 if let Some(def) = raster_tool_def {
                     def.render_ui(ui, shared.raster_settings);
-                    if def.show_brush_preset_picker() {
+                    self.render_raster_tool_options(ui, shared, def);
-                        self.render_raster_tool_options(ui, shared, def.is_eraser());
-                    }
                 }
 
                 match tool {
@@ -344,7 +333,14 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
                         ui.checkbox(shared.fill_enabled, "Fill Shape");
                     }
 
+                    Tool::Eyedropper => {
+                        // Which swatch the sampled color lands in.
+                        render_color_slot_row(ui, &mut shared.raster_settings.eyedropper_use_fg);
+                    }
+
                     Tool::PaintBucket => {
+                        render_color_slot_row(ui, &mut shared.raster_settings.fill_use_fg);
+
                         if active_is_raster {
                             use crate::tools::FillThresholdMode;
                             ui.horizontal(|ui| {
@@ -603,68 +599,66 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
             });
     }
 
-    /// Render all options for a raster paint tool (brush picker + sliders).
+    /// Render the shared controls every dab-painting tool has: the brush library, the FG/BG
-    /// `is_eraser` drives which shared state is read/written.
+    /// color choice, and size/strength/hardness/spacing/angle. `def` supplies the tool's brush
+    /// slot and the label for the one slider whose meaning varies (opacity vs. exposure vs.
+    /// flow vs. strength).
     fn render_raster_tool_options(
         &mut self,
         ui: &mut Ui,
         shared: &mut SharedPaneState,
-        is_eraser: bool,
+        def: &'static dyn crate::tools::RasterToolDef,
     ) {
-        self.render_brush_preset_grid(ui, shared, is_eraser);
+        let kind = def.brush_kind();
+        self.render_brush_preset_grid(ui, shared, kind);
         ui.add_space(2.0);
 
-        let rs = &mut shared.raster_settings;
+        if def.uses_color() {
-
+            render_color_slot_row(ui, &mut shared.raster_settings.brush_mut(kind).use_fg);
-        if !is_eraser {
-            ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-                ui.label("Color:");
-                ui.selectable_value(&mut rs.brush_use_fg, true, "FG");
-                ui.selectable_value(&mut rs.brush_use_fg, false, "BG");
-            });
         }
 
-        macro_rules! field {
+        let slot = shared.raster_settings.brush_mut(kind);
-            ($eraser:ident, $brush:ident) => {
-                if is_eraser { &mut rs.$eraser } else { &mut rs.$brush }
-            }
-        }
 
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
             ui.label("Size:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(field!(eraser_radius, brush_radius), 1.0_f32..=200.0).logarithmic(true).suffix(" px"));
+            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut slot.radius, 1.0_f32..=500.0)
+                .logarithmic(true)
+                .suffix(" px"));
         });
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Opacity:");
+            ui.label(format!("{}:", def.strength_label()));
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(field!(eraser_opacity, brush_opacity), 0.0_f32..=1.0)
+            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut slot.strength, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
                 .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
         });
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
             ui.label("Hardness:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(field!(eraser_hardness, brush_hardness), 0.0_f32..=1.0)
+            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut slot.hardness, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
                 .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
         });
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
             ui.label("Spacing:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(field!(eraser_spacing, brush_spacing), 0.01_f32..=1.0)
+            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut slot.spacing, 0.01_f32..=20.0)
                 .logarithmic(true)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
+                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.2}", v)));
         });
 
-        let bs = if is_eraser { &rs.active_eraser_settings } else { &rs.active_brush_settings };
+        if slot.settings.elliptical_dab_ratio > 1.001 {
-        if bs.elliptical_dab_ratio > 1.001 {
             ui.horizontal(|ui| {
                 ui.label("Angle:");
-                ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut rs.brush_angle_offset, -180.0_f32..=180.0)
+                ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut slot.angle_offset, -180.0_f32..=180.0)
                     .suffix("°")
                     .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}°", v)));
             });
         }
     }
 
-    /// Render the brush preset thumbnail grid (collapsible).
+    /// Render the brush preset thumbnail grid (collapsible) for one tool's brush slot.
-    /// `is_eraser` drives which picker state and which shared settings are updated.
+    fn render_brush_preset_grid(
-    fn render_brush_preset_grid(&mut self, ui: &mut Ui, shared: &mut SharedPaneState, is_eraser: bool) {
+        &mut self,
+        ui: &mut Ui,
+        shared: &mut SharedPaneState,
+        kind: crate::tools::BrushKind,
+    ) {
         let presets = bundled_brushes();
         if presets.is_empty() { return; }
 
@@ -690,8 +684,8 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
         }
 
         // Read picker state into locals to avoid multiple &mut self borrows.
-        let mut expanded = if is_eraser { self.eraser_picker_expanded } else { self.brush_picker_expanded };
+        let mut expanded = self.brush_picker_expanded.get(&kind).copied().unwrap_or(false);
-        let mut selected = if is_eraser { self.selected_eraser_preset } else { self.selected_brush_preset };
+        let selected = shared.raster_settings.brush(kind).preset;
 
         let gap = 3.0;
         let cols = 2usize;
@@ -762,41 +756,25 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
                             egui::FontId::proportional(9.5),
                             if is_sel { egui::Color32::from_rgb(140, 190, 255) } else { egui::Color32::from_gray(160) });
                         if resp.clicked() {
-                            selected = Some(idx);
                             expanded = false;
-                            let s = &preset.settings;
+                            shared.raster_settings.brush_mut(kind).apply_preset(idx, &preset.settings);
-                            let rs = &mut shared.raster_settings;
-                            if is_eraser {
-                                rs.eraser_opacity  = s.opaque.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
-                                rs.eraser_hardness = s.hardness.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
-                                rs.eraser_spacing  = s.dabs_per_radius;
-                                rs.active_eraser_settings = s.clone();
-                            } else {
-                                rs.brush_opacity  = s.opaque.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
-                                rs.brush_hardness = s.hardness.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
-                                rs.brush_spacing  = s.dabs_per_radius;
-                                rs.active_brush_settings = s.clone();
                             // If the user was on a preset-backed tool (Pencil/Pen/Airbrush)
                             // and manually picked a different brush, revert to the generic tool.
-                                if matches!(*shared.selected_tool, Tool::Pencil | Tool::Pen | Tool::Airbrush) {
+                            if kind == crate::tools::BrushKind::Paint
+                                && matches!(*shared.selected_tool, Tool::Pencil | Tool::Pen | Tool::Airbrush)
+                            {
                                 *shared.selected_tool = Tool::Draw;
                             }
                         }
                     }
-                    }
                 });
                 ui.add_space(gap);
             }
         }
 
-        // Write back picker state.
+        // The selected preset lives on the slot itself (written by apply_preset above); only the
-        if is_eraser {
+        // expand/collapse state is panel-local.
-            self.eraser_picker_expanded = expanded;
+        self.brush_picker_expanded.insert(kind, expanded);
-            self.selected_eraser_preset = selected;
-        } else {
-            self.brush_picker_expanded = expanded;
-            self.selected_brush_preset = selected;
-        }
     }
 
     // Transform section: deferred to Phase 2 (DCEL elements don't have instance transforms)
@@ -1612,8 +1590,12 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
                                 ui.label(format!("{:.2}s", document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(ci.effective_start()).seconds_to_f64()));
                             });
 
-                            let clip_dur = document.get_clip_duration(&ci.clip_id)
+                            let clip_dur = document.clip_trim_duration(&ci.clip_id)
-                                .unwrap_or_else(|| daw_backend::Seconds(ci.trim_end.unwrap_or(1.0) - ci.trim_start));
+                                .unwrap_or_else(|| lightningbeam_core::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(
+                                    daw_backend::Seconds(
+                                        (ci.trim_end.unwrap_or(daw_backend::ContentTime(1.0)) - ci.trim_start).raw(),
+                                    ),
+                                ));
                             let total_dur = ci.total_duration(clip_dur, document.tempo_map());
                             let total_dur_secs = (document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(ci.effective_start() + total_dur)
                                 - document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(ci.effective_start())).seconds_to_f64();
@@ -1622,10 +1604,16 @@ impl InfopanelPane {
                                 ui.label(format!("{:.2}s", total_dur_secs));
                             });
 
-                            if ci.trim_start > 0.0 {
+                            if ci.trim_start > daw_backend::ContentTime::ZERO {
                                 ui.horizontal(|ui| {
                                     ui.label("Trim Start:");
-                                    ui.label(format!("{:.2}s", ci.trim_start));
+                                    // Content time in the clip's own domain: seconds for sampled
+                                    // audio/video/vector, beats for MIDI. Label it accordingly.
+                                    let unit = match clip_dur {
+                                        lightningbeam_core::clip::ClipDuration::Beats(_) => "beats",
+                                        lightningbeam_core::clip::ClipDuration::Seconds(_) => "s",
+                                    };
+                                    ui.label(format!("{:.2}{}", ci.trim_start.raw(), unit));
                                 });
                             }
 
@@ -1933,3 +1921,17 @@ impl PaneRenderer for InfopanelPane {
         "Info Panel"
     }
 }
+
+/// The FG/BG selector shared by every tool that reads or writes a color (brush, paint bucket,
+/// eyedropper, …), so the choice is made the same way and in the same place regardless of tool.
+/// The wording stays neutral because the eyedropper *writes* to the chosen swatch while the
+/// painting tools *read* from it.
+fn render_color_slot_row(ui: &mut Ui, use_fg: &mut bool) {
+    ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+        ui.label("Color:");
+        ui.selectable_value(use_fg, true, "FG")
+            .on_hover_text("Foreground (stroke) color");
+        ui.selectable_value(use_fg, false, "BG")
+            .on_hover_text("Background (fill) color");
+    });
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/mod.rs

@@ -189,8 +189,6 @@ pub struct SharedPaneState<'a> {
     pub selected_tool: &'a mut Tool,
     pub fill_color: &'a mut egui::Color32,
     pub stroke_color: &'a mut egui::Color32,
-    /// Tracks which color (fill or stroke) was last interacted with, for eyedropper tool
-    pub active_color_mode: &'a mut ColorMode,
     pub pending_view_action: &'a mut Option<crate::menu::MenuAction>,
     /// Tracks the priority of the best fallback pane for view actions
     /// Lower number = higher priority. None = no fallback pane seen yet

