From 8dfd505ce4328fcae5f88c358ff17db985572f4e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: The_miro <amir@abdelbaki.eu>
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2026 17:17:48 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] feat(hyprdrive): materialize animations, dmenu mode,
 ship-systems astro rework
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Second daily-driving pass over the Cosmonaut Shell suite.

Animations (all four surfaces):
- Removed every slide-in reveal; each surface now only "materialises out of
  static" (compositor no_anim layerrule + in-app hologram intro). Longer, noisier,
  gradual fade-in: the content opacity ramps 0->1 (fade_widget) instead of a solid
  haze block popping on. Added a quick reverse "dissolve into static" outro on
  close. horizon-dock/orbit-menu use a slower 2.4s intro. Fixed a warm-reopen bug
  where a stale frame-clock baseline skipped the intro entirely.

horizon-dock:
- Center planet: bigger, sinks ~1/4 below the screen edge, translucent holographic
  body with a wide bloom halo, specular sheen, rim glow and a breathing pulse.
- Ornamental satellite glyphs: two rings framing the windows orbit, each with a
  random 3-7 satellites whose motion source is randomised (toward-cursor / mouseX
  / mouseY), so the quiet edges feel alive.
- Super+D now opens horizon-dock (astro-menu moved to Super+Shift+D).

orbit-menu:
- Classic dmenu mode: `--dmenu` reads newline items from stdin, shows them as ring
  nodes, prints the choice to stdout (exit 1 on cancel). Standalone NON_UNIQUE app
  so it never routes to the resident daemon; scripts/orbit-dmenu.sh wraps it with
  the gtk4-layer-shell preload.

astro-menu (sci-fi rework):
- Replaced the map module with "Ship Systems": a Gtk.Grid system monitor backed by
  backend/sysmon.sh. CPU->Thrusters, GPU->Hyperdrive, RAM->Life Support Systems,
  Storage->Cargo Hold (one aligned row per mounted drive with capacity), each a
  bracketed -<████░░░░>- usage meter + -( 54°C )- temperature readout.
- Renamed Bluetooth -> System Radio, Network -> Laser Antenna Uplink.
- Weather gains a "Planetary Environment Report" headline.

station-bar:
- The battery readout uses a fuel-tank glyph (the ship runs on fuel).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 .../hyprdrive/astro-menu/backend/sysmon.sh    | 101 ++++++++
 .../hyprdrive/astro-menu/lib/hologram.py      |  81 ++++++-
 .../hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/bluetooth.py |   4 +-
 .../hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/network.py   |   2 +-
 .../hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/sysmon.py    | 195 ++++++++++++++++
 .../hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/weather.py   |   8 +-
 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/registry.py  |   4 +-
 .../hyprdrive/astro-menu/style/style.css      |  14 ++
 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/window.py    |  10 +-
 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/dock.py    | 217 ++++++++++++------
 .../hyprdrive/horizon-dock/lib/hologram.py    |  81 ++++++-
 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/binds.lua      |   9 +-
 .../hyprdrive/hypr/usr/windowrules.lua        |   8 +-
 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/main.py      |  50 +++-
 .../hyprdrive/orbit-menu/orbit_menu.py        | 121 +++++++++-
 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/scripts/orbit-dmenu.sh  |  18 ++
 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/bar.py      |  15 +-
 .../hyprdrive/station-bar/lib/hologram.py     |  81 ++++++-
 18 files changed, 907 insertions(+), 112 deletions(-)
 create mode 100755 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/backend/sysmon.sh
 create mode 100644 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/sysmon.py
 create mode 100755 desktopenvs/hyprdrive/scripts/orbit-dmenu.sh

diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/backend/sysmon.sh b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/backend/sysmon.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..8bfdabd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/backend/sysmon.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# astro-menu system-monitor backend — the ship's "Systems Diagnostic".
+# Emits one TAB-separated record per subsystem:
+#
+#     CATEGORY <TAB> NAME <TAB> USAGE_PCT <TAB> TEMP_C <TAB> DETAIL
+#
+# CATEGORY is cpu|gpu|ram|disk (drives the icon). USAGE_PCT is 0..100. TEMP_C is
+# an integer °C or empty when no sensor exists. One `disk` row per mounted real
+# filesystem. Reads everything from /proc + /sys (no extra deps).
+set -uo pipefail
+
+milli_to_c() { awk '{printf "%d", ($1 + 500) / 1000}'; }
+
+hwmon_temp() {   # $1 = chip-name substring; first temp input of that chip, in °C
+    local h n t
+    for h in /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon*; do
+        n=$(cat "$h/name" 2>/dev/null) || continue
+        [[ "$n" == *"$1"* ]] || continue
+        for t in "$h"/temp*_input; do
+            [[ -r "$t" ]] && { milli_to_c < "$t"; return 0; }
+        done
+    done
+    return 1
+}
+
+hwmon_dir_temp() {   # $1 = hwmon dir, $2 = preferred label substring
+    local d="$1" pref="$2" lf lbl base
+    for lf in "$d"/temp*_label; do
+        [[ -r "$lf" ]] || continue
+        [[ "$(cat "$lf" 2>/dev/null)" == *"$pref"* ]] || continue
+        base="${lf%_label}_input"
+        [[ -r "$base" ]] && { milli_to_c < "$base"; return 0; }
+    done
+    for base in "$d"/temp*_input; do
+        [[ -r "$base" ]] && { milli_to_c < "$base"; return 0; }
+    done
+    return 1
+}
+
+nvme_temp() {   # $1 = disk (e.g. nvme0n1); temp of that specific controller, in °C
+    local ctrl h t
+    ctrl=$(basename "$(readlink -f "/sys/block/$1/device" 2>/dev/null)")
+    for h in /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon*; do
+        [[ "$(cat "$h/name" 2>/dev/null)" == "nvme" ]] || continue
+        [[ "$(basename "$(readlink -f "$h/device" 2>/dev/null)")" == "$ctrl" ]] || continue
+        for t in "$h"/temp*_input; do
+            [[ -r "$t" ]] && { milli_to_c < "$t"; return 0; }
+        done
+    done
+    return 1
+}
+
+# --- CPU: Thrusters ---------------------------------------------------------
+cpu_snapshot() { awk '/^cpu /{t=0; for (i=2; i<=NF; i++) t+=$i; print t, $5}' /proc/stat; }
+read t1 idle1 < <(cpu_snapshot); sleep 0.2; read t2 idle2 < <(cpu_snapshot)
+dtotal=$(( t2 - t1 )); didle=$(( idle2 - idle1 )); cpu_usage=0
+(( dtotal > 0 )) && cpu_usage=$(( ((dtotal - didle) * 100 + dtotal / 2) / dtotal ))
+cpu_temp=$(hwmon_temp k10temp) || cpu_temp=$(hwmon_temp coretemp) || cpu_temp=""
+printf 'cpu\tThrusters\t%s\t%s\t%s cores online\n' "$cpu_usage" "$cpu_temp" "$(nproc 2>/dev/null || echo '?')"
+
+# --- GPU: Hyperdrive (discrete = the card with the most VRAM) ---------------
+gpu_dev=""; best_vram=-1
+for d in /sys/class/drm/card[0-9]*/device; do
+    [[ -r "$d/gpu_busy_percent" ]] || continue
+    v=$(cat "$d/mem_info_vram_total" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+    (( v > best_vram )) && { best_vram=$v; gpu_dev=$d; }
+done
+gpu_usage=0; gpu_temp=""; gpu_detail="offline"
+if [[ -n "$gpu_dev" ]]; then
+    gpu_usage=$(cat "$gpu_dev/gpu_busy_percent" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+    for hd in "$gpu_dev"/hwmon/hwmon*; do
+        [[ -d "$hd" ]] && { gpu_temp=$(hwmon_dir_temp "$hd" junction) || gpu_temp=""; break; }
+    done
+    (( best_vram > 0 )) && gpu_detail=$(awk -v b="$best_vram" 'BEGIN{printf "%.0f GiB core", b/1073741824}')
+fi
+printf 'gpu\tHyperdrive\t%s\t%s\t%s\n' "$gpu_usage" "$gpu_temp" "$gpu_detail"
+
+# --- RAM: Life Support Systems ---------------------------------------------
+read ram_used ram_total < <(free -b | awk '/^Mem:/{print $3, $2}')
+ram_usage=0; (( ram_total > 0 )) && ram_usage=$(( (ram_used * 100 + ram_total / 2) / ram_total ))
+ram_temp=$(hwmon_temp spd5118) || ram_temp=$(hwmon_temp jc42) || ram_temp=""
+ram_detail=$(awk -v u="$ram_used" -v t="$ram_total" 'BEGIN{printf "%.1f/%.1f GiB", u/1073741824, t/1073741824}')
+printf 'ram\tLife Support Systems\t%s\t%s\t%s\n' "$ram_usage" "$ram_temp" "$ram_detail"
+
+# --- Storage: Cargo Hold (one row per real filesystem, deduped by device) ---
+declare -A seen
+while read -r src used size; do
+    [[ "$src" == /dev/* ]] || continue
+    [[ -n "${seen[$src]:-}" ]] && continue
+    seen[$src]=1
+    dev=$(basename "$src")                                   # e.g. sda1 / nvme0n1p2
+    disk=$(lsblk -no pkname "$src" 2>/dev/null | head -1)    # parent disk, if partitioned
+    [[ -z "$disk" ]] && disk="$dev"
+    (( size > 0 )) || continue
+    usage=$(( (used * 100 + size / 2) / size ))
+    temp=""; [[ "$disk" == nvme* ]] && { temp=$(nvme_temp "$disk") || temp=""; }
+    [[ -z "$temp" ]] && temp=$(hwmon_temp drivetemp 2>/dev/null) || true
+    detail=$(awk -v d="$dev" -v u="$used" -v t="$size" \
+             'BEGIN{printf "%-10s %.0f/%.0f GiB", d, u/1073741824, t/1073741824}')
+    printf 'disk\tCargo Hold\t%s\t%s\t%s\n' "$usage" "$temp" "$detail"
+done < <(df -B1 --output=source,used,size -x tmpfs -x devtmpfs -x overlay -x squashfs 2>/dev/null | tail -n +2)
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/lib/hologram.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/lib/hologram.py
index 72a8627..6c65a22 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/lib/hologram.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/lib/hologram.py
@@ -42,15 +42,24 @@ class HologramOverlay:
     NOISE_ALPHA_RANGE = (0.10, 0.34)
     EDGE_FADE_X = 64.0          # smooth horizontal fade-out of the scanline field
     EDGE_FADE_Y = 40.0          # smooth vertical fade-out
-    INTRO_DURATION = 0.6        # 'materialise out of static' opening animation
-    INTRO_STATIC = 520          # static specks at the very start of the intro
+    INTRO_DURATION = 1.5        # long, noisy 'materialise out of static' fade-in
+    INTRO_STATIC = 1200         # static specks at the very start of the intro
+    OUTRO_DURATION = 0.45       # quick reverse dissolve back into static on close
 
