diff --git a/changes/near-fade-spirv.md b/changes/near-fade-spirv.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fd4161e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/near-fade-spirv.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+bump: patch
+type: fix
+**The foliage's near-fade programs have SPIR-V.** The three `NEAR_FADE` variants were missing
+from `variants.list`, so on Vulkan the trees' and cards' programs failed to build.
diff --git a/changes/vulkan-on-macos.md b/changes/vulkan-on-macos.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..29c65201
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/vulkan-on-macos.md
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+bump: minor
+type: feature
+**render3d's Vulkan renderer runs in a macOS window, through MoltenVK.** `R3D_GFX=vk` (or
+`gpu_request("vulkan")`) now presents to a `CAMetalLayer` on the window (`VK_EXT_metal_surface`,
+the runtime's `win_metal_layer()`), where it used to fall back to OpenGL. The loader also opens
+MoltenVK on its own - `Contents/Frameworks/libMoltenVK.dylib` in a bundle, beside the executable,
+or `$VULKAN_SDK/lib` - so a game needs no Vulkan SDK to ship it. A covered window is not drawn to
+(its layer would hold every frame for a second), and on macOS one frame stays in flight so the CPU
+runs the next tick while the GPU draws. OpenGL stays the default: on an M4 Pro the Vulkan frame is
+still about a third slower, most of it in the alpha-tested foliage.
diff --git a/changes/window-buffers.md b/changes/window-buffers.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..edec5a2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/window-buffers.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+bump: patch
+type: fix
+**A windowed program's input no longer stops it on the first frame.** Since slices carry their
+length, the window's built-ins (`win_held`, `win_mouse`, `win_pad`, `win_touch`, `win_text`,
+`win_present`) were handed the slice's header instead of its elements, so the platform wrote the
+mouse position over the length and the next read failed its bounds check. They take the elements,
+as an `extern` call already did.
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic
index 047de807..d99143a5 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic
@@ -199,6 +199,10 @@ export state Render3dState {
   gvk_al_spare: []int = null        # ids to reuse
   gvk_pool: long = 0
   gvk_fence: bytes = null
+  gvk_frame_fence: bytes = null     # the presented frame still on the GPU (one frame in flight)
+  gvk_frame_pending: bool = false
+  gvk_frame_pending_cb: pointer = null
+  gvk_inflight: int = -1            # -1 until asked: 1 leaves the presented frame in flight
   gvk_has_hqr: bool = false
   gvk_ts_period: float = 0.0             # float bits: nanoseconds per timestamp tick
   gvk_qpool: long = 0
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic
index c99478d1..90489d07 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic
@@ -49,9 +49,10 @@ function gpu_select(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> int {
   if render3d_st.gpu_wanted == 0 { render3d_st.gpu_wanted = GPU_GL }
   render3d_st.gpu_kind = GPU_GL
   if render3d_st.gpu_wanted == GPU_VK {
-    # a window needs a surface, and only the Win32 one is built
+    # a window needs a surface: Win32 on Windows, a CAMetalLayer through MoltenVK on macOS
     render3d_st.gvk_want_surface = is_windowed()
-    if is_windowed() and Os.platform() != "windows" { render3d_st.gpu_fallback_reason = "the Vulkan window is built for Windows only" }
+    let os = Os.platform()
+    if is_windowed() and os != "windows" and os != "macos" { render3d_st.gpu_fallback_reason = `no Vulkan window is built for {os}` }
     else if not gvk_init(render3d_st) { render3d_st.gpu_fallback_reason = render3d_st.gvk_why }
     else if not gvk_manifest(render3d_st) { render3d_st.gpu_fallback_reason = "the renderer's SPIR-V manifest is missing" }
     else { render3d_st.gpu_kind = GPU_VK }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk.ludic
index 69743591..2793f781 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk.ludic
@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@ function gvk_ext_in(props: bytes, n: int, want: string) -> bool {
 # device with the Tier 1 floor switched on. False, with gvk_why set, if any of it is missing:
 # the caller stays on OpenGL.
 
+function gvk_surface_ext() -> string {
+  if Os.platform() == "macos" { return VK_EXT_METAL_SURFACE_EXTENSION_NAME }
+  return VK_KHR_WIN32_SURFACE_EXTENSION_NAME
+}
+
 function gvk_init(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
   if render3d_st.gvk_ready { return true }
   gsl_boot(render3d_st)
@@ -72,12 +77,13 @@ function gvk_init(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
     Vk.put_ptr(iext_names, n_iext * 8, VK_KHR_PORTABILITY_ENUMERATION_EXTENSION_NAME);  n_iext += 1
     Vk.put_i32(ici, VkInstanceCreateInfo_flags, VK_INSTANCE_CREATE_ENUMERATE_PORTABILITY_BIT_KHR)
   }
-  # a window's surface: only the Win32 one is built, so a window elsewhere stays on OpenGL
-  render3d_st.gvk_has_surface = render3d_st.gvk_want_surface and gvk_ext_in(iexts, nie, VK_KHR_SURFACE_EXTENSION_NAME) and gvk_ext_in(iexts, nie, VK_KHR_WIN32_SURFACE_EXTENSION_NAME)
-  if render3d_st.gvk_want_surface and not render3d_st.gvk_has_surface { render3d_st.gvk_why = "no Win32 surface in this Vulkan instance";  return false }
+  # a window's surface: Win32 on Windows, Metal (MoltenVK) on macOS
+  let surf_ext = gvk_surface_ext()
+  render3d_st.gvk_has_surface = render3d_st.gvk_want_surface and gvk_ext_in(iexts, nie, VK_KHR_SURFACE_EXTENSION_NAME) and gvk_ext_in(iexts, nie, surf_ext)
+  if render3d_st.gvk_want_surface and not render3d_st.gvk_has_surface { render3d_st.gvk_why = `no {surf_ext} in this Vulkan instance`;  return false }
   if render3d_st.gvk_has_surface {
     Vk.put_ptr(iext_names, n_iext * 8, VK_KHR_SURFACE_EXTENSION_NAME);  n_iext += 1
-    Vk.put_ptr(iext_names, n_iext * 8, VK_KHR_WIN32_SURFACE_EXTENSION_NAME);  n_iext += 1
+    Vk.put_ptr(iext_names, n_iext * 8, surf_ext);  n_iext += 1
   }
   # HDR output: an instance only lists the HDR colour spaces when it asks for them
   render3d_st.gvk_has_colorspace = render3d_st.gvk_has_surface and gvk_ext_in(iexts, nie, VK_EXT_SWAPCHAIN_COLOR_SPACE_EXTENSION_NAME)
@@ -488,6 +494,9 @@ function gvk_cmd_init(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
   render3d_st.gvk_fence = bytes(8)
   r = Vk.create_fence(render3d_st.gvk_dev, fci, null, render3d_st.gvk_fence)
   if r != VK_SUCCESS { return gvk_fail(render3d_st, "vkCreateFence", r) }
+  render3d_st.gvk_frame_fence = bytes(8)
+  r = Vk.create_fence(render3d_st.gvk_dev, fci, null, render3d_st.gvk_frame_fence)
+  if r != VK_SUCCESS { return gvk_fail(render3d_st, "vkCreateFence", r) }
   return true
 }
 # a command buffer, begun
@@ -510,6 +519,7 @@ function gvk_once_begin(render3d_st: Render3dState) -> pointer {
 }
 # end it, submit it, wait for it, free it
 function gvk_once_end(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, cb: pointer) -> bool {
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)
   var r = Vk.end_command_buffer(cb)
   if r != VK_SUCCESS { return gvk_fail(render3d_st, "vkEndCommandBuffer", r) }
   let cbs = bytes(8)
@@ -529,12 +539,61 @@ function gvk_once_end(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, cb: pointer) -> bool {
   return true
 }
 
+# ---- one frame in flight -------------------------------------------------------------------
+# A window's frame is submitted and presented without waiting, so the game's next tick runs on the
+# CPU while the GPU draws: waiting at the present serialised the two, which cost MoltenVK a third
+# of its frame rate against OpenGL. Anything that would reuse what that frame reads - the next
+# frame's command buffer and ring, a one-off submit, a descriptor pool reset, a swapchain rebuild -
+# waits for it first (gvk_frame_wait), and a buffer it reads is busy (gvk_buf_busy). On by default
+# on macOS; R3D_VK_INFLIGHT=0/1 says otherwise.