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/piano_roll.rs

@@ -465,9 +465,13 @@ impl PianoRollPane {
             if let Some(AnyLayer::Audio(audio_layer)) = document.get_layer(&layer_id) {
                 for instance in &audio_layer.clip_instances {
                     if let Some(clip) = document.audio_clips.get(&instance.clip_id) {
-                        if let AudioClipType::Midi { midi_clip_id } = clip.clip_type {
+                        // Resolve through the instance's active take, so a MIDI take folder edits
-                            let duration = instance.effective_duration(clip.content_duration().to_seconds(document.tempo_map()), document.tempo_map());
+                        // whichever take it's actually playing.
-                            clip_data.push((midi_clip_id, instance.timeline_start.beats_to_f64(), instance.trim_start, duration.beats_to_f64(), instance.id));
+                        if let Some(midi_clip_id) = instance.resolved_midi_clip_id(clip) {
+                            let duration = instance.effective_duration(clip.content_duration(), document.tempo_map());
+                            // A MIDI clip's content time IS beats, which is what the piano roll's
+                            // x-axis uses.
+                            clip_data.push((midi_clip_id, instance.timeline_start.beats_to_f64(), instance.trim_start.raw(), duration.beats_to_f64(), instance.id));
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -2463,7 +2467,8 @@ impl PianoRollPane {
                         });
                         // Get sample rate from raw_audio_cache
                         if let Some((_samples, sr, _ch)) = shared.raw_audio_cache.get(&audio_pool_index) {
-                            clip_infos.push((audio_pool_index, instance.timeline_start.beats_to_f64(), instance.trim_start, duration.beats_to_f64(), *sr));
+                            // A sampled clip's content time is seconds.
+                            clip_infos.push((audio_pool_index, instance.timeline_start.beats_to_f64(), instance.trim_start.raw(), duration.beats_to_f64(), *sr));
                         }
                     }
                 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/stage.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 use eframe::egui;
 use daw_backend::Seconds;
 use lightningbeam_core::action::Action;
-use lightningbeam_core::clip::ClipInstance;
+use lightningbeam_core::clip::{ClipDuration, ClipInstance};
 use lightningbeam_core::gpu::{BufferPool, BufferFormat, BufferSpec, Compositor, EffectProcessor, SrgbToLinearConverter};
 use lightningbeam_core::layer::{AnyLayer, AudioLayer};
 use lightningbeam_core::renderer::RenderedLayerType;
@@ -1854,7 +1854,10 @@ impl egui_wgpu::CallbackTrait for VelloCallback {
                             // For now, create a simple effect instance with default parameters
                             let tempo_map = self.ctx.document.tempo_map();
                             let effect_end_beats = effect_instance.timeline_start
-                                + effect_instance.effective_duration(Seconds(lightningbeam_core::effect::EFFECT_DURATION), tempo_map);
+                                + effect_instance.effective_duration(
+            ClipDuration::Seconds(Seconds(lightningbeam_core::effect::EFFECT_DURATION)),
+            tempo_map,
+        );
                             let effect_inst = lightningbeam_core::effect::EffectInstance::new(
                                 effect_def,
                                 tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(effect_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64(),
@@ -2209,7 +2212,7 @@ impl egui_wgpu::CallbackTrait for VelloCallback {
 
                                 // Calculate clip bounds for preview
                                 let start_secs = self.ctx.document.tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(clip_inst.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
-                                let clip_time = ((self.ctx.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_inst.playback_speed) + clip_inst.trim_start;
+                                let clip_time = ((self.ctx.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_inst.playback_speed) + clip_inst.trim_start.raw();
                                 let content_bounds = if let Some(vector_clip) = self.ctx.document.get_vector_clip(&clip_inst.clip_id) {
                                     vector_clip.calculate_content_bounds(&self.ctx.document, clip_time)
                                 } else if let Some(video_clip) = self.ctx.document.get_video_clip(&clip_inst.clip_id) {
@@ -2299,7 +2302,9 @@ impl egui_wgpu::CallbackTrait for VelloCallback {
                         for &clip_id in self.ctx.selection.clip_instances() {
                             if let Some(clip_instance) = vector_layer.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == clip_id) {
                                 // Skip clip instances not active at current time (compare in seconds).
-                                let clip_dur = self.ctx.document.get_clip_duration(&clip_instance.clip_id).unwrap_or(Seconds::ZERO);
+                                let clip_dur = ClipDuration::Seconds(
+                                    self.ctx.document.get_clip_duration(&clip_instance.clip_id).unwrap_or(Seconds::ZERO),
+                                );
                                 let tempo_map = self.ctx.document.tempo_map();
                                 let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(clip_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
                                 let instance_end = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(
@@ -2310,7 +2315,7 @@ impl egui_wgpu::CallbackTrait for VelloCallback {
                                 }
 
                                 // Calculate clip-local time
-                                let clip_time = ((self.ctx.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start;
+                                let clip_time = ((self.ctx.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start.raw();
 
                                 // Get dynamic clip bounds from content at current time
                                 let bbox = if let Some(vector_clip) = self.ctx.document.get_vector_clip(&clip_instance.clip_id) {
@@ -2680,7 +2685,9 @@ impl egui_wgpu::CallbackTrait for VelloCallback {
 
                         // Find clip instance visible at playback time
                         let visible_clip = video_layer.clip_instances.iter().find(|inst| {
-                            let clip_duration = self.ctx.document.get_clip_duration(&inst.clip_id).unwrap_or(Seconds::ZERO);
+                            let clip_duration = ClipDuration::Seconds(
+                                self.ctx.document.get_clip_duration(&inst.clip_id).unwrap_or(Seconds::ZERO),
+                            );
                             let tempo_map = self.ctx.document.tempo_map();
                             let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(inst.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
                             let end_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(inst.timeline_start + inst.effective_duration(clip_duration, tempo_map)).seconds_to_f64();
@@ -5715,9 +5722,14 @@ impl StagePane {
         screen_pos: egui::Pos2,
         shared: &mut SharedPaneState,
     ) {
-        // On click, store the screen position and color mode for sampling
+        // On click, store the screen position and which swatch the sample lands in.
         if self.rsp_clicked(response) {
-            self.pending_eyedropper_sample = Some((screen_pos, *shared.active_color_mode));
+            let mode = if shared.raster_settings.eyedropper_use_fg {
+                super::ColorMode::Stroke
+            } else {
+                super::ColorMode::Fill
+            };
+            self.pending_eyedropper_sample = Some((screen_pos, mode));
         }
     }
 
@@ -6485,15 +6497,16 @@ impl StagePane {
             b.dabs_per_radius = spacing;
             if matches!(blend_mode, RasterBlendMode::Smudge) {
                 b.dabs_per_actual_radius = 0.0;
-                b.smudge_radius_log = shared.raster_settings.smudge_strength;
+                b.smudge_radius_log =
+                    shared.raster_settings.brush(crate::tools::BrushKind::Smudge).strength;
             }
             if matches!(blend_mode, RasterBlendMode::BlurSharpen) {
                 b.dabs_per_actual_radius = 0.0;
             }
-            let color = if matches!(blend_mode, RasterBlendMode::Erase) {
+            let color = if !def.uses_color() {
                 [1.0f32, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0]
             } else {
-                let c = if shared.raster_settings.brush_use_fg {
+                let c = if shared.raster_settings.brush(def.brush_kind()).use_fg {
                     *shared.stroke_color
                 } else {
                     *shared.fill_color
@@ -6702,7 +6715,8 @@ impl StagePane {
                 b.dabs_per_actual_radius = 0.0;
                 // strength controls how far behind the stroke to sample (smudge_dist multiplier).
                 // smudge_dist = radius * exp(smudge_radius_log), so log(strength) gives the ratio.
-                b.smudge_radius_log = shared.raster_settings.smudge_strength; // linear [0,1] strength
+                b.smudge_radius_log =
+                    shared.raster_settings.brush(crate::tools::BrushKind::Smudge).strength;
             }
             if matches!(blend_mode, lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode::BlurSharpen) {
                 // Zero dabs_per_actual_radius so the spacing slider is the sole density control.
@@ -6711,10 +6725,14 @@ impl StagePane {
             b
         };
 
-        let color = if matches!(blend_mode, lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode::Erase) {
+        let color = if !def.uses_color() {
             [1.0f32, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0]
         } else {
-            let c = if shared.raster_settings.brush_use_fg { *shared.stroke_color } else { *shared.fill_color };
+            let c = if shared.raster_settings.brush(def.brush_kind()).use_fg {
+                *shared.stroke_color
+            } else {
+                *shared.fill_color
+            };
             let s2l = |v: u8| -> f32 {
                 let f = v as f32 / 255.0;
                 if f <= 0.04045 { f / 12.92 } else { ((f + 0.055) / 1.055).powf(2.4) }
@@ -7429,7 +7447,7 @@ impl StagePane {
             use lightningbeam_core::actions::PaintBucketAction;
             use vello::kurbo::Point;
             let click_point = Point::new(world_pos.x as f64, world_pos.y as f64);
-            let fill_color = ShapeColor::from_egui(*shared.fill_color);
+            let fill_color = ShapeColor::from_egui(bucket_color(shared));
             let action = PaintBucketAction::new(
                 active_layer_id,
                 *shared.playback_time,
@@ -7483,7 +7501,7 @@ impl StagePane {
             return;
         }
 
-        let fill_egui = *shared.fill_color;
+        let fill_egui = bucket_color(shared);
         let fill_color = [fill_egui.r(), fill_egui.g(), fill_egui.b(), fill_egui.a()];
         let threshold  = shared.raster_settings.fill_threshold;
         let softness   = shared.raster_settings.fill_softness;
@@ -10142,7 +10160,7 @@ impl StagePane {
                     if let Some(clip_instance) = vector_layer.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == clip_id) {
                         // Calculate clip-local time
                         let start_secs = shared.action_executor.document().tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(clip_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
-                        let clip_time = ((*shared.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start;
+                        let clip_time = ((*shared.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start.raw();
 
                         // Get dynamic clip bounds from content at current time
                         use vello::kurbo::Rect as KurboRect;
@@ -10343,7 +10361,7 @@ impl StagePane {
                 if let Some(clip_instance) = vector_layer.clip_instances.iter().find(|ci| ci.id == object_id) {
                     // Calculate clip-local time
                     let start_secs = shared.action_executor.document().tempo_map().beats_to_seconds(clip_instance.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
-                    let clip_time = ((*shared.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start;
+                    let clip_time = ((*shared.playback_time - start_secs) * clip_instance.playback_speed) + clip_instance.trim_start.raw();
 
                     // Get dynamic clip bounds from content at current time
                     let local_bbox = if let Some(vector_clip) = shared.action_executor.document().get_vector_clip(&clip_instance.clip_id) {
@@ -11059,7 +11077,9 @@ impl StagePane {
             let document = shared.action_executor.document();
             if let Some(AnyLayer::Video(video_layer)) = document.get_layer(layer_id) {
                 video_layer.clip_instances.iter().find(|inst| {
-                    let clip_duration = document.get_clip_duration(&inst.clip_id).unwrap_or(Seconds::ZERO);
+                    let clip_duration = ClipDuration::Seconds(
+                        document.get_clip_duration(&inst.clip_id).unwrap_or(Seconds::ZERO),
+                    );
                     let tempo_map = document.tempo_map();
                     let start_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(inst.timeline_start).seconds_to_f64();
                     let end_secs = tempo_map.beats_to_seconds(inst.timeline_start + inst.effective_duration(clip_duration, tempo_map)).seconds_to_f64();
@@ -11580,7 +11600,11 @@ impl StagePane {
 
         // Handle tool input (only if not using Alt modifier for panning, and not while a
         // double-tap-drag marquee is actively dragging so the tool doesn't act during the gesture).
-        if !alt_held && !self.marquee_gesture_active {
+        // A pen barrel button bound to Pan suppresses the tool the same way Alt does — the pen
+        // tip is still down while panning, so without this the brush would paint as you pan.
+        let pen_panning = crate::tablet::active_button_action()
+            == Some(crate::config::TabletButtonAction::Pan);
+        if !alt_held && !pen_panning && !self.marquee_gesture_active {
             use lightningbeam_core::tool::Tool;
 
             // On a shape-tween in-between frame the active vector layer's geometry is an
@@ -11743,9 +11767,21 @@ impl StagePane {
                 self.pan_offset.y += scroll_delta.y;
             }
 
