From 0aad2294ecb26b585bfe2bcdf0c79ccb931fc67a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Orkuncakilkaya <orkuncakilkaya@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2026 21:48:02 +0300
Subject: [PATCH] feat(ui): pointer events for natives and elements, with
 capture; on-down and on-up; hits in painting order

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 LANGUAGE.md                                   | 16 +++-
 changes/defaults-views-templates.md           |  6 ++
 examples/library/ui_pointer.ludic             | 60 +++++++++++++
 examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.lss   |  7 ++
 examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.ludic | 12 +++
 examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.xml   |  9 ++
 packages/ludic.ui/attr_more.ludic             |  4 +-
 packages/ludic.ui/focus.ludic                 | 13 +++
 packages/ludic.ui/index.ludic                 |  3 +
 packages/ludic.ui/input.ludic                 |  8 ++
 packages/ludic.ui/input_pad.ludic             |  8 ++
 packages/ludic.ui/native.ludic                | 15 +++-
 packages/ludic.ui/node_more.ludic             |  1 +
 packages/ludic.ui/pointer.ludic               | 43 +++++-----
 packages/ludic.ui/pointer_events.ludic        | 85 +++++++++++++++++++
 packages/ludic.ui/pointer_pick.ludic          | 59 +++++++++++++
 packages/ludic.ui/scroll.ludic                |  2 +-
 packages/ludic.ui/select_match.ludic          | 22 +----
 packages/ludic.ui/select_nth.ludic            | 21 +++++
 tools/ludic-cli/test.ludic                    |  1 +
 20 files changed, 349 insertions(+), 46 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 examples/library/ui_pointer.ludic
 create mode 100644 examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.lss
 create mode 100644 examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.ludic
 create mode 100644 examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.xml
 create mode 100644 packages/ludic.ui/pointer_events.ludic
 create mode 100644 packages/ludic.ui/pointer_pick.ludic
 create mode 100644 packages/ludic.ui/select_nth.ludic

diff --git a/LANGUAGE.md b/LANGUAGE.md
index d802a789..69f82951 100644
--- a/LANGUAGE.md
+++ b/LANGUAGE.md
@@ -441,7 +441,16 @@ applies to both:
   - Tab and Shift+Tab, or the arrows, move focus through the controls in document order. Enter
     and Space activate what has it, and `autofocus` picks where a screen starts.
   - The pointer hovers, presses (`:active`) and clicks on release; a drag keeps the pointer until
-    it is let go.
+    it is let go. What it is on is the topmost element in painting order (positioned ones by
+    `z-index`), so a button over something else takes its own press; `pointer-events: none` lets
+    the pointer through an element.
+  - `on-pointerdown`, `on-pointermove`, `on-pointerup`, `on-drag` and `on-wheel` on any element
+    read `event.x` / `event.y` (inside the element), `event.dx` / `event.dy`, `event.button` (0 left,
+    1 right, 2 middle) and `event.wheel`. A press captures the pointer: its moves, drags and release
+    go to that element until it is let go, wherever the pointer is. A scroll box leaves the wheel to
+    an element inside it that takes `on-wheel`.
+  - `on-down` and `on-up` say when a button goes down and comes up again, by the pointer (released
+    anywhere) or by Enter or the pad's A held on it; it is `:active` in between.
   - A scroll box (`overflow: auto` or `<scroll>`) takes the wheel, has a scrollbar that can be
     dragged (`scrollbar-color`), clips what it holds and pulls the focused control into view.
   - The scrollbar is `.ui-scrollbar` with a `.ui-thumb`, styled like a control's parts. A press on
@@ -493,7 +502,10 @@ applies to both:
   - `<progress value max>` and `<meter value min max>` fill (`.ui-fill`) as far as their value.
 - **Natives** are for what markup cannot say. `ui_native("minimap", measure, draw)` makes
   `<minimap>` an element the program draws itself, laid out and styled like any other. It reports
-  with `ui_fire(n, "change", value)` and reads its attributes with `ui_attr` / `ui_attr_on`. Its
+  with `ui_fire(n, "change", value)` and reads its attributes with `ui_attr` / `ui_attr_on`.
+  `ui_native_input("minimap", fn(n: UiNode, e: UiPointer) -> bool)` gives it the pointer events
+  above as a `UiPointer` (`kind`, `x`, `y`, `dx`, `dy`, `button`, `wheel`); answering false to a
+  `pointerdown` leaves the pointer uncaptured. Its
   draw reads `ui_opacity()`, the opacity it is drawn at (every group `opacity` around it, its own
   included).