+function gvk_inflight_on(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
+  if render3d_st.gvk_inflight < 0 {
+    render3d_st.gvk_inflight = 0
+    if Os.platform() == "macos" { render3d_st.gvk_inflight = 1 }
+    if r3d_env_has(render3d_st, "R3D_VK_INFLIGHT") { render3d_st.gvk_inflight = Text.to_int(r3d_env(render3d_st, "R3D_VK_INFLIGHT")) }
+  }
+  return render3d_st.gvk_inflight == 1
+}
+
+function gvk_frame_submit(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, cb: pointer) -> bool {
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)
+  var r = Vk.end_command_buffer(cb)
+  if r != VK_SUCCESS { return gvk_fail(render3d_st, "vkEndCommandBuffer", r) }
+  let cbs = bytes(8)
+  Vk.put_ptr(cbs, 0, cb)
+  Vk.reset_fences(render3d_st.gvk_dev, 1, render3d_st.gvk_frame_fence)
+  let si = bytes(VkSubmitInfo_sizeof)
+  Vk.zero(si, VkSubmitInfo_sizeof)
+  Vk.put_i32(si, VkSubmitInfo_sType, VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_SUBMIT_INFO)
+  Vk.put_i32(si, VkSubmitInfo_commandBufferCount, 1)
+  Vk.put_ptr(si, VkSubmitInfo_pCommandBuffers, cbs)
+  r = Vk.queue_submit(render3d_st.gvk_queue, 1, si, Vk.get_i64(render3d_st.gvk_frame_fence, 0))
+  if r != VK_SUCCESS { return gvk_fail(render3d_st, "vkQueueSubmit", r) }
+  render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending = true
+  render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending_cb = cb
+  return true
+}
+
+function gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
+  if not render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending { return }
+  let forever: long = -1
+  Vk.wait_for_fences(render3d_st.gvk_dev, 1, render3d_st.gvk_frame_fence, 1, forever)
+  let cbs = bytes(8)
+  Vk.put_ptr(cbs, 0, render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending_cb)
+  Vk.free_command_buffers(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_pool, 1, cbs)
+  render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending = false
+  render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending_cb = null
+  gvk_retire_flush(render3d_st)
+}
+
 # ---- teardown -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 function gvk_shutdown(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
   if not render3d_st.gvk_ready { return }
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)
   Vk.device_wait_idle(render3d_st.gvk_dev)
   gsl_shutdown(render3d_st)
   Vk.destroy_fence(render3d_st.gvk_dev, Vk.get_i64(render3d_st.gvk_fence, 0), null)
+  Vk.destroy_fence(render3d_st.gvk_dev, Vk.get_i64(render3d_st.gvk_frame_fence, 0), null)
   Vk.destroy_command_pool(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_pool, null)
   Vk.destroy_device(render3d_st.gvk_dev, null)
   Vk.destroy_instance(render3d_st.gvk_inst, null)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic
index aaf0f55e..8efb6e85 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic
@@ -729,6 +729,7 @@ function gvk_sc_clear(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
 # the pool is full: finish the frame recorded so far (it may use sets from it), then start again
 function gvk_kpool_reset(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
   gvk_flush(render3d_st)
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)
   Vk.reset_descriptor_pool(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_kpool, 0)
   gvk_sc_clear(render3d_st)
 }
@@ -953,6 +954,7 @@ function gvk_screen_make(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, w: int, h: int) -> bool
 
 function gvk_frame_cb(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> pointer {
   if render3d_st.gvk_cb == null {
+    gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)
     gvk_frame_reset(render3d_st)
     render3d_st.gvk_cb = gvk_once_begin(render3d_st)
   }
@@ -1279,7 +1281,13 @@ function gvk_flush(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
 # - and that image is presented.
 function gvk_present(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
   gvk_prof_frame(render3d_st)
-  if render3d_st.gvk_swap != 0 { gvk_present_window(render3d_st);  render3d_st.gvk_frame_no += 1;  gvk_retire_flush(render3d_st);  return }
+  if render3d_st.gvk_swap != 0 {
+    gvk_present_window(render3d_st)
+    render3d_st.gvk_frame_no += 1
+    # what the frame in flight retired goes when it is done (gvk_frame_wait)
+    if not render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending { gvk_retire_flush(render3d_st) }
+    return
+  }
   if render3d_st.gvk_cb == null { return }
   gvk_pass_end(render3d_st)
   gvk_once_end(render3d_st, render3d_st.gvk_cb)
@@ -1332,6 +1340,8 @@ function gvk_open(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, w: int, h: int, title: string)
   if is_windowed() {
     win_open(w, h, 1, title)          # the window exists before main: this retitles it
     win_gl_resize(w, h)
+    # macOS: the Metal layer sets the backing scale, so it exists before the drawable is measured
+    if Os.platform() == "macos" and win_metal_layer() == null { render3d_st.gvk_why = "no Metal layer on the window";  return false }
     if render3d_st.gvk_size_buf == null { render3d_st.gvk_size_buf = words(4) }
     win_gl_drawable(render3d_st.gvk_size_buf)
     if render3d_st.gvk_size_buf[0] > 0 and render3d_st.gvk_size_buf[1] > 0 { gl_set_drawable(render3d_st.gvk_size_buf[0], render3d_st.gvk_size_buf[1]) }
@@ -1519,13 +1529,24 @@ function gvk_read_screen(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, w: int, h: int, out: po
 }
 
 # ---- the window: surface and swapchain ----------------------------------------------------------
-# Windows only for now (the Win32 surface); gpu_select keeps a window elsewhere on OpenGL.
+# The Win32 surface on Windows; on macOS a CAMetalLayer the runtime hangs off the view (MoltenVK).
 extern function win_native_window() -> pointer = "win_native_window"
 extern function win_native_instance() -> pointer = "win_native_instance"
+extern function win_metal_layer() -> pointer = "win_metal_layer"
+extern function win_visible() -> int = "win_visible"
 
-
-function gvk_surface_make(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
-  if render3d_st.gvk_surface != 0 { return true }
+function gvk_surface_os(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, out: pointer) -> bool {
+  if Os.platform() == "macos" {
+    let layer = win_metal_layer()
+    if layer == null { render3d_st.gvk_why = "no Metal layer on the window";  return false }
+    let mci = bytes(VkMetalSurfaceCreateInfoEXT_sizeof)
+    Vk.zero(mci, VkMetalSurfaceCreateInfoEXT_sizeof)
+    Vk.put_i32(mci, VkMetalSurfaceCreateInfoEXT_sType, VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_METAL_SURFACE_CREATE_INFO_EXT)
+    Vk.put_ptr(mci, VkMetalSurfaceCreateInfoEXT_pLayer, layer)
+    let rm = Vk.create_metal_surface_ext(render3d_st.gvk_inst, mci, null, out)
+    if rm != VK_SUCCESS { return gvk_fail(render3d_st, "vkCreateMetalSurfaceEXT", rm) }
+    return true
+  }
   let hwnd = win_native_window()
   if hwnd == null { render3d_st.gvk_why = "no window to present to";  return false }
   let sci = bytes(VkWin32SurfaceCreateInfoKHR_sizeof)
@@ -1533,9 +1554,15 @@ function gvk_surface_make(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
   Vk.put_i32(sci, VkWin32SurfaceCreateInfoKHR_sType, VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_WIN32_SURFACE_CREATE_INFO_KHR)
   Vk.put_ptr(sci, VkWin32SurfaceCreateInfoKHR_hinstance, win_native_instance())
   Vk.put_ptr(sci, VkWin32SurfaceCreateInfoKHR_hwnd, hwnd)
-  let out = bytes(8)
   let r = Vk.create_win32_surface_khr(render3d_st.gvk_inst, sci, null, out)
   if r != VK_SUCCESS { return gvk_fail(render3d_st, "vkCreateWin32SurfaceKHR", r) }
+  return true
+}
+
+function gvk_surface_make(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
+  if render3d_st.gvk_surface != 0 { return true }
+  let out = bytes(8)
+  if not gvk_surface_os(render3d_st, out) { return false }
   render3d_st.gvk_surface = gvk_handle(out)
   let ok = bytes(4)
   Vk.put_i32(ok, 0, 0)
@@ -1551,6 +1578,7 @@ function gvk_surface_make(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> bool {