-            // Handle panning with Alt+Drag
+            // Middle-mouse drag pans, independent of the stage's own drag sense.
-            if alt_held && response.dragged() {
+            let middle_down = ui.input(|i| i.pointer.middle_down());
-                // Alt+Click+Drag panning
+            if middle_down {
+                let delta = ui.input(|i| i.pointer.delta());
+                self.pan_offset += delta;
+                self.is_panning = true;
+            }
+
+            // Holding a pen barrel button bound to Pan turns the pen drag into a pan instead of
+            // a stroke (the tip is still down, so this is a normal primary drag).
+            let pen_pan = crate::tablet::active_button_action()
+                == Some(crate::config::TabletButtonAction::Pan);
+
+            // Handle panning with Alt+Drag (or a pan-bound pen button)
+            if (alt_held || pen_pan) && response.dragged() {
                 if let Some(last_pos) = self.last_pan_pos {
                     if let Some(current_pos) = response.interact_pointer_pos() {
                         let delta = current_pos - last_pos;
@@ -11755,7 +11791,7 @@ impl StagePane {
                 self.last_pan_pos = response.interact_pointer_pos();
                 self.is_panning = true;
             } else {
-                if !response.dragged() {
+                if !response.dragged() && !middle_down {
                     self.is_panning = false;
                     self.last_pan_pos = None;
                 }
@@ -12099,26 +12135,22 @@ impl StagePane {
             let r = shared.raster_settings.quick_select_radius;
             (r, r, 0.0_f32)
         } else if let Some(def) = crate::tools::raster_tool_def(shared.selected_tool) {
+            // Every brush tool can carry an elliptical library brush, so shape the cursor from
+            // whichever slot the active tool paints with.
+            let slot = shared.raster_settings.brush(def.brush_kind());
             let r = def.cursor_radius(shared.raster_settings);
-            // For the standard paint brush, also account for elliptical shape.
+            let bs = &slot.settings;
-            if matches!(*shared.selected_tool,
-                Tool::Draw | Tool::Pencil | Tool::Pen | Tool::Airbrush)
-            {
-                let bs = &shared.raster_settings.active_brush_settings;
             let ratio = bs.elliptical_dab_ratio.max(1.0);
             let expand = 1.0 + bs.offset_by_random;
-                let angle = (bs.elliptical_dab_angle + shared.raster_settings.brush_angle_offset).to_radians();
+            let angle = (bs.elliptical_dab_angle + slot.angle_offset).to_radians();
             (r * expand, r * expand / ratio, angle)
         } else {
-                (r, r, 0.0_f32)
+            let slot = shared.raster_settings.brush(crate::tools::BrushKind::Paint);
-            }
+            let bs = &slot.settings;
-        } else {
-            let bs = &shared.raster_settings.active_brush_settings;
-            let r = shared.raster_settings.brush_radius;
             let ratio = bs.elliptical_dab_ratio.max(1.0);
             let expand = 1.0 + bs.offset_by_random;
-            let angle = (bs.elliptical_dab_angle + shared.raster_settings.brush_angle_offset).to_radians();
+            let angle = (bs.elliptical_dab_angle + slot.angle_offset).to_radians();
-            (r * expand, r * expand / ratio, angle)
+            (slot.radius * expand, slot.radius * expand / ratio, angle)
         };
 
         let a = a_world * self.zoom; // major semi-axis in screen pixels
@@ -12163,9 +12195,84 @@ impl StagePane {
 
 impl PaneRenderer for StagePane {
     fn render_header(&mut self, ui: &mut egui::Ui, shared: &mut SharedPaneState) -> bool {
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+        // Fill most of the 40px header so the buttons are a comfortable tablet-sized target
-            // Zoom to fit button
+        // rather than the ~20px egui default.
-            if ui.button("⊡ Fit").on_hover_text("Zoom to fit canvas in view").clicked() {
+        const BTN_H: f32 = 27.0;
+        let btn_size = egui::vec2(32.0, BTN_H);
+
+        // Lay the row out in a full-width band of exactly BTN_H centred in the header, so the
+        // buttons sit vertically centred instead of dropping to the bottom of the taller header
+        // rect. Horizontally they still start at the left, as before.
+        let avail = ui.max_rect();
+        let band = egui::Rect::from_min_size(
+            egui::pos2(avail.min.x, avail.center().y - BTN_H / 2.0),
+            egui::vec2(avail.width(), BTN_H),
+        );
+
+        ui.scope_builder(
+            egui::UiBuilder::new()
+                .max_rect(band)
+                .layout(egui::Layout::left_to_right(egui::Align::Center)),
+            |ui| {
+            // Undo / redo — duplicated here so tablet users don't need the keyboard.
+            let can_undo = shared.action_executor.can_undo();
+            let can_redo = shared.action_executor.can_redo();
+            let icon_btn = |glyph: &str| {
+                egui::Button::new(
+                    egui::RichText::new(glyph).font(crate::mobile::icons::font(16.0)),
+                )
+                .min_size(btn_size)
+            };
+
+            if ui
+                .add_enabled(can_undo, icon_btn(crate::mobile::icons::UNDO_2))
+                .on_hover_text("Undo")
+                .clicked()
+            {
+                shared.pending_menu_actions.push(crate::menu::MenuAction::Undo);
+            }
+            if ui
+                .add_enabled(can_redo, icon_btn(crate::mobile::icons::REDO_2))
+                .on_hover_text("Redo")
+                .clicked()
+            {
+                shared.pending_menu_actions.push(crate::menu::MenuAction::Redo);
+            }
+
+            ui.separator();
+
+            // Zoom to fit: Lucide "maximize" glyph followed by the label. Two fonts in one
+            // button means building the layout job by hand.
+            let fit_label = {
+                let mut job = egui::text::LayoutJob::default();
+                let color = ui.visuals().widgets.inactive.fg_stroke.color;
+                job.append(
+                    crate::mobile::icons::MAXIMIZE,
+                    0.0,
+                    egui::TextFormat {
+                        font_id: crate::mobile::icons::font(15.0),
+                        color,
+                        valign: egui::Align::Center,
+                        ..Default::default()
+                    },
+                );
+                job.append(
+                    "Fit",
+                    6.0,
+                    egui::TextFormat {
+                        font_id: egui::TextStyle::Button.resolve(ui.style()),
+                        color,
+                        valign: egui::Align::Center,
+                        ..Default::default()
+                    },
+                );
+                job
+            };
+            if ui
+                .add(egui::Button::new(fit_label).min_size(egui::vec2(0.0, BTN_H)))
+                .on_hover_text("Zoom to fit canvas in view")
+                .clicked()
+            {
                 self.zoom_to_fit(shared);
             }
 
@@ -12175,7 +12282,8 @@ impl PaneRenderer for StagePane {
             let text_style = shared.theme.style(".text-primary", ui.ctx());
             let text_color = text_style.text_color.unwrap_or(egui::Color32::from_gray(200));
             ui.colored_label(text_color, format!("Zoom: {:.0}%", self.zoom * 100.0));
-        });
+        },
+        );
         true
     }
 
@@ -13104,3 +13212,13 @@ impl PaneRenderer for StagePane {
         "Stage"
     }
 }
+
+/// The color the paint bucket fills with. Like the brush, the bucket chooses between the
+/// foreground (stroke) and background (fill) swatch — see `RasterToolSettings::fill_use_fg`.
+fn bucket_color(shared: &SharedPaneState) -> egui::Color32 {
+    if shared.raster_settings.fill_use_fg {
+        *shared.stroke_color
+    } else {
+        *shared.fill_color
+    }
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/panes/toolbar.rs

@@ -29,10 +29,48 @@ impl PaneRenderer for ToolbarPane {
         path: &NodePath,
         shared: &mut SharedPaneState,
     ) {
-        let button_size = 60.0;
+        // `ui` spans the whole window, not this pane — bind a child Ui to the pane's content rect
-        let button_padding = 8.0;
+        // first, or the ScrollArea would start at the window's top (under the pane header) and
-        let button_spacing = 4.0;
+        // size itself against the window's height (so it would never need to scroll).
+        // Salt by path: widget ids inside are auto-generated from the Ui's id, so two toolbar
+        // panes would otherwise fight over the same ids.
+        let mut content_ui = ui.new_child(
+            egui::UiBuilder::new()
+                .id_salt(("toolbar", path))
+                .max_rect(rect)
+                .layout(egui::Layout::top_down(egui::Align::Min)),
+        );
 
+        egui::ScrollArea::vertical()
+            .id_salt(("toolbar_scroll", path))
+            .auto_shrink([false; 2])
+            .show(&mut content_ui, |ui| {
+                self.render_toolbar(ui, path, shared);
+            });
+    }
+
+    fn name(&self) -> &str {
+        "Toolbar"
+    }
+}
+
+const BUTTON_SIZE: f32 = 60.0;
+const BUTTON_PADDING: f32 = 8.0;
+const BUTTON_SPACING: f32 = 4.0;
+const COLOR_BUTTON_SIZE: f32 = 50.0;
+const COLOR_LABEL_WIDTH: f32 = 40.0;
+
+impl ToolbarPane {
+    /// Laid out with real egui widgets (`horizontal_wrapped` for the tool grid) rather than
+    /// absolute rect math, so the ScrollArea above can measure the content and scroll it when the
+    /// pane is too short. Buttons are still painted by hand — `allocate_exact_size` reserves the
+    /// space and gives us the Response, and we draw into the rect egui hands back.
+    fn render_toolbar(
+        &mut self,
+        ui: &mut egui::Ui,
+        path: &NodePath,
+        shared: &mut SharedPaneState,
+    ) {
         // Determine which tools to show based on the active layer type
         let active_layer_type: Option<LayerType> = shared.active_layer_id
             .and_then(|id| shared.action_executor.document().get_layer(&id))
@@ -52,35 +90,105 @@ impl PaneRenderer for ToolbarPane {
             *shared.selected_tool = Tool::Select;
         }
 
-        // Calculate how many columns we can fit
+        let is_raster = matches!(active_layer_type, Some(LayerType::Raster));
-        let available_width = rect.width() - (button_padding * 2.0);
+        let show_colors = matches!(active_layer_type, None | Some(LayerType::Vector) | Some(LayerType::Raster));
-        let columns =
-            ((available_width + button_spacing) / (button_size + button_spacing)).floor() as usize;
-        let columns = columns.max(1); // At least 1 column
-        let total_tools = tools.len();
-        let total_rows = (total_tools + columns - 1) / columns;
 
-        let mut y = rect.top() + button_padding;
+        ui.spacing_mut().item_spacing = egui::vec2(BUTTON_SPACING, BUTTON_SPACING);
+        ui.add_space(BUTTON_PADDING);
 
-        // Process tools row by row for centered layout
+        // Centre the grid as a block. Work out how many columns fit, then lay the buttons out in
-        for row in 0..total_rows {
+        // a band of exactly that width, positioned to centre it. The band has to be an explicit
-            let start_idx = row * columns;
+        // max_rect on the child Ui — a `horizontal_wrapped` nested inside a `horizontal` inherits
-            let end_idx = (start_idx + columns).min(total_tools);
+        // the parent's available width and wraps against that, not against the width we set.
-            let buttons_in_row = end_idx - start_idx;
+        let full_width = ui.available_width();
+        let avail = full_width - BUTTON_PADDING * 2.0;
+        let columns = (((avail + BUTTON_SPACING) / (BUTTON_SIZE + BUTTON_SPACING)).floor() as usize)
+            .max(1)
+            .min(tools.len().max(1));
+        let grid_width =
+            columns as f32 * BUTTON_SIZE + (columns.saturating_sub(1)) as f32 * BUTTON_SPACING;
+        let indent = ((full_width - grid_width) / 2.0).max(0.0);
+        let rows = (tools.len() + columns - 1) / columns;
 
-            // Calculate the total width of buttons in this row
+        let cursor = ui.cursor().min;
-            let row_width = (buttons_in_row as f32 * button_size)
+        let band = egui::Rect::from_min_size(
-                          + ((buttons_in_row.saturating_sub(1)) as f32 * button_spacing);
+            egui::pos2(cursor.x + indent, cursor.y),
+            egui::vec2(grid_width, rows as f32 * (BUTTON_SIZE + BUTTON_SPACING)),
+        );
+        ui.scope_builder(
+            egui::UiBuilder::new().max_rect(band).layout(
+                egui::Layout::left_to_right(egui::Align::Min).with_main_wrap(true),
+            ),
+            |ui| {
+                ui.spacing_mut().item_spacing = egui::vec2(BUTTON_SPACING, BUTTON_SPACING);
+                for tool in tools.iter() {
+                    self.render_tool_button(ui, tool, shared);
+                }
+            },
+        );
 
