diff --git a/tools/fit-lab/README.md b/tools/fit-lab/README.md
index 28efd6e..14b423b 100644
--- a/tools/fit-lab/README.md
+++ b/tools/fit-lab/README.md
@@ -106,7 +106,11 @@ existing manifest item format; `file` paths point into the cache. Limits: 100 GL
 - **Top:** pack, save status, undo/redo, save.
 - **Left:** slot and its items. Tick items to show them in 3D; click one (or its preview card) to select it.
 - **Centre:** the live 3D body through the UO camera (drag to orbit, **UO camera** resets) beside the Blender render
-  pane; below them action, direction ring 0–7 (dashed 5–7 are mirrored like the client), play and frame. Below it, scroll across enlarged 136×120 previews of every item in the
+  pane. **1 view / 2×2** (remembered per browser) switches the 3D pane to four views: the orbit view plus fixed
+  front, side and back views that turn with the character. Below them: action, the facing ring, play and frame.
+  Each ring number sits where the character faces on screen (0 faces the viewer, then 45° clockwise per step:
+  1 down-left, 2 left, 3 up-left, 4 away, 5 up-right, 6 right, 7 down-right); the needle and label show the current
+  facing, arrow keys turn one step, and dashed 5–7 are mirrored from 3–1 like the client. Below it, scroll across enlarged 136×120 previews of every item in the
   slot, with independent animation and direction cycling. Magenta marks body pixels poking through.
 - **Right**, in tabs (Fit, Corrections, Render, Measure, History):
   - Slot fit: offset, rotation, scale, skinned or rigid binding, plus an offset for one item only.
diff --git a/tools/fit-lab/web/index.html b/tools/fit-lab/web/index.html
index df6228b..4f3eb2d 100644
--- a/tools/fit-lab/web/index.html
+++ b/tools/fit-lab/web/index.html
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@
 <meta charset="utf-8">
 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
 <title>Fit Lab</title>
-<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Barlow:wght@400;500;600&family=Barlow+Semi+Condensed:wght@500;600;700&display=swap">
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="lab.css">
 <script type="importmap">
 {"imports": {
@@ -17,7 +15,7 @@
 </head>
 <body>
 <header id="top">
-  <div class="brand"><h1>Fit Lab</h1><p id="packName"></p><a href="http://127.0.0.1:8772/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open Content Studio ↗</a></div>
+  <div class="brand"><span class="logo" aria-hidden="true">S</span><h1>Fit Lab</h1><p id="packName"></p><a href="http://127.0.0.1:8772/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open Content Studio ↗</a></div>
   <div id="topActions" inert>
     <p id="saveStatus" role="status" aria-live="polite">Loading saved adjustments…</p>
     <button id="undo" title="Undo (Ctrl+Z)" disabled>Undo</button><button id="redo" title="Redo (Ctrl+Y)" disabled>Redo</button>
@@ -39,10 +37,13 @@
 <main id="center">
   <div id="stage">
     <section class="pane" aria-label="Live 3D fit">
-      <header class="pane-head"><h2>Live 3D</h2><span class="pane-note">Drag to orbit</span>
+      <header class="pane-head"><h2>Live 3D</h2>
+        <div id="viewModes" class="seg" role="group" aria-label="3D view layout">
+          <button data-layout="single" aria-pressed="true" title="One orbit view">1 view</button><button data-layout="quad" aria-pressed="false" title="Orbit view plus front, side and back">2×2</button>
+        </div>
         <button id="uoView" class="quiet" title="Reset to the UO camera">UO camera</button>
         <label class="check"><input id="showHidden" type="checkbox"> Hidden faces</label></header>
-      <div id="view"></div>
+      <div id="view" title="Drag to orbit"><span class="view-tag" data-i="0">Orbit · drag to turn</span><span class="view-tag" data-i="1">Front</span><span class="view-tag" data-i="2">Side</span><span class="view-tag" data-i="3">Back</span></div>
     </section>
     <section class="pane" id="renderPane" aria-label="Blender render">
       <header class="pane-head"><h2>Blender render</h2>
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@
 
   <div id="bar" inert>
     <label class="field inline">Action <select id="action"></select></label>
-    <div id="dirs" role="group" aria-label="Direction"></div>
+    <div id="dirs" role="group" aria-label="Facing direction (arrow keys turn)"></div><span id="dirLabel" aria-live="polite"></span>
     <button id="play" class="play" aria-label="Play">Play</button>
     <input id="frame" type="range" min="0" max="0" value="0">
     <span id="frameLabel" class="num">0</span>
diff --git a/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.css b/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.css
index 81e5d16..a136fc6 100644
--- a/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.css
+++ b/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.css
@@ -1,94 +1,126 @@
-/* Fit Lab. Slate workbench, parchment ink, brass for what is selected or acted on (after UO's gold gumps).