-    def __init__(self, enabled: bool = True, clip_func=None) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, enabled: bool = True, clip_func=None, fade_widget=None,
+                 intro_duration: float | None = None) -> None:
         self.enabled = enabled
         self._clip_func = clip_func   # optional path-setter to clip the holo to the UI shape
+        # widget whose opacity is ramped 0->1 during the intro so the UI genuinely
+        # fades in (a gradual reveal), rather than a solid haze block popping on
+        self._fade_widget = fade_widget
+        if intro_duration is not None:
+            self.INTRO_DURATION = intro_duration   # per-instance override of the class default
         self._sat_time = 0.0
         self._particles: list[dict] = []
         self._intro_t: float | None = None      # >=0 while the materialise intro plays
+        self._outro_t: float | None = None      # >=0 while the closing dissolve plays
+        self._outro_done = None                  # callback fired when the dissolve finishes
         self._mask_cache: tuple | None = None    # (w, h, pattern) edge-fade mask
 
         self.widget = Gtk.DrawingArea()
@@ -70,12 +79,42 @@ class HologramOverlay:
             self._intro_t += dt
             if self._intro_t >= self.INTRO_DURATION:
                 self._intro_t = None
+                if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                    self._fade_widget.set_opacity(1.0)
+            elif self._fade_widget is not None:
+                p = self._intro_t / self.INTRO_DURATION
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(p * p * (3 - 2 * p))   # smooth ramp 0->1
+        if self._outro_t is not None:
+            self._outro_t += dt
+            po = min(1.0, self._outro_t / self.OUTRO_DURATION)
+            if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(1.0 - po * po * (3 - 2 * po))   # ramp 1->0
+            if self._outro_t >= self.OUTRO_DURATION:
+                done = self._outro_done
+                self._outro_t = None
+                self._outro_done = None
+                if done is not None:
+                    done()
         self.widget.queue_draw()
 
     def start_intro(self) -> None:
         """Kick off the 'hologram materialising out of static' opening effect."""
         if self.enabled:
+            self._outro_t = None          # cancel any in-flight closing dissolve
+            self._outro_done = None
             self._intro_t = 0.0
+            if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(0.0)   # start hidden; tick() ramps it up
+
+    def start_outro(self, on_done) -> None:
+        """Play a quick reverse of the intro (content dissolving back into static),
+        then call on_done to actually hide. If disabled, hide immediately."""
+        if not self.enabled:
+            on_done()
+            return
+        self._intro_t = None              # cancel any in-flight opening intro
+        self._outro_t = 0.0
+        self._outro_done = on_done
 
     # -- drawing --------------------------------------------------------------
     def _draw_frame(self, _area, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
@@ -94,6 +133,8 @@ class HologramOverlay:
         cr.mask(self._edge_fade_mask(width, height))
         if self._intro_t is not None:
             self._draw_intro(cr, width, height)
+        elif self._outro_t is not None:
+            self._draw_outro(cr, width, height)
         if self._clip_func is not None:
             cr.restore()
 
@@ -127,20 +168,42 @@ class HologramOverlay:
     def _draw_intro(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
         p = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._intro_t or 0.0) / self.INTRO_DURATION))
         strength = 1.0 - p
-        cr.set_source_rgba(*_VIOLET, 0.28 * strength)   # haze the content emerges from
-        cr.paint()
+        # No solid veil block: the content itself fades in (see tick's fade_widget
+        # ramp). Here we only lay churning static over it — dense at first, thinning
+        # to nothing — so the UI resolves out of noise as it fades up.
         colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
-        for _ in range(int(self.INTRO_STATIC * strength)):
+        count = int(self.INTRO_STATIC * (strength ** 0.5))   # dense, thinning to none
+        for _ in range(count):
             x = random.uniform(0, width)
             y = random.uniform(0, height)
             col = random.choice(colors)
-            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.8) * (0.4 + 0.6 * strength))
-            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.4)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * strength))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
             cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
             cr.fill()
         band = p * height                               # a bright scan wiping down as it resolves
         cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * p - 1)))
-        cr.rectangle(0, band - 1.5, width, 3.0)
+        cr.rectangle(0, band - 2.0, width, 4.0)
+        cr.fill()
+
+    def _draw_outro(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
+        # Reverse of the intro: the content is already fading back out (tick's
+        # fade_widget ramp 1->0); here the static thickens from nothing as it goes,
+        # so the panel dissolves into noise just before it vanishes.
+        po = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._outro_t or 0.0) / self.OUTRO_DURATION))
+        colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
+        count = int(self.INTRO_STATIC * (po ** 0.5))
+        for _ in range(count):
+            x = random.uniform(0, width)
+            y = random.uniform(0, height)
+            col = random.choice(colors)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * po))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
+            cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
+            cr.fill()
+        band = (1.0 - po) * height                      # scan wiping back up as it dissolves
+        cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * po - 1)))
+        cr.rectangle(0, band - 2.0, width, 4.0)
         cr.fill()
 
     def _draw_content(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/bluetooth.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/bluetooth.py
index dfb79b5..38d816f 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/bluetooth.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/bluetooth.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class _BluetoothView(Gtk.Box):
             self._list.remove(child)
             child = self._list.get_first_child()
         if not self.bt:
-            self._list.append(Gtk.Label(label="No Bluetooth adapter"))
+            self._list.append(Gtk.Label(label="No System Radio hardware"))
             return
 
         devices = list(self.bt.get_devices())
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ def build(ctx: ModuleContext) -> ModuleInstance:
 
 SPEC = ModuleSpec(
     id="bluetooth",
-    title="Bluetooth",
+    title="System Radio",
     icon="",  # nf-fa-bluetooth
     build=build,
     default_enabled=True,
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/network.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/network.py
index 16b631c..10eb53a 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/network.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/network.py
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ def build(ctx: ModuleContext) -> ModuleInstance:
 