-            // Center the row
+        // Colour swatches below the tools.
-            let mut x = rect.left() + (rect.width() - row_width) / 2.0;
+        // Stroke/FG always on top, Fill/BG always on bottom.
+        // Raster layers label them "FG" / "BG"; vector layers label them "Stroke" / "Fill".
+        if show_colors {
+            ui.add_space(BUTTON_SPACING * 2.0);
 
-            for tool_idx in start_idx..end_idx {
+            let row_width = COLOR_LABEL_WIDTH + COLOR_BUTTON_SIZE + BUTTON_SPACING;
-                let tool = &tools[tool_idx];
+            let color_indent = ((ui.available_width() - row_width) / 2.0).max(0.0);
-            let button_rect =
+
-                egui::Rect::from_min_size(egui::pos2(x, y), egui::vec2(button_size, button_size));
+            for (label, is_stroke) in [
+                (if is_raster { "FG" } else { "Stroke" }, true),
+                (if is_raster { "BG" } else { "Fill" }, false),
+            ] {
+                ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+                    ui.add_space(color_indent);
+
+                    let (label_rect, _) = ui.allocate_exact_size(
+                        egui::vec2(COLOR_LABEL_WIDTH, COLOR_BUTTON_SIZE),
+                        egui::Sense::hover(),
+                    );
+                    let label_color = shared.theme.text_color(
+                        &["#toolbar", ".text-secondary"],
+                        ui.ctx(),
+                        egui::Color32::from_gray(200),
+                    );
+                    ui.painter().text(
+                        label_rect.center(),
+                        egui::Align2::CENTER_CENTER,
+                        label,
+                        egui::FontId::proportional(14.0),
+                        label_color,
+                    );
+
+                    let (swatch_rect, _) = ui.allocate_exact_size(
+                        egui::vec2(COLOR_BUTTON_SIZE, COLOR_BUTTON_SIZE),
+                        egui::Sense::hover(),
+                    );
+                    let (id_key, color) = if is_stroke {
+                        ("stroke_color_button", &mut *shared.stroke_color)
+                    } else {
+                        ("fill_color_button", &mut *shared.fill_color)
+                    };
+                    let button_id = ui.id().with((id_key, path));
+                    crate::widgets::color_swatch::color_swatch(ui, button_id, swatch_rect, color);
+                });
+            }
+        }
+
+        ui.add_space(BUTTON_PADDING);
+    }
+
+    fn render_tool_button(
+        &mut self,
+        ui: &mut egui::Ui,
+        tool: &Tool,
+        shared: &mut SharedPaneState,
+    ) {
+        let (button_rect, response) = ui.allocate_exact_size(
+            egui::vec2(BUTTON_SIZE, BUTTON_SIZE),
+            egui::Sense::click(),
+        );
 
-            // Check if this is the selected tool
         let is_selected = *shared.selected_tool == *tool;
 
         // Button background
@@ -91,8 +199,21 @@ impl PaneRenderer for ToolbarPane {
         };
         ui.painter().rect_filled(button_rect, 4.0, bg_color);
 
-            // Load and render tool icon
+        // Tool icon: tools without a bundled SVG fall back to a Lucide glyph rather than the
-            if let Some(icon) = shared.tool_icon_cache.get_or_load(*tool, ui.ctx()) {
+        // shared TODO placeholder.
+        if let Some(glyph) = crate::mobile::icons::tool_glyph(*tool) {
+            ui.painter().text(
+                button_rect.center(),
+                egui::Align2::CENTER_CENTER,
+                glyph,
+                crate::mobile::icons::font(26.0),
+                shared.theme.text_color(
+                    &["#toolbar", ".tool-button"],
+                    ui.ctx(),
+                    egui::Color32::from_gray(220),
+                ),
+            );
+        } else if let Some(icon) = shared.tool_icon_cache.get_or_load(*tool, ui.ctx()) {
             let icon_rect = button_rect.shrink(8.0); // Padding inside button
             ui.painter().image(
                 icon.id(),
@@ -120,11 +241,6 @@ impl PaneRenderer for ToolbarPane {
             ));
         }
 
-            // Make button interactive (include path to ensure unique IDs across panes)
-            let button_id = ui.id().with(("tool_button", path, *tool as usize));
-            let response = ui.interact(button_rect, button_id, egui::Sense::click());
-
-            // Check for click first
         if response.clicked() {
             *shared.selected_tool = *tool;
             // Preset-backed tools: auto-select the matching bundled brush.
@@ -135,12 +251,12 @@ impl PaneRenderer for ToolbarPane {
                 _ => None,
             };
             if let Some(name) = preset_name {
-                    if let Some(preset) = bundled_brushes().iter().find(|p| p.name == name) {
+                if let Some(idx) = bundled_brushes().iter().position(|p| p.name == name) {
-                        let s = &preset.settings;
+                    let settings = bundled_brushes()[idx].settings.clone();
-                        shared.raster_settings.brush_opacity  = s.opaque.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+                    shared
-                        shared.raster_settings.brush_hardness = s.hardness.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+                        .raster_settings
-                        shared.raster_settings.brush_spacing  = s.dabs_per_radius;
+                        .brush_mut(crate::tools::BrushKind::Paint)
-                        shared.raster_settings.active_brush_settings = s.clone();
+                        .apply_preset(idx, &settings);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -209,6 +325,16 @@ impl PaneRenderer for ToolbarPane {
             );
         }
 
+        // Draw selection border
+        if is_selected {
+            ui.painter().rect_stroke(
+                button_rect,
+                4.0,
+                egui::Stroke::new(2.0, shared.theme.border_color(&["#toolbar", ".tool-button", ".selected"], ui.ctx(), egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 150, 255))),
+                egui::StrokeKind::Middle,
+            );
+        }
+
         // Show tooltip with tool name and shortcut (consumes response).
         // Hint text is pulled from the live keymap so it reflects user remappings.
         let hint = tool_app_action(*tool)
@@ -232,140 +358,5 @@ impl PaneRenderer for ToolbarPane {
             format!("{}{}", tool.display_name(), hint)
         };
         response.on_hover_text(tooltip);
-
-            // Draw selection border
-            if is_selected {
-                ui.painter().rect_stroke(
-                    button_rect,
-                    4.0,
-                    egui::Stroke::new(2.0, shared.theme.border_color(&["#toolbar", ".tool-button", ".selected"], ui.ctx(), egui::Color32::from_rgb(100, 150, 255))),
-                    egui::StrokeKind::Middle,
-                );
-            }
-
-                // Move to next column in this row
-                x += button_size + button_spacing;
-            }
-
-            // Move to next row
-            y += button_size + button_spacing;
-        }
-
-        let is_raster = matches!(active_layer_type, Some(LayerType::Raster));
-        let show_colors = matches!(active_layer_type, None | Some(LayerType::Vector) | Some(LayerType::Raster));
-
-        // Add color pickers below the tool buttons
-        if show_colors {
-        y += button_spacing * 2.0; // Extra spacing
-
-        let fill_label_width = 40.0;
-        let color_button_size = 50.0;
-        let color_row_width = fill_label_width + color_button_size + button_spacing;
-        let color_x = rect.left() + (rect.width() - color_row_width) / 2.0;
-
-        // Two color swatches:
-        // Stroke/FG always on top, Fill/BG always on bottom.
-        // Raster layers label them "FG" / "BG"; vector layers label them "Stroke" / "Fill".
-        {
-            let stroke_label = if is_raster { "FG" } else { "Stroke" };
-            let label_color = shared.theme.text_color(&["#toolbar", ".text-secondary"], ui.ctx(), egui::Color32::from_gray(200));
-            ui.painter().text(
-                egui::pos2(color_x + fill_label_width / 2.0, y + color_button_size / 2.0),
-                egui::Align2::CENTER_CENTER,
-                stroke_label,
-                egui::FontId::proportional(14.0),
-                label_color,
-            );
-
-            let stroke_button_rect = egui::Rect::from_min_size(
-                egui::pos2(color_x + fill_label_width + button_spacing, y),
-                egui::vec2(color_button_size, color_button_size),
-            );
-            let stroke_button_id = ui.id().with(("stroke_color_button", path));
-            let stroke_response = ui.interact(stroke_button_rect, stroke_button_id, egui::Sense::click());
-            draw_color_button(ui, stroke_button_rect, *shared.stroke_color);
-            egui::containers::Popup::from_toggle_button_response(&stroke_response)
-                .show(|ui| {
-                    ui.spacing_mut().slider_width = 275.0;
-                    let changed = egui::color_picker::color_picker_color32(ui, shared.stroke_color, egui::color_picker::Alpha::OnlyBlend);
-                    if changed {
-                        *shared.active_color_mode = super::ColorMode::Stroke;
-                    }
-                });
-
-            y += color_button_size + button_spacing;
-        }
-
-        // Fill/BG color swatch
-        {
-            let fill_label = if is_raster { "BG" } else { "Fill" };
-            let label_color = shared.theme.text_color(&["#toolbar", ".text-secondary"], ui.ctx(), egui::Color32::from_gray(200));
-            ui.painter().text(
-                egui::pos2(color_x + fill_label_width / 2.0, y + color_button_size / 2.0),
-                egui::Align2::CENTER_CENTER,
-                fill_label,
-                egui::FontId::proportional(14.0),
-                label_color,
-            );
-
-            let fill_button_rect = egui::Rect::from_min_size(
-                egui::pos2(color_x + fill_label_width + button_spacing, y),
-                egui::vec2(color_button_size, color_button_size),
-            );
-            let fill_button_id = ui.id().with(("fill_color_button", path));
-            let fill_response = ui.interact(fill_button_rect, fill_button_id, egui::Sense::click());
-            draw_color_button(ui, fill_button_rect, *shared.fill_color);
-            egui::containers::Popup::from_toggle_button_response(&fill_response)
-                .show(|ui| {
-                    ui.spacing_mut().slider_width = 275.0;
-                    let changed = egui::color_picker::color_picker_color32(ui, shared.fill_color, egui::color_picker::Alpha::OnlyBlend);
-                    if changed {
-                        *shared.active_color_mode = super::ColorMode::Fill;
-                    }
-                });
-        }
-        } // end color pickers
-    }
-
-    fn name(&self) -> &str {
-        "Toolbar"
     }
 }
-
-/// Draw a color button with checkerboard background for alpha channel
-fn draw_color_button(ui: &mut egui::Ui, rect: egui::Rect, color: egui::Color32) {
-    // Draw checkerboard background
-    let checker_size = 5.0;
-    let cols = (rect.width() / checker_size).ceil() as usize;
-    let rows = (rect.height() / checker_size).ceil() as usize;
-
-    for row in 0..rows {
-        for col in 0..cols {
-            let is_light = (row + col) % 2 == 0;
-            let checker_color = if is_light {
-                egui::Color32::from_gray(180)
-            } else {
-                egui::Color32::from_gray(120)
-            };
-            let checker_rect = egui::Rect::from_min_size(
-                egui::pos2(
-                    rect.min.x + col as f32 * checker_size,
-                    rect.min.y + row as f32 * checker_size,
-                ),
-                egui::vec2(checker_size, checker_size),
-            ).intersect(rect);
-            ui.painter().rect_filled(checker_rect, 0.0, checker_color);
-        }
-    }
-
-    // Draw color on top
-    ui.painter().rect_filled(rect, 2.0, color);
-
-    // Draw border
-    ui.painter().rect_stroke(
-        rect,
-        2.0,
-        egui::Stroke::new(1.0, egui::Color32::from_gray(80)),
-        egui::StrokeKind::Middle,
-    );
-}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/preferences/dialog.rs