-   Green / rose report measured change; magenta is reserved for body poke pixels. */
+/* Fit Lab, in DirectorDeck's palette: near-black ground, rounded column cards, one cool-blue accent for what is
+   selected or acted on. Green / amber / red report state; magenta is reserved for body poke pixels. */
 :root {
-  --ground: #1a1f29; --panel: #222937; --raise: #2b3344; --well: #151a23; --line: #343e52; --line-soft: #2a3243;
-  --ink: #e7e2d6; --dim: #9aa3b5; --faint: #6f788a;
-  --brass: #d9b45b; --brass-ink: #241c08; --brass-soft: rgba(217, 180, 91, .14);
-  --good: #5fbf9f; --bad: #ef7b86; --poke: #ff3df2;
-  --check-a: #1d232e; --check-b: #181d26;
-  --sans: 'Barlow', system-ui, sans-serif; --cond: 'Barlow Semi Condensed', 'Barlow', system-ui, sans-serif;
-  --r: 6px; color-scheme: dark;
+  --ground: #0d0e10; --panel: #141518; --raise: #1a1c20; --well: #111215; --line: #2f323a; --line-soft: #25272c;
+  --ink: #e7e8ea; --dim: #9a9ca3; --faint: #62656d;
+  --accent: #7aa2ff; --accent-ink: #0b1226; --accent-soft: #1b2340; --accent-hover: #93b4ff;
+  --good: #4ade80; --busy: #fbbf24; --bad: #f87171; --poke: #ff3df2;
+  --check-a: #16171a; --check-b: #111215;
+  --sans: "Segoe UI Variable Text", "Segoe UI", system-ui, sans-serif;
+  --mono: "Cascadia Code", "JetBrains Mono", Consolas, monospace;
+  --r: 8px; --card: 14px; color-scheme: dark;
+  /* Old names, kept so branches written against them still render in the new palette. */
+  --brass: var(--accent); --brass-ink: var(--accent-ink); --brass-soft: var(--accent-soft); --cond: var(--sans);
 }
 * { box-sizing: border-box; }
 html, body { height: 100%; }
 body {
-  margin: 0; display: grid; grid-template: 'top top top' 48px 'left center right' minmax(0, 1fr) / 252px minmax(0, 1fr) 336px;
-  height: 100vh; overflow: hidden; background: var(--ground); color: var(--ink); font: 14px/1.45 var(--sans);
+  margin: 0; display: grid; gap: 8px; padding: 0 8px 8px;
+  grid-template: 'top top top' 52px 'left center right' minmax(0, 1fr) / 252px minmax(0, 1fr) 336px;
+  height: 100vh; overflow: hidden; background: var(--ground); color: var(--ink); font: 14px/1.5 var(--sans);
 }
-:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--brass); outline-offset: 2px; }
+:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--accent); outline-offset: 2px; }
 button, select, input { font: inherit; color: inherit; }
-h1, h2, h3 { font-family: var(--cond); font-weight: 600; margin: 0; letter-spacing: .01em; }
+h1, h2, h3 { font-weight: 600; margin: 0; }
 .hint { color: var(--dim); font-size: 12.5px; margin: 4px 0 10px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; }
 .pane-note { color: var(--faint); font-size: 12.5px; font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums; }
 .num { font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums; color: var(--dim); min-width: 44px; }
 .poke { color: var(--poke); }
 [hidden] { display: none !important; }
+::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 10px; height: 10px; }
+::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: #2a2d33; border-radius: 10px; border: 2px solid var(--panel); }
 
 /* ---------- controls ---------- */
 button {
-  background: var(--raise); border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r); padding: 5px 11px; cursor: pointer;
-  font-family: var(--cond); font-weight: 600; font-size: 13.5px; letter-spacing: .015em; white-space: nowrap;
+  background: var(--raise); border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r); padding: 5px 12px; cursor: pointer;
+  font-weight: 500; font-size: 13.5px; white-space: nowrap;
 }
-button:hover:not(:disabled) { border-color: #4b5770; background: #323b4f; }
+button:hover:not(:disabled) { border-color: #42464f; background: #202227; }
 button:disabled { opacity: .4; cursor: default; }
-button.primary { background: var(--brass); border-color: var(--brass); color: var(--brass-ink); }
-button.primary:hover:not(:disabled) { background: #e6c46e; border-color: #e6c46e; }
+button.primary { background: var(--accent); border-color: var(--accent); color: var(--accent-ink); font-weight: 600; }
+button.primary:hover:not(:disabled) { background: var(--accent-hover); border-color: var(--accent-hover); }
 button.quiet { background: transparent; border-color: transparent; color: var(--dim); }
 button.quiet:hover:not(:disabled) { color: var(--ink); background: var(--raise); }
 button.danger:hover:not(:disabled) { border-color: var(--bad); color: var(--bad); background: transparent; }
 select, input[type=text] {
-  background: var(--well); border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r); padding: 5px 8px; min-width: 0;
+  background: var(--raise); border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r); padding: 5px 9px; min-width: 0;
 }
+select:hover, input[type=text]:hover { border-color: #42464f; }
 input[type=text] { width: 100%; }
-input[type=checkbox] { accent-color: var(--brass); margin: 0; }
-input[type=range] { accent-color: var(--brass); }
-a { color: var(--brass); }
+input[type=checkbox] { accent-color: var(--accent); margin: 0; }
+input[type=range] { accent-color: var(--accent); }
+a { color: var(--accent); }
 .field { display: grid; gap: 4px; margin: 10px 0; color: var(--dim); font-size: 12.5px; }
 .field select, .field input { color: var(--ink); font-size: 14px; }
 .field.inline { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; margin: 0; }
-.check { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; color: var(--dim); font-size: 13px; cursor: pointer; white-space: nowrap; }
-.check:hover { color: var(--ink); }
+/* View toggles read as DirectorDeck filter chips; the checkbox stays in the label for keyboard and screen readers. */