 SPEC = ModuleSpec(
     id="network",
-    title="Network",
+    title="Laser Antenna Uplink",
     icon="",  # nf-md-lan
     build=build,
     default_enabled=True,
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/sysmon.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/sysmon.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..573d8e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/sysmon.py
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+"""System-monitor quad ("Ship Systems"): the machine's vitals reskinned as a
+starship diagnostic panel. A small backend script (backend/sysmon.sh) reports
+usage + temperature for each subsystem, renamed in the ship's language:
+
+    CPU     -> Thrusters
+    GPU     -> Hyperdrive
+    RAM     -> Life Support Systems
+    Storage -> Cargo Hold  (one entry per mounted drive)
+
+Each is drawn as a bracketed usage meter (-<████░░░░>-) with a temperature
+readout (-( 54°C )-). Rows are laid out in a Gtk.Grid so every column lines up
+regardless of the (variable-width) nerd-font icons. The compact cell shows the
+four headline subsystems (first drive only); the expanded view lists every drive
+with its capacity.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import gi
+
+gi.require_version("Gtk", "4.0")
+from gi.repository import GLib, Gtk  # noqa: E402
+
+from lib.proc import run_text
+from module_base import ModuleContext, ModuleInstance, ModuleSpec
+from paths import BACKEND_DIR
+
+_SCRIPT = str(BACKEND_DIR / "sysmon.sh")
+_MONO = "Agave Nerd Font Mono"
+
+# palette (kept in sync by eye with style/_colors.css / the hologram violets)
+_MAGENTA = "#EB00A6"
+_ACCENT = "#E40046"
+_DIM_EMPTY = "#3B2A6E"     # unfilled meter cells
+_DIM_TEXT = "#9385C9"      # detail line
+_COOL = "#22D3EE"
+_WARM = "#F5A623"
+_HOT = "#E40046"
+_GOOD = "#2BE08A"
+
+# category -> nerd-font glyph (verified to render in Agave Nerd Font)
+_ICONS = {
+    "cpu": chr(0xf135),    # nf-fa-rocket
+    "gpu": chr(0xf0e7),    # nf-fa-bolt
+    "ram": chr(0xf004),    # nf-fa-heart
+    "disk": chr(0xf0a0),   # nf-fa-hdd_o
+}
+
+
+def _usage_color(pct: int) -> str:
+    if pct >= 85:
+        return _HOT
+    if pct >= 60:
+        return _WARM
+    return _GOOD
+
+
+def _temp_color(temp: int) -> str:
+    if temp >= 85:
+        return _HOT
+    if temp >= 65:
+        return _WARM
+    return _COOL
+
+
+def _esc(text: str) -> str:
+    return GLib.markup_escape_text(text)
+
+
+class _SystemMonitor(Gtk.Box):
+    REFRESH_MS = 2500
+
+    def __init__(self, ctx: ModuleContext, compact: bool):
+        super().__init__(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.VERTICAL)
+        self.ctx = ctx
+        self.compact = compact
+        self.add_css_class("sysmon-view")
+        self.set_valign(Gtk.Align.CENTER)
+        self._size = 10 if compact else 12
+        self._bar_w = 9 if compact else 16
+        self._timer: int | None = None
+
+        self._grid = Gtk.Grid()
+        self._grid.set_row_spacing(3 if compact else 7)
+        self._grid.set_column_spacing(12)
+        self.append(self._grid)
+
+    # -- lifecycle ---------------------------------------------------------
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        self.refresh()
+        if self._timer is None:
+            self._timer = GLib.timeout_add(self.REFRESH_MS, self._tick)
+
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        if self._timer is not None:
+            GLib.source_remove(self._timer)
+            self._timer = None
+
+    def _tick(self) -> bool:
+        self.refresh()
+        return True
+
+    def refresh(self) -> None:
+        run_text([_SCRIPT], self._on_result)
+
+    def _on_result(self, ok: bool, out: str, _err: str) -> None:
+        if not ok:
+            return
+        rows = []
+        for line in out.splitlines():
+            parts = line.split("\t")
+            if len(parts) < 5:
+                continue
+            rows.append(dict(zip(("cat", "name", "usage", "temp", "detail"), parts)))
+        if self.compact:
+            # headline subsystems + only the first (root) drive
+            trimmed, seen_disk = [], False
+            for r in rows:
+                if r["cat"] == "disk":
+                    if seen_disk:
+                        continue
+                    seen_disk = True
+                trimmed.append(r)
+            rows = trimmed
+        self._render(rows)
+
+    # -- rendering ---------------------------------------------------------
+    def _clear(self) -> None:
+        child = self._grid.get_first_child()
+        while child is not None:
+            nxt = child.get_next_sibling()
+            self._grid.remove(child)
+            child = nxt
+
+    def _span(self, markup: str, xalign: float = 0.0) -> Gtk.Label:
+        lbl = Gtk.Label(xalign=xalign)
+        lbl.add_css_class("sysmon-row")
+        lbl.set_markup(f"<span font_family='{_MONO}' size='{int(self._size * 1024)}'>{markup}</span>")
+        return lbl
+
+    def _render(self, rows: list[dict]) -> None:
+        self._clear()
+        for i, r in enumerate(rows):
+            try:
+                usage = int(r["usage"])
+            except ValueError:
+                usage = 0
+            fill_col = _usage_color(usage)
+            filled = max(0, min(self._bar_w, round(usage / 100 * self._bar_w)))
+            bar = (f"<span foreground='{fill_col}'>{'█' * filled}</span>"
+                   f"<span foreground='{_DIM_EMPTY}'>{'░' * (self._bar_w - filled)}</span>")
+            meter = (f"<span foreground='{_ACCENT}'>-&lt;</span>{bar}"
+                     f"<span foreground='{_ACCENT}'>&gt;-</span>")
+            try:
+                temp = int(r["temp"])
+                temp_txt, temp_col = f"{temp}°C", _temp_color(temp)
+            except ValueError:
+                temp_txt, temp_col = "--°C", _DIM_TEXT
+            temp_field = (f"<span foreground='{_ACCENT}'>-(</span> "
+                          f"<span foreground='{temp_col}'>{temp_txt:>5}</span> "
+                          f"<span foreground='{_ACCENT}'>)-</span>")
+
+            icon = _ICONS.get(r["cat"], "")
+            self._grid.attach(self._span(f"<span foreground='{_MAGENTA}'>{icon}</span>"), 0, i, 1, 1)
+            self._grid.attach(self._span(f"<span foreground='{_MAGENTA}'>{_esc(r['name'])}</span>"), 1, i, 1, 1)
+            self._grid.attach(self._span(meter), 2, i, 1, 1)
+            self._grid.attach(self._span(f"<span foreground='{fill_col}'>{usage:>3}%</span>", 1.0), 3, i, 1, 1)
+            self._grid.attach(self._span(temp_field), 4, i, 1, 1)
+            if not self.compact:
+                self._grid.attach(
+                    self._span(f"<span foreground='{_DIM_TEXT}'>{_esc(r['detail'])}</span>"), 5, i, 1, 1)
+
+
+def build(ctx: ModuleContext) -> ModuleInstance:
+    compact = _SystemMonitor(ctx, compact=True)
+    expanded = _SystemMonitor(ctx, compact=False)
+
+    def on_show() -> None:
+        compact.start()
+        expanded.start()
+
+    def on_hide() -> None:
+        compact.stop()
+        expanded.stop()
+
+    return ModuleInstance(compact=compact, expanded=expanded,
+                          scroll_expanded=True, on_show=on_show, on_hide=on_hide)
+
+
+SPEC = ModuleSpec(
+    id="sysmon",
+    title="Ship Systems",
+    icon=chr(0xf085),   # nf-fa-cogs
+    build=build,
+)
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/weather.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/weather.py
index 2ebe8bd..9862a7d 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/weather.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/modules/weather.py
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import gi
 
 gi.require_version("Gtk", "4.0")
-from gi.repository import Gtk  # noqa: E402
+gi.require_version("Pango", "1.0")
+from gi.repository import Gtk, Pango  # noqa: E402
 
 from lib.ansi import AnsiRenderer
 from lib.proc import run_text
@@ -28,6 +29,11 @@ class _WeatherView(Gtk.Box):
         self.opts = opts
         self._loc = ""
 
+        headline = Gtk.Label(label="Planetary Environment Report", xalign=0.0)
+        headline.add_css_class("weather-headline")
+        headline.set_ellipsize(Pango.EllipsizeMode.END)
+        self.append(headline)
+
         self.renderer = AnsiRenderer()
         self.append(self.renderer.view)
         self._status = Gtk.Label(label="Loading weather…")
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/registry.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/registry.py
index 77e5a4e..51ac023 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/registry.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/registry.py
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@ specs fill the 2x2 grid; extra specs are kept for future paginated layouts.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from modules import bluetooth, location, network, weather
+from modules import bluetooth, network, sysmon, weather
 from module_base import ModuleSpec
 
 ALL_SPECS: list[ModuleSpec] = [
-    location.SPEC,
+    sysmon.SPEC,
     weather.SPEC,
     bluetooth.SPEC,
     network.SPEC,
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/style/style.css b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/style/style.css
index 80c0e82..aea11e4 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/style/style.css
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/style/style.css
@@ -114,6 +114,20 @@ drawingarea {
 
 .quad-body { color: @text; }
 
+/* weather "Planetary Environment Report" headline */
+.weather-headline {
+  color: @text;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-size: 12pt;
+  letter-spacing: 1px;
+  margin: 0 0 6px 2px;
+}
+
+/* Ship Systems (system monitor): the row labels carry their own inline Pango
+ * markup (monospace, colour-coded meters), so this only spaces them out. */
+.sysmon-view { margin: 4px 6px; }
+.sysmon-row  { margin: 1px 0; }
+
 /* pill action buttons */
 .quad-action,
 .enable-btn {
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/window.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/window.py
index 51c76ad..4f4ca3b 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/window.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/astro-menu/window.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class MenuWindow(Gtk.ApplicationWindow):
         overlay = Gtk.Overlay()
         overlay.set_child(self.root)
 
-        self._hologram = HologramOverlay(enabled=config.hologram_enabled())
+        self._hologram = HologramOverlay(enabled=config.hologram_enabled(), fade_widget=self.root)
         overlay.add_overlay(self._hologram.widget)
 
         close = Gtk.Button(label="✕")
@@ -208,6 +208,14 @@ class MenuWindow(Gtk.ApplicationWindow):
         self.taskbar.collapse_panel()
         self.grid.hide_takeover()
         self.appdrawer.set_expanded(False)
+        # Play the closing dissolve first (content fades back into static), then
+        # actually hide via _finish_hide. If the hologram is off, hide at once.
+        if self._hologram.enabled and self._tick_id is not None:
+            self._hologram.start_outro(self._finish_hide)
+        else:
+            self._finish_hide()
+
+    def _finish_hide(self) -> None:
         self.set_visible(False)
         if self._tick_id is not None:
             self.remove_tick_callback(self._tick_id)
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/dock.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/dock.py
index 8a4d34c..54fbd02 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/dock.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/dock.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
 import math
+import random
 import subprocess
 import time
 from typing import Callable, Optional
@@ -33,10 +34,8 @@ import gi
 
 gi.require_version("Gtk", "4.0")
 gi.require_version("Gdk", "4.0")
-gi.require_version("Gsk", "4.0")
-gi.require_version("Graphene", "1.0")
 gi.require_version("Gtk4LayerShell", "1.0")
-from gi.repository import Gdk, GLib, Graphene, Gsk, Gtk  # noqa: E402
+from gi.repository import Gdk, GLib, Gtk  # noqa: E402
 from gi.repository import Gtk4LayerShell as LayerShell  # noqa: E402
 
 import apps as apps_source
@@ -77,13 +76,14 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
     GLYPH_FONT = "Agave Nerd Font Mono"
     # decorative glyphs sprinkled along the orbits between icons (nerd-font)
     ORBIT_GLYPHS = ["\uf444", "\uf10c", "\U000f0471", "\U000f1383", "\uf005"]
+    # Two ornamental satellite rings framing the (innermost) windows orbit \u2014 one
+    # just inside it, one just outside \u2014 as fractions of the windows ring radius.
+    SAT_RING_FACTORS = (0.60, 1.20)
 