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use eframe::egui;
-use crate::config::AppConfig;
+use crate::config::{AppConfig, TabletButtonAction};
 use crate::keymap::{self, AppAction, KeymapManager};
 use crate::menu::{MenuSystem, Shortcut, ShortcutKey};
 use crate::theme::{Theme, ThemeMode};
@@ -55,12 +55,15 @@ struct PreferencesState {
     file_height: u32,
     scroll_speed: f64,
     audio_buffer_size: u32,
+    cycle_midi_separate_takes: bool,
     reopen_last_session: bool,
     restore_layout_from_file: bool,
     debug: bool,
     waveform_stereo: bool,
     theme_mode: ThemeMode,
     large_media_default: LargeMediaMode,
+    tablet_button_lower: TabletButtonAction,
+    tablet_button_upper: TabletButtonAction,
 }
 
 impl From<(&AppConfig, &Theme)> for PreferencesState {
@@ -72,12 +75,15 @@ impl From<(&AppConfig, &Theme)> for PreferencesState {
             file_height: config.file_height,
             scroll_speed: config.scroll_speed,
             audio_buffer_size: config.audio_buffer_size,
+            cycle_midi_separate_takes: config.cycle_midi_separate_takes,
             reopen_last_session: config.reopen_last_session,
             restore_layout_from_file: config.restore_layout_from_file,
             debug: config.debug,
             waveform_stereo: config.waveform_stereo,
             theme_mode: theme.mode(),
             large_media_default: config.large_media_default,
+            tablet_button_lower: config.tablet_button_lower,
+            tablet_button_upper: config.tablet_button_upper,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -91,12 +97,15 @@ impl Default for PreferencesState {
             file_height: 600,
             scroll_speed: 1.0,
             audio_buffer_size: 256,
+            cycle_midi_separate_takes: false,
             reopen_last_session: false,
             restore_layout_from_file: true,
             debug: false,
             waveform_stereo: false,
             theme_mode: ThemeMode::System,
             large_media_default: LargeMediaMode::default(),
+            tablet_button_lower: TabletButtonAction::Pan,
+            tablet_button_upper: TabletButtonAction::Eyedropper,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -239,6 +248,8 @@ impl PreferencesDialog {
                     ui.add_space(8.0);
                     self.render_startup_section(ui);
                     ui.add_space(8.0);
+                    self.render_tablet_section(ui);
+                    ui.add_space(8.0);
                     self.render_advanced_section(ui);
                 });
             }
@@ -543,6 +554,39 @@ impl PreferencesDialog {
                 });
 
                 ui.label("Requires app restart to take effect");
+
+                ui.separator();
+
+                ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+                    ui.label("Cycle MIDI recording:");
+
+                    egui::ComboBox::from_id_salt("cycle_midi_mode")
+                        .selected_text(if self.working_prefs.cycle_midi_separate_takes {
+                            "Separate takes"
+                        } else {
+                            "Merge"
+                        })
+                        .show_ui(ui, |ui| {
+                            ui.selectable_value(
+                                &mut self.working_prefs.cycle_midi_separate_takes,
+                                false,
+                                "Merge",
+                            )
+                            .on_hover_text(
+                                "Every pass overdubs into one clip, and earlier passes play back as \
+                                 you record so you can layer against them.",
+                            );
+                            ui.selectable_value(
+                                &mut self.working_prefs.cycle_midi_separate_takes,
+                                true,
+                                "Separate takes",
+                            )
+                            .on_hover_text(
+                                "Each pass becomes its own take in a take folder, as audio always \
+                                 does. Earlier passes stay silent — they're alternatives, not layers.",
+                            );
+                        });
+                });
             });
     }
 
@@ -591,6 +635,41 @@ impl PreferencesDialog {
             });
     }
 
+    fn render_tablet_section(&mut self, ui: &mut egui::Ui) {
+        egui::CollapsingHeader::new("Tablet")
+            .default_open(false)
+            .show(ui, |ui| {
+                ui.label("What each barrel button on the stylus does while held:");
+                ui.add_space(4.0);
+
+                let button_row = |ui: &mut egui::Ui, label: &str, id: &str, value: &mut TabletButtonAction| {
+                    ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+                        ui.label(label);
+                        egui::ComboBox::from_id_salt(id)
+                            .selected_text(value.label())
+                            .show_ui(ui, |ui| {
+                                for action in TabletButtonAction::ALL {
+                                    ui.selectable_value(value, action, action.label());
+                                }
+                            });
+                    });
+                };
+
+                button_row(
+                    ui,
+                    "Lower button:",
+                    "tablet_button_lower",
+                    &mut self.working_prefs.tablet_button_lower,
+                );
+                button_row(
+                    ui,
+                    "Upper button:",
+                    "tablet_button_upper",
+                    &mut self.working_prefs.tablet_button_upper,
+                );
+            });
+    }
+
     fn render_advanced_section(&mut self, ui: &mut egui::Ui) {
         egui::CollapsingHeader::new("Advanced")
             .default_open(false)
@@ -641,11 +720,14 @@ impl PreferencesDialog {
         temp_config.file_height = self.working_prefs.file_height;
         temp_config.scroll_speed = self.working_prefs.scroll_speed;
         temp_config.audio_buffer_size = self.working_prefs.audio_buffer_size;
+        temp_config.cycle_midi_separate_takes = self.working_prefs.cycle_midi_separate_takes;
         temp_config.reopen_last_session = self.working_prefs.reopen_last_session;
         temp_config.restore_layout_from_file = self.working_prefs.restore_layout_from_file;
         temp_config.debug = self.working_prefs.debug;
         temp_config.waveform_stereo = self.working_prefs.waveform_stereo;
         temp_config.theme_mode = self.working_prefs.theme_mode.to_string_lower();
+        temp_config.tablet_button_lower = self.working_prefs.tablet_button_lower;
+        temp_config.tablet_button_upper = self.working_prefs.tablet_button_upper;
 
         // Validate
         if let Err(err) = temp_config.validate() {
@@ -675,16 +757,23 @@ impl PreferencesDialog {
         config.file_height = self.working_prefs.file_height;
         config.scroll_speed = self.working_prefs.scroll_speed;
         config.audio_buffer_size = self.working_prefs.audio_buffer_size;
+        config.cycle_midi_separate_takes = self.working_prefs.cycle_midi_separate_takes;
         config.reopen_last_session = self.working_prefs.reopen_last_session;
         config.restore_layout_from_file = self.working_prefs.restore_layout_from_file;
         config.debug = self.working_prefs.debug;
         config.waveform_stereo = self.working_prefs.waveform_stereo;
         config.theme_mode = self.working_prefs.theme_mode.to_string_lower();
         config.large_media_default = self.working_prefs.large_media_default;
+        config.tablet_button_lower = self.working_prefs.tablet_button_lower;
+        config.tablet_button_upper = self.working_prefs.tablet_button_upper;
         config.keybindings = keybinding_config;
 
         // Apply theme immediately
         theme.set_mode(self.working_prefs.theme_mode);
+        crate::tablet::set_button_actions(
+            self.working_prefs.tablet_button_lower,
+            self.working_prefs.tablet_button_upper,
+        );
 
         // Save to disk
         config.save();

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tablet.rs

@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU32, Ordering};
 use eframe::egui;
 use lightningbeam_core::tool::Tool;
 
+use crate::config::TabletButtonAction;
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Global tablet state — read by make_stroke_point() on the UI thread
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -21,6 +23,58 @@ static TABLET_PRESSURE_BITS: AtomicU32 = AtomicU32::new(0x3f800000); // 1.0f32
 static TABLET_TILT_X_BITS: AtomicU32 = AtomicU32::new(0); // 0.0f32
 static TABLET_TILT_Y_BITS: AtomicU32 = AtomicU32::new(0); // 0.0f32
 
+/// Bit 0 = lower barrel button held, bit 1 = upper. Read on the UI thread by the stage to
+/// decide whether the pen is currently panning.
+static TABLET_BUTTONS: AtomicU32 = AtomicU32::new(0);
+
+fn button_bit(b: TabletButton) -> u32 {
+    match b {
+        TabletButton::Lower => 1,
+        TabletButton::Upper => 2,
+    }
+}
+
+/// Is the given barrel button currently held?
+pub fn button_held(b: TabletButton) -> bool {
+    TABLET_BUTTONS.load(Ordering::Relaxed) & button_bit(b) != 0
+}
+
+/// The configured action for each barrel button, mirrored from `AppConfig` so the stage can
+/// read it without threading config through every call site.
+static BUTTON_ACTIONS: std::sync::Mutex<(TabletButtonAction, TabletButtonAction)> =
+    std::sync::Mutex::new((TabletButtonAction::Pan, TabletButtonAction::Eyedropper));
+
+/// Mirror the configured barrel-button actions. Call on startup and whenever preferences change.
+pub fn set_button_actions(lower: TabletButtonAction, upper: TabletButtonAction) {
+    if let Ok(mut a) = BUTTON_ACTIONS.lock() {
+        *a = (lower, upper);
+    }
+}
+
+fn action_for(b: TabletButton) -> TabletButtonAction {
+    let actions = BUTTON_ACTIONS
+        .lock()
+        .map(|a| *a)
+        .unwrap_or((TabletButtonAction::Pan, TabletButtonAction::Eyedropper));
+    match b {
+        TabletButton::Lower => actions.0,
+        TabletButton::Upper => actions.1,
+    }
+}
+
+/// The action of whichever barrel button is currently held (lower wins if both are).
+pub fn active_button_action() -> Option<TabletButtonAction> {
+    for b in [TabletButton::Lower, TabletButton::Upper] {
+        if button_held(b) {
+            let a = action_for(b);
+            if a != TabletButtonAction::None {
+                return Some(a);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    None
+}
+
 /// Current pen pressure (0.0–1.0). Falls back to 1.0 when no tablet is active.
 pub fn current_pressure() -> f32 {
     f32::from_bits(TABLET_PRESSURE_BITS.load(Ordering::Relaxed))
@@ -57,10 +111,32 @@ pub enum RawTabletEvent {
     Tilt { x: f32, y: f32 },
     TipDown,
     TipUp,
+    /// A barrel button on the pen was pressed or released.
+    Button { button: TabletButton, pressed: bool },
     /// End of Wayland tablet event group; commit accumulated state.
     Frame,
 }
 
+/// Which barrel button on the stylus. Most pens have two; some have a third.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum TabletButton {
+    Lower,
+    Upper,
+}
+
+impl TabletButton {
+    /// Map a Linux evdev button code (used by both the Wayland tablet protocol and X11's
+    /// underlying device) to a barrel button.
+    fn from_evdev(code: u32) -> Option<Self> {
+        // BTN_STYLUS = 0x14b, BTN_STYLUS2 = 0x14c, BTN_STYLUS3 = 0x149.
+        match code {
+            0x14b => Some(TabletButton::Lower),
+            0x14c => Some(TabletButton::Upper),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Default)]
 pub enum TabletToolType {
     #[default]
@@ -91,9 +167,13 @@ pub struct TabletInput {
     /// On X11, clicks already come through winit via OS mouse emulation.
     inject_buttons: bool,
 
-    /// Pending tool switch (eraser in/out). Consumed by `EditorApp::update()`.
+    /// Pending tool switch (eraser in/out, barrel-button override). Consumed by `EditorApp::update()`.
     pub pending_tool_switch: Option<Tool>,
     tool_before_eraser: Option<Tool>,
+    /// Barrel-button state as of last frame, for press/release edge detection.
+    prev_buttons: u32,
+    /// Tool to restore when the barrel button driving a tool override is released.
+    tool_before_button: Option<Tool>,
 
     /// One-shot sender used to hand the egui Context to the background thread
     /// on the first poll() call so it can call request_repaint().
@@ -125,6 +205,8 @@ impl TabletInput {
             inject_buttons,
             pending_tool_switch: None,
             tool_before_eraser: None,
+            prev_buttons: 0,
+            tool_before_button: None,
             repaint_sender,
             backend,
         }
@@ -202,6 +284,9 @@ impl TabletInput {
         // Handle eraser tool switch.
         self.handle_tool_switch(current_tool);
 