+.check { position: relative; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; padding: 3px 11px; border: 1px solid var(--line);
+  border-radius: 999px; color: var(--dim); font-size: 12.5px; cursor: pointer; white-space: nowrap; user-select: none; }
+.check input { position: absolute; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; }
+.check:hover { color: var(--ink); border-color: #42464f; }
+.check:has(input:checked) { color: var(--ink); border-color: var(--accent); background: var(--accent-soft); }
+.check:has(input:focus-visible) { outline: 2px solid var(--accent); outline-offset: 2px; }
+.check:has(input:disabled) { opacity: .4; cursor: default; }
 .row { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px; margin: 12px 0; }
 .combo { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr auto; gap: 8px; align-items: end; }
 .combo .field { margin-bottom: 0; }
 .tuck { margin: 12px 0; } .tuck summary { cursor: pointer; color: var(--dim); font-size: 13px; } .tuck summary:hover { color: var(--ink); }
-.seg { display: inline-flex; border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r); overflow: hidden; }
-.seg button { border: 0; border-radius: 0; background: transparent; color: var(--dim); padding: 3px 10px; }
-.seg button[aria-pressed=true] { background: var(--brass-soft); color: var(--brass); }
+.seg { display: inline-flex; gap: 2px; padding: 2px; background: var(--well); border: 1px solid var(--line-soft); border-radius: var(--r); }
+.seg button { border: 0; border-radius: 6px; background: transparent; color: var(--dim); padding: 2px 10px; font-size: 13px; }
+.seg button[aria-pressed=true] { background: var(--raise); color: var(--ink); box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px var(--line); }
 
 /* ---------- top bar ---------- */
-#top { grid-area: top; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 16px; padding: 0 14px;
-  background: var(--panel); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }
-.brand { display: flex; align-items: baseline; gap: 12px; min-width: 0; }
-.brand h1 { font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700; color: var(--brass); }
-#packName { margin: 0; color: var(--dim); font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
+#top { grid-area: top; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 16px; padding: 0 6px; }
+.brand { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; min-width: 0; }
+.logo { flex: 0 0 auto; width: 30px; height: 30px; border-radius: 9px; display: grid; place-items: center;
+  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #9d8cff, #e0875a); color: #111; font-weight: 800; font-size: 15px; }
+.brand h1 { font-size: 17px; font-weight: 650; white-space: nowrap; }
+#packName { margin: 0 4px 0 0; color: var(--dim); font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
+.brand a { font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap; }
 #topActions { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; min-width: 0; }
-#saveStatus { margin: 0 6px 0 0; font-size: 12.5px; color: var(--good); white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; max-width: 380px; }
+#saveStatus { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; margin: 0 8px 0 0; font-size: 12.5px; color: var(--dim);
+  white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; max-width: 420px; }
+#saveStatus::before { content: ''; flex: 0 0 auto; width: 7px; height: 7px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--faint); }
+#saveStatus[data-kind=ok] { color: var(--good); } #saveStatus[data-kind=ok]::before { background: var(--good); }
+#saveStatus[data-kind=busy] { color: var(--busy); }
+#saveStatus[data-kind=busy]::before { background: var(--busy); animation: pulse 1.2s ease-in-out infinite; }
+#saveStatus[data-kind=bad] { color: var(--bad); } #saveStatus[data-kind=bad]::before { background: var(--bad); }
+@keyframes pulse { 50% { opacity: .3; } }
 
-/* ---------- left rail ---------- */
-aside { background: var(--panel); overflow-y: auto; min-height: 0; }
-#left { grid-area: left; padding: 6px 12px 14px; border-right: 1px solid var(--line); }
+/* ---------- column cards ---------- */
+aside, #center { background: var(--panel); border: 1px solid var(--line-soft); border-radius: var(--card); min-height: 0; }
+aside { overflow-y: auto; }
+#left { grid-area: left; padding: 8px 12px 14px; }
 #left .field { margin-top: 8px; }
 #items { display: grid; gap: 2px; margin: 4px -6px 8px; }
 #items .item { display: grid; grid-template-columns: auto 1fr; gap: 10px; align-items: center; padding: 7px 8px 7px 6px;
-  border-radius: var(--r); border-left: 3px solid transparent; cursor: pointer; }
+  border-radius: 9px; border-left: 3px solid transparent; cursor: pointer; }
 #items .item:hover { background: var(--raise); }
-#items .item.on { background: var(--brass-soft); border-left-color: var(--brass); }
+#items .item.on { background: var(--accent-soft); border-left-color: var(--accent); }
 #items .item .name { font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.25; }
-#items .item.on .name { color: var(--brass); }
 #items .item .code { color: var(--faint); font-size: 11.5px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; line-height: 1.3; }
 
 /* ---------- centre ---------- */
-#center { grid-area: center; display: grid; grid-template-rows: minmax(280px, 1fr) auto auto; min-width: 0; min-height: 0; }
-#stage { display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 1fr); gap: 1px; background: var(--line); min-height: 0; }
+/* An explicit column track keeps wide pane footers from widening the centre over the inspector. */