     TRAY_SIZE = 40
     TRAY_MARGIN = 30.0
     SCROLL_SENSITIVITY = 0.9
 
-    REVEAL_DURATION = 0.28
-
     def __init__(self, on_close: Optional[Callable[[], None]] = None, tray_enabled: bool = True,
                  hologram_enabled: bool = True):
         super().__init__()
@@ -101,12 +101,17 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
         self._widgets: dict[str, list[Gtk.Widget]] = {row: [] for row in self.ROW_ORDER}
         self._hovered_row: Optional[str] = None
 
-        self._reveal_progress = 0.0
-        self._reveal_target = 0.0
         self._sat_time = 0.0
         self._last_tick: Optional[float] = None
         self._tick_id: Optional[int] = None
 
+        # cursor tracking for the mouse-reactive ornamental satellites
+        self._mouse_x = self._width / 2
+        self._mouse_y = 0.0
+        self._mouse_sx = self._mouse_x   # smoothed (eased) toward the raw position
+        self._mouse_sy = self._mouse_y
+        self._satellites = self._make_satellites()
+
         self._init_layer_shell()
 
         self._bg = Gtk.DrawingArea()
@@ -139,7 +144,8 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
         clip.add_overlay(self._viewport)
         clip.set_measure_overlay(self._viewport, False)
 
-        self._hologram = HologramOverlay(enabled=hologram_enabled, clip_func=self._holo_clip)
+        self._hologram = HologramOverlay(enabled=hologram_enabled, clip_func=self._holo_clip,
+                                         fade_widget=self._content, intro_duration=2.4)
         overlay = Gtk.Overlay()
         overlay.set_child(clip)
         overlay.add_overlay(self._hologram.widget)
@@ -348,6 +354,7 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
         return best
 
     def _on_motion(self, _ctrl, x: float, y: float) -> None:
+        self._mouse_x, self._mouse_y = x, y   # drives the ornamental satellites
         row = self._row_at(x, y)
         if row != self._hovered_row:
             self._hovered_row = row
@@ -372,7 +379,7 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
         self._draw_node(cr)
         for row in self.ROW_ORDER:
             self._draw_ring(cr, row, hovered=(row == self._hovered_row))
-            self._draw_orbit_glyphs(cr, row)
+        self._draw_satellites(cr)
         self._draw_center_sphere(cr)
 
     def _front_arc_path(self, cr, rx: float, ry: float, close_on_horizon: bool) -> None:
@@ -435,98 +442,160 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
                              self._ring_ry("apps") + pad, close_on_horizon=True)
 
     def _draw_center_sphere(self, cr) -> None:
-        """The 'planet': a glowing sphere sitting on the surface below the orbits,
-        displaying the date and time. Sits in the clear central column so the icon
-        rows don't cover the readout."""
+        """The 'planet': a big holographic world rising from the horizon. Its top
+        fills the clear central band (icon buttons float in front of it), while its
+        bottom quarter sinks below the screen edge and is clipped away by the dock's
+        overflow — so it reads as a huge planet, not a small bead. Translucent body
+        (the desktop/scanlines show through) with a strong outer glow + rim."""
         cx = self._width / 2
         base = self._base_y()
-        # Sit in the clear band BELOW the lowest icon arch (windows) so the icon
-        # rows never cover the readout.
+        # Clear band below the lowest icon arch (windows); the readout lives here.
         band_top = base - self._ring_ry("windows") + self.PLANET_SIZE / 2
-        cy = (band_top + base) / 2
-        rad = max(26.0, min((base - band_top) / 2 - 2, 40.0))
+        bottom_edge = float(self.DOCK_HEIGHT)   # dock surface bottom = screen bottom
+        vis_h = bottom_edge - band_top          # visible vertical extent of the planet
+        # top anchored at band_top; radius sized so ~1/4 of the disc falls past the
+        # bottom edge (top 3/4 == the visible band): vis_h = 1.5 * rad.
+        rad = max(48.0, vis_h / 1.5)
+        cy = band_top + rad
         cr.save()
-        grad = cairo.RadialGradient(cx - rad * 0.3, cy - rad * 0.35, rad * 0.1, cx, cy, rad)
-        grad.add_color_stop_rgba(0.0, *_VIOLET, 0.9)
-        grad.add_color_stop_rgba(1.0, *_VIOLET, 0.4)
+        # gentle breathing pulse so the planet reads as a live, radiant body
+        pulse = 0.82 + 0.18 * math.sin(self._sat_time * 2.2)
+        # wide outer bloom halo — the planet glows well beyond its own disc
+        halo_r = rad * 1.9
+        halo = cairo.RadialGradient(cx, cy, rad * 0.5, cx, cy, halo_r)
+        halo.add_color_stop_rgba(0.0, *_ACCENT, 0.40 * pulse)
+        halo.add_color_stop_rgba(0.45, *_VIOLET, 0.18 * pulse)
+        halo.add_color_stop_rgba(1.0, *_VIOLET, 0.0)
+        cr.arc(cx, cy, halo_r, 0, 2 * math.pi)
+        cr.set_source(halo)
+        cr.fill()
+        # translucent holographic body: a soft see-through core fading to a nearly
+        # transparent rim, so the blur/scanlines/desktop read through it
+        grad = cairo.RadialGradient(cx - rad * 0.3, cy - rad * 0.35, rad * 0.05, cx, cy, rad)
+        grad.add_color_stop_rgba(0.0, 1.0, 0.82, 0.98, 0.48)
+        grad.add_color_stop_rgba(0.4, *_VIOLET, 0.36)
+        grad.add_color_stop_rgba(1.0, *_VIOLET, 0.10)
         cr.arc(cx, cy, rad, 0, 2 * math.pi)
         cr.set_source(grad)
         cr.fill()
-        for lw, a in ((11.0, 0.06), (5.5, 0.12), (2.4, 0.7)):
+        # faint specular sheen (top-left) for a glassy 3D read
+        spec = cairo.RadialGradient(cx - rad * 0.34, cy - rad * 0.42, 0,
+                                    cx - rad * 0.34, cy - rad * 0.42, rad * 0.5)
+        spec.add_color_stop_rgba(0.0, 1, 1, 1, 0.38 * pulse)
+        spec.add_color_stop_rgba(1.0, 1, 1, 1, 0.0)
+        cr.arc(cx, cy, rad, 0, 2 * math.pi)
+        cr.set_source(spec)
+        cr.fill()
+        # strong, wide rim glow rings, capped by a crisp bright edge
+        for lw, a in ((24.0, 0.06 * pulse), (14.0, 0.12 * pulse),
+                      (7.0, 0.22 * pulse), (2.6, 0.85)):
             cr.arc(cx, cy, rad, 0, 2 * math.pi)
             cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, a)
             cr.set_line_width(lw)
             cr.stroke()
-        # date + time readout
+        # date + time readout, centred in the VISIBLE band (not at cy, which is low)
+        vis_cy = (band_top + bottom_edge) / 2
         cr.select_font_face(self.GLYPH_FONT, cairo.FONT_SLANT_NORMAL, cairo.FONT_WEIGHT_BOLD)
         clock = time.strftime("%H:%M")
-        cr.set_font_size(rad * 0.62)
+        cr.set_font_size(vis_h * 0.40)
         ext = cr.text_extents(clock)
-        cr.move_to(cx - ext.width / 2 - ext.x_bearing, cy - ext.height / 2 - ext.y_bearing - rad * 0.16)
+        cr.move_to(cx - ext.width / 2 - ext.x_bearing,
+                   vis_cy - ext.height / 2 - ext.y_bearing - vis_h * 0.05)
         cr.set_source_rgba(0.98, 0.92, 0.99, 0.98)
         cr.show_text(clock)
         date = time.strftime("%a %d %b")
         cr.select_font_face(self.GLYPH_FONT, cairo.FONT_SLANT_NORMAL, cairo.FONT_WEIGHT_NORMAL)
-        cr.set_font_size(rad * 0.34)
+        cr.set_font_size(vis_h * 0.20)
         ext2 = cr.text_extents(date)
-        cr.move_to(cx - ext2.width / 2 - ext2.x_bearing, cy + rad * 0.5)
+        cr.move_to(cx - ext2.width / 2 - ext2.x_bearing, vis_cy + vis_h * 0.30)
         cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.95)
         cr.show_text(date)
         cr.restore()
 