+        // Handle barrel-button tool overrides (eyedropper / eraser held on the pen).
+        self.handle_button_tool_override(current_tool);
+
         // Publish globals for make_stroke_point().
         set_pressure(self.pressure);
         let (tx, ty) = self.tilt;
@@ -267,6 +352,8 @@ impl TabletInput {
             RawTabletEvent::ProximityOut => {
                 self.in_proximity = false;
                 self.pressure = 0.0;
+                // Don't let a button stay latched if the pen leaves while it's held.
+                TABLET_BUTTONS.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
             }
             RawTabletEvent::Motion { x, y } => {
                 // Wayland gives physical pixels; convert to egui logical points.
@@ -289,6 +376,14 @@ impl TabletInput {
             RawTabletEvent::TipUp => {
                 self.tip_down = Some(false);
             }
+            RawTabletEvent::Button { button, pressed } => {
+                let bit = button_bit(button);
+                if pressed {
+                    TABLET_BUTTONS.fetch_or(bit, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                } else {
+                    TABLET_BUTTONS.fetch_and(!bit, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                }
+            }
             RawTabletEvent::Frame => {
                 // Frame is the commit signal; processing already happened in individual events.
             }
@@ -318,6 +413,39 @@ impl TabletInput {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Barrel buttons bound to Eyedropper/Erase act as a spring-loaded tool override: switch
+    /// while held, restore on release. Pan is handled by the stage instead, since it needs the
+    /// drag delta rather than a tool.
+    fn handle_button_tool_override(&mut self, current_tool: Tool) {
+        let buttons = TABLET_BUTTONS.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if buttons == self.prev_buttons {
+            return;
+        }
+        self.prev_buttons = buttons;
+
+        let override_tool = active_button_action().and_then(|a| match a {
+            TabletButtonAction::Eyedropper => Some(Tool::Eyedropper),
+            TabletButtonAction::Erase => Some(Tool::Erase),
+            TabletButtonAction::Pan | TabletButtonAction::None => None,
+        });
+
+        match (override_tool, self.tool_before_button) {
+            // Button pressed: remember the tool we're overriding, then switch.
+            (Some(tool), None) => {
+                if current_tool != tool {
+                    self.tool_before_button = Some(current_tool);
+                    self.pending_tool_switch = Some(tool);
+                }
+            }
+            // Button released: restore.
+            (None, Some(prev)) => {
+                self.tool_before_button = None;
+                self.pending_tool_switch = Some(prev);
+            }
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
     fn handle_tool_switch(&mut self, current_tool: Tool) {
         let just_entered = self.in_proximity && !self.was_in_proximity;
         let just_left = !self.in_proximity && self.was_in_proximity;
@@ -343,7 +471,7 @@ impl TabletInput {
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
 mod wayland {
-    use super::{RawTabletEvent, TabletToolType};
+    use super::{RawTabletEvent, TabletButton, TabletToolType};
     use eframe::egui;
     use std::collections::HashMap;
     use std::sync::mpsc;
@@ -445,6 +573,7 @@ mod wayland {
         pending_motion: bool,
         pending_tip: Option<bool>,
         pending_proximity: Option<bool>,
+        pending_buttons: Vec<(TabletButton, bool)>,
     }
 
     // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -585,7 +714,20 @@ mod wayland {
                 Event::Tilt { tilt_x, tilt_y } => {
                     acc.pending_tilt = (tilt_x as f32, tilt_y as f32);
                 }
+                Event::Button { button, state: btn_state, .. } => {
+                    // `button` is a Linux evdev code (BTN_STYLUS / BTN_STYLUS2).
+                    if let Some(b) = TabletButton::from_evdev(button) {
+                        let pressed = matches!(
+                            btn_state.into_result(),
+                            Ok(zwp_tablet_tool_v2::ButtonState::Pressed)
+                        );
+                        acc.pending_buttons.push((b, pressed));
+                    }
+                }
                 Event::Frame { .. } => {
+                    for (b, pressed) in acc.pending_buttons.drain(..) {
+                        let _ = state.tx.send(RawTabletEvent::Button { button: b, pressed });
+                    }
                     // Flush accumulated events to the channel.
                     if let Some(prox) = acc.pending_proximity.take() {
                         if prox {
@@ -630,7 +772,7 @@ mod wayland {
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
 mod x11 {
-    use super::{RawTabletEvent, TabletToolType};
+    use super::{RawTabletEvent, TabletButton, TabletToolType};
     use std::sync::mpsc;
     use winit::raw_window_handle::{XcbDisplayHandle, XlibDisplayHandle};
 
@@ -880,18 +1022,45 @@ mod x11 {
                 }
 
                 Event::XinputRawButtonPress(raw) => {
-                    if device_axes.contains_key(&raw.deviceid) && raw.detail == 1 {
+                    if device_axes.contains_key(&raw.deviceid) {
+                        // X11 reports the tip as button 1 and the barrel buttons as 2 and 3.
+                        match raw.detail {
+                            1 => {
                                 let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::TipDown);
                                 let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::Frame);
                             }
+                            2 | 3 => {
+                                let button = if raw.detail == 2 {
+                                    TabletButton::Lower
+                                } else {
+                                    TabletButton::Upper
+                                };
+                                let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::Button { button, pressed: true });
+                                let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::Frame);
+                            }
+                            _ => {}
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
 
                 Event::XinputRawButtonRelease(raw) => {
                     if device_axes.contains_key(&raw.deviceid) {
-                        if raw.detail == 1 {
+                        match raw.detail {
+                            1 => {
                                 let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::TipUp);
                                 let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::Frame);
                             }
+                            2 | 3 => {
+                                let button = if raw.detail == 2 {
+                                    TabletButton::Lower
+                                } else {
+                                    TabletButton::Upper
+                                };
+                                let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::Button { button, pressed: false });
+                                let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::Frame);
+                            }
+                            _ => {}
+                        }
                         // When all buttons released, synthesise proximity out.
                         in_proximity.remove(&raw.deviceid);
                         let _ = tx.send(RawTabletEvent::ProximityOut);

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/blur_sharpen.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
 use eframe::egui;
-use lightningbeam_core::{brush_settings::BrushSettings, raster_layer::RasterBlendMode};
+use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
 pub struct BlurSharpenTool;
 pub static BLUR_SHARPEN: BlurSharpenTool = BlurSharpenTool;
@@ -8,19 +8,11 @@ pub static BLUR_SHARPEN: BlurSharpenTool = BlurSharpenTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for BlurSharpenTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::BlurSharpen }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Blur / Sharpen" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::BlurSharpen }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings: BrushSettings::default(),
-            radius: s.blur_sharpen_radius,
-            opacity: s.blur_sharpen_strength,
-            hardness: s.blur_sharpen_hardness,
-            spacing: s.blur_sharpen_spacing,
-        }
-    }
     fn tool_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] {
         [s.blur_sharpen_mode as f32, s.blur_sharpen_kernel, 0.0, 0.0]
     }
-    fn show_brush_preset_picker(&self) -> bool { false }
+    fn strength_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Strength" }
     fn render_ui(&self, ui: &mut egui::Ui, s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
             if ui.selectable_label(s.blur_sharpen_mode == 0, "Blur").clicked() {
@@ -30,31 +22,11 @@ impl RasterToolDef for BlurSharpenTool {
                 s.blur_sharpen_mode = 1;
             }
         });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Size:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.blur_sharpen_radius, 1.0_f32..=500.0).logarithmic(true).suffix(" px"));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Strength:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.blur_sharpen_strength, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Hardness:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.blur_sharpen_hardness, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
             ui.label("Kernel:");
             ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.blur_sharpen_kernel, 1.0_f32..=20.0)
                 .logarithmic(true)
                 .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.1} px", v)));
         });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Spacing:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.blur_sharpen_spacing, 0.5_f32..=20.0)
-                .logarithmic(true)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.1}", v)));
-        });
     }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/clone_stamp.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
 use eframe::egui;
 use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
@@ -8,15 +8,7 @@ pub static CLONE_STAMP: CloneStampTool = CloneStampTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for CloneStampTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::CloneStamp }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Clone Stamp" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::CloneStamp }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings: s.active_brush_settings.clone(),
-            radius: s.brush_radius,
-            opacity: s.brush_opacity,
-            hardness: s.brush_hardness,
-            spacing: s.brush_spacing,
-        }
-    }
     /// For Clone Stamp, tool_params are filled by stage.rs at stroke-start time
     /// (offset = clone_source - stroke_start), not from settings directly.
     fn tool_params(&self, _s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] { [0.0; 4] }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/dodge_burn.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
 use eframe::egui;
-use lightningbeam_core::{brush_settings::BrushSettings, raster_layer::RasterBlendMode};
+use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
 pub struct DodgeBurnTool;
 pub static DODGE_BURN: DodgeBurnTool = DodgeBurnTool;
@@ -8,19 +8,11 @@ pub static DODGE_BURN: DodgeBurnTool = DodgeBurnTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for DodgeBurnTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::DodgeBurn }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Dodge / Burn" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::DodgeBurn }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings: BrushSettings::default(),
-            radius: s.dodge_burn_radius,
-            opacity: s.dodge_burn_exposure,
-            hardness: s.dodge_burn_hardness,
-            spacing: s.dodge_burn_spacing,
-        }
-    }
     fn tool_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] {
         [s.dodge_burn_mode as f32, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]
     }
-    fn show_brush_preset_picker(&self) -> bool { false }
+    fn strength_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Exposure" }
     fn render_ui(&self, ui: &mut egui::Ui, s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
             if ui.selectable_label(s.dodge_burn_mode == 0, "Dodge").clicked() {
@@ -30,25 +22,5 @@ impl RasterToolDef for DodgeBurnTool {
                 s.dodge_burn_mode = 1;
             }
         });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Size:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.dodge_burn_radius, 1.0_f32..=500.0).logarithmic(true).suffix(" px"));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Exposure:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.dodge_burn_exposure, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Hardness:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.dodge_burn_hardness, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Spacing:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.dodge_burn_spacing, 0.5_f32..=20.0)
-                .logarithmic(true)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.1}", v)));
-        });
     }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/erase.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef};
-use eframe::egui;
 use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
 pub struct EraseTool;
@@ -8,16 +7,6 @@ pub static ERASE: EraseTool = EraseTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for EraseTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::Erase }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Eraser" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::Erase }
-        BrushParams {
+    fn tool_params(&self, _s: &super::RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] { [0.0; 4] }
-            base_settings: s.active_eraser_settings.clone(),
-            radius: s.eraser_radius,
-            opacity: s.eraser_opacity,
-            hardness: s.eraser_hardness,
-            spacing: s.eraser_spacing,
-        }
-    }
-    fn tool_params(&self, _s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] { [0.0; 4] }
-    fn is_eraser(&self) -> bool { true }
-    fn render_ui(&self, _ui: &mut egui::Ui, _s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {}
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/healing_brush.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
 use eframe::egui;
 use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
@@ -8,15 +8,7 @@ pub static HEALING_BRUSH: HealingBrushTool = HealingBrushTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for HealingBrushTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::Healing }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Healing Brush" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::HealingBrush }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings: s.active_brush_settings.clone(),
-            radius: s.brush_radius,
-            opacity: s.brush_opacity,
-            hardness: s.brush_hardness,
-            spacing: s.brush_spacing,
-        }
-    }
     /// tool_params are filled by stage.rs at stroke-start time (clone offset).
     fn tool_params(&self, _s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] { [0.0; 4] }
     fn uses_alt_click(&self) -> bool { true }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/mod.rs

@@ -2,12 +2,17 @@
 ///
 /// Each tool implements `RasterToolDef`. Adding a new tool requires:
 ///   1. A new file in this directory implementing `RasterToolDef`.
-///   2. One entry in `raster_tool_def()` below.
+///   2. A `BrushKind` variant (if it paints dabs) and one entry in `raster_tool_def()` below.
 ///   3. Core changes: `RasterBlendMode` variant, `brush_engine.rs` constant, WGSL branch.
+///
+/// Every dab-painting tool owns a `BrushSlot`: its own size/strength/hardness/spacing, its own
+/// brush from the shared `.myb` library, and its own FG/BG color choice. The blend mode is what
+/// makes a tool a brush vs. an eraser vs. dodge/burn — the brush shape is orthogonal, so all of
+/// them get the same library and the same controls.
 