 # (Re)make the swapchain for a w x h client area. The old one is handed over and then destroyed.
 function gvk_swap_make(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, w: int, h: int) -> bool {
   if not gvk_surface_make(render3d_st) { return false }
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)
   Vk.device_wait_idle(render3d_st.gvk_dev)
   let caps = bytes(VkSurfaceCapabilitiesKHR_sizeof)
   Vk.get_physical_device_surface_capabilities_khr(render3d_st.gvk_pd, render3d_st.gvk_surface, caps)
@@ -1641,6 +1669,14 @@ function gvk_swap_make(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, w: int, h: int) -> bool {
 function gvk_present_window(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
   let cb = gvk_frame_cb(render3d_st)
   gvk_pass_end(render3d_st)
+  # a covered window is not drawn to: its layer would hold the frame for a drawable the compositor
+  # hands back once a second. The frame still runs, paced at about 60 Hz, so the game keeps time.
+  if win_visible() == 0 {
+    if gvk_inflight_on(render3d_st) { gvk_frame_submit(render3d_st, cb) } else { gvk_once_end(render3d_st, cb) }
+    render3d_st.gvk_cb = null
+    Time.sleep_us(16000)
+    return
+  }
   if render3d_st.gvk_swap_stale { gvk_once_end(render3d_st, cb);  render3d_st.gvk_cb = null;  gvk_swap_make(render3d_st, render3d_st.gvk_swap_w, render3d_st.gvk_swap_h);  return }
   let idx = bytes(4)
   Vk.reset_fences(render3d_st.gvk_dev, 1, render3d_st.gvk_acq_fence)
@@ -1670,7 +1706,7 @@ function gvk_present_window(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
   Vk.cmd_blit_image(cb, src, VK_IMAGE_LAYOUT_TRANSFER_SRC_OPTIMAL, dst, VK_IMAGE_LAYOUT_TRANSFER_DST_OPTIMAL, 1, blit, VK_FILTER_LINEAR)
   gvk_barrier(cb, src, false, 0, 1, 1, VK_IMAGE_LAYOUT_TRANSFER_SRC_OPTIMAL, VK_IMAGE_LAYOUT_SHADER_READ_ONLY_OPTIMAL)
   gvk_barrier(cb, dst, false, 0, 1, 1, VK_IMAGE_LAYOUT_TRANSFER_DST_OPTIMAL, VK_IMAGE_LAYOUT_PRESENT_SRC_KHR)
-  gvk_once_end(render3d_st, cb)
+  if gvk_inflight_on(render3d_st) { gvk_frame_submit(render3d_st, cb) } else { gvk_once_end(render3d_st, cb) }
   render3d_st.gvk_cb = null
   let pi = bytes(VkPresentInfoKHR_sizeof)
   Vk.zero(pi, VkPresentInfoKHR_sizeof)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic
index e17a6f15..298cb72c 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ function gvk_staging(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, n: int, usage: int) -> poin
   return Vk.get_ptr(pp, 0)
 }
 function gvk_staging_free(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)                # the frame in flight may still read it
   Vk.unmap_memory(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_st_mem)
   Vk.destroy_buffer(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_st_buf, null)
   Vk.free_memory(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_st_mem, null)
@@ -142,6 +143,7 @@ function gvk_staging_free(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
 
 # (Re)make the image behind a handle: glTexImage2D on a texture that already has one replaces it.
 function gvk_tex_storage(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, tex: int, array: bool, ifmt: int, w: int, h: int, layers: int, with_mips: bool) -> bool {
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)                # the frame in flight may still read it
   if tex <= 0 or tex >= len(render3d_st.gvk_tex_image) { return false }
   let vkfmt = gvk_format(ifmt)
   if vkfmt == VK_FORMAT_UNDEFINED { print(`r3d: vulkan: no image format for GL format {ifmt}`);  return false }
@@ -304,6 +306,7 @@ function gvk_tex_upload(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, tex: int, ifmt: int, w:
 # A target made without pixels has one level; the renderer asking it for mipmaps (the exposure
 # measure reads the HDR scene's smallest level every frame) grows it a full chain, level 0 kept.
 function gvk_tex_grow_mips(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, tex: int, w: int, h: int) -> bool {
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)                # the frame in flight may still read it
   let old_image = render3d_st.gvk_tex_image[tex]
   let old_view = render3d_st.gvk_tex_view[tex]
   let old_mem = render3d_st.gvk_tex_mem[tex]
@@ -420,6 +423,7 @@ function gvk_tex_read(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, tex: int, ifmt: int, w: in
 }
 
 function gvk_tex_release(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, tex: int) -> void {
+  gvk_frame_wait(render3d_st)                # the frame in flight may still read it
   if render3d_st.gvk_tex_image[tex] == 0 { return }
   let zero: long = 0
   Vk.destroy_image_view(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_tex_view[tex], null)
@@ -553,8 +557,8 @@ function gvk_buf_new(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> int {
 function gvk_buf_release(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, b: int) -> void {
   if render3d_st.gvk_buf[b] == 0 { return }
   let zero: long = 0
-  if render3d_st.gvk_buf_used[b] == render3d_st.gvk_frame_no {
-    # a draw recorded this frame still reads it: destroy it once the frame has been submitted
+  if gvk_buf_busy(render3d_st, b) {
+    # a draw recorded this frame (or the frame in flight) still reads it: destroy it once the frame has been submitted
     push(render3d_st.gvk_retired_buf, render3d_st.gvk_buf[b]);  push(render3d_st.gvk_retired_mem, render3d_st.gvk_buf_mem[b])
   } else {
     Vk.destroy_buffer(render3d_st.gvk_dev, render3d_st.gvk_buf[b], null)
@@ -562,6 +566,12 @@ function gvk_buf_release(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, b: int) -> void {
   }
   render3d_st.gvk_buf[b] = zero;  render3d_st.gvk_buf_mem[b] = zero;  render3d_st.gvk_buf_size[b] = 0;  render3d_st.gvk_buf_map[b] = null;  render3d_st.gvk_buf_used[b] = 0
 }
+# read by a draw recorded this frame, or by the presented frame still on the GPU
+function gvk_buf_busy(render3d_st: Render3dState, b: int) -> bool {
+  let u = render3d_st.gvk_buf_used[b]
+  return u == render3d_st.gvk_frame_no or (render3d_st.gvk_frame_pending and u == render3d_st.gvk_frame_no - 1)
+}
+
 # the frame's submitted work is done: storage retired during it can go
 function gvk_retire_flush(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
   if render3d_st.gvk_retired_buf == null { return }
@@ -587,7 +597,7 @@ function gvk_buf_is_gpu(render3d_st: Render3dState, b: int) -> bool { return ren
 function gvk_buf_reserve(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, b: int, n: int) -> bool {
   if b <= 0 or b >= len(render3d_st.gvk_buf) { return false }
   # already big enough, and no draw this frame reads what is there: fill it in place
-  if render3d_st.gvk_buf[b] != 0 and render3d_st.gvk_buf_size[b] >= n and (render3d_st.gvk_buf_used[b] != render3d_st.gvk_frame_no or gvk_buf_is_gpu(render3d_st, b)) { return true }
+  if render3d_st.gvk_buf[b] != 0 and render3d_st.gvk_buf_size[b] >= n and (not gvk_buf_busy(render3d_st, b) or gvk_buf_is_gpu(render3d_st, b)) { return true }
   gvk_buf_release(render3d_st, b)
   var size = n
   if size < 64 { size = 64 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/266d2401.frag.spv b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/266d2401.frag.spv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ab904275
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/266d2401.frag.spv differ
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/266d2401.vert.spv b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/266d2401.vert.spv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba23f6d5
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/266d2401.vert.spv differ
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/5e70d731.frag.spv b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/5e70d731.frag.spv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..529200bb
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/5e70d731.frag.spv differ
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/5e70d731.vert.spv b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/5e70d731.vert.spv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..215b17d6
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/5e70d731.vert.spv differ
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/b603a056.frag.spv b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/b603a056.frag.spv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3f473cc5
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/b603a056.frag.spv differ
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/b603a056.vert.spv b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/b603a056.vert.spv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..215b17d6
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/b603a056.vert.spv differ
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/manifest.txt b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/manifest.txt
index d0bd2869..c344f908 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/manifest.txt
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/spv/manifest.txt
@@ -141,6 +141,56 @@ T c57b4f14 u_shadow 5
 T c57b4f14 u_src 6
 T c57b4f14 u_tershadow 7
 T c57b4f14 u_ts_height 8
+P 5161e6ba fullscreen.vert dof.frag 
+B 5161e6ba frag 1 916
+U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
+U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_split 320 float 5 16
+U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_range 400 float 5 16
+U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_texel 480 float 5 16