-    def _draw_orbit_glyphs(self, cr, row: str) -> None:
-        """Sprinkle small faint nerd-font glyphs along a ring, on the integer slots
-        between the (half-slot) icons — the orbit-menu satellites' glyph language,
-        so the empty stretches of orbit still read as 'in orbit'."""
+    def _make_satellites(self) -> list[dict]:
+        """A handful of ornamental glyphs, split across the two satellite rings that
+        frame the windows orbit (SAT_RING_FACTORS). Each ring gets a random 3–7 of
+        them at fixed base angles, and each satellite's *motion source* is picked at
+        random — it either leans TOWARD the cursor, or is driven by the cursor's X,
+        or by the cursor's Y — so the pair of rings reads as a lively little swarm."""
+        sats: list[dict] = []
+        for fac in self.SAT_RING_FACTORS:
+            for _ in range(random.randint(3, 7)):
+                sats.append({
+                    "fac": fac,
+                    # base position on the visible (upper) half of the ring ellipse
+                    "angle": random.uniform(0.16 * math.pi, 0.84 * math.pi),
+                    "glyph": random.choice(self.ORBIT_GLYPHS),
+                    "size": random.uniform(11.0, 15.0),
+                    "source": random.choice(("toward", "mouseX", "mouseY")),
+                    "amp": random.uniform(16.0, 32.0),
+                    "wob_amp": random.uniform(1.5, 3.5),
+                    "wob_speed": random.uniform(1.0, 2.0),
+                    "phase": random.uniform(0.0, 2.0 * math.pi),
+                })
+        return sats
+
+    def _draw_satellites(self, cr) -> None:
+        """Draw the two satellite rings (faint guide arcs) and their mouse-reactive
+        glyphs. Drawn on the background, so they sit behind the icons and sphere."""
         cx = self._width / 2
-        rx, ry = self._ring_rx(row), self._ring_ry(row)
+        base = self._base_y()
+        win_rx = self._ring_rx("windows")
+        mx, my = self._mouse_sx, self._mouse_sy
+        half_w = max(1.0, self._width / 2)
+        # faint guide arcs for the two rings
         cr.save()
+        for fac in self.SAT_RING_FACTORS:
+            self._front_arc_path(cr, win_rx * fac, win_rx * fac * self.PERSPECTIVE_SQUASH,
+                                 close_on_horizon=False)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*_VIOLET, 0.14)
+            cr.set_line_width(1.0)
+            cr.stroke()
         cr.select_font_face(self.GLYPH_FONT, cairo.FONT_SLANT_NORMAL, cairo.FONT_WEIGHT_NORMAL)
-        cr.set_font_size(12)
-        n = int(rx / self.ITEM_SPACING) + 1
-        gi = 0
-        for k in range(-n, n + 1):
-            x = cx + k * self.ITEM_SPACING            # integer slots = the gaps between icons
-            dx = x - cx
-            if abs(dx) >= rx or x < 8 or x > self._width - 8:
+        for s in self._satellites:
+            rx = win_rx * s["fac"]
+            ry = rx * self.PERSPECTIVE_SQUASH
+            bx = cx + rx * math.cos(s["angle"])
+            by = base - ry * math.sin(s["angle"])
+            wob = s["wob_amp"] * math.sin(self._sat_time * s["wob_speed"] + s["phase"])
+            ox = oy = 0.0
+            if s["source"] == "toward":
+                ddx, ddy = mx - bx, my - by
+                d = math.hypot(ddx, ddy) or 1.0
+                ox, oy = ddx / d * s["amp"], ddy / d * s["amp"]   # lean toward the cursor
+            elif s["source"] == "mouseX":
+                ox = (mx - cx) / half_w * s["amp"] * 2.0          # driven by cursor X
+            else:  # mouseY
+                oy = (my - base) / half_w * s["amp"] * 2.0        # driven by cursor Y
+            x = bx + ox + wob
+            y = by + oy + wob * 0.5
+            border_w = min(1.0, x / 44.0, (self._width - x) / 44.0)
+            if border_w <= 0.0:
                 continue
-            y = self._base_y() - ry * math.sqrt(max(1.0 - (dx / rx) ** 2, 0.0))
-            glyph = self.ORBIT_GLYPHS[gi % len(self.ORBIT_GLYPHS)]
-            gi += 1
+            glyph = s["glyph"]
+            cr.set_font_size(s["size"])
             ext = cr.text_extents(glyph)
             cr.move_to(x - ext.width / 2 - ext.x_bearing, y - ext.height / 2 - ext.y_bearing)
-            cr.set_source_rgba(*_VIOLET, 0.5)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*_VIOLET, 0.7 * border_w)
             cr.show_text(glyph)
         cr.restore()
 
-    # -- reveal animation -----------------------------------------------------
-    def _reveal_transform(self, progress: float) -> Gsk.Transform:
-        offset = (1.0 - progress) * self.DOCK_HEIGHT
-        t = Gsk.Transform.new()
-        t = t.translate(Graphene.Point().init(0, offset))
-        return t
-
+    # -- animation loop -------------------------------------------------------
+    # No slide/fade reveal: the dock simply appears and the hologram's
+    # "materialise from static" intro (start_intro, below) is the whole opening
+    # effect — matching every other Cosmonaut Shell surface. The tick only drives
+    # the hologram animation while the dock is shown.
     def _on_tick(self, _widget, frame_clock) -> bool:
         now = frame_clock.get_frame_time() / 1_000_000
         dt = 0.0 if self._last_tick is None else max(0.0, now - self._last_tick)
         self._last_tick = now
         self._sat_time += dt
+        # ease the smoothed cursor toward the raw position (frame-rate independent)
+        e = 1.0 - math.exp(-dt * 6.0)
+        self._mouse_sx += (self._mouse_x - self._mouse_sx) * e
+        self._mouse_sy += (self._mouse_y - self._mouse_sy) * e
         self._hologram.tick(dt)
-
-        ease = 1 - math.exp(-dt * (1.0 / self.REVEAL_DURATION) * 3.2)
-        self._reveal_progress += (self._reveal_target - self._reveal_progress) * ease
-        if abs(self._reveal_target - self._reveal_progress) < 0.002:
-            self._reveal_progress = self._reveal_target
-
-        self._viewport.set_child_transform(self._content, self._reveal_transform(self._reveal_progress))
-        self._content.set_opacity(max(0.0, min(1.0, self._reveal_progress)))
-
-        if self._reveal_progress == self._reveal_target and self._reveal_target == 0.0:
-            self.set_visible(False)
-            self._tick_id = None   # GTK drops the callback itself on a False return
-            if self._on_close:
-                self._on_close()
-            return False
+        self._bg.queue_draw()   # animate the planet's glow + the satellites
         return True
 
     def _ensure_tick(self) -> None:
@@ -537,6 +606,10 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
         if self._tick_id is not None:
             self.remove_tick_callback(self._tick_id)
             self._tick_id = None
+        # Reset the frame-time baseline so the next show's first tick has dt=0.
+        # Otherwise a warm reopen sees dt = (time the dock was hidden), which would
+        # blow past the whole intro in one frame and skip the materialise animation.
+        self._last_tick = None
 
     # -- external control ----------------------------------------------------
     def _apply_width(self, width: int) -> None:
@@ -553,7 +626,6 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
         else:
             self._apply_width(self._monitor_width())
         self._rebuild_all()
-        self._reveal_target = 1.0
         self.set_visible(True)
         self.present()
         self._ensure_tick()
@@ -562,18 +634,27 @@ class HorizonDock(Gtk.Window):
             self._clock_timer_id = GLib.timeout_add_seconds(15, self._refresh_clock)
 
     def _refresh_clock(self) -> bool:
-        if self.get_visible() and self._reveal_target == 1.0:
+        if self.get_visible():
             self._bg.queue_draw()   # repaint the planet's date/time
             return True
         self._clock_timer_id = None
         return False
 
     def hide_dock(self) -> None:
-        self._reveal_target = 0.0
-        self._ensure_tick()
+        # Dissolve into static first, then hide via _finish_hide.
+        if self._hologram.enabled and self._tick_id is not None:
+            self._hologram.start_outro(self._finish_hide)
+        else:
+            self._finish_hide()
+
+    def _finish_hide(self) -> None:
+        self.set_visible(False)
+        self._stop_tick()
+        if self._on_close:
+            self._on_close()
 
     def toggle(self) -> None:
-        if self.get_visible() and self._reveal_target == 1.0:
+        if self.get_visible():
             self.hide_dock()
         else:
             self.show_dock()
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/lib/hologram.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/lib/hologram.py
index b84ee05..d0d613b 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/lib/hologram.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/horizon-dock/lib/hologram.py
@@ -41,15 +41,24 @@ class HologramOverlay:
     NOISE_ALPHA_RANGE = (0.10, 0.34)
     EDGE_FADE_X = 64.0          # smooth horizontal fade-out of the scanline field
     EDGE_FADE_Y = 40.0          # smooth vertical fade-out
-    INTRO_DURATION = 0.6        # 'materialise out of static' opening animation
-    INTRO_STATIC = 520          # static specks at the very start of the intro
+    INTRO_DURATION = 1.5        # long, noisy 'materialise out of static' fade-in
+    INTRO_STATIC = 1200         # static specks at the very start of the intro
+    OUTRO_DURATION = 0.45       # quick reverse dissolve back into static on close
 