+#center { grid-area: center; display: grid; grid-template: minmax(280px, 1fr) auto auto / minmax(0, 1fr); min-width: 0; overflow: hidden; }
+#stage { display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 1fr); gap: 1px; background: var(--line-soft); min-height: 0; }
 .pane { display: grid; grid-template-rows: auto minmax(0, 1fr) auto; background: var(--well); min-width: 0; min-height: 0; }
-.pane-head { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; flex-wrap: wrap; padding: 7px 12px; min-height: 40px; }
+.pane-head { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px 10px; flex-wrap: wrap; padding: 7px 12px; min-height: 44px; }
 .pane > .pane-head { background: var(--panel); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
-.pane-head h2 { font-size: 15px; margin-right: 2px; }
+.pane-head h2 { font-size: 14.5px; margin-right: 2px; }
 .pane-head > .check:first-of-type, .pane-head > #uoView { margin-left: auto; }
 .pane-head > #uoView + .check { margin-left: 0; }
 #view { position: relative; min-height: 0; overflow: hidden; }
 #view canvas { position: absolute; inset: 0; display: block; }
+/* 2×2: corner labels and hairlines over one canvas; the corners are drawn by drawView() in lab.js. */
+.view-tag { display: none; position: absolute; z-index: 1; margin: 8px 10px; padding: 1px 8px; border-radius: 999px;
+  background: rgba(13, 14, 16, .7); color: var(--dim); font-size: 11.5px; pointer-events: none; }
+#view.quad .view-tag { display: block; }
+.view-tag[data-i="0"] { left: 0; top: 0; } .view-tag[data-i="1"] { left: 50%; top: 0; }
+.view-tag[data-i="2"] { left: 0; top: 50%; } .view-tag[data-i="3"] { left: 50%; top: 50%; }
+#view.quad::after { content: ''; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
+  background: linear-gradient(var(--line-soft), var(--line-soft)) 50% 0 / 1px 100% no-repeat,
+              linear-gradient(var(--line-soft), var(--line-soft)) 0 50% / 100% 1px no-repeat; }
 
 #renderStage { position: relative; min-height: 0; overflow: hidden;
   background: repeating-conic-gradient(var(--check-a) 0 25%, var(--check-b) 0 50%) 0 0 / 16px 16px; }
@@ -97,73 +129,83 @@ aside { background: var(--panel); overflow-y: auto; min-height: 0; }
 #renderStage:not(.sheet) #renderSheet { display: none; }
 #renderSheet { position: absolute; inset: 0; overflow: auto; padding: 14px; display: grid; align-content: start; gap: 4px; }
 .sheet-row { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 2px; }
-.sheet-row span { width: 22px; flex: 0 0 auto; color: var(--faint); font: 600 12px var(--cond); text-align: center; }
+.sheet-row span { width: 22px; flex: 0 0 auto; color: var(--faint); font: 600 12px var(--sans); text-align: center; }
 .sheet-row canvas { image-rendering: pixelated; cursor: pointer; outline: 1px solid transparent; outline-offset: -1px; }
 .sheet-row canvas:hover { outline-color: var(--line); }
-.sheet-row canvas.on { outline: 2px solid var(--brass); background: var(--brass-soft); }
+.sheet-row canvas.on { outline: 2px solid var(--accent); background: var(--accent-soft); }
 #renderEmpty { position: absolute; inset: 0; display: grid; place-content: center; justify-items: center; gap: 4px; padding: 24px;
-  text-align: center; background: rgba(21, 26, 35, .82); }
-#renderEmpty p:first-child { margin: 0 0 10px; font: 600 17px var(--cond); }
+  text-align: center; background: rgba(13, 14, 16, .84); }
+#renderEmpty p:first-child { margin: 0 0 10px; font-weight: 600; font-size: 16px; }
 #renderEmpty .hint { max-width: 34ch; margin-top: 12px; }
-#renderProgress { position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; top: 0; height: 3px; background: rgba(217, 180, 91, .15); }
-#renderProgress i { display: block; height: 100%; width: 2%; background: var(--brass); transition: width .6s ease; }
+#renderProgress { position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; top: 0; height: 3px; background: rgba(122, 162, 255, .15); }
+#renderProgress i { display: block; height: 100%; width: 2%; background: var(--accent); transition: width .6s ease; }
 #renderProgress.waiting i { animation: wait 1.4s ease-in-out infinite alternate; }
 @keyframes wait { from { opacity: .35; } to { opacity: 1; } }
-.pane-foot { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; flex-wrap: wrap; padding: 7px 12px; background: var(--panel); border-top: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
+.pane-foot { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px 10px; flex-wrap: wrap; padding: 7px 12px; background: var(--panel); border-top: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
 .foot-text { margin-right: auto; display: grid; line-height: 1.3; min-width: 0; }
 .foot-text span { white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
-.quiet-link { color: var(--dim); font: 600 13.5px var(--cond); text-decoration: none; padding: 5px 4px; }
+.quiet-link { color: var(--dim); font-weight: 500; font-size: 13.5px; text-decoration: none; padding: 5px 4px; }
 .quiet-link:hover { color: var(--ink); }
 
+/* Render state: DirectorDeck's live dot. */
 .chip { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; margin-left: auto; font-size: 12.5px; color: var(--dim);
-  max-width: 100%; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
-.chip::before { content: ''; flex: 0 0 auto; width: 8px; height: 8px; border-radius: 50%; border: 1.5px solid currentColor; }
+  max-width: 100%; min-width: 0; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
+.chip::before { content: ''; flex: 0 0 auto; width: 7px; height: 7px; border-radius: 50%; border: 1.5px solid currentColor; }