+U 5161e6ba frag u_sun_dir 560 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_sun_color 576 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_cam_pos 592 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_prefilter_levels 604 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_density 608 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_height_falloff 612 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_base 616 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_clip_y 620 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_spec_scale 624 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_sky_rot 632 vec2 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_alb 640 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_alb_hi 656 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_hi_y 668 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_hi_w 672 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ibl_scale 688 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_daylight 700 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_fire_pos 704 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_fire_color 720 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_pos 736 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_color 752 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_dir 768 vec3 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_cone 780 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_reach 784 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ts_origin 792 vec2 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ts_half 800 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_ts_on 804 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_force_cascade 808 int 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_cloud_shadow 812 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_time 816 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_inscatter 820 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_desat 824 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_inv_proj 832 mat4 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_texel 896 vec2 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_focus 904 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_aperture 908 float 1 0
+U 5161e6ba frag u_max_coc 912 float 1 0
+T 5161e6ba u_brdf 2
+T 5161e6ba u_depth 3
+T 5161e6ba u_irradiance 4
+T 5161e6ba u_prefilter 5
+T 5161e6ba u_shadow 6
+T 5161e6ba u_src 7
+T 5161e6ba u_tershadow 8
+T 5161e6ba u_ts_height 9
 P 4be7acd9 fullscreen.vert heightgen.frag #define DEM;
 B 4be7acd9 frag 1 920
 U 4be7acd9 frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
@@ -740,6 +790,58 @@ T a4683767 u_prefilter 8
 T a4683767 u_shadow 9
 T a4683767 u_tershadow 10
 T a4683767 u_ts_height 11
+P 74258189 fullscreen.vert volumetric.frag 
+B 74258189 frag 1 924
+U 74258189 frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
+U 74258189 frag u_cascade_split 320 float 5 16
+U 74258189 frag u_cascade_range 400 float 5 16
+U 74258189 frag u_cascade_texel 480 float 5 16
+U 74258189 frag u_sun_dir 560 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_sun_color 576 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_cam_pos 592 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_prefilter_levels 604 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_fog_density 608 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_fog_height_falloff 612 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_fog_base 616 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_clip_y 620 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_spec_scale 624 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_sky_rot 632 vec2 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ground_alb 640 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ground_alb_hi 656 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ground_hi_y 668 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ground_hi_w 672 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ibl_scale 688 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_daylight 700 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_fire_pos 704 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_fire_color 720 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_hand_pos 736 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_hand_color 752 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_hand_dir 768 vec3 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_hand_cone 780 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_hand_reach 784 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ts_origin 792 vec2 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ts_half 800 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_ts_on 804 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_force_cascade 808 int 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_cloud_shadow 812 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_time 816 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_fog_inscatter 820 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_fog_desat 824 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_inv_vp 832 mat4 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_vol_steps 896 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_vol_density 900 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_vol_falloff 904 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_vol_far 908 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_vol_g 912 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_vol_mist 916 float 1 0
+U 74258189 frag u_vol_mist_h 920 float 1 0
+T 74258189 u_brdf 2
+T 74258189 u_depth 3
+T 74258189 u_irradiance 4
+T 74258189 u_prefilter 5
+T 74258189 u_shadow 6
+T 74258189 u_tershadow 7
+T 74258189 u_ts_height 8
 P d48d6a48 grass.mesh model.frag #define FOLIAGE;#define BLADE;#define MESH;
 B d48d6a48 vert 0 4384
 U d48d6a48 vert u_view 0 mat4 1 0
@@ -1355,6 +1457,68 @@ T bfa15301 u_prefilter 5
 T bfa15301 u_shadow 6
 T bfa15301 u_tershadow 7
 T bfa15301 u_ts_height 8
+P 266d2401 model.vert depth.frag #define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define ALPHA_TEST;#define NEAR_FADE;
+B 266d2401 vert 0 236
+U 266d2401 vert u_view 0 mat4 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_proj 64 mat4 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_light_vp 128 mat4 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_time 192 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_wind 196 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_card_w 200 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_card_h 204 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_ground 208 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_ts_origin 216 vec2 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_ts_half 224 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_model_h 228 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 vert u_flutter 232 float 1 0
+I 266d2401 i_rot 4 vec4
+I 266d2401 a_pos 0 vec3
+I 266d2401 i_pos 3 vec4
+I 266d2401 a_nrm 1 vec3
+I 266d2401 a_uv 2 vec2
+B 266d2401 frag 1 828
+U 266d2401 frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
+U 266d2401 frag u_cascade_split 320 float 5 16
+U 266d2401 frag u_cascade_range 400 float 5 16
+U 266d2401 frag u_cascade_texel 480 float 5 16
+U 266d2401 frag u_sun_dir 560 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_sun_color 576 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_cam_pos 592 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_prefilter_levels 604 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_fog_density 608 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_fog_height_falloff 612 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_fog_base 616 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_clip_y 620 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_spec_scale 624 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_sky_rot 632 vec2 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ground_alb 640 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ground_alb_hi 656 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ground_hi_y 668 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ground_hi_w 672 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ibl_scale 688 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_daylight 700 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_fire_pos 704 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_fire_color 720 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_hand_pos 736 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_hand_color 752 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_hand_dir 768 vec3 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_hand_cone 780 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_hand_reach 784 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ts_origin 792 vec2 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ts_half 800 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_ts_on 804 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_force_cascade 808 int 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_cloud_shadow 812 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_time 816 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_fog_inscatter 820 float 1 0
+U 266d2401 frag u_fog_desat 824 float 1 0
+T 266d2401 u_brdf 2
+T 266d2401 u_diff 3
+T 266d2401 u_irradiance 4
+T 266d2401 u_prefilter 5
+T 266d2401 u_shadow 6
+T 266d2401 u_tershadow 7
+T 266d2401 u_ts_height 8
 P 01089da8 model.vert model.frag 
 B 01089da8 vert 0 236
 U 01089da8 vert u_view 0 mat4 1 0
@@ -1566,6 +1730,76 @@ T 1ce5c5d1 u_prefilter 8
 T 1ce5c5d1 u_shadow 9
 T 1ce5c5d1 u_tershadow 10
 T 1ce5c5d1 u_ts_height 11
+P 5e70d731 model.vert model.frag #define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define ALPHA_TEST;#define NEAR_FADE;
+B 5e70d731 vert 0 236
+U 5e70d731 vert u_view 0 mat4 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_proj 64 mat4 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_light_vp 128 mat4 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_time 192 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_wind 196 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_card_w 200 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_card_h 204 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_ground 208 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_ts_origin 216 vec2 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_ts_half 224 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_model_h 228 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 vert u_flutter 232 float 1 0