 - **Renderers.** `ui_backend(b)` takes any renderer with `rect`, `text` and `measure`, and uses
diff --git a/changes/defaults-views-templates.md b/changes/defaults-views-templates.md
index 65043f6e..36e317f8 100644
--- a/changes/defaults-views-templates.md
+++ b/changes/defaults-views-templates.md
@@ -81,6 +81,12 @@ What a game's screens found missing, now in `ludic.ui`:
 - the first gamepad moves the focus (d-pad, left stick), steps ranges and selects, and presses (A)
   and goes back (B); a held direction, on the pad or the arrow keys, repeats after 0.42 s and then
   every 0.11 s on the ui clock (`UiInput.held_*`, `pad_a`, `pad_b` for a host);
+- pointer events: `on-pointerdown` / `pointermove` / `pointerup` / `drag` / `wheel` with `event.x`,
+  `y`, `dx`, `dy`, `button` and `wheel`, and `ui_native_input(tag, fn)` for a native; a press captures
+  the pointer until release; the pointer hits the topmost element in painting order, and
+  `pointer-events: none` lets it through;
+- `on-down` and `on-up` on a button (the pointer, Enter or A), with `:active` true while it is held
+  there rather than whenever the pointer is down over it;
 - a transition lands exactly on its end value (it had stopped a rounding error short of it, at every
   frame rate).
 
diff --git a/examples/library/ui_pointer.ludic b/examples/library/ui_pointer.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1b46386d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/library/ui_pointer.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+# ui_pointer.ludic — pointer events: a native map takes presses, drags (still its own when the
+# pointer leaves it, until let go), the wheel and the release, but not a press on the button over it;
+# a pad takes the same in markup; a hold button says on-down and on-up, and is :active while held.
+import "ludic.ui"
+import "ui_pointer_parts/Chart.ludic"
+program UiPointer {
+  numbers float
+  var log: string = ""
+  var dragged: float = 0.0
+  function map_measure(n: UiNode, avail: float) -> void { }
+  function map_draw(n: UiNode) -> void { }
+  function map_input(n: UiNode, e: UiPointer) -> bool {
+    if e.kind == "drag" { dragged = dragged + e.dx } else if e.kind != "pointermove" { log = log + `{e.kind} {int(e.x)},{int(e.y)} {e.button} {int(e.wheel)}; ` }
+    return true
+  }
+  function frame(x: float, y: float, down: bool, wheel: float, enter: bool) -> UiNode {
+    let i = new UiInput
+    i.x = x
+    i.y = y
+    i.down = down
+    i.wheel = wheel
+    i.held_enter = enter
+    ui_input(i)
+    ui_show("Chart", null, 0.0, 0.0, 400.0, 400.0)
+    let root: UiNode = ui_nodes("Chart", null)
+    ui_place(root, 0.0, 0.0, 400.0, 400.0)
+    return root.children[0]
+  }
+  function said(page: UiNode) -> string { return page.children[len(page.children) - 1].text }
+  entry {
+    ui_backend(new UiBackend)
+    ui_native("chartmap", fn map_measure, fn map_draw)
+    ui_native_input("chartmap", fn map_input)
+    let page = frame(-1.0, -1.0, false, 0.0, false)
+    let box = page.children[0]
+    let pad = page.children[1]
+    let hold = page.children[2]
+    frame(box.x + 20.0, box.y + 20.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    frame(box.x + 20.0, box.y + 20.0, false, 0.0, false)
+    frame(box.x + 100.0, box.y + 80.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    frame(box.x + 130.0, box.y + 60.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    frame(box.x + 300.0, box.y + 300.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    frame(box.x + 300.0, box.y + 300.0, false, 0.0, false)
+    frame(box.x + 50.0, box.y + 50.0, false, 1.0, false)
+    frame(pad.x + 7.0, pad.y + 9.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    frame(pad.x + 17.0, pad.y + 9.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    frame(pad.x + 17.0, pad.y + 9.0, false, 0.0, false)
+    frame(pad.x + 17.0, pad.y + 9.0, false, 2.0, false)
+    frame(hold.x + 5.0, hold.y + 5.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    let down = frame(hold.x + 5.0, hold.y + 5.0, true, 0.0, false)
+    let active = down.children[2].bg
+    let mid = said(down)
+    frame(hold.x + 5.0, hold.y + 90.0, false, 0.0, false)
+    let off = frame(-1.0, -1.0, false, 0.0, false)
+    frame(-1.0, -1.0, false, 0.0, true)
+    let keyed = said(frame(-1.0, -1.0, false, 0.0, true))
+    let up = frame(-1.0, -1.0, false, 0.0, false)
+    print(`{log}dragged {int(dragged)} | {mid} active {active} | {said(off)} | {keyed} | {said(up)} {up.children[2].bg}`)
+  }
+}
diff --git a/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.lss b/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.lss
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..12ead9db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.lss
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+.page { width: 400px; gap: 4px }