 .chip[data-kind=fresh] { color: var(--good); } .chip[data-kind=fresh]::before { background: currentColor; }
-.chip[data-kind=stale] { color: var(--brass); }
-.chip[data-kind=busy] { color: var(--brass); } .chip[data-kind=busy]::before { background: currentColor; animation: wait .9s ease-in-out infinite alternate; }
+.chip[data-kind=stale] { color: var(--busy); }
+.chip[data-kind=busy] { color: var(--busy); } .chip[data-kind=busy]::before { background: currentColor; animation: pulse 1.2s ease-in-out infinite; }
 .chip[data-kind=failed] { color: var(--bad); } .chip[data-kind=failed]::before { background: currentColor; }
 
 /* transport */
-#bar { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px; padding: 8px 14px; background: var(--panel); border-top: 1px solid var(--line); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }
+#bar { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px; padding: 8px 14px; background: var(--panel); border-top: 1px solid var(--line-soft); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft); min-width: 0; }
 #frame { flex: 1 1 200px; min-width: 100px; }
-#status { margin-left: 4px; white-space: nowrap; }
-#dirs { position: relative; width: 60px; height: 60px; flex: 0 0 auto; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid var(--line-soft); }
-#dirs button { position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 50%; width: 20px; height: 20px; padding: 0; border-radius: 50%;
-  font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center; background: var(--well); color: var(--dim);
-  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) rotate(var(--a)) translateY(-20px) rotate(calc(-1 * var(--a))); }
+#status { margin-left: 4px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; min-width: 0; }
+/* Facing ring: each number sits where the character faces on screen; the needle points the current way. */
+#dirs { --facing: 180deg; position: relative; width: 84px; height: 84px; flex: 0 0 auto; border-radius: 50%;
+  border: 1px solid var(--line-soft); background: radial-gradient(circle, var(--raise) 0 9px, transparent 10px); }
+#dirs::before { content: ''; position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 50%; width: 10px; height: 22px; background: var(--accent);
+  clip-path: polygon(50% 0, 100% 40%, 64% 40%, 64% 100%, 36% 100%, 36% 40%, 0 40%);
+  transform-origin: 50% 100%; transform: translate(-50%, -100%) rotate(var(--facing)); }
+#dirs button { position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 50%; width: 24px; height: 24px; padding: 0; border-radius: 50%;
+  font-size: 11.5px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center; background: var(--well); color: var(--dim);
+  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) rotate(var(--a)) translateY(-30px) rotate(calc(-1 * var(--a))); }
+#dirs button:hover:not(.on) { color: var(--ink); border-color: var(--accent); background: var(--accent-soft); }
 #dirs button.mirror { border-style: dashed; }
-#dirs button.on { background: var(--brass); border-color: var(--brass); color: var(--brass-ink); }
+#dirs button.on { background: var(--accent); border-color: var(--accent); color: var(--accent-ink); font-weight: 600; }
+#dirLabel { min-width: 9.5em; color: var(--ink); font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap; }
 .play { min-width: 64px; }
 
 /* slot previews */
-#sheetWrap { display: grid; grid-template-rows: auto auto auto; max-height: 52vh; padding: 0 14px 6px; overflow-y: auto; }
+#sheetWrap { display: grid; grid-template-rows: auto auto auto; max-height: 52vh; padding: 0 14px 6px; overflow-y: auto; min-width: 0; }
 #sheetWrap > .pane-head { padding: 8px 0 0; }
-#previewBar { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 6px 16px; flex: 1 1 auto; }
+#previewBar { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 6px 8px; flex: 1 1 auto; }
+#previewBar .field.inline { margin: 0 4px; }
 #previewPose { margin-left: auto; }
-#sheetWrap > .hint { margin: 2px 0 8px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
+#sheetWrap > .hint { margin: 6px 0 8px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
 #sheet { --preview-scale: 2; display: flex; gap: 14px; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 8px; }
 #sheet figure { flex: 0 0 auto; margin: 0; width: calc(136px * var(--preview-scale)); font-size: 12.5px; color: var(--dim); }
-#sheet figure.on figcaption { color: var(--brass); }
-#sheet figure.on canvas { border-color: var(--brass); }
-#sheet figcaption { padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
+#sheet figure.on figcaption { color: var(--ink); }
+#sheet figure.on canvas { border-color: var(--accent); box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px var(--accent); }
+#sheet figcaption { padding-top: 5px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; }
 #sheet canvas { display: block; width: calc(136px * var(--preview-scale)); height: calc(120px * var(--preview-scale)); image-rendering: pixelated;
-  background: var(--well); border: 1px solid var(--line-soft); border-radius: 4px; cursor: pointer; }
+  background: var(--well); border: 1px solid var(--line-soft); border-radius: 10px; cursor: pointer; }
+#sheet canvas:hover { border-color: var(--line); }
 #sheet canvas.mirror { transform: scaleX(-1); }
 
 /* ---------- inspector ---------- */
-#right { grid-area: right; border-left: 1px solid var(--line); display: flex; flex-direction: column; overflow: hidden; }
-#tabs { display: flex; gap: 2px; padding: 8px 10px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); flex: 0 0 auto; }
-#tabs button { background: transparent; border: 0; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-radius: 0; padding: 6px 7px 8px; color: var(--dim); font-size: 13.5px; }
-#tabs button:hover { color: var(--ink); background: transparent; }
-#tabs button[aria-selected=true] { color: var(--brass); border-bottom-color: var(--brass); }
+#right { grid-area: right; display: flex; flex-direction: column; overflow: hidden; }
+#tabs { display: flex; gap: 1px; padding: 8px 6px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line-soft); flex: 0 0 auto; overflow-x: auto; scrollbar-width: none; }
+#tabs button { flex: 1 0 auto; background: transparent; border: 0; border-radius: var(--r); padding: 4px 5px; color: var(--dim); font-size: 13px; }
+#tabs button:hover { color: var(--ink); background: var(--raise); }
+#tabs button[aria-selected=true] { color: var(--ink); background: var(--raise); box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px var(--line); }
 .tab { padding: 4px 16px 20px; overflow-y: auto; flex: 1 1 auto; }
-.tab h3 { font-size: 15px; margin: 18px 0 2px; }
+.tab h3 { font-size: 14.5px; margin: 18px 0 2px; }
 .slider { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 96px minmax(0, 1fr) 58px; gap: 8px; align-items: center; margin: 3px 0; }
 .slider label { color: var(--dim); font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2; }
 .slider input[type=range] { width: 100%; }
 .slider span { text-align: right; font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums; font-size: 13px; }
 #fit > label, #hide > label, #scopeFit > label { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; margin: 10px 0; color: var(--dim); font-size: 13px; }
-#fit > label select, #scopeFit > label select { flex: 1; color: var(--ink); background: var(--well); border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r); padding: 5px 8px; }
+#fit > label select, #scopeFit > label select { flex: 1; color: var(--ink); background: var(--raise); border: 1px solid var(--line); border-radius: var(--r); padding: 5px 8px; }
 #fit > .hint { margin-top: 14px; }
 #measureActions { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(7, 1fr); gap: 2px; margin: 8px 0; }
 #measureActions label { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px; font-size: 12.5px; color: var(--dim); font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums; }
@@ -173,24 +215,31 @@ th { color: var(--dim); font-weight: 500; }
 td:first-child, th:first-child { text-align: left; max-width: 140px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; }
 .better { color: var(--good); } .worse { color: var(--bad); }
 #history { display: grid; gap: 3px; margin: 8px 0; }
-#history button { text-align: left; font-family: var(--sans); font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; background: transparent; border-color: transparent; }
+#history button { text-align: left; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; background: transparent; border-color: transparent; }
 #history button:hover { background: var(--raise); }
-#history .current { color: var(--brass); border-color: var(--brass); }
-#recovery { flex: 0 0 auto; border: 1px solid var(--brass); border-radius: var(--r); padding: 4px 12px; margin: 10px 12px 0; background: var(--brass-soft); font-size: 13px; }
+#history .current { color: var(--ink); border-color: var(--accent); background: var(--accent-soft); }
+#recovery { flex: 0 0 auto; border: 1px solid var(--busy); border-radius: 10px; padding: 4px 12px; margin: 10px 12px 0; background: rgba(251, 191, 36, .08); font-size: 13px; }
 #recovery .row { margin: 6px 0 8px; }
 #backups { max-width: 100%; }
-#abJSON { max-height: 250px; overflow: auto; font-size: 11px; }
+#abJSON { max-height: 250px; overflow: auto; font: 11px/1.5 var(--mono); background: var(--well); border: 1px solid var(--line-soft); border-radius: 10px; padding: 8px 10px; }
 #abImages { overflow: auto; max-height: 500px; } #abImages canvas { image-rendering: pixelated; }
 
 @media (max-width: 1280px) { body { grid-template-columns: 210px minmax(0, 1fr) 300px; } .slider { grid-template-columns: 82px minmax(0, 1fr) 54px; } }
 @media (max-width: 980px) {
-  body { display: block; height: auto; overflow: auto; }
-  #top { position: sticky; top: 0; z-index: 2; height: 48px; }
+  body { display: block; height: auto; overflow: auto; padding: 0 8px 8px; }
+  body > * + * { margin-top: 8px; }
+  #top { position: sticky; top: 0; z-index: 2; height: 52px; background: var(--ground); }
   #center { height: auto; grid-template-rows: auto auto auto; }
   #stage { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
   #stage .pane { height: 380px; }
   #sheetWrap { min-height: 320px; }
   #left { max-height: 260px; } #right { overflow: visible; display: block; }
-  #saveStatus { display: none; }
+  #saveStatus { max-width: 32px; color: transparent; } .brand a { display: none; }
+  #bar { flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 10px 14px; }
+}
+@media (max-width: 640px) {
+  #packName { display: none; }
+  #topActions { gap: 6px; } #topActions button { padding: 5px 9px; }
+  #saveStatus { margin-right: 0; }
 }
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { *, *::before { animation: none !important; transition: none !important; } }
diff --git a/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.js b/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.js
index 555b311..8e9c660 100644
--- a/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.js
+++ b/tools/fit-lab/web/lab.js
@@ -79,6 +79,48 @@ function resize() {
 }
 addEventListener('resize', resize);
 
+// ---------- directions and view layout ----------
+// Screen facing of each UO direction under the UO camera: 0 faces the viewer, then 45° clockwise per step.
+const FACING = ['down', 'down-left', 'left', 'up-left', 'up (away)', 'up-right', 'right', 'down-right'];
+const facingAngle = d => (180 + 45 * d) % 360;      // clockwise from screen-up
+// 2×2 layout: the orbit view plus fixed front, side and back views that turn with the character.
+const fixedViews = [['Front', 0], ['Side', 90], ['Back', 180]].map(([name, turn]) => ({ name, turn, cam: new THREE.OrthographicCamera(-1, 1, 1, -1, 0.01, 100) }));
+let layout = 'single';
+const QUAD_ZOOM = 1.45;
+function setupLayout() {
+  try { layout = localStorage.getItem('fit-lab:view-layout') === 'quad' ? 'quad' : 'single'; } catch {}
+  for (const b of $('viewModes').children) b.onclick = () => {
+    layout = b.dataset.layout; try { localStorage.setItem('fit-lab:view-layout', layout); } catch {}
+    syncLayout();
+  };
+  syncLayout();
+}
+function syncLayout() {
+  for (const b of $('viewModes').children) b.setAttribute('aria-pressed', b.dataset.layout === layout);
+  $('view').classList.toggle('quad', layout === 'quad');
+}
+function drawView() {
+  if (layout !== 'quad') { renderer.render(scene, view); return; }
+  const r = $('view').getBoundingClientRect(), w = r.width / 2, h = r.height / 2;
+  const centre = new THREE.Vector3(0, 0.9, 0), toCamera = uoCam.position.clone().sub(centre).setY(0).normalize();
+  const hh = 1.05, hw = hh * w / h;                 // fixed views frame a standing body (about 1.9 m) with a little room
+  // With a mirrored direction the whole canvas is flipped by CSS, so swap columns to keep each view in its labelled corner.
+  const flip = state.dir > 4, panes = [[view, 0, 0], ...fixedViews.map((v, i) => [v.cam, (i + 1) % 2, (i + 1) >> 1])];
+  fixedViews.forEach(v => {
+    const dir = toCamera.clone().applyAxisAngle(new THREE.Vector3(0, 1, 0), charRoot.rotation.y + v.turn * Math.PI / 180);
+    v.cam.position.copy(centre).addScaledVector(dir, 10); v.cam.lookAt(centre);
+    Object.assign(v.cam, { left: -hw, right: hw, top: hh, bottom: -hh }); v.cam.updateProjectionMatrix();
+  });
+  const zoom = view.zoom; view.zoom = zoom * QUAD_ZOOM; view.updateProjectionMatrix();   // a quarter pane needs a closer orbit view
+  renderer.setScissorTest(true);
+  for (const [cam, col, row] of panes) {
+    const x = (flip ? 1 - col : col) * w, y = (1 - row) * h;
+    renderer.setViewport(x, y, w, h); renderer.setScissor(x, y, w, h); renderer.render(scene, cam);
+  }
+  renderer.setScissorTest(false); renderer.setViewport(0, 0, r.width, r.height);
+  view.zoom = zoom; view.updateProjectionMatrix();
+}
+
 // ---------- loading ----------
 async function getJSON(url) { const r = await fetch(url); if (!r.ok) throw new Error(url + ' ' + r.status); return r.json(); }
 
@@ -430,7 +472,7 @@ function scopeChanged() {
 async function selectSlot(slot) {
   const request = ++slotRequest;
   const list = state.manifest.items.filter(i => i.slot === slot);
-  $('slotInfo').textContent = `${list.length} items · part ${list[0]?.part}`;
+  $('slotInfo').textContent = `${list.length} ${list.length === 1 ? 'item' : 'items'} · part ${list[0]?.part}`;
   await Promise.all(list.map(loadItem));
   if (request !== slotRequest) return;
   state.slot = slot;
@@ -522,7 +564,9 @@ function frameUI() {
   const act = state.manifest.actions[state.action];
   $('frame').max = act.frames - 1; state.frame = Math.min(state.frame, act.frames - 1); $('frame').value = state.frame;
   $('frameLabel').textContent = `${state.frame + 1}/${act.frames}`;
-  [...$('dirs').children].forEach((b, d) => b.classList.toggle('on', d === state.dir));
+  [...$('dirs').children].forEach((b, d) => { b.classList.toggle('on', d === state.dir); b.setAttribute('aria-pressed', d === state.dir); });
+  $('dirs').style.setProperty('--facing', facingAngle(state.dir) + 'deg');
+  $('dirLabel').textContent = `Faces ${FACING[state.dir]}${state.dir > 4 ? ` · mirror of ${8 - state.dir}` : ''}`;
   renderer.domElement.style.transform = state.dir > 4 ? 'scaleX(-1)' : '';
   setPose(state.action, state.frame, state.dir); drawSheet();
   buildScopedPanel(); renderPanel?.sync();
@@ -667,10 +711,17 @@ async function main() {
   $('slot').innerHTML = slots.map(s => `<option>${s}</option>`).join(''); $('slot').onchange = e => selectSlot(e.target.value);
   $('action').innerHTML = state.manifest.actions.map((a, i) => `<option value="${i}">${a.id} ${a.name.replace(/^\d+_/, '')}</option>`).join('');
   $('action').onchange = e => { state.action = +e.target.value; preview.frame = 0; frameUI(); };
-  $('dirs').innerHTML = [...Array(8).keys()].map(d => `<button style="--a:${d * 45}deg" class="${d > 4 ? 'mirror' : ''}" title="Direction ${d}${d > 4 ? `: the client mirrors direction ${8 - d}` : ''}">${d}</button>`).join('');
+  // Each button sits where the character faces on screen, so the ring reads like the client's compass.
+  $('dirs').innerHTML = [...Array(8).keys()].map(d => { const label = `Direction ${d}: faces ${FACING[d]}${d > 4 ? `, mirrored from ${8 - d} like the client` : ''}`;
+    return `<button style="--a:${facingAngle(d)}deg" class="${d > 4 ? 'mirror' : ''}" title="${label}" aria-label="${label}" aria-pressed="false">${d}</button>`; }).join('');
   [...$('dirs').children].forEach((b, d) => b.onclick = () => {
     state.dir = preview.dir = d; preview.cycling = false; $('previewCycle').checked = false; frameUI();
   });
+  $('dirs').onkeydown = e => {                     // arrow keys turn the character a step (right/down = clockwise)
+    const step = { ArrowRight: 1, ArrowDown: 1, ArrowLeft: -1, ArrowUp: -1 }[e.key]; if (!step) return;
+    e.preventDefault(); const next = $('dirs').children[(state.dir + step + 8) % 8]; next.click(); next.focus();
+  };
+  setupLayout();
   $('frame').setAttribute('aria-label', 'Main frame');
   $('frame').oninput = e => { state.frame = preview.frame = +e.target.value; frameUI(); };
   $('play').onclick = () => { state.playing = !state.playing; $('play').textContent = state.playing ? 'Pause' : 'Play'; $('play').setAttribute('aria-label', $('play').textContent); };
@@ -725,7 +776,7 @@ async function main() {
     if (preview.cycling && t - preview.lastDir >= 2000) { preview.lastDir = t; preview.dir = (preview.dir + 1) % 8; preview.dirty = true; }
     if (state.playing && t - last > 125) { last = t; state.frame = (state.frame + 1) % state.manifest.actions[state.action].frames; $('frame').value = state.frame; $('frameLabel').textContent = `${state.frame + 1}/${state.manifest.actions[state.action].frames}`; setPose(state.action, state.frame, state.dir); renderPanel.sync(); }
     if (preview.dirty) renderSheet();
-    renderer.render(scene, view);
+    drawView();
   });
 }
 main().catch(e => { $('status').textContent = 'Error: ' + e.message; console.error(e); });
diff --git a/tools/fit-lab/web/persistence.js b/tools/fit-lab/web/persistence.js
index 15801e6..7c1bccd 100644
--- a/tools/fit-lab/web/persistence.js
+++ b/tools/fit-lab/web/persistence.js
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@ export class FitPersistence {
     this.cache();
     if (!this.conflict && !same(this.value, this.disk)) this.schedule();
   }
-  message(text) { this.status.textContent = text + (this.localOK ? '' : ' · Browser recovery unavailable'); }
+  message(text, kind = this.conflict ? 'bad' : same(this.value, this.disk) ? 'ok' : 'busy') {
+    this.status.textContent = text + (this.localOK ? '' : ' · Browser recovery unavailable'); this.status.dataset.kind = kind;
+  }
   cache() {
     try { localStorage.setItem(this.key, JSON.stringify({ revision: this.revision, value: this.value, history: this.history.serialize() })); }
     catch { this.localOK = false; }
@@ -92,7 +94,7 @@ export class FitPersistence {
       this.revision = result.revision; this.disk = sent; this.renderBackups(result.backups); this.cache();
       this.message('Saved to disk · ' + new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
     } catch (error) {
-      failed = true; this.message(`${error.message} · Edits retained in this tab`);
+      failed = true; this.message(`${error.message} · Edits retained in this tab`, 'bad');
     } finally {
       this.saving = false;
       if (!this.conflict && !same(this.value, this.disk)) {
@@ -109,7 +111,7 @@ export class FitPersistence {
       this.conflict = false; document.getElementById('recovery').hidden = true; this.renderBackups(latest.backups);
       if (!keepLocal) { this.commit(this.disk, 'Use disk version'); this.onRestore(clone(this.value)); }
       this.cache(); this.schedule();
-    } catch (error) { this.message(error.message); }
+    } catch (error) { this.message(error.message, 'bad'); }
   }
   async restoreBackup() {
     if (this.suspended) return;
@@ -118,6 +120,6 @@ export class FitPersistence {
       const response = await fetch('api/backups/' + encodeURIComponent(id));
       if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Backup is no longer available. Save or reload to refresh the list.');
       const value = await response.json(); this.commit(value, 'Restore backup'); this.onRestore(clone(value));
-    } catch (error) { this.message(error.message); }
+    } catch (error) { this.message(error.message, 'bad'); }
   }
 }