+I 5e70d731 i_rot 4 vec4
+I 5e70d731 a_pos 0 vec3
+I 5e70d731 i_pos 3 vec4
+I 5e70d731 a_nrm 1 vec3
+I 5e70d731 a_uv 2 vec2
+B 5e70d731 frag 1 916
+U 5e70d731 frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
+U 5e70d731 frag u_cascade_split 320 float 5 16
+U 5e70d731 frag u_cascade_range 400 float 5 16
+U 5e70d731 frag u_cascade_texel 480 float 5 16
+U 5e70d731 frag u_sun_dir 560 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_sun_color 576 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_cam_pos 592 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_prefilter_levels 604 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_fog_density 608 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_fog_height_falloff 612 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_fog_base 616 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_clip_y 620 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_spec_scale 624 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_sky_rot 632 vec2 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ground_alb 640 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ground_alb_hi 656 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ground_hi_y 668 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ground_hi_w 672 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ibl_scale 688 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_daylight 700 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_fire_pos 704 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_fire_color 720 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_hand_pos 736 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_hand_color 752 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_hand_dir 768 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_hand_cone 780 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_hand_reach 784 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ts_origin 792 vec2 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ts_half 800 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_ts_on 804 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_force_cascade 808 int 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_cloud_shadow 812 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_time 816 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_fog_inscatter 820 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_fog_desat 824 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_model_h 828 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_view 832 mat4 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_tint 896 vec3 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_rough_scale 908 float 1 0
+U 5e70d731 frag u_emissive 912 float 1 0
+T 5e70d731 u_arm 2
+T 5e70d731 u_blade_tex 3
+T 5e70d731 u_brdf 4
+T 5e70d731 u_diff 5
+T 5e70d731 u_irradiance 6
+T 5e70d731 u_nrm 7
+T 5e70d731 u_prefilter 8
+T 5e70d731 u_shadow 9
+T 5e70d731 u_tershadow 10
+T 5e70d731 u_ts_height 11
 P f4a2b586 model.vert model.frag #define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define BLADE;
 B f4a2b586 vert 0 252
 U f4a2b586 vert u_view 0 mat4 1 0
@@ -1783,6 +2017,76 @@ T 4dda406a u_prefilter 8
 T 4dda406a u_shadow 9
 T 4dda406a u_tershadow 10
 T 4dda406a u_ts_height 11
+P b603a056 model.vert model.frag #define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define EQ_PASS;#define NEAR_FADE;
+B b603a056 vert 0 236
+U b603a056 vert u_view 0 mat4 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_proj 64 mat4 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_light_vp 128 mat4 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_time 192 float 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_wind 196 float 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_card_w 200 float 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_card_h 204 float 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_ground 208 float 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_ts_origin 216 vec2 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_ts_half 224 float 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_model_h 228 float 1 0
+U b603a056 vert u_flutter 232 float 1 0
+I b603a056 i_rot 4 vec4
+I b603a056 a_pos 0 vec3
+I b603a056 i_pos 3 vec4
+I b603a056 a_nrm 1 vec3
+I b603a056 a_uv 2 vec2
+B b603a056 frag 1 916
+U b603a056 frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
+U b603a056 frag u_cascade_split 320 float 5 16
+U b603a056 frag u_cascade_range 400 float 5 16
+U b603a056 frag u_cascade_texel 480 float 5 16
+U b603a056 frag u_sun_dir 560 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_sun_color 576 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_cam_pos 592 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_prefilter_levels 604 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_fog_density 608 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_fog_height_falloff 612 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_fog_base 616 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_clip_y 620 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_spec_scale 624 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_sky_rot 632 vec2 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ground_alb 640 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ground_alb_hi 656 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ground_hi_y 668 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ground_hi_w 672 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ibl_scale 688 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_daylight 700 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_fire_pos 704 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_fire_color 720 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_hand_pos 736 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_hand_color 752 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_hand_dir 768 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_hand_cone 780 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_hand_reach 784 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ts_origin 792 vec2 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ts_half 800 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_ts_on 804 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_force_cascade 808 int 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_cloud_shadow 812 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_time 816 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_fog_inscatter 820 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_fog_desat 824 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_model_h 828 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_view 832 mat4 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_tint 896 vec3 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_rough_scale 908 float 1 0
+U b603a056 frag u_emissive 912 float 1 0
+T b603a056 u_arm 2
+T b603a056 u_blade_tex 3
+T b603a056 u_brdf 4
+T b603a056 u_diff 5
+T b603a056 u_irradiance 6
+T b603a056 u_nrm 7
+T b603a056 u_prefilter 8
+T b603a056 u_shadow 9
+T b603a056 u_tershadow 10
+T b603a056 u_ts_height 11
 P 3b183d8f model.vert model.frag #define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define FLOWER;
 B 3b183d8f vert 0 236
 U 3b183d8f vert u_view 0 mat4 1 0
@@ -3218,105 +3522,3 @@ T 46e2325c u_scene 7
 T 46e2325c u_shadow 8
 T 46e2325c u_tershadow 9
 T 46e2325c u_ts_height 10
-P 74258189 fullscreen.vert volumetric.frag 
-B 74258189 frag 1 924
-U 74258189 frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
-U 74258189 frag u_cascade_split 320 float 5 16
-U 74258189 frag u_cascade_range 400 float 5 16
-U 74258189 frag u_cascade_texel 480 float 5 16
-U 74258189 frag u_sun_dir 560 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_sun_color 576 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_cam_pos 592 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_prefilter_levels 604 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_fog_density 608 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_fog_height_falloff 612 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_fog_base 616 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_clip_y 620 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_spec_scale 624 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_sky_rot 632 vec2 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ground_alb 640 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ground_alb_hi 656 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ground_hi_y 668 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ground_hi_w 672 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ibl_scale 688 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_daylight 700 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_fire_pos 704 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_fire_color 720 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_hand_pos 736 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_hand_color 752 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_hand_dir 768 vec3 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_hand_cone 780 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_hand_reach 784 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ts_origin 792 vec2 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ts_half 800 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_ts_on 804 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_force_cascade 808 int 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_cloud_shadow 812 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_time 816 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_fog_inscatter 820 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_fog_desat 824 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_inv_vp 832 mat4 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_vol_steps 896 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_vol_density 900 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_vol_falloff 904 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_vol_far 908 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_vol_g 912 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_vol_mist 916 float 1 0