-    def __init__(self, enabled: bool = True, clip_func=None) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, enabled: bool = True, clip_func=None, fade_widget=None,
+                 intro_duration: float | None = None) -> None:
         self.enabled = enabled
         self._clip_func = clip_func   # optional path-setter to clip the holo to the UI shape
+        # widget whose opacity is ramped 0->1 during the intro so the UI genuinely
+        # fades in (a gradual reveal), rather than a solid haze block popping on
+        self._fade_widget = fade_widget
+        if intro_duration is not None:
+            self.INTRO_DURATION = intro_duration   # per-instance override of the class default
         self._sat_time = 0.0
         self._particles: list[dict] = []
         self._intro_t: float | None = None      # >=0 while the materialise intro plays
+        self._outro_t: float | None = None      # >=0 while the closing dissolve plays
+        self._outro_done = None                  # callback fired when the dissolve finishes
         self._mask_cache: tuple | None = None    # (w, h, pattern) edge-fade mask
 
         self.widget = Gtk.DrawingArea()
@@ -69,12 +78,42 @@ class HologramOverlay:
             self._intro_t += dt
             if self._intro_t >= self.INTRO_DURATION:
                 self._intro_t = None
+                if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                    self._fade_widget.set_opacity(1.0)
+            elif self._fade_widget is not None:
+                p = self._intro_t / self.INTRO_DURATION
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(p * p * (3 - 2 * p))   # smooth ramp 0->1
+        if self._outro_t is not None:
+            self._outro_t += dt
+            po = min(1.0, self._outro_t / self.OUTRO_DURATION)
+            if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(1.0 - po * po * (3 - 2 * po))   # ramp 1->0
+            if self._outro_t >= self.OUTRO_DURATION:
+                done = self._outro_done
+                self._outro_t = None
+                self._outro_done = None
+                if done is not None:
+                    done()
         self.widget.queue_draw()
 
     def start_intro(self) -> None:
         """Kick off the 'hologram materialising out of static' opening effect."""
         if self.enabled:
+            self._outro_t = None          # cancel any in-flight closing dissolve
+            self._outro_done = None
             self._intro_t = 0.0
+            if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(0.0)   # start hidden; tick() ramps it up
+
+    def start_outro(self, on_done) -> None:
+        """Play a quick reverse of the intro (content dissolving back into static),
+        then call on_done to actually hide. If disabled, hide immediately."""
+        if not self.enabled:
+            on_done()
+            return
+        self._intro_t = None              # cancel any in-flight opening intro
+        self._outro_t = 0.0
+        self._outro_done = on_done
 
     # -- drawing --------------------------------------------------------------
     def _draw_frame(self, _area, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
@@ -93,6 +132,8 @@ class HologramOverlay:
         cr.mask(self._edge_fade_mask(width, height))
         if self._intro_t is not None:
             self._draw_intro(cr, width, height)
+        elif self._outro_t is not None:
+            self._draw_outro(cr, width, height)
         if self._clip_func is not None:
             cr.restore()
 
@@ -126,20 +167,42 @@ class HologramOverlay:
     def _draw_intro(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
         p = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._intro_t or 0.0) / self.INTRO_DURATION))
         strength = 1.0 - p
-        cr.set_source_rgba(*_VIOLET, 0.28 * strength)   # haze the content emerges from
-        cr.paint()
+        # No solid veil block: the content itself fades in (see tick's fade_widget
+        # ramp). Here we only lay churning static over it — dense at first, thinning
+        # to nothing — so the UI resolves out of noise as it fades up.
         colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
-        for _ in range(int(self.INTRO_STATIC * strength)):
+        count = int(self.INTRO_STATIC * (strength ** 0.5))   # dense, thinning to none
+        for _ in range(count):
             x = random.uniform(0, width)
             y = random.uniform(0, height)
             col = random.choice(colors)
-            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.8) * (0.4 + 0.6 * strength))
-            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.4)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * strength))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
             cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
             cr.fill()
         band = p * height                               # a bright scan wiping down as it resolves
         cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * p - 1)))
-        cr.rectangle(0, band - 1.5, width, 3.0)
+        cr.rectangle(0, band - 2.0, width, 4.0)
+        cr.fill()
+
+    def _draw_outro(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
+        # Reverse of the intro: the content is already fading back out (tick's
+        # fade_widget ramp 1->0); here the static thickens from nothing as it goes,
+        # so the panel dissolves into noise just before it vanishes.
+        po = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._outro_t or 0.0) / self.OUTRO_DURATION))
+        colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
+        count = int(self.INTRO_STATIC * (po ** 0.5))
+        for _ in range(count):
+            x = random.uniform(0, width)
+            y = random.uniform(0, height)
+            col = random.choice(colors)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * po))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
+            cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
+            cr.fill()
+        band = (1.0 - po) * height                      # scan wiping back up as it dissolves
+        cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * po - 1)))
+        cr.rectangle(0, band - 2.0, width, 4.0)
         cr.fill()
 
     def _draw_content(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/binds.lua b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/binds.lua
index abc1839..16891d9 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/binds.lua
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/binds.lua
@@ -259,17 +259,16 @@ hl.bind(mainMod .. " + SHIFT + ALT + j",     hl.dsp.group.move_window("d"))
 -- astro-menu is astal-menu re-themed as a hologram info display — same
 -- functionality (Location/Weather/Bluetooth/Network quads, taskbar, app
 -- drawer), same binds it always had in hyprlua.
-hl.bind(mainMod .. " + D",         hl.dsp.exec_cmd("~/.config/scripts/astro-menu.sh toggle top"), { release = true })
+-- Super+D now opens horizon-dock (see below); astro-menu moved to Super+Shift+D.
+hl.bind(mainMod .. " + SHIFT + D", hl.dsp.exec_cmd("~/.config/scripts/astro-menu.sh toggle top"), { release = true })
 hl.bind(mainMod .. " + SHIFT + A", hl.dsp.exec_cmd("~/.config/scripts/astro-menu.sh appdrawer"))
 
 --------------------
 ---- HORIZON-DOCK --
 --------------------
 
--- Super+D went to astro-menu (its "og" bind); horizon-dock gets its own key.
--- (H is fully claimed by vim-style hjkl focus/move/resize across every
--- modifier combo, so this uses D too, distinguished by Shift.)
-hl.bind(mainMod .. " + SHIFT + D", hl.dsp.exec_cmd("~/.config/scripts/horizon-dock.sh toggle"), { release = true })
+-- horizon-dock gets the primary Super+D; astro-menu moved to Super+Shift+D.
+hl.bind(mainMod .. " + D", hl.dsp.exec_cmd("~/.config/scripts/horizon-dock.sh toggle"), { release = true })
 
 --------------------
 ---- STATION-BAR ---
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/windowrules.lua b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/windowrules.lua
index eda3174..3fef059 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/windowrules.lua
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/hypr/usr/windowrules.lua
@@ -117,8 +117,14 @@ hl.window_rule({
 -- fully-transparent gaps between modules sharp (no blur there), so the panels still
 -- read as floating pieces rather than one big frosted slab. (Global blur is on but
 -- layer-shell surfaces only get it via an explicit per-namespace layerrule.)
+--
+-- no_anim opts them OUT of the global `layers = slide` open animation: they must
+-- NOT slide in from an edge — each instead "materialises out of static" via its
+-- own in-app hologram intro (start_intro), so the compositor should just map them
+-- in place and let that intro be the whole opening effect.
 for _, ns in ipairs({ "astro-menu", "orbit-menu", "horizon-dock", "station-bar" }) do
-    hl.layer_rule({ name = "cosmoshell-blur-" .. ns, match = { namespace = ns }, blur = true, ignore_alpha = 0.1 })
+    hl.layer_rule({ name = "cosmoshell-blur-" .. ns, match = { namespace = ns },
+                    blur = true, ignore_alpha = 0.1, no_anim = true })
 end
 
 -- smart gaps
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/main.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/main.py
index d12ce0d..83c1a33 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/main.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/main.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ from gi.repository import Gio, GLib, Gtk  # noqa: E402
 import config  # noqa: E402
 import menu_tree  # noqa: E402
 import theme  # noqa: E402
-from orbit_menu import OrbitMenu  # noqa: E402
+from orbit_menu import MenuItem, OrbitMenu  # noqa: E402
 from paths import APP_ID  # noqa: E402
 
 
@@ -106,8 +106,56 @@ class OrbitMenuApp(Gtk.Application):
         pass  # resident instance: nothing to do on plain activate
 
 
+class DmenuApp(Gtk.Application):
+    """Standalone 'classic dmenu' mode: read newline-delimited items from stdin,
+    show them as ring nodes, print the chosen one to stdout and exit 0 (exit 1 on
+    cancel, printing nothing). NON_UNIQUE so it never routes to the resident daemon
+    (which couldn't write to this caller's stdout) — it's its own throwaway process."""
+
+    def __init__(self, items: list[str]) -> None:
+        super().__init__(application_id=APP_ID + ".dmenu",
+                         flags=Gio.ApplicationFlags.NON_UNIQUE)
+        self._items = items
+        self.result: str | None = None
+        self.window: OrbitMenu | None = None
+
+    def do_activate(self) -> None:
+        if self.window is not None:      # do_activate can fire more than once
+            return
+        theme.load_css()
+        children = [MenuItem(label=line, action=(lambda ln=line: self._pick(ln)))
+                    for line in self._items]
+        root = MenuItem(label="", children=children)
+        self.window = OrbitMenu(root, on_close=self._on_closed,
+                                satellites=config.satellites_enabled(),
+                                hologram=config.hologram_enabled())
+        self.window.open_at_root()
+        self.hold()   # a hidden layer-shell window wouldn't keep the app alive alone
+
+    def _pick(self, line: str) -> None:
+        self.result = line   # the leaf's action; _close() then runs the outro + on_close
+
+    def _on_closed(self) -> None:
+        if self.result is not None:
+            sys.stdout.write(self.result + "\n")
+            sys.stdout.flush()
+        self.quit()
+
+
+def _run_dmenu() -> int:
+    items = [ln.rstrip("\n") for ln in sys.stdin.readlines()]
+    items = [ln for ln in items if ln != ""]
+    if not items:
+        return 1
+    app = DmenuApp(items)
+    app.run([sys.argv[0]])   # don't forward --dmenu into GApplication arg handling
+    return 0 if app.result is not None else 1
+
+
 def main() -> int:
     GLib.set_prgname("orbit-menu")
+    if "--dmenu" in sys.argv[1:]:
+        return _run_dmenu()
     return OrbitMenuApp().run(sys.argv)
 