 use eframe::egui;
 use lightningbeam_core::{
-    brush_settings::BrushSettings,
+    brush_settings::{bundled_brushes, BrushSettings},
     raster_layer::RasterBlendMode,
     tool::Tool,
 };
@@ -22,6 +27,86 @@ pub mod dodge_burn;
 pub mod sponge;
 pub mod blur_sharpen;
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Brush slots — one per dab-painting tool
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// Identifies a tool's brush slot. Each slot remembers its own brush independently, so
+/// switching from Dodge to Sponge doesn't clobber either one's size or preset.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
+pub enum BrushKind {
+    Paint,
+    Erase,
+    Smudge,
+    CloneStamp,
+    HealingBrush,
+    PatternStamp,
+    DodgeBurn,
+    Sponge,
+    BlurSharpen,
+}
+
+impl BrushKind {
+    fn index(self) -> usize {
+        match self {
+            BrushKind::Paint => 0,
+            BrushKind::Erase => 1,
+            BrushKind::Smudge => 2,
+            BrushKind::CloneStamp => 3,
+            BrushKind::HealingBrush => 4,
+            BrushKind::PatternStamp => 5,
+            BrushKind::DodgeBurn => 6,
+            BrushKind::Sponge => 7,
+            BrushKind::BlurSharpen => 8,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// One tool's brush: the shared controls every dab-painting tool has.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct BrushSlot {
+    pub radius: f32,
+    /// What this means is per-tool — opacity, exposure, flow, strength. The label comes from
+    /// [`RasterToolDef::strength_label`].
+    pub strength: f32,
+    pub hardness: f32,
+    pub spacing: f32,
+    /// The brush shape, from the bundled `.myb` library.
+    pub settings: BrushSettings,
+    /// Index into `bundled_brushes()` of the selected preset, if any.
+    pub preset: Option<usize>,
+    /// Added to the preset's `elliptical_dab_angle` (degrees), so stock brushes can be
+    /// re-oriented without editing the file.
+    pub angle_offset: f32,
+    /// true = paint with the FG (stroke) color, false = BG (fill). Ignored when the tool
+    /// doesn't use a color (see [`RasterToolDef::uses_color`]).
+    pub use_fg: bool,
+}
+
+impl BrushSlot {
+    fn new(radius: f32, strength: f32, hardness: f32, spacing: f32) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            radius,
+            strength,
+            hardness,
+            spacing,
+            settings: BrushSettings::default(),
+            preset: None,
+            angle_offset: 0.0,
+            use_fg: true,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Adopt a brush preset, pulling its opacity/hardness/spacing along with the shape.
+    pub fn apply_preset(&mut self, index: usize, settings: &BrushSettings) {
+        self.preset = Some(index);
+        self.strength = settings.opaque.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+        self.hardness = settings.hardness.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+        self.spacing = settings.dabs_per_radius;
+        self.settings = settings.clone();
+    }
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Shared settings struct (replaces 20+ individual SharedPaneState / EditorApp fields)
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -29,25 +114,8 @@ pub mod blur_sharpen;
 /// All per-tool settings for raster painting.  Owned by `EditorApp`; borrowed
 /// by `SharedPaneState` as a single `&'a mut RasterToolSettings`.
 pub struct RasterToolSettings {
-    // --- Paint brush ---
+    /// Per-tool brush state, indexed by `BrushKind`.
-    pub brush_radius: f32,
+    brushes: [BrushSlot; 9],
-    pub brush_opacity: f32,
-    pub brush_hardness: f32,
-    pub brush_spacing: f32,
-    /// true = paint with FG (stroke) color, false = BG (fill) color
-    pub brush_use_fg: bool,
-    pub active_brush_settings: BrushSettings,
-    // --- Eraser ---
-    pub eraser_radius: f32,
-    pub eraser_opacity: f32,
-    pub eraser_hardness: f32,
-    pub eraser_spacing: f32,
-    pub active_eraser_settings: BrushSettings,
-    // --- Smudge ---
-    pub smudge_radius: f32,
-    pub smudge_hardness: f32,
-    pub smudge_spacing: f32,
-    pub smudge_strength: f32,
     // --- Clone / Healing ---
     /// World-space source point set by Alt+click.
     pub clone_source: Option<egui::Vec2>,
@@ -55,24 +123,12 @@ pub struct RasterToolSettings {
     pub pattern_type: u32,
     pub pattern_scale: f32,
     // --- Dodge / Burn ---
-    pub dodge_burn_radius: f32,
-    pub dodge_burn_hardness: f32,
-    pub dodge_burn_spacing: f32,
-    pub dodge_burn_exposure: f32,
     /// 0 = dodge (lighten), 1 = burn (darken)
     pub dodge_burn_mode: u32,
     // --- Sponge ---
-    pub sponge_radius: f32,
-    pub sponge_hardness: f32,
-    pub sponge_spacing: f32,
-    pub sponge_flow: f32,
     /// 0 = saturate, 1 = desaturate
     pub sponge_mode: u32,
     // --- Blur / Sharpen ---
-    pub blur_sharpen_radius: f32,
-    pub blur_sharpen_hardness: f32,
-    pub blur_sharpen_spacing: f32,
-    pub blur_sharpen_strength: f32,
     /// Neighborhood kernel radius in canvas pixels (1–20)
     pub blur_sharpen_kernel: f32,
     /// 0 = blur, 1 = sharpen
@@ -87,7 +143,7 @@ pub struct RasterToolSettings {
     // --- Quick Select ---
     /// Brush radius in canvas pixels for the quick-select tool.
     pub quick_select_radius: f32,
-    // --- Flood fill (Paint Bucket, raster) ---
+    // --- Flood fill (Paint Bucket) ---
     /// Color-distance threshold (Euclidean RGBA, 0–510). Pixels within this
     /// distance of the comparison color are included in the fill.
     pub fill_threshold: f32,
@@ -96,6 +152,11 @@ pub struct RasterToolSettings {
     /// Whether to compare each pixel to the seed pixel (Absolute) or to its BFS
     /// parent pixel (Relative, spreads across gradients).
     pub fill_threshold_mode: FillThresholdMode,
+    /// true = fill with the FG (stroke) color, false = BG (fill). Mirrors `BrushSlot::use_fg`.
+    pub fill_use_fg: bool,
+    // --- Eyedropper ---
+    /// true = sampled color replaces the FG (stroke) swatch, false = the BG (fill) swatch.
+    pub eyedropper_use_fg: bool,
     // --- Marquee select shape ---
     /// Whether the rectangular select tool draws a rect or an ellipse.
     pub select_shape: SelectionShape,
@@ -109,10 +170,16 @@ pub struct RasterToolSettings {
     // --- Gradient ---
     pub gradient: lightningbeam_core::gradient::ShapeGradient,
     pub gradient_opacity: f32,
-    // --- Brush rotation offset ---
+}
-    /// User-controlled angle offset added to the brush's elliptical_dab_angle (degrees).
+
-    /// Lets the user re-orient stock .myb brushes without editing the file.
+impl RasterToolSettings {
-    pub brush_angle_offset: f32,
+    pub fn brush(&self, kind: BrushKind) -> &BrushSlot {
+        &self.brushes[kind.index()]
+    }
+
+    pub fn brush_mut(&mut self, kind: BrushKind) -> &mut BrushSlot {
+        &mut self.brushes[kind.index()]
+    }
 }
 
 /// Brush mode for the Liquify tool.
@@ -158,43 +225,32 @@ pub enum FillThresholdMode {
 
 impl Default for RasterToolSettings {
     fn default() -> Self {
+        // The eraser defaults to the bundled "Brush" shape rather than a bare Gaussian.
+        let mut erase = BrushSlot::new(10.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1);
+        if let Some(idx) = bundled_brushes().iter().position(|p| p.name == "Brush") {
+            erase.apply_preset(idx, &bundled_brushes()[idx].settings);
+            // Keep the eraser's own size/opacity rather than the preset's.
+            erase.radius = 10.0;
+            erase.strength = 1.0;
+        }
+
         Self {
-            brush_radius: 10.0,
+            brushes: [
-            brush_opacity: 1.0,
+                /* Paint        */ BrushSlot::new(10.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1),
-            brush_hardness: 0.5,
+                /* Erase        */ erase,
-            brush_spacing: 0.1,
+                /* Smudge       */ BrushSlot::new(15.0, 1.0, 0.8, 8.0),
-            brush_use_fg: true,
+                /* CloneStamp   */ BrushSlot::new(10.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1),
-            active_brush_settings: BrushSettings::default(),
+                /* HealingBrush */ BrushSlot::new(10.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1),
-            eraser_radius: 10.0,
+                /* PatternStamp */ BrushSlot::new(10.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1),
-            eraser_opacity: 1.0,
+                /* DodgeBurn    */ BrushSlot::new(30.0, 0.5, 0.5, 3.0),
-            eraser_hardness: 0.5,
+                /* Sponge       */ BrushSlot::new(30.0, 0.5, 0.5, 3.0),
-            eraser_spacing: 0.1,
+                /* BlurSharpen  */ BrushSlot::new(30.0, 0.5, 0.5, 3.0),
-            active_eraser_settings: lightningbeam_core::brush_settings::bundled_brushes()
+            ],
-                .iter()
-                .find(|p| p.name == "Brush")
-                .map(|p| p.settings.clone())
-                .unwrap_or_default(),
-            smudge_radius: 15.0,
-            smudge_hardness: 0.8,
-            smudge_spacing: 8.0,
-            smudge_strength: 1.0,
             clone_source: None,
             pattern_type: 0,
             pattern_scale: 32.0,
-            dodge_burn_radius: 30.0,
-            dodge_burn_hardness: 0.5,
-            dodge_burn_spacing: 3.0,
-            dodge_burn_exposure: 0.5,
             dodge_burn_mode: 0,
-            sponge_radius: 30.0,
-            sponge_hardness: 0.5,
-            sponge_spacing: 3.0,
-            sponge_flow: 0.5,
             sponge_mode: 0,
-            blur_sharpen_radius: 30.0,
-            blur_sharpen_hardness: 0.5,
-            blur_sharpen_spacing: 3.0,
-            blur_sharpen_strength: 0.5,
             blur_sharpen_kernel: 5.0,
             blur_sharpen_mode: 0,
             wand_threshold: 15.0,
@@ -203,6 +259,8 @@ impl Default for RasterToolSettings {
             fill_threshold: 15.0,
             fill_softness: 0.0,
             fill_threshold_mode: FillThresholdMode::Absolute,
+            fill_use_fg: true,
+            eyedropper_use_fg: true,
             quick_select_radius: 20.0,
             select_shape: SelectionShape::Rect,
             warp_grid_cols: 4,
@@ -212,7 +270,6 @@ impl Default for RasterToolSettings {
             liquify_strength: 0.5,
             gradient:         lightningbeam_core::gradient::ShapeGradient::default(),
             gradient_opacity: 1.0,
-            brush_angle_offset: 0.0,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -229,6 +286,21 @@ pub struct BrushParams {
     pub spacing: f32,
 }
 