+.box { width: 200px; height: 100px; position: relative }
+.map { width: 200px; height: 100px }
+.zoom { position: absolute; top: 10px; left: 10px; width: 30px; height: 30px; padding: 0 }
+.pad { width: 100px; height: 50px }
+.hold { width: 80px; height: 30px }
+.hold:active { background: #ff0000 }
diff --git a/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.ludic b/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e2717401
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# Chart.ludic - a native map with a zoom button over it, a pad that takes pointer events in markup,
+# and a hold button that says when it goes down and comes up
+component Chart {
+  state zoomed: int = 0
+  state px: float = -1.0
+  state dragx: float = 0.0
+  state ups: int = 0
+  state wh: float = 0.0
+  state holding: bool = false
+  state held: int = 0
+  state clicked: int = 0
+}
diff --git a/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.xml b/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.xml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba64f3d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/library/ui_pointer_parts/Chart.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<div class="page">
+  <div class="box">
+    <chartmap class="map"/>
+    <button class="zoom" on-click="set zoomed = zoomed + 1">+</button>
+  </div>
+  <div class="pad" on-pointerdown="set px = event.x" on-drag="set dragx = dragx + event.dx" on-pointerup="set ups = ups + 1" on-wheel="set wh = wh + event.wheel"></div>
+  <button class="hold" on-down="set holding = true" on-up="set holding = false; set held = held + 1" on-click="set clicked = clicked + 1">Hold</button>
+  <p>zoomed {zoomed} pad {px} {dragx} {ups} {wh} hold {holding} {held} {clicked}</p>
+</div>
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/attr_more.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/attr_more.ludic
index ada6055f..d408621d 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/attr_more.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/attr_more.ludic
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # attr_more.ludic - width and height (where 0 is 0 and calc() may hold a percentage), the flex
-# shorthand, flex-shrink, order and text-shadow
+# shorthand, flex-shrink, order, text-shadow and pointer-events
 function el_more(n: UiNode, key: string, v: Val) -> bool {
   let s = vl_text(v)
-  if key == "shrink" { nx(n).shrink = Math.max(el_num(s), 0.0) } else if key == "order" { nx(n).order = int(el_num(s)) } else if key == "text-shadow" { el_text_shadow(n, s) } else { return false }
+  if key == "shrink" { nx(n).shrink = Math.max(el_num(s), 0.0) } else if key == "order" { nx(n).order = int(el_num(s)) } else if key == "text-shadow" { el_text_shadow(n, s) } else if key == "pointer-events" { nx(n).no_pointer = tpl_words(s) == "none" } else { return false }
   return true
 }
 # width or height: a length (0 included), fill, a percentage, calc(), or auto/fit (none)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/focus.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/focus.ludic
index 623f3367..31d06728 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/focus.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/focus.ludic
@@ -42,11 +42,24 @@ function fc_keys(root: UiNode) -> void {
   if i.down_key or (i.right and not horizontal) { fc_move(1) }
   ct_num_blur(root)
   if n == null { return }
+  fc_hold(root, n)
   if i.enter or (i.space and not ct_takes_space(n)) { ct_activate(n) }
   if horizontal and i.left { ct_step(n, -1) }
   if horizontal and i.right { ct_step(n, 1) }
   ct_typed(n)
 }
+# Enter or A held on a control: its on-down, and on-up when let go (or the focus moves away)
+function fc_hold(root: UiNode, n: UiNode) -> void {
+  if fr_key_press != "" and (in_act_up or n.key != fr_key_press) {
+    let was = fr_node(root, fr_key_press)
+    if was != null { ui_fire(was, "up", Value.null()) }
+    fr_key_press = ""
+  }
+  if in_act_down and n.enabled {
+    fr_key_press = n.key
+    ui_fire(n, "down", Value.null())
+  }
+}
 export function ui_focus(key: string) -> void {
   fc_key = key
   fc_visible = false
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/index.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/index.ludic
index 9b2f93dc..ff86973a 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/index.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/index.ludic
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ import "media.ludic"
 import "select.ludic"
 import "select_parts.ludic"
 import "select_match.ludic"
+import "select_nth.ludic"
 import "cascade.ludic"
 import "cascade_merge.ludic"
 import "layout.ludic"
@@ -72,6 +73,8 @@ import "layout_run.ludic"
 import "layout_wrap.ludic"
 import "frame.ludic"
 import "pointer.ludic"
+import "pointer_pick.ludic"
+import "pointer_events.ludic"