-U 74258189 frag u_vol_mist_h 920 float 1 0
-T 74258189 u_brdf 2
-T 74258189 u_depth 3
-T 74258189 u_irradiance 4
-T 74258189 u_prefilter 5
-T 74258189 u_shadow 6
-T 74258189 u_tershadow 7
-T 74258189 u_ts_height 8
-P 5161e6ba fullscreen.vert dof.frag 
-B 5161e6ba frag 1 916
-U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_vp 0 mat4 5 64
-U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_split 320 float 5 16
-U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_range 400 float 5 16
-U 5161e6ba frag u_cascade_texel 480 float 5 16
-U 5161e6ba frag u_sun_dir 560 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_sun_color 576 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_cam_pos 592 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_prefilter_levels 604 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_density 608 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_height_falloff 612 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_base 616 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_clip_y 620 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_spec_scale 624 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_sky_rot 632 vec2 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_alb 640 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_alb_hi 656 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_hi_y 668 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ground_hi_w 672 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ibl_scale 688 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_daylight 700 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_fire_pos 704 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_fire_color 720 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_pos 736 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_color 752 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_dir 768 vec3 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_cone 780 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_hand_reach 784 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ts_origin 792 vec2 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ts_half 800 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_ts_on 804 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_force_cascade 808 int 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_cloud_shadow 812 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_time 816 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_inscatter 820 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_fog_desat 824 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_inv_proj 832 mat4 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_texel 896 vec2 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_focus 904 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_aperture 908 float 1 0
-U 5161e6ba frag u_max_coc 912 float 1 0
-T 5161e6ba u_brdf 2
-T 5161e6ba u_depth 3
-T 5161e6ba u_irradiance 4
-T 5161e6ba u_prefilter 5
-T 5161e6ba u_shadow 6
-T 5161e6ba u_src 7
-T 5161e6ba u_tershadow 8
-T 5161e6ba u_ts_height 9
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/variants.list b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/variants.list
index fad4fc28..fee8e402 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/variants.list
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/shaders/variants.list
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 fullscreen.vert|adapt.frag|
 fullscreen.vert|bloom_down.frag|
 fullscreen.vert|bloom_up.frag|
+fullscreen.vert|dof.frag|
 fullscreen.vert|heightgen.frag|#define DEM;
 fullscreen.vert|ibl_brdf.frag|
 fullscreen.vert|ibl_irradiance.frag|
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ fullscreen.vert|ternormal.frag|
 fullscreen.vert|tershadow.frag|#define NOISE_ONLY;
 fullscreen.vert|tonemap.frag|
 fullscreen.vert|tonemap.frag|#define HDR10;
+fullscreen.vert|volumetric.frag|
 grass.mesh|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define BLADE;#define MESH;
 grass.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define BLADE;
 grass.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define BLADE;#define TILES;
@@ -26,12 +28,15 @@ model.vert|bake.frag|
 model.vert|bake.frag|#define CARD;
 model.vert|bake.frag|#define FLOWER;
 model.vert|depth.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define ALPHA_TEST;
+model.vert|depth.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define ALPHA_TEST;#define NEAR_FADE;
 model.vert|model.frag|
 model.vert|model.frag|#define CARD;#define CHEAP;
 model.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define ALPHA_TEST;
+model.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define ALPHA_TEST;#define NEAR_FADE;
 model.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define BLADE;
 model.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define CARD;
 model.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define EQ_PASS;
+model.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define EQ_PASS;#define NEAR_FADE;
 model.vert|model.frag|#define FOLIAGE;#define WIND;#define FLOWER;
 model.vert|model.frag|#define SHADOW_PASS;#define WIND;#define CARD;
 model.vert|model.frag|#define WIND;
@@ -54,5 +59,3 @@ terrain.vert|terrain.frag|#define SUN_INLINE;#define FAR_ONLY;
 terrain.vert|terrain.frag|#define SUN_INLINE;#define NEAR_ONLY;
 terrain.vert|tersun.frag|
 water.vert|water.frag|
-fullscreen.vert|volumetric.frag|
-fullscreen.vert|dof.frag|
diff --git a/runtime/native/cocoa.ll b/runtime/native/cocoa.ll
index 81f4e225..d6800e0c 100644
--- a/runtime/native/cocoa.ll
+++ b/runtime/native/cocoa.ll
@@ -1607,6 +1607,14 @@ go:
   %scale = select i1 %ison, i32 %bsv, i32 1
   store i32 %scale, ptr @W_glscale
   call void @win_gl_update()
+  ; a Metal layer (Vulkan) draws at the same scale
+  %ml = load ptr, ptr @W_mtl
+  %noml = icmp eq ptr %ml, null
+  br i1 %noml, label %out, label %mtl
+mtl:
+  %scd = sitofp i32 %scale to double
+  %sel_csc = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_setcsc)
+  %rm = call ptr (ptr, ptr, double) @objc_msgSend(ptr %ml, ptr %sel_csc, double %scd)
   br label %out
 out:
   ret void
@@ -2035,3 +2043,81 @@ define ptr @win_native_instance() {
 entry:
   ret ptr null
 }
+
+; ---- a Metal layer on the view, for Vulkan through MoltenVK -----------------------------
+; VK_EXT_metal_surface presents to a CAMetalLayer, so the view is made layer-hosting with one
+; (the layer set before wantsLayer, which is what makes the view host it rather than back it).
+; Its contentsScale is the window's backing scale, or the swapchain's pixels are stretched over
+; a Retina window's points; @W_glscale follows it, as win_gl_attach sets it for OpenGL. The class
+; is looked up by name: the program links QuartzCore when it uses Vk.* (null without it).
+;   win_metal_layer() -> CAMetalLayer* | null (no window, or no QuartzCore)
+@.c_mtllayer = private unnamed_addr constant [13 x i8] c"CAMetalLayer\00"
+@.s_layer    = private unnamed_addr constant [6 x i8]  c"layer\00"
+@.s_retain   = private unnamed_addr constant [7 x i8]  c"retain\00"
+@.s_setlayer = private unnamed_addr constant [10 x i8] c"setLayer:\00"
+@.s_wantsl   = private unnamed_addr constant [15 x i8] c"setWantsLayer:\00"
+@.s_setcsc   = private unnamed_addr constant [18 x i8] c"setContentsScale:\00"
+@W_mtl = internal global ptr null
+
+define ptr @win_metal_layer() {
+entry:
+  %have = load ptr, ptr @W_mtl
+  %got = icmp ne ptr %have, null
+  br i1 %got, label %done, label %make
+make:
+  %view = load ptr, ptr @W_view
+  %win = load ptr, ptr @W_win
+  %noview = icmp eq ptr %view, null
+  %nowin = icmp eq ptr %win, null
+  %nothing = or i1 %noview, %nowin
+  br i1 %nothing, label %none, label %cls
+cls:
+  %c = call ptr @objc_getClass(ptr @.c_mtllayer)
+  %noc = icmp eq ptr %c, null
+  br i1 %noc, label %none, label %go
+go:
+  %sel_l = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_layer)
+  %l0 = call ptr @objc_msgSend(ptr %c, ptr %sel_l)
+  %sel_r = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_retain)
+  %l = call ptr @objc_msgSend(ptr %l0, ptr %sel_r)
+  %sel_bs = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_bscale)
+  %bs = call double (ptr, ptr) @objc_msgSend(ptr %win, ptr %sel_bs)
+  %bsok = fcmp ogt double %bs, 0.0
+  %scale = select i1 %bsok, double %bs, double 1.0
+  %sel_cs = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_setcsc)
+  %r0 = call ptr (ptr, ptr, double) @objc_msgSend(ptr %l, ptr %sel_cs, double %scale)
+  %sel_sl = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_setlayer)
+  %r1 = call ptr (ptr, ptr, ptr) @objc_msgSend(ptr %view, ptr %sel_sl, ptr %l)
+  %sel_wl = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_wantsl)
+  %r2 = call ptr (ptr, ptr, i8) @objc_msgSend(ptr %view, ptr %sel_wl, i8 1)
+  %si = fptosi double %scale to i32
+  store i32 %si, ptr @W_glscale
+  store ptr %l, ptr @W_mtl
+  ret ptr %l
+done:
+  ret ptr %have
+none:
+  ret ptr null
+}
+
+; ---- is the window on screen ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+; A covered or minimised window's CAMetalLayer hands out drawables at the compositor's pace (a
+; second's timeout each), so a Vulkan frame waiting for one stalled the whole game at 3 fps behind
+; another window. NSWindowOcclusionStateVisible is bit 1 of -occlusionState.
+;   win_visible() -> 1 | 0 (1 with no window)
+@.s_occl = private unnamed_addr constant [15 x i8] c"occlusionState\00"
+define i32 @win_visible() {
+entry:
+  %win = load ptr, ptr @W_win
+  %nowin = icmp eq ptr %win, null
+  br i1 %nowin, label %yes, label %ask
+ask:
+  %sel = call ptr @sel_registerName(ptr @.s_occl)
+  %st = call i64 (ptr, ptr) @objc_msgSend(ptr %win, ptr %sel)
+  %bit = and i64 %st, 2
+  %vis = icmp ne i64 %bit, 0
+  %r = zext i1 %vis to i32
+  ret i32 %r
+yes:
+  ret i32 1
+}
diff --git a/runtime/native/gl.ll b/runtime/native/gl.ll
index 5b7b6f74..235a254a 100644
--- a/runtime/native/gl.ll
+++ b/runtime/native/gl.ll
@@ -398,6 +398,15 @@ define weak ptr @win_native_instance() {
 entry:
   ret ptr null
 }
+define weak ptr @win_metal_layer() {
+entry:
+  ret ptr null
+}
+; the window is always drawn to here (cocoa.ll asks macOS whether it is covered)
+define weak i32 @win_visible() {
+entry:
+  ret i32 1
+}
 ; the drawable's size, for a graphics API that follows the window without a GL context (render3d's
 ; Vulkan resize check); headless there is no window, so 0 x 0. cocoa.ll's real one wins when linked.
 ; win_set_title: cocoa.ll's in a windowed build; nothing to retitle headless
diff --git a/runtime/native/gl_win_nowin.ll b/runtime/native/gl_win_nowin.ll
index 539ed6f6..52025b88 100644
--- a/runtime/native/gl_win_nowin.ll
+++ b/runtime/native/gl_win_nowin.ll
@@ -52,6 +52,16 @@ define ptr @win_native_instance() {
 entry:
   ret ptr null
 }
+; macOS only (cocoa.ll): the CAMetalLayer MoltenVK presents to
+define ptr @win_metal_layer() {
+entry:
+  ret ptr null
+}
+; the window is always drawn to here (cocoa.ll asks macOS whether it is covered)
+define i32 @win_visible() {
+entry:
+  ret i32 1
+}
 
 define void @win_set_title(ptr %title) {
 entry:
diff --git a/runtime/native/vk_mac.ll b/runtime/native/vk_mac.ll
index 51c976db..e34cd65b 100644
--- a/runtime/native/vk_mac.ll
+++ b/runtime/native/vk_mac.ll
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 ; macOS has no Vulkan of its own: the LunarG loader and MoltenVK (Vulkan over
 ; Metal) come with the Vulkan SDK or with a game that bundles them. So the loader
 ; is looked for at run time - beside the executable, in the usual library
-; directories, then under $VULKAN_SDK - and a Mac without it gets 0 from vk_open
-; and stays on OpenGL. The contract is vk_win.ll's:
+; directories, then MoltenVK on its own (a bundle's Contents/Frameworks), then under
+; $VULKAN_SDK - and a Mac without any gets 0 from vk_open and stays on OpenGL. The contract is vk_win.ll's:
 ;
 ;   lvk_open() -> 1 | 0      lvk_sym(name) -> ptr      lvk_has(name) -> 1 | 0
 ;
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ declare i32 @lvk_bind()
 @.lvk_c3 = private unnamed_addr constant [36 x i8] c"/opt/homebrew/lib/libvulkan.1.dylib\00"
 @.lvk_env = private unnamed_addr constant [11 x i8] c"VULKAN_SDK\00"
 @.lvk_fmt = private unnamed_addr constant [25 x i8] c"%s/lib/libvulkan.1.dylib\00"
+@.lvk_fmtm = private unnamed_addr constant [25 x i8] c"%s/lib/libMoltenVK.dylib\00"
+@.lvk_m0 = private unnamed_addr constant [49 x i8] c"@executable_path/../Frameworks/libMoltenVK.dylib\00"
+@.lvk_m1 = private unnamed_addr constant [35 x i8] c"@executable_path/libMoltenVK.dylib\00"
+@.lvk_m2 = private unnamed_addr constant [18 x i8] c"libMoltenVK.dylib\00"
 @lvk_lib  = internal global ptr null
 
 ; RTLD_NOW (2) | RTLD_LOCAL (4)
@@ -34,52 +38,51 @@ entry:
   ret ptr %h
 }
 
+; the candidates in order: a Vulkan loader first (the SDK's, so the validation layer can be
+; stacked in development), then MoltenVK itself, which exports every vk* entry point and is what
+; a bundle ships in Contents/Frameworks - no loader, no ICD json.
+@lvk_paths = internal constant [7 x ptr] [ptr @.lvk_c0, ptr @.lvk_c1, ptr @.lvk_c2, ptr @.lvk_c3, ptr @.lvk_m0, ptr @.lvk_m1, ptr @.lvk_m2]
+
 define i32 @lvk_open() {
 entry:
   %have = load ptr, ptr @lvk_lib
   %open = icmp ne ptr %have, null
-  br i1 %open, label %ok, label %t0
-t0:
-  %h0 = call ptr @lvk_try(ptr @.lvk_c0)
-  %n0 = icmp eq ptr %h0, null
-  br i1 %n0, label %t1, label %got0
-got0:
-  store ptr %h0, ptr @lvk_lib
+  br i1 %open, label %ok, label %loop
+loop:
+  %i = phi i32 [ 0, %entry ], [ %i1, %next ]
+  %slot = getelementptr [7 x ptr], ptr @lvk_paths, i32 0, i32 %i
+  %path = load ptr, ptr %slot
+  %h = call ptr @lvk_try(ptr %path)
+  %miss = icmp eq ptr %h, null
+  br i1 %miss, label %next, label %got
+next:
+  %i1 = add i32 %i, 1
+  %more = icmp slt i32 %i1, 7
+  br i1 %more, label %loop, label %sdk
+got:
+  store ptr %h, ptr @lvk_lib
   br label %bind
-t1:
-  %h1 = call ptr @lvk_try(ptr @.lvk_c1)
-  %n1 = icmp eq ptr %h1, null
-  br i1 %n1, label %t2, label %got1
-got1:
-  store ptr %h1, ptr @lvk_lib
-  br label %bind
-t2:
-  %h2 = call ptr @lvk_try(ptr @.lvk_c2)
-  %n2 = icmp eq ptr %h2, null
-  br i1 %n2, label %t3, label %got2
-got2:
-  store ptr %h2, ptr @lvk_lib
-  br label %bind
-t3:
-  %h3 = call ptr @lvk_try(ptr @.lvk_c3)
-  %n3 = icmp eq ptr %h3, null
-  br i1 %n3, label %t4, label %got3
-got3:
-  store ptr %h3, ptr @lvk_lib
-  br label %bind
-t4:
-  %sdk = call ptr @getenv(ptr @.lvk_env)
-  %nosdk = icmp eq ptr %sdk, null
-  br i1 %nosdk, label %fail, label %t4b
-t4b:
+sdk:
+  %sdkp = call ptr @getenv(ptr @.lvk_env)
+  %nosdk = icmp eq ptr %sdkp, null
+  br i1 %nosdk, label %fail, label %s1
+s1:
   %buf = alloca [1024 x i8]
-  %w = call i32 (ptr, i64, ptr, ...) @snprintf(ptr %buf, i64 1024, ptr @.lvk_fmt, ptr %sdk)
+  %w = call i32 (ptr, i64, ptr, ...) @snprintf(ptr %buf, i64 1024, ptr @.lvk_fmt, ptr %sdkp)
   %h4 = call ptr @lvk_try(ptr %buf)
   %n4 = icmp eq ptr %h4, null
-  br i1 %n4, label %fail, label %got4
+  br i1 %n4, label %s2, label %got4
+s2:
+  %w2 = call i32 (ptr, i64, ptr, ...) @snprintf(ptr %buf, i64 1024, ptr @.lvk_fmtm, ptr %sdkp)
+  %h5 = call ptr @lvk_try(ptr %buf)
+  %n5 = icmp eq ptr %h5, null
+  br i1 %n5, label %fail, label %got5
 got4:
   store ptr %h4, ptr @lvk_lib
   br label %bind
+got5:
+  store ptr %h5, ptr @lvk_lib
+  br label %bind
 bind:
   %n = call i32 @lvk_bind()
   br label %ok
diff --git a/runtime/native/win32.ll b/runtime/native/win32.ll
index 81cd4bd7..c7fc24d3 100644
--- a/runtime/native/win32.ll
+++ b/runtime/native/win32.ll
@@ -547,6 +547,16 @@ entry:
   %inst = call ptr @GetModuleHandleA(ptr null)
   ret ptr %inst
 }
+; macOS only (cocoa.ll): the CAMetalLayer MoltenVK presents to
+define ptr @win_metal_layer() {
+entry:
+  ret ptr null
+}
+; the window is always drawn to here (cocoa.ll asks macOS whether it is covered)
+define i32 @win_visible() {
+entry:
+  ret i32 1
+}
 
 ; set (%on != 0) or clear a key's bit in the 256-bit held set
 define void @win_held_bit(i32 %k, i32 %on) {
diff --git a/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin.ludic b/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin.ludic
index a7907d6a..ef33a771 100644
--- a/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin.ludic
+++ b/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin.ludic
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ function is_intrinsic(name: pointer) -> bool {
 function emit_bind(rest: pointer) -> pointer { let r = nreg();  emit("  ");  emit(r);  emit(" = ");  emit(rest);  emit("\n");  return r }
 
 function arg_code(e: Node, i: int) -> pointer { let v = emit_expr(e.kids[i]);  return v.code }
+# a buffer handed to the platform layer: a slice's elements, never its header (as an extern's are)
+function arg_buf(e: Node, i: int) -> pointer {
+  let v = emit_expr(e.kids[i])
+  if is_slice_ty(v.ty) { return emit_bind(`load ptr, ptr {slice_field(v.code, 0)}`) }
+  return v.code
+}
 
 function emit_intrinsic(name: pointer, e: Node) -> Val {
   g_intrin_ok = true
diff --git a/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin2.ludic b/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin2.ludic
index 594f9364..61514fa0 100644
--- a/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin2.ludic
+++ b/selfhost/backend/emit_intrin2.ludic
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ function emit_intrinsic2(name: pointer, e: Node) -> Val {
     return val("0", "void")
   }
   if (name == "win_present") {
-    let a = arg_code(e, 0);  let b = arg_code(e, 1);  let c = arg_code(e, 2)
+    let a = arg_buf(e, 0);  let b = arg_code(e, 1);  let c = arg_code(e, 2)
     emit("  call void @win_present(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(", i32 ");  emit(b);  emit(", i32 ");  emit(c);  emit(")\n")
     return val("0", "void")
   }
@@ -78,19 +78,19 @@ function emit_intrinsic2(name: pointer, e: Node) -> Val {
   # #50 — fill a caller buffer with the platform device state (windowed only,
   # DCE'd headless). win_held: an 8-word held-key bitset; win_mouse: [x, y,
   # button-mask, wheel-delta].
-  if (name == "win_held")  { let a = arg_code(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_held(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
-  if (name == "win_mouse") { let a = arg_code(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_mouse(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
+  if (name == "win_held")  { let a = arg_buf(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_held(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
+  if (name == "win_mouse") { let a = arg_buf(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_mouse(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
   # what the active keyboard layout types on a held-set key position (windowed only,
   # DCE'd headless): a code point, 0 for none.
   if (name == "win_key_char") { let a = arg_code(e, 0);  return val(emit_bind(`call i32 @win_key_char(i32 {a})`), "int") }
   # what the player TYPED since the last call - UTF-16 code units into the caller's buffer, one per
   # word, returning how many. The layout, the modifiers and any dead key are already applied, which
   # is why a name field must read this rather than build text out of key codes.
-  if (name == "win_text") { let a = arg_code(e, 0);  let b = arg_code(e, 1);  return val(emit_bind(`call i32 @win_text(ptr {a}, i32 {b})`), "int") }
+  if (name == "win_text") { let a = arg_buf(e, 0);  let b = arg_code(e, 1);  return val(emit_bind(`call i32 @win_text(ptr {a}, i32 {b})`), "int") }
   # #51 — win_pad: 6 words/pad [connected, mask, lx, ly, rx, ry]; win_touch: 3
   # words/point [active, x, y]. Both windowed-only, DCE'd headless.
-  if (name == "win_pad")   { let a = arg_code(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_pad(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
-  if (name == "win_touch") { let a = arg_code(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_touch(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
+  if (name == "win_pad")   { let a = arg_buf(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_pad(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
+  if (name == "win_touch") { let a = arg_buf(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_touch(ptr ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
   # #89 — set the OS cursor capture mode (windowed only; DCE'd headless).
   if (name == "win_cursor_mode") { let a = arg_code(e, 0);  emit("  call void @win_cursor_mode(i32 ");  emit(a);  emit(")\n");  return val("0", "void") }
   # #22 audio backend — AVAudioPlayer via audio.ll; windowed-only, DCE'd headless.
diff --git a/selfhost/main.ludic b/selfhost/main.ludic
index d4222bad..566b4982 100644
--- a/selfhost/main.ludic
+++ b/selfhost/main.ludic
@@ -358,6 +358,8 @@ entry {
     var vkl = join_path(home, "runtime/native/vk_mac.ll")
     if g_target_win { vkl = join_path(home, "runtime/native/vk_win.ll") }
     cmd = `{cmd} {vkt} {vkl}`
+    # the CAMetalLayer a macOS window presents through, found by name in cocoa.ll
+    if not g_target_win { cmd = `{cmd} -Wl,-needed_framework,QuartzCore` }
   }
   # A shipped Windows game is a GUI-subsystem program: started from Explorer, a
   # console-subsystem one opens a console window behind the game. mainCRTStartup keeps
diff --git a/tools/ludic-cli/build.ludic b/tools/ludic-cli/build.ludic
index 6a7f7de6..39c62872 100644
--- a/tools/ludic-cli/build.ludic
+++ b/tools/ludic-cli/build.ludic
@@ -102,7 +102,8 @@ function gl_link_flags(ll: pointer) -> pointer {
 function vk_link_flags(ll: pointer) -> pointer {
   if not shq(`grep -q "@lvk_" {ll}`) { return "" }
   let home = ludic_home()
-  return ` {home}runtime/native/vk_thunks.ll {home}runtime/native/vk_mac.ll`
+  # QuartzCore: the CAMetalLayer a window presents through (cocoa.ll finds the class by name)
+  return ` {home}runtime/native/vk_thunks.ll {home}runtime/native/vk_mac.ll -Wl,-needed_framework,QuartzCore`
 }
 
 # A program that uses Http.* calls the @hs_* transport; link http.ll and Foundation only