+/// Read a slot straight into `BrushParams`. This is what `RasterToolDef::brush_params` does by
+/// default; it's a free function so a tool that overrides `brush_params` can still build on it.
+pub fn default_brush_params(kind: BrushKind, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    let slot = s.brush(kind);
+    let mut base_settings = slot.settings.clone();
+    base_settings.elliptical_dab_angle += slot.angle_offset;
+    BrushParams {
+        base_settings,
+        radius: slot.radius,
+        opacity: slot.strength,
+        hardness: slot.hardness,
+        spacing: slot.spacing,
+    }
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // RasterToolDef trait
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -236,19 +308,34 @@ pub struct BrushParams {
 pub trait RasterToolDef: Send + Sync {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode;
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str;
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams;
+    /// Which brush slot this tool paints with.
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind;
     /// Encode tool-specific state into the 4-float `StrokeRecord::tool_params`.
     fn tool_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4];
+
+    /// Brush shape + size for this stroke. The default pulls everything from the tool's slot;
+    /// override only if a tool needs to reinterpret one of the fields (see `smudge`).
+    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+        default_brush_params(self.brush_kind(), s)
+    }
+
     /// Cursor display radius (world pixels).
     fn cursor_radius(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> f32 {
         self.brush_params(s).radius
     }
-    /// Render tool-specific controls in the infopanel (called before preset picker if any).
+
-    fn render_ui(&self, ui: &mut egui::Ui, s: &mut RasterToolSettings);
+    /// Label for the slot's `strength` slider — the one field whose meaning is tool-specific.
-    /// Whether to show the brush preset picker after `render_ui`.
+    fn strength_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Opacity" }
-    fn show_brush_preset_picker(&self) -> bool { true }
+
-    /// Whether this tool is the eraser (drives preset picker + color UI visibility).
+    /// Render tool-specific controls in the infopanel. The shared brush controls (color, size,
-    fn is_eraser(&self) -> bool { false }
+    /// strength, hardness, spacing, angle, preset library) are rendered around this by the
+    /// infopanel — only put genuinely tool-unique widgets here.
+    fn render_ui(&self, _ui: &mut egui::Ui, _s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {}
+
+    /// Whether this tool paints with the FG/BG color. False for tools that only transform
+    /// pixels already on the canvas (erase, smudge, dodge/burn, sponge, blur, clone, heal).
+    fn uses_color(&self) -> bool { false }
+
     /// Whether Alt+click sets a source point for this tool.
     fn uses_alt_click(&self) -> bool { false }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/paint.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef};
-use eframe::egui;
 use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
 pub struct PaintTool;
@@ -8,17 +7,7 @@ pub static PAINT: PaintTool = PaintTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for PaintTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::Normal }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Brush" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::Paint }
-        let mut base_settings = s.active_brush_settings.clone();
+    fn tool_params(&self, _s: &super::RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] { [0.0; 4] }
-        base_settings.elliptical_dab_angle += s.brush_angle_offset;
+    fn uses_color(&self) -> bool { true }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings,
-            radius: s.brush_radius,
-            opacity: s.brush_opacity,
-            hardness: s.brush_hardness,
-            spacing: s.brush_spacing,
-        }
-    }
-    fn tool_params(&self, _s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] { [0.0; 4] }
-    fn render_ui(&self, _ui: &mut egui::Ui, _s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {}
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/pattern_stamp.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
 use eframe::egui;
 use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
@@ -12,18 +12,12 @@ const PATTERN_NAMES: &[&str] = &[
 impl RasterToolDef for PatternStampTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::PatternStamp }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Pattern Stamp" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::PatternStamp }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings: s.active_brush_settings.clone(),
-            radius: s.brush_radius,
-            opacity: s.brush_opacity,
-            hardness: s.brush_hardness,
-            spacing: s.brush_spacing,
-        }
-    }
     fn tool_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] {
         [s.pattern_type as f32, s.pattern_scale, 0.0, 0.0]
     }
+    /// The pattern is stamped in the brush color (see `brush_dab.wgsl`, blend mode 5).
+    fn uses_color(&self) -> bool { true }
     fn render_ui(&self, ui: &mut egui::Ui, s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {
         let selected_name = PATTERN_NAMES
             .get(s.pattern_type as usize)
@@ -44,6 +38,5 @@ impl RasterToolDef for PatternStampTool {
             ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.pattern_scale, 4.0_f32..=256.0)
                 .logarithmic(true).suffix(" px"));
         });
-        ui.add_space(4.0);
     }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/smudge.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
-use eframe::egui;
+use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
-use lightningbeam_core::{brush_settings::BrushSettings, raster_layer::RasterBlendMode};
 
 pub struct SmudgeTool;
 pub static SMUDGE: SmudgeTool = SmudgeTool;
@@ -8,37 +7,15 @@ pub static SMUDGE: SmudgeTool = SmudgeTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for SmudgeTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::Smudge }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Smudge" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::Smudge }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings: BrushSettings::default(),
-            radius: s.smudge_radius,
-            opacity: 1.0, // strength is a separate smudge_dist multiplier
-            hardness: s.smudge_hardness,
-            spacing: s.smudge_spacing,
-        }
-    }
     fn tool_params(&self, _s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] { [0.0; 4] }
-    fn show_brush_preset_picker(&self) -> bool { false }
+    fn strength_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Strength" }
-    fn render_ui(&self, ui: &mut egui::Ui, s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {
+
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+    /// Smudge's slot `strength` drives the smudge distance (applied by the stage as
-            ui.label("Size:");
+    /// `smudge_radius_log`), not dab opacity — dabs always composite fully.
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.smudge_radius, 1.0_f32..=200.0).logarithmic(true).suffix(" px"));
+    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
-        });
+        let mut p = super::default_brush_params(self.brush_kind(), s);
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+        p.opacity = 1.0;
-            ui.label("Strength:");
+        p
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.smudge_strength, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Hardness:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.smudge_hardness, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Spacing:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.smudge_spacing, 0.5_f32..=20.0)
-                .logarithmic(true)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.1}", v)));
-        });
     }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/tools/sponge.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-use super::{BrushParams, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
+use super::{BrushKind, RasterToolDef, RasterToolSettings};
 use eframe::egui;
-use lightningbeam_core::{brush_settings::BrushSettings, raster_layer::RasterBlendMode};
+use lightningbeam_core::raster_layer::RasterBlendMode;
 
 pub struct SpongeTool;
 pub static SPONGE: SpongeTool = SpongeTool;
@@ -8,19 +8,11 @@ pub static SPONGE: SpongeTool = SpongeTool;
 impl RasterToolDef for SpongeTool {
     fn blend_mode(&self) -> RasterBlendMode { RasterBlendMode::Sponge }
     fn header_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Sponge" }
-    fn brush_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> BrushParams {
+    fn brush_kind(&self) -> BrushKind { BrushKind::Sponge }
-        BrushParams {
-            base_settings: BrushSettings::default(),
-            radius: s.sponge_radius,
-            opacity: s.sponge_flow,
-            hardness: s.sponge_hardness,
-            spacing: s.sponge_spacing,
-        }
-    }
     fn tool_params(&self, s: &RasterToolSettings) -> [f32; 4] {
         [s.sponge_mode as f32, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]
     }
-    fn show_brush_preset_picker(&self) -> bool { false }
+    fn strength_label(&self) -> &'static str { "Flow" }
     fn render_ui(&self, ui: &mut egui::Ui, s: &mut RasterToolSettings) {
         ui.horizontal(|ui| {
             if ui.selectable_label(s.sponge_mode == 0, "Saturate").clicked() {
@@ -30,25 +22,5 @@ impl RasterToolDef for SpongeTool {
                 s.sponge_mode = 1;
             }
         });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Size:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.sponge_radius, 1.0_f32..=500.0).logarithmic(true).suffix(" px"));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Flow:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.sponge_flow, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Hardness:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.sponge_hardness, 0.0_f32..=1.0)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.0}%", v * 100.0)));
-        });
-        ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-            ui.label("Spacing:");
-            ui.add(egui::Slider::new(&mut s.sponge_spacing, 0.5_f32..=20.0)
-                .logarithmic(true)
-                .custom_formatter(|v, _| format!("{:.1}", v)));
-        });
     }
 }

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/widgets/color_swatch.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+//! Shared color swatch + picker popup used by the toolbar FG/BG swatches and the
+//! gradient-stop editor.
+//!
+//! egui's default popup close behavior is `CloseOnClick`, which closes on a click *anywhere* —
+//! including on the picker's own hue/alpha bars. And `CloseOnClickOutside` only reacts to a
+//! click (press+release without movement), so painting a stroke on the stage — a drag — would
+//! leave the popup open. Both call sites want the same thing, so it lives here once.
+
+use eframe::egui;
+
+/// Show a color-picker popup anchored to `toggle_response`.
+///
+/// `swatch_rect` is excluded from the close-on-press check so the press that opens the popup
+/// doesn't immediately close it again.
+///
+/// Returns true if the color changed this frame.
+pub fn color_picker_popup(
+    ui: &mut egui::Ui,
+    popup_id: egui::Id,
+    toggle_response: &egui::Response,
+    color: &mut egui::Color32,
+    swatch_rect: egui::Rect,
+) -> bool {
+    let mut changed = false;
+
+    let popup_response = egui::containers::Popup::from_toggle_button_response(toggle_response)
+        .id(popup_id)
+        .close_behavior(egui::PopupCloseBehavior::CloseOnClickOutside)
+        .show(|ui| {
+            ui.spacing_mut().slider_width = 275.0;
+            changed = egui::color_picker::color_picker_color32(
+                ui,
+                color,
+                egui::color_picker::Alpha::OnlyBlend,
+            );
+        });
+
+    // Close on any pointer *press* outside the popup, not just a click, so that starting a
+    // brush stroke on the stage dismisses the picker.
+    if let Some(popup) = &popup_response {
+        let popup_rect = popup.response.rect;
+        let pressed_outside = ui.ctx().input(|i| {
+            i.pointer.any_pressed()
+                && i.pointer
+                    .interact_pos()
+                    .is_some_and(|p| !popup_rect.contains(p) && !swatch_rect.contains(p))
+        });
+        if pressed_outside {
+            egui::Popup::close_id(ui.ctx(), popup_id);
+        }
+    }
+
+    changed
+}
+
+/// A color button (checkerboard under the color, so alpha reads correctly) that opens a color
+/// picker popup when clicked. Returns true if the color changed this frame.
+pub fn color_swatch(
+    ui: &mut egui::Ui,
+    id: egui::Id,
+    rect: egui::Rect,
+    color: &mut egui::Color32,
+) -> bool {
+    let response = ui.interact(rect, id, egui::Sense::click());
+    draw_color_button(ui, rect, *color);
+    color_picker_popup(ui, id.with("picker_popup"), &response, color, rect)
+}
+
+/// Draw a color button with a checkerboard background so the alpha channel is visible.
+pub fn draw_color_button(ui: &mut egui::Ui, rect: egui::Rect, color: egui::Color32) {
+    let checker_size = 5.0;
+    let cols = (rect.width() / checker_size).ceil() as usize;
+    let rows = (rect.height() / checker_size).ceil() as usize;
+
+    for row in 0..rows {
+        for col in 0..cols {
+            let is_light = (row + col) % 2 == 0;
+            let checker_color = if is_light {
+                egui::Color32::from_gray(180)
+            } else {
+                egui::Color32::from_gray(120)
+            };
+            let checker_rect = egui::Rect::from_min_size(
+                egui::pos2(
+                    rect.min.x + col as f32 * checker_size,
+                    rect.min.y + row as f32 * checker_size,
+                ),
+                egui::vec2(checker_size, checker_size),
+            )
+            .intersect(rect);
+            ui.painter().rect_filled(checker_rect, 0.0, checker_color);
+        }
+    }
+
+    ui.painter().rect_filled(rect, 2.0, color);
+    ui.painter().rect_stroke(
+        rect,
+        2.0,
+        egui::Stroke::new(1.0, egui::Color32::from_gray(80)),
+        egui::StrokeKind::Middle,
+    );
+}

lightningbeam-ui/lightningbeam-editor/src/widgets/mod.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 //! Reusable UI widgets for the editor
 
 mod text_field;
+pub mod color_swatch;
 pub mod dropdown_list;
 
 pub use text_field::ImeTextField;