 import "screen_class.ludic"
 import "draw.ludic"
 import "draw_content.ludic"
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/input.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/input.ludic
index f0c80289..5a10ed83 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/input.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/input.ludic
@@ -24,9 +24,13 @@ export property UiInput {
   held_right: bool = false
   pad_a: bool = false           # the pad's south button held: Enter
   pad_b: bool = false           # its east button held: Escape
+  held_enter: bool = false      # Enter held (with pad_a: a button's on-down, then its on-up)
+  down_right: bool = false      # the other mouse buttons held
+  down_middle: bool = false
 }
 var in_now: UiInput = new UiInput
 var in_was_down: bool = false
+var in_last: UiInput = new UiInput
 var in_given: bool = false
 function in_read() -> void {
   if in_given {
@@ -34,11 +38,14 @@ function in_read() -> void {
     return
   }
   in_was_down = in_now.down
+  in_last = in_now
   let i = new UiInput
   if ui_be != null and ui_be.input {
     i.x = float(Input.mouse_x())
     i.y = float(Input.mouse_y())
     i.down = Input.mouse_down(0)
+    i.down_right = Input.mouse_down(1)
+    i.down_middle = Input.mouse_down(2)
     i.wheel = float(Input.wheel())
     i.tab = Input.key_pressed(Key.Tab)
     i.shift = Input.key_down(Key.Shift)
@@ -66,6 +73,7 @@ function in_any_key() -> int {
 # this frame's input, given by a test or a host that reads its own
 export function ui_input(i: UiInput) -> void {
   in_was_down = in_now.down
+  in_last = in_now
   in_repeat(i)
   in_now = i
   in_given = true
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/input_pad.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/input_pad.ludic
index cbfa896c..faeca0eb 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/input_pad.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/input_pad.ludic
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ const PAD_STICK: float = 0.5
 var rp_next: []float = [-1.0, -1.0, -1.0, -1.0]
 var rp_a: bool = false
 var rp_b: bool = false
+var rp_act: bool = false
+var in_act_down: bool = false   # A or Enter went down this frame, or came up
+var in_act_up: bool = false
 # what is held this frame: the arrow keys, the d-pad (SDL's order: 11 up, 12 down, 13 left, 14
 # right) and the stick past half way along its larger axis
 function in_held(i: UiInput) -> void {
@@ -14,6 +17,7 @@ function in_held(i: UiInput) -> void {
   i.held_down = Input.key_down(Key.Down)
   i.held_left = Input.key_down(Key.Left)
   i.held_right = Input.key_down(Key.Right)
+  i.held_enter = Input.key_down(Key.Enter)
   if not Input.pad_connected(0) { return }
   let ax = float(Input.pad_axis(0, 0))
   let ay = float(Input.pad_axis(0, 1))
@@ -36,6 +40,10 @@ function in_repeat(i: UiInput) -> void {
   if i.pad_b and not rp_b { i.escape = true }
   rp_a = i.pad_a
   rp_b = i.pad_b
+  let act = i.pad_a or i.held_enter
+  in_act_down = act and not rp_act
+  in_act_up = rp_act and not act
+  rp_act = act
 }
 function rp_fire(k: int, held: bool, now: float) -> bool {
   if not held {
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/native.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/native.ludic
index d18c03d1..df99e122 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/native.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/native.ludic
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ export property UiNative {
   tag: string = ""
   measure: fn(UiNode, float) -> void = null   # the content's size into n.mw, n.mh; avail is the room
   draw: fn(UiNode) -> void = null
+  input: fn(UiNode, UiPointer) -> bool = null    # the pointer on it (pointer_events.ludic)
 }
 var nt_list: []UiNative = new []UiNative
 export function ui_native(tag: string, measure: fn(UiNode, float) -> void, draw: fn(UiNode) -> void) -> void {
@@ -15,12 +16,23 @@ export function ui_native(tag: string, measure: fn(UiNode, float) -> void, draw:
   nv.draw = draw
   for i in 0 .. len(nt_list) {
     if nt_list[i].tag == tag {
+      nv.input = nt_list[i].input
       nt_list[i] = nv
       return
     }
   }
   push(nt_list, nv)
 }
+# the pointer on a native: its presses, moves, drags, releases and the wheel, while it is over it or
+# has it captured; answering false to a pointerdown leaves the pointer free
+export function ui_native_input(tag: string, f: fn(UiNode, UiPointer) -> bool) -> void {
+  let nv = nt_find(tag)
+  if nv == null {
+    ui_err(`ui_native_input: there is no native <{tag}> - ui_native it first`)
+    return
+  }
+  nv.input = f
+}
 function nt_find(tag: string) -> UiNative {
   for i in 0 .. len(nt_list) {
     if nt_list[i].tag == tag { return nt_list[i] }
@@ -52,7 +64,8 @@ function nt_run(n: UiNode, name: string, value: Val) -> void {