 
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/orbit_menu.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/orbit_menu.py
index 53638f9..3cdfb84 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/orbit_menu.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/orbit-menu/orbit_menu.py
@@ -136,7 +136,9 @@ class OrbitMenu(Gtk.Window):
         self._current_ring: Gtk.DrawingArea | None = None
         self._current_page: Gtk.Fixed | None = None
         self._transition: dict | None = None       # active zoom/fade nav transition, if any
-        self._intro: dict | None = None            # active opening "materialize" animation, if any
+        self._intro: dict | None = None            # active opening node-condense animation, if any
+        self._holo_intro_t: float | None = None    # >=0 while the "materialize out of static" intro plays
+        self._holo_outro_t: float | None = None    # >=0 while the closing dissolve plays
         self._holo_particles: list[dict] = []      # persistent hologram noise specs, see _update_hologram_particles
         # Where the hologram glow mask is centred + how big, so it follows the
         # zoom into/out of a submenu instead of staying pinned at canvas centre.
@@ -514,6 +516,12 @@ class OrbitMenu(Gtk.Window):
     # faded out completely by here — capped so it fully resolves to 0 before the
     # canvas edge (CANVAS_SIZE/2), not just before the corners
     _HOLO_MASK_OUTER = min(RADIUS + NODE_SIZE * 1.4, CANVAS_SIZE / 2 - 10)
+    # "materialize out of static" opening intro — same treatment as the other
+    # Cosmonaut Shell surfaces' shared hologram lib (haze + burst of static specks
+    # that thins out, plus a bright scan band wiping through as it resolves).
+    _HOLO_INTRO_DURATION = 2.4          # long, noisy fade-in
+    _HOLO_INTRO_STATIC = 1300           # specks at the very start, thinning to 0
+    _HOLO_OUTRO_DURATION = 0.45         # quick reverse dissolve back into static on close
 
     def _draw_hologram_frame(self, _area, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
         if self._hologram_enabled:
@@ -537,6 +545,77 @@ class OrbitMenu(Gtk.Window):
         cr.set_source(pattern)
         cr.mask(mask)
 
+        if self._holo_intro_t is not None:
+            self._draw_holo_intro(cr, cx, cy, outer)
+        elif self._holo_outro_t is not None:
+            self._draw_holo_outro(cr, cx, cy, outer)
+
+    def _draw_holo_intro(self, cr, cx: float, cy: float, outer: float) -> None:
+        """The opening burst: a violet haze thick with static specks that thins as
+        the menu resolves, plus a bright scan band sweeping through — confined to
+        the same radial footprint as the ambient hologram so the menu looks like it
+        condenses out of the noise (not a full-screen static wash over the desktop)."""
+        p = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._holo_intro_t or 0.0) / self._HOLO_INTRO_DURATION))
+        strength = 1.0 - p
+        # a slightly wider footprint than the ambient glow so the static reads as a
+        # cloud the menu emerges from, faded out by its edge with a radial mask
+        reach = outer * 1.15
+        cr.push_group()
+        # No solid veil block: the ring itself fades in (viewport opacity ramp in
+        # _on_tick). Here we only lay churning static over it — dense at first,
+        # thinning to nothing — so the menu resolves out of noise as it fades up.
+        colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
+        count = int(self._HOLO_INTRO_STATIC * (strength ** 0.5))   # dense, thinning to none
+        for _ in range(count):
+            x = cx + random.uniform(-reach, reach)
+            y = cy + random.uniform(-reach, reach)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*random.choice(colors),
+                               random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * strength))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
+            cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
+            cr.fill()
+        # bright scan band wiping down through the footprint as it resolves
+        band_y = cy - reach + p * (2 * reach)
+        cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * p - 1)))
+        cr.rectangle(cx - reach, band_y - 1.5, 2 * reach, 3.0)
+        cr.fill()
+        pat = cr.pop_group()
+        imask = cairo.RadialGradient(cx, cy, 0, cx, cy, reach)
+        imask.add_color_stop_rgba(0.0, 1, 1, 1, 1)
+        imask.add_color_stop_rgba(0.82, 1, 1, 1, 1)
+        imask.add_color_stop_rgba(1.0, 1, 1, 1, 0)
+        cr.set_source(pat)
+        cr.mask(imask)
+
+    def _draw_holo_outro(self, cr, cx: float, cy: float, outer: float) -> None:
+        """Reverse of the intro: the ring is already fading back out (viewport
+        opacity ramp in _on_tick); here the static thickens from nothing as it goes,
+        so the menu dissolves into noise just before it vanishes."""
+        po = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._holo_outro_t or 0.0) / self._HOLO_OUTRO_DURATION))
+        reach = outer * 1.15
+        cr.push_group()
+        colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
+        count = int(self._HOLO_INTRO_STATIC * (po ** 0.5))   # static grows as it dissolves
+        for _ in range(count):
+            x = cx + random.uniform(-reach, reach)
+            y = cy + random.uniform(-reach, reach)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*random.choice(colors),
+                               random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * po))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
+            cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
+            cr.fill()
+        band_y = cy + reach - po * (2 * reach)   # scan wiping back up as it dissolves
+        cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * po - 1)))
+        cr.rectangle(cx - reach, band_y - 1.5, 2 * reach, 3.0)
+        cr.fill()
+        pat = cr.pop_group()
+        imask = cairo.RadialGradient(cx, cy, 0, cx, cy, reach)
+        imask.add_color_stop_rgba(0.0, 1, 1, 1, 1)
+        imask.add_color_stop_rgba(0.82, 1, 1, 1, 1)
+        imask.add_color_stop_rgba(1.0, 1, 1, 1, 0)
+        cr.set_source(pat)
+        cr.mask(imask)
+
     def _draw_hologram_content(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
         r, g, b = self._HOLO_TINT
 
@@ -641,6 +720,23 @@ class OrbitMenu(Gtk.Window):
         if self._intro is not None:
             self._update_intro()
 
+        if self._holo_intro_t is not None:
+            self._holo_intro_t += dt
+            if self._holo_intro_t >= self._HOLO_INTRO_DURATION:
+                self._holo_intro_t = None
+                self._viewport.set_opacity(1.0)
+            else:
+                q = self._holo_intro_t / self._HOLO_INTRO_DURATION
+                self._viewport.set_opacity(q * q * (3 - 2 * q))   # smooth fade in of the ring
+
+        if self._holo_outro_t is not None:
+            self._holo_outro_t += dt
+            po = min(1.0, self._holo_outro_t / self._HOLO_OUTRO_DURATION)
+            self._viewport.set_opacity(1.0 - po * po * (3 - 2 * po))   # fade out the ring
+            if self._holo_outro_t >= self._HOLO_OUTRO_DURATION:
+                self._finish_close()
+                return True   # tick already removed by _finish_close
+
         if self._hologram_enabled:
             self._hologram_area.queue_draw()
         return True   # keep ticking every frame while the window is mapped
@@ -881,10 +977,23 @@ class OrbitMenu(Gtk.Window):
             self._close()
 
     def _close(self) -> None:
+        # Play the closing dissolve (ring fades back into static), then hide via
+        # _finish_close. If already dissolving, or the hologram is off / not
+        # ticking, just hide immediately.
+        if (self._hologram_enabled and self._tick_id is not None
+                and self._holo_outro_t is None):
+            self._holo_intro_t = None      # cancel any in-flight opening intro
+            self._holo_outro_t = 0.0
+        else:
+            self._finish_close()
+
+    def _finish_close(self) -> None:
         self.set_visible(False)
         if self._tick_id is not None:
             self.remove_tick_callback(self._tick_id)
             self._tick_id = None
+        self._holo_outro_t = None
+        self._viewport.set_opacity(1.0)    # reset for the next open
         if self._on_close:
             self._on_close()
 