   if n.on_names == null or not n.enabled { return }
   for i in 0 .. len(n.on_names) {
     if n.on_names[i] == name {
-      let ev = Value.object()
+      var ev = Value.object()
+      if lk_in(PE_NAMES, name) and Value.kind(value) == 6 { ev = value }
       Value.put(ev, "name", Value.str(name))
       Value.put(ev, "value", value)
       let e = env_new(n.env)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/node_more.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/node_more.ludic
index 4228cee1..c38b390b 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/node_more.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/node_more.ludic
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ export property UiNodeX {
   tsh_y: float = 0.0
   tsh_c: int = -2
   tsh_a: float = 1.0
+  no_pointer: bool = false      # pointer-events: none - the pointer goes through it
 }
 function nx(n: UiNode) -> UiNodeX {
   if n.ex == null { n.ex = new UiNodeX }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/pointer.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/pointer.ludic
index 509ba011..14a544e5 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/pointer.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/pointer.ludic
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 var fr_hover: []string = new []string
 var fr_press_key: string = ""
 var fr_down_now: bool = false
+var fr_key_press: string = ""   # the control Enter or the pad's A is holding down
 function fr_was_hovered(key: string) -> bool { return sel_has(fr_hover, key) }
 function fr_pointer(root: UiNode) -> void {
   let i = in_now
@@ -18,40 +19,44 @@ function fr_pointer(root: UiNode) -> void {
   if top != null and pp_pointer(top) { return }
   if sc_drag != "" { return }
   let hit = fr_hit(scope, i.x, i.y)
-  if i.down and not in_was_down {
-    ct_key_pressed_away(hit)
-    fr_press_key = ""
-    if hit != null {
-      fr_press_key = hit.key
-      if hit.focusable { ui_focus(hit.key) }
-      ct_press(hit, i.x, i.y)
-    }
-  }
+  pe_frame(root, scope)
+  if i.down and not in_was_down { fr_press(hit, i.x, i.y) }
   if i.down and fr_press_key != "" { ct_drag(root, fr_press_key, i.x, i.y) }
   if not i.down and in_was_down {
+    let was = fr_node(root, fr_press_key)
+    if was != null { ui_fire(was, "up", Value.null()) }
     if hit != null and hit.key == fr_press_key and hit.enabled { ct_activate(hit) }
     fr_press_key = ""
   }
 }
+function fr_press(hit: UiNode, x: float, y: float) -> void {
+  ct_key_pressed_away(hit)
+  fr_press_key = ""
+  if hit == null { return }
+  fr_press_key = hit.key
+  if hit.focusable { ui_focus(hit.key) }
+  if hit.enabled { ui_fire(hit, "down", Value.null()) }
+  ct_press(hit, x, y)
+}
+# :active - the press began on it, or inside it, and is still held (by the pointer, Enter or A)
+function fr_active(n: UiNode) -> bool {
+  if fr_down_now and fr_press_key != "" and lc_mine(fr_press_key, n.key) { return true }
+  if pe_key != "" and lc_mine(pe_key, n.key) { return true }
+  return fr_key_press != "" and lc_mine(fr_key_press, n.key)
+}
 function fr_under(n: UiNode, px: float, py: float, keys: []string) -> void {
   if px < n.x or py < n.y or px >= n.x + n.cw or py >= n.y + n.ch { return }
   if n.key != "" { push(keys, n.key) }
   for i in 0 .. len(n.children) { fr_under(n.children[i], px, py, keys) }
 }
-# the deepest control (or pressable element) under the pointer
+# the control (or pressable element) the pointer is on: out from the topmost element under it
 function fr_hit(n: UiNode, px: float, py: float) -> UiNode {
-  if px < n.x or py < n.y or px >= n.x + n.cw or py >= n.y + n.ch { return null }
-  var i = len(n.children) - 1
-  while i >= 0 {
-    let h = fr_hit(n.children[i], px, py)
-    if h != null { return h }
-    i -= 1
-  }
-  if n.focusable or n.act != null { return n }
-  return null
+  if not fr_in(n, px, py) { return null }
+  return fr_pick(n, px, py, PK_CONTROL)
 }
 export function ui_hit(root: UiNode, px: float, py: float) -> UiNode { return fr_hit(root, px, py) }
 function fr_node(n: UiNode, key: string) -> UiNode {
+  if key == "" { return null }
   if n.key == key { return n }
   for i in 0 .. len(n.children) {
     let f = fr_node(n.children[i], key)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/pointer_events.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/pointer_events.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7bffe010
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/pointer_events.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+# pointer_events.ludic - on-pointerdown, on-pointermove, on-pointerup, on-wheel and on-drag on any
+# element, with event.x / event.y inside it, event.dx / event.dy, event.button and event.wheel; a
+# native takes the same through ui_native_input. A press captures the pointer until it is let go.
+export property UiPointer {
+  kind: string = ""             # pointerdown, pointermove, pointerup, wheel or drag
+  x: float = 0.0                # inside the element
+  y: float = 0.0
+  dx: float = 0.0               # how far the pointer moved this frame
+  dy: float = 0.0
+  button: int = 0               # 0 the left button, 1 the right, 2 the middle
+  wheel: float = 0.0
+}
+const PE_NAMES: string = " pointerdown pointermove pointerup wheel drag "
+var pe_key: string = ""         # the element the pointer is captured by
+var pe_btn: int = 0
+function pe_wants(n: UiNode, wheel: bool) -> bool {
+  if n.kind == UI_NATIVE and n.native != null and n.native.input != null { return true }
+  if n.on_names == null { return false }
+  for i in 0 .. len(n.on_names) {
+    if wheel and n.on_names[i] == "wheel" { return true }
+    if not wheel and lk_in(PE_NAMES, n.on_names[i]) { return true }
+  }
+  return false
+}
+# the pointer's events this frame: to what captured it, else to what it is over
+function pe_frame(root: UiNode, scope: UiNode) -> void {
+  let i = in_now
+  let p = in_last
+  let moved = p.x >= 0.0 and (i.x != p.x or i.y != p.y)
+  var over: UiNode = null
+  if fr_in(scope, i.x, i.y) { over = fr_pick(scope, i.x, i.y, PK_POINTER) }
+  if pe_key != "" {
+    let c = fr_node(root, pe_key)
+    if c != null and moved { pe_send(c, "pointermove", pe_btn) }
+    if c != null and moved { pe_send(c, "drag", pe_btn) }
+    if not (i.down or i.down_right or i.down_middle) {
+      if c != null { pe_send(c, "pointerup", pe_btn) }
+      pe_key = ""
+    }
+  } else if over != null {
+    let b = pe_pressed(i, p)
+    if b >= 0 { pe_down(over, b) } else if moved { pe_send(over, "pointermove", 0) }
+  }
+  if i.wheel != 0.0 and over != null { pe_send(over, "wheel", 0) }
+}
+function pe_pressed(i: UiInput, p: UiInput) -> int {
+  if i.down and not p.down { return 0 }
+  if i.down_right and not p.down_right { return 1 }
+  if i.down_middle and not p.down_middle { return 2 }
+  return -1
+}
+function pe_down(n: UiNode, b: int) -> void {
+  pe_key = n.key
+  pe_btn = b
+  if not pe_send(n, "pointerdown", b) { pe_key = "" }
+}
+# one event: a native's input answers at once (false: not its to take); an element's on-<kind> runs
+# once the frame is drawn, with the pointer's fields on `event`
+function pe_send(n: UiNode, kind: string, b: int) -> bool {
+  let e = new UiPointer
+  e.kind = kind
+  e.x = in_now.x - n.x
+  e.y = in_now.y - n.y
+  if in_last.x >= 0.0 {
+    e.dx = in_now.x - in_last.x
+    e.dy = in_now.y - in_last.y
+  }
+  e.button = b
+  e.wheel = in_now.wheel
+  if n.kind == UI_NATIVE and n.native != null and n.native.input != null { return n.native.input(n, e) }
+  let v = Value.object()
+  Value.put(v, "x", Value.float(e.x))
+  Value.put(v, "y", Value.float(e.y))
+  Value.put(v, "dx", Value.float(e.dx))
+  Value.put(v, "dy", Value.float(e.dy))
+  Value.put(v, "button", Value.int(b))
+  Value.put(v, "wheel", Value.float(e.wheel))
+  ui_fire(n, kind, v)
+  return true
+}
+# a scroll box leaves the wheel to what is under the pointer inside it and takes it itself
+function pe_takes_wheel(box: UiNode, px: float, py: float) -> bool {
+  let t = fr_pick(box, px, py, PK_WHEEL)
+  return t != null and t != box
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/pointer_pick.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/pointer_pick.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..54d48014
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/pointer_pick.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+# pointer_pick.ludic - what the pointer is on: the topmost element under it in painting order (a
+# positioned one by its z-index over the flow), and from there out to the nearest element that wants
+# what is asked - a control to press, or pointer events. pointer-events: none lets it through.
+const PK_CONTROL: int = 0
+const PK_POINTER: int = 1
+const PK_WHEEL: int = 2
+function fr_in(n: UiNode, px: float, py: float) -> bool {
+  if n.ex != null and n.ex.no_pointer { return false }
+  return px >= n.x and py >= n.y and px < n.x + n.cw and py < n.y + n.ch
+}
+# the nearest element that wants `kind`, out from the topmost one under the point
+function fr_pick(n: UiNode, px: float, py: float, kind: int) -> UiNode {
+  let kids = fr_paint_rev(n)
+  for i in 0 .. len(kids) {
+    if fr_in(kids[i], px, py) {
+      let r = fr_pick(kids[i], px, py, kind)
+      if r != null { return r }
+      return fr_wants(n, kind)
+    }
+  }
+  return fr_wants(n, kind)
+}
+function fr_wants(n: UiNode, kind: int) -> UiNode {
+  if kind == PK_CONTROL and (n.focusable or n.act != null) { return n }
+  if kind == PK_POINTER and pe_wants(n, false) { return n }
+  if kind == PK_WHEEL and pe_wants(n, true) { return n }
+  return null
+}
+# the children the other way from how they are painted: positioned ones by z-index, highest first,
+# then the flow, last first; a popover is on the top layer, not here
+function fr_paint_rev(n: UiNode) -> []UiNode {
+  let out = new []UiNode
+  if n.children == null { return out }
+  var lo = 1000000
+  var hi = -1000000
+  for i in 0 .. len(n.children) {
+    let c = n.children[i]
+    if c.pos != 0 and not c.popover {
+      lo = Math.min(lo, c.z)
+      hi = Math.max(hi, c.z)
+    }
+  }
+  var z = hi
+  while z >= lo {
+    var i = len(n.children) - 1
+    while i >= 0 {
+      let c = n.children[i]
+      if c.pos != 0 and not c.popover and c.z == z { push(out, c) }
+      i -= 1
+    }
+    z -= 1
+  }
+  var k = len(n.children) - 1
+  while k >= 0 {
+    if n.children[k].pos == 0 and not n.children[k].popover { push(out, n.children[k]) }
+    k -= 1
+  }
+  return out
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/scroll.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/scroll.ludic
index 22829934..22e51b4a 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/scroll.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/scroll.ludic
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ function sc_input(n: UiNode, off0: float, room: float, most: float) -> float {
   if sc_scope != null and not sc_within(n, sc_scope) { return sc_into_view(n, off, room) }
   let i = in_now
   let over = i.x >= n.x and i.y >= n.y and i.x < n.x + n.cw and i.y < n.y + n.ch
-  if over and i.wheel != 0.0 { off = off - i.wheel * ui_px(40.0) }
+  if over and i.wheel != 0.0 and not pe_takes_wheel(n, i.x, i.y + off0) { off = off - i.wheel * ui_px(40.0) }
   off = sb_input(n, off, room, most)
   return sc_into_view(n, off, room)
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/select_match.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/select_match.ludic
index 35cf8267..e117db61 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/select_match.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/select_match.ludic
@@ -75,28 +75,8 @@ function sel_pseudo_ok(p: string, arg: string, n: UiNode) -> bool {
   if p == "empty" { return len(n.children) == 0 and n.text == "" }
   if p == "root" { return n.parent == null }
   if p == "checked" { return ui_attr_on(n, "checked") }
-  if p == "active" { return n.hovered and fr_down_now }
+  if p == "active" { return fr_active(n) }
   if p == "nth-child" { return sel_nth(arg, n.index + 1) }
   ui_err(`:{p}: there is no such pseudo-class here`)
   return false
 }
-# :nth-child(odd), (even), (3), (2n+1), (n+2), (-n+3): is the k-th child one of them
-function sel_nth(arg: string, k: int) -> bool {
-  if arg == "odd" { return k % 2 == 1 }
-  if arg == "even" { return k % 2 == 0 }
-  var npos = -1
-  for i in 0 .. len(arg) {
-    if arg[i] == 110 { npos = i }
-  }
-  if npos < 0 { return string(k) == arg }
-  var a = 1
-  let head: string = arg[0..npos]
-  if head == "-" { a = -1 } else if len(head) > 0 { a = int(el_num(head)) }
-  var b = 0
-  var tail = tpl_words(arg[npos + 1..len(arg)])
-  if len(tail) > 0 and tail[0] == 43 { tail = tpl_words(tail[1..len(tail)]) }
-  if len(tail) > 0 { b = int(el_num(tail)) }
-  if a == 0 { return k == b }
-  let d = k - b
-  return d % a == 0 and d / a >= 0
-}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/select_nth.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/select_nth.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4c69cce6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/select_nth.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# select_nth.ludic - :nth-child's formulas
+# :nth-child(odd), (even), (3), (2n+1), (n+2), (-n+3): is the k-th child one of them
+function sel_nth(arg: string, k: int) -> bool {
+  if arg == "odd" { return k % 2 == 1 }
+  if arg == "even" { return k % 2 == 0 }
+  var npos = -1
+  for i in 0 .. len(arg) {
+    if arg[i] == 110 { npos = i }
+  }
+  if npos < 0 { return string(k) == arg }
+  var a = 1
+  let head: string = arg[0..npos]
+  if head == "-" { a = -1 } else if len(head) > 0 { a = int(el_num(head)) }
+  var b = 0
+  var tail = tpl_words(arg[npos + 1..len(arg)])
+  if len(tail) > 0 and tail[0] == 43 { tail = tpl_words(tail[1..len(tail)]) }
+  if len(tail) > 0 { b = int(el_num(tail)) }
+  if a == 0 { return k == b }
+  let d = k - b
+  return d % a == 0 and d / a >= 0
+}
diff --git a/tools/ludic-cli/test.ludic b/tools/ludic-cli/test.ludic
index 339279b1..dab0de09 100644
--- a/tools/ludic-cli/test.ludic
+++ b/tools/ludic-cli/test.ludic
@@ -764,6 +764,7 @@ function cmd_dev_test() -> int {
   controller_case("library/ui_scrollbar", "", "grab 0 moved 120 far 300 back 60 kept 60 | jump 270 | wheel 230 | pressed 1", "ui_scrollbar.ludic (L11: a scrollbar's thumb held where it was taken and dragged, a press on the track jumps there, the wheel, nothing under the bar pressed)")
   controller_case("library/ui_ease", "", "60: 1480 680 slid 1 landed 1 left 0; 120: 1480 680 slid 1 landed 1 left 0; 180: 1480 680 slid 1 landed 1 left 0; 240: 1480 680 slid 1 landed 1 left 0;", "ui_ease.ludic (L11: a transition and an animation at 60, 120, 180 and 240 Hz are the same half way and land exactly on their targets)")
   controller_case("library/ui_gamepad", "", "last 6 vol 0 q 0 open false | last 0 vol 0 q 0 open false | last 0 vol 2 q 0 open false | last 0 vol 2 q 2 open false | last 0 vol 2 q 2 open true | last 0 vol 2 q 2 open false", "ui_gamepad.ludic (L11: the pad and held keys - a held direction repeats on the clock at any rate, A presses, left and right step, B closes a popover)")
+  controller_case("library/ui_pointer", "", "pointerdown 100,80 0 0; pointerup 300,300 0 0; wheel 50,50 0 1; dragged 200 | zoomed 1 pad 7 10 1 2 hold true 0 0 active 16711680 | zoomed 1 pad 7 10 1 2 hold false 1 0 | zoomed 1 pad 7 10 1 2 hold true 1 0 | zoomed 1 pad 7 10 1 2 hold false 2 0 3817286", "ui_pointer.ludic (L11: pointer events for natives and markup, capture until release, a button over a native keeps its press; on-down, on-up and :active)")
   controller_case("library/ui_inputs", "", "count 12 12 32 0.5 0 | 20 32 0.5 0 | 19 32 0.5 0 | How many to carry | Space bar listening 1 19 9 0.5 0 | 19 9 0.5 0 | 19 0 0.5 0 | 60% 0.50 s | 19 0 0.6 9 | 7!", "ui_inputs.ludic (L11: number fields, key capture with Esc and Backspace, notes, range formats, an event named set, a string prop given a number)")
   controller_case("library/ui_boxes", "", "list 120 of 200 | text at 32 152 wide, 3 lines, row 60 | zero 0x0 | half 140x36 pad 4 2 | order abc at 16 | fill 98x8 of 200x12", "ui_boxes.ludic (L11: flex-shrink to the leftover room, text wrapping beside its siblings, zero sizes, calc(), order, the range track as a row)")
   controller_case("library/ui_look", "", "root div.in.i.m pad 5 margin 9 color #ff0000 text Hi 2,53 #102030 | text Hi 0,50 #eeeeee | opacity 0.25 | nine 40 #ffffff nine 40 #ff0000 of 2 image photo.png #ffffff | image icon:tent #00ff00 | text first line 29,205 #eeeeee | text second line 29,223 #eeeeee by id at 84,50 | flipped at 246,268 100x32", "ui_look.ludic (L11: nested components styled by specificity, text-shadow, ui_opacity, border-image tints, pictures, tooltip lines, anchored popovers)")