@@ -915,6 +1024,8 @@ class OrbitMenu(Gtk.Window):
         self._current_page = None
         self._stack_origins.clear()
         self._intro = None
+        self._holo_intro_t = None
+        self._holo_outro_t = None
         self._root = root
 
     def open_at_root(self) -> None:
@@ -925,7 +1036,15 @@ class OrbitMenu(Gtk.Window):
         on in-menu navigation."""
         self._show_path((), animate=False)
         self._start_intro(self._current_page)
+        if self._hologram_enabled:
+            self._holo_outro_t = None  # cancel any in-flight closing dissolve
+            self._holo_intro_t = 0.0   # play the "materialize out of static" burst
+            self._viewport.set_opacity(0.0)   # start hidden; _on_tick ramps it up
         self.set_visible(True)
         self.present()
+        # Reset the frame-time baseline so the first tick's dt is 0. Otherwise a
+        # WARM reopen would see dt = (time the menu was closed), advancing the intro
+        # past its whole duration in one frame — the intro would silently not play.
+        self._last_tick = None
         if self._tick_id is None:
             self._tick_id = self.add_tick_callback(self._on_tick)
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/scripts/orbit-dmenu.sh b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/scripts/orbit-dmenu.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..8edd6af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/scripts/orbit-dmenu.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# orbit-menu in "classic dmenu" mode: pipe newline-delimited items on stdin, the
+# radial menu opens with those items, and the chosen one is printed to stdout
+# (exit 1, nothing printed, on cancel). Runs as its own throwaway process (NOT the
+# resident daemon), so its stdout is the caller's.
+#
+#   printf 'Logout\nLock\nReboot' | ~/.config/scripts/orbit-dmenu.sh
+#
+# Same LD_PRELOAD requirement as orbit-menu-start.sh: gtk4-layer-shell must load
+# before libwayland-client, which isn't guaranteed under PyGObject.
+
+APP="${HOME}/.config/orbit-menu/main.py"
+SO="$(ldconfig -p 2>/dev/null | awk '/libgtk4-layer-shell\.so/ {print $NF; exit}')"
+if [[ -n "${SO:-}" ]]; then
+    export LD_PRELOAD="${SO}${LD_PRELOAD:+:${LD_PRELOAD}}"
+fi
+
+exec python3 "$APP" --dmenu "$@"
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/bar.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/bar.py
index 30f176e..958c600 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/bar.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/bar.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ ICON_STATION = chr(0xf1383)
 ICON_SPACESHIP = chr(0xf135)
 ICON_WINDOW = chr(0xf10ac)
 ICON_VOLUME = chr(0xf04c3)
+ICON_FUEL = chr(0xf07c5)   # md-fuel — the "battery" reads as a fuel tank
 
 
 class StationBar(Gtk.Window):
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ class StationBar(Gtk.Window):
         content.set_center_widget(self._build_center())
         content.set_end_widget(self._right)
 
-        self._hologram = HologramOverlay(enabled=hologram_enabled)
+        self._hologram = HologramOverlay(enabled=hologram_enabled, fade_widget=content)
 
         # The bar's height must stay BAR_HEIGHT: nerd-font button labels have tall
         # line metrics, so the CenterBox's natural height would otherwise balloon
@@ -441,8 +442,11 @@ class StationBar(Gtk.Window):
         if state is None:
             self._battery_widget.set_visible(False)
         else:
+            # the ship runs on "fuel", not a battery — a fixed fuel-tank glyph in
+            # place of the charge-level battery icon (only shown when a battery
+            # actually exists, e.g. on a laptop).
             self._battery_widget.set_visible(True)
-            self._battery_widget.set_label(f"{state.icon} {state.percent}%")
+            self._battery_widget.set_label(f"{ICON_FUEL} {state.percent}%")
         return True
 
     def _refresh_volume(self) -> bool:
@@ -474,6 +478,13 @@ class StationBar(Gtk.Window):
         self._hologram.start_intro()
 
     def hide_bar(self) -> None:
+        # Dissolve into static first, then release the exclusive zone + hide.
+        if self._hologram.enabled and self._tick_id is not None:
+            self._hologram.start_outro(self._finish_hide)
+        else:
+            self._finish_hide()
+
+    def _finish_hide(self) -> None:
         LayerShell.set_exclusive_zone(self, 0)
         self.set_visible(False)
         self._stop_tick()
diff --git a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/lib/hologram.py b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/lib/hologram.py
index c044d16..19a2921 100644
--- a/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/lib/hologram.py
+++ b/desktopenvs/hyprdrive/station-bar/lib/hologram.py
@@ -40,15 +40,24 @@ class HologramOverlay:
     NOISE_ALPHA_RANGE = (0.10, 0.34)
     EDGE_FADE_X = 64.0          # smooth horizontal fade-out of the scanline field
     EDGE_FADE_Y = 40.0          # smooth vertical fade-out
-    INTRO_DURATION = 0.6        # 'materialise out of static' opening animation
-    INTRO_STATIC = 520          # static specks at the very start of the intro
+    INTRO_DURATION = 1.5        # long, noisy 'materialise out of static' fade-in
+    INTRO_STATIC = 1200         # static specks at the very start of the intro
+    OUTRO_DURATION = 0.45       # quick reverse dissolve back into static on close
 
-    def __init__(self, enabled: bool = True, clip_func=None) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, enabled: bool = True, clip_func=None, fade_widget=None,
+                 intro_duration: float | None = None) -> None:
         self.enabled = enabled
         self._clip_func = clip_func   # optional path-setter to clip the holo to the UI shape
+        # widget whose opacity is ramped 0->1 during the intro so the UI genuinely
+        # fades in (a gradual reveal), rather than a solid haze block popping on
+        self._fade_widget = fade_widget
+        if intro_duration is not None:
+            self.INTRO_DURATION = intro_duration   # per-instance override of the class default
         self._sat_time = 0.0
         self._particles: list[dict] = []
         self._intro_t: float | None = None      # >=0 while the materialise intro plays
+        self._outro_t: float | None = None      # >=0 while the closing dissolve plays
+        self._outro_done = None                  # callback fired when the dissolve finishes
         self._mask_cache: tuple | None = None    # (w, h, pattern) edge-fade mask
 
         self.widget = Gtk.DrawingArea()
@@ -68,12 +77,42 @@ class HologramOverlay:
             self._intro_t += dt
             if self._intro_t >= self.INTRO_DURATION:
                 self._intro_t = None
+                if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                    self._fade_widget.set_opacity(1.0)
+            elif self._fade_widget is not None:
+                p = self._intro_t / self.INTRO_DURATION
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(p * p * (3 - 2 * p))   # smooth ramp 0->1
+        if self._outro_t is not None:
+            self._outro_t += dt
+            po = min(1.0, self._outro_t / self.OUTRO_DURATION)
+            if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(1.0 - po * po * (3 - 2 * po))   # ramp 1->0
+            if self._outro_t >= self.OUTRO_DURATION:
+                done = self._outro_done
+                self._outro_t = None
+                self._outro_done = None
+                if done is not None:
+                    done()
         self.widget.queue_draw()
 
     def start_intro(self) -> None:
         """Kick off the 'hologram materialising out of static' opening effect."""
         if self.enabled:
+            self._outro_t = None          # cancel any in-flight closing dissolve
+            self._outro_done = None
             self._intro_t = 0.0
+            if self._fade_widget is not None:
+                self._fade_widget.set_opacity(0.0)   # start hidden; tick() ramps it up
+
+    def start_outro(self, on_done) -> None:
+        """Play a quick reverse of the intro (content dissolving back into static),
+        then call on_done to actually hide. If disabled, hide immediately."""
+        if not self.enabled:
+            on_done()
+            return
+        self._intro_t = None              # cancel any in-flight opening intro
+        self._outro_t = 0.0
+        self._outro_done = on_done
 
     # -- drawing --------------------------------------------------------------
     def _draw_frame(self, _area, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
@@ -92,6 +131,8 @@ class HologramOverlay:
         cr.mask(self._edge_fade_mask(width, height))
         if self._intro_t is not None:
             self._draw_intro(cr, width, height)
+        elif self._outro_t is not None:
+            self._draw_outro(cr, width, height)
         if self._clip_func is not None:
             cr.restore()
 
@@ -125,20 +166,42 @@ class HologramOverlay:
     def _draw_intro(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
         p = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._intro_t or 0.0) / self.INTRO_DURATION))
         strength = 1.0 - p
-        cr.set_source_rgba(*_VIOLET, 0.28 * strength)   # haze the content emerges from
-        cr.paint()
+        # No solid veil block: the content itself fades in (see tick's fade_widget
+        # ramp). Here we only lay churning static over it — dense at first, thinning
+        # to nothing — so the UI resolves out of noise as it fades up.
         colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
-        for _ in range(int(self.INTRO_STATIC * strength)):
+        count = int(self.INTRO_STATIC * (strength ** 0.5))   # dense, thinning to none
+        for _ in range(count):
             x = random.uniform(0, width)
             y = random.uniform(0, height)
             col = random.choice(colors)
-            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.8) * (0.4 + 0.6 * strength))
-            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.4)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * strength))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
             cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
             cr.fill()
         band = p * height                               # a bright scan wiping down as it resolves
         cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * p - 1)))
-        cr.rectangle(0, band - 1.5, width, 3.0)
+        cr.rectangle(0, band - 2.0, width, 4.0)
+        cr.fill()
+
+    def _draw_outro(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None:
+        # Reverse of the intro: the content is already fading back out (tick's
+        # fade_widget ramp 1->0); here the static thickens from nothing as it goes,
+        # so the panel dissolves into noise just before it vanishes.
+        po = min(1.0, max(0.0, (self._outro_t or 0.0) / self.OUTRO_DURATION))
+        colors = [_MAGENTA, _MAGENTA, _ACCENT, (0.85, 0.85, 0.95)]
+        count = int(self.INTRO_STATIC * (po ** 0.5))
+        for _ in range(count):
+            x = random.uniform(0, width)
+            y = random.uniform(0, height)
+            col = random.choice(colors)
+            cr.set_source_rgba(*col, random.uniform(0.25, 0.85) * (0.35 + 0.65 * po))
+            sz = random.uniform(1.0, 2.8)
+            cr.rectangle(x, y, sz, sz)
+            cr.fill()
+        band = (1.0 - po) * height                      # scan wiping back up as it dissolves
+        cr.set_source_rgba(*_ACCENT, 0.5 * (1.0 - abs(2 * po - 1)))
+        cr.rectangle(0, band - 2.0, width, 4.0)
         cr.fill()
 
     def _draw_content(self, cr, width: float, height: float) -> None: