diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0d00744..4e7816e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -130,6 +130,8 @@ Left out on purpose: phone stats (iOS shares nothing Linux can read without extr
 
 The picture is `lock.look.wallpaper`, or else the wallpaper the colours came from: `matugen/amane.colors` writes its path into the theme file (`wallpaper=`), so it's there after the next wallpaper change. Without either, the colours' gradient. Amane reads PNG and JPEG only.
 
+It redraws for the music's progress, the clock and typing, so it's cheap to draw: the backdrop (the gradient, and the veil over the picture, darker toward the corners, `lock.look.vignette`) is one shader, `src/lock.wgsl`, and every icon goes into one canvas. Measured in a preview on one 1080p monitor: 0.8 ms per frame to submit and present (2.4 ms before), the GPU's render engine half as busy.
+
 Killing the shell does not unlock: Hyprland keeps the session locked and shows its own error screen. Keep a second TTY logged in when trying changes to the lock screen.
 
 ## Settings
@@ -195,7 +197,7 @@ src/glyph.rs       every drawn icon, as a Canvas or as shapes for a shared one
 src/theme.rs       the shell's colours: the matugen theme file, the cross-fade; watches config.toml
 src/lock.rs        the lock screen (amane's App::lock), `lock` IPC
 src/surface.rs     what the island, pills, menus and popups are made of: the solid, frosted and liquid designs as values for surface.wgsl, glass for glass.wgsl
-src/*.wgsl         shaders: surface (every surface), ring (the candles), curve (the equalizer's line)
+src/*.wgsl         shaders: surface (every surface), glass (the glass design), ring (the candles), curve (the equalizer's line), lock (the lock screen's backdrop)
 src/config.rs      every setting, declared once (typed accessors + the window's list), config.toml read and written
 src/hypr.rs        Hyprland's options for the config window: hyprctl descriptions/getoption, hl.config, amane.lua
 src/settings.rs    the config window, `config` IPC
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 2566571..c6c3c35 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -635,6 +635,7 @@ settings! {
             blur: u64 = 6, 0..=40; "How blurred the picture is, in pixels of its small copy; 0 shows it sharp"
             copy_width: u64 = 320, 64..=1920; "Width of the small copy of the picture that's blurred and stretched over the screen; smaller is softer"
             dim: f32 = 0.3, 0..=1; "How much the picture is darkened, so the words over it stay readable"
+            vignette: f32 = 0.35, 0..=1; "How much darker the screen's corners are than its middle"
             top: f32 = 90.0, 0..=600; "Space above the date"
             bottom: f32 = 70.0, 0..=600; "Space below the password field"
             gap: f32 = 16.0, 0..=80; "Space between the lock screen's parts"
diff --git a/src/control.rs b/src/control.rs
index fdcd99e..e041c93 100644
--- a/src/control.rs
+++ b/src/control.rs
@@ -828,6 +828,11 @@ pub fn battery_width(charge: &Charge) -> f32 {
 
 // a battery drawn from rectangles, filled to its charge, with a bolt while it charges
 pub fn battery(charge: &Charge) -> Row {
+    battery_with(charge, true)
+}
+
+// `bolt` false leaves the bolt's place (11 px, first) empty, for a caller drawing its icons into one canvas
+pub fn battery_with(charge: &Charge, bolt: bool) -> Row {
     let theme = theme::now();
 
     let low = charge.percent <= 15 && charge.status == "Discharging";
@@ -849,7 +854,11 @@ pub fn battery(charge: &Charge) -> Row {
     let mut parts: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = Vec::new();
 
     if charge.status == "Charging" {
-        parts.push(Box::new(icon(Glyph::Bolt, 11.0, theme.accent)));
+        if bolt {
+            parts.push(Box::new(icon(Glyph::Bolt, 11.0, theme.accent)));
+        } else {
+            parts.push(Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(11.0).height(11.0)));
+        }
     }
 
     parts.push(Box::new(Row::new(children![body, nub]).gap(1.0).align(Center)));
diff --git a/src/lock.rs b/src/lock.rs
index e174b16..c0f2b8e 100644
--- a/src/lock.rs
+++ b/src/lock.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 use std::fs;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::sync::LazyLock;
 
-use amane::{Center, Color, Column, Full, Gradient, Image, LayerWindow, Lock, Media, MediaPlayer, Monitor, Pointer, Rectangle, Row, Service, SpaceBetween, Stack, Start, Text, TextInput, Weight, Widget, children, window_size};
+use amane::{Canvas, Center, Color, Column, Full, Image, LayerWindow, Lock, Media, MediaPlayer, Monitor, Pointer, Rectangle, Row, Service, Shape, SpaceBetween, Stack, Start, Text, TextInput, Weight, Widget, children, window_size};
 
 use crate::art::Art;
 use crate::config::appearance::{font, overlays, text};
 use crate::config::lock::{look, show};
 use crate::config::pills::layout;
-use crate::glyph::{Glyph, icon};
+use crate::glyph::{Glyph, glyph_shapes};
 use crate::home::{self, Clock};
 use crate::island::{self, CLEAR, Island, faded};
 use crate::system::Power;
@@ -20,6 +22,12 @@ use crate::{control, edge, notices, parse, surface, theme};
  * password. every monitor shows it, all sharing the one password field.
  * `amane ipc call lock` locks. killing the shell doesn't unlock: hyprland keeps the session
  * locked (README, Lock screen)
+ *
+ * it redraws for the music's progress, the clock and the password, so it's drawn cheaply:
+ * the backdrop is one shader (lock.wgsl) instead of a gradient vello paints over the whole
+ * screen on every frame, the glass is surface.rs's shader, and every icon goes into one
+ * canvas over it all, as each canvas is a vello pass of its own. so that where each icon
+ * lands is known, every part has a fixed size
  */
 
 // what the lock screen looks up once per lock, before it shows
@@ -41,6 +49,14 @@ impl Service for Shown {
 // the password field's name; every monitor's lock screen shows the same one
 const FIELD: &str = "lock-password";
 
+static SHADER: LazyLock<PathBuf> = LazyLock::new(|| surface::shader_file("lock.wgsl", include_str!("lock.wgsl")));
+
+// the icons of one frame, drawn together into one canvas over the screen
+type Icons = Vec<Box<dyn Shape>>;
+
+// a chip's parts, how wide they are, and the icon the canvas draws at their start
+type Chip = (Vec<Box<dyn Widget>>, f32, Option<(Glyph, f32, Color)>);
+
 // `amane ipc call lock`: the splash and the picture are looked up first, so the screen shows them from its first frame
 pub fn command(words: &[String]) -> String {
     if !words.is_empty() {
@@ -88,75 +104,115 @@ pub fn view(_: &Monitor) -> LayerWindow {
     window.child(screen(width, height))
 }
 
-fn alpha(share: f32) -> u8 {
-    (share.clamp(0.0, 1.0) * 255.0).round() as u8
-}
-
 // about how wide words are at `size`, as the chips size themselves
 fn words_width(words: &str, size: f32) -> f32 {
     words.chars().count() as f32 * size * font::letter_width()
 }
 
+// words in a box `width` wide, from its left, elided past it
+fn words(words: &str, size: f32, color: Color, bold: bool, width: f32) -> Rectangle {
+    let text = Text::new(words).size(size).color(color).elide();
+    let text = if bold { text.weight(Weight::Bold) } else { text };
+
+    Rectangle::new().width(width).height(size * 1.4).align_child(Start, Center).child(text)
+}
+
+// empty room `width` wide, where an icon of the canvas goes or just space
+fn room(width: f32) -> Rectangle {
+    Rectangle::new().width(width).height(1.0)
+}
+
+// `glyph` centred on (x, y)
+fn place(icons: &mut Icons, glyph: Glyph, size: f32, color: Color, (x, y): (f32, f32)) {
+    icons.extend(glyph_shapes(glyph, size, color, 0.0, (x - size / 2.0, y - size / 2.0)));
+}
+
 fn screen(width: f32, height: f32) -> Stack {
     let clock = Clock::read();
     let shown = Shown::read();
     let gap = look::gap();
 
-    let spacer = |height: f32| Rectangle::new().width(1.0).height(height);
+    let mut icons: Icons = Vec::new();
 
-    let upper = Column::new(children![spacer(look::top()), upper(&clock, &shown, width), middle(clock.now())]).gap(gap).align(Center);
-    let lower = Column::new(children![lower(&clock), spacer(look::bottom())]).align(Center);
+    // the top part downward from look::top, the bottom part upward from look::bottom
+    let upper_y = look::top() + gap;
+    let (upper, upper_h) = upper(&clock, &shown, width, upper_y, &mut icons);
+    let middle = middle(clock.now(), width, upper_y + upper_h + gap, &mut icons);
 
-    let content = Column::new(children![upper, lower]).width(width).height(height).justify(SpaceBetween).align(Center);
+    let lower_y = height - look::bottom() - lower_height();
+    let lower = lower(&clock, width, lower_y, &mut icons);
 
-    Stack::new(children![backdrop(width, height, shown.picture.as_deref()), content]).width(width).height(height)
-}
+    let top = Column::new(children![Rectangle::new().width(1.0).height(look::top()), upper, middle]).gap(gap).align(Center);
+    let bottom = Column::new(children![lower, Rectangle::new().width(1.0).height(look::bottom())]).align(Center);
 
-// the wallpaper's colours as a gradient, the picture blurred over it, and a veil for the words
-fn backdrop(width: f32, height: f32, picture: Option<&str>) -> Stack {
-    let theme = theme::now();
-    let [high, middle, low] = theme.surfaces();
+    let content = Column::new(children![top, bottom]).width(width).height(height).justify(SpaceBetween).align(Center);
 
-    let mut layers: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = vec![Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).fill(Gradient::linear(160.0, [(0.0, high), (0.55, middle), (1.0, low)])))];
+    let mut layers = backdrop(width, height, shown.picture.as_deref());
 
-    if let Some(path) = picture {
-        let blur = look::blur() as u32;
+    layers.push(Box::new(content));
 
-        // blurred: a small copy, blurred once when decoded and stretched over the screen, costs nothing per frame
-        let image = if blur == 0 {
-            Image::cover(path).thumbnail(width.ceil() as u32, height.ceil() as u32)
-        } else {
-            let copy = look::copy_width() as u32;
-
-            Image::cover(path).thumbnail(copy, (copy as f32 * height / width).ceil() as u32).blurred(blur)
-        };
-
-        layers.push(Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).fill(image)));
+    if !icons.is_empty() {
+        layers.push(Box::new(Canvas::new().width(width).height(height).shapes(icons)));
     }
 
-    layers.push(Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).fill(faded(Color::BLACK, alpha(look::dim())))));
-
     Stack::new(layers).width(width).height(height)
 }
 
-// the date with the weather now, the clock, hyprland's splash
-fn upper(clock: &Clock, shown: &Shown, width: f32) -> Column {
+// the wallpaper colours' gradient, the picture blurred over it, and a veil over that darker at the edges: lock.wgsl
+fn backdrop(width: f32, height: f32, picture: Option<&str>) -> Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> {
+    let [high, middle, low] = theme::now().surfaces();
+
+    let shade = |layer: f32| {
+        let values = vec![[width, height, 160.0, layer], surface::plain(high), surface::plain(middle), surface::plain(low), [look::dim(), look::vignette(), 0.0, 0.0]];
+
+        Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).shader(SHADER.as_path()).shader_values(values)) as Box<dyn Widget>
+    };
+
+    let Some(path) = picture else {
+        return vec![shade(0.0)];
+    };
+
+    let blur = look::blur() as u32;
+
+    // blurred: a small copy, blurred once when decoded and stretched over the screen, costs nothing per frame
+    let image = if blur == 0 {
+        Image::cover(path).thumbnail(width.ceil() as u32, height.ceil() as u32)
+    } else {
+        let copy = look::copy_width() as u32;
+
+        Image::cover(path).thumbnail(copy, (copy as f32 * height / width).ceil() as u32).blurred(blur)
+    };
+
+    // the gradient shows while the picture decodes
+    vec![shade(1.0), Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).fill(image)), shade(2.0)]
+}
+
+// the date with the weather now, the clock, hyprland's splash, from `y` down; and how tall
+fn upper(clock: &Clock, shown: &Shown, width: f32, y: f32, icons: &mut Icons) -> (Rectangle, f32) {
     let theme = theme::now();
     let size = look::date_size();
     let now = clock.now();
+    let inner = look::gap() * 0.4;
 
-    let mut date: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = Vec::new();
+    // the date, and the weather's icon and words after it
+    let date = if now > 0 { home::date_words(now) } else { String::new() };
+    let date_w = words_width(&date, size);
+    let date_h = size * 1.4;
 
-    if now > 0 {
-        date.push(Box::new(Text::new(home::date_words(now)).size(size).weight(Weight::Bold).color(theme.text)));
-    }
+    let mut row: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = vec![Box::new(words(&date, size, theme.text, true, date_w))];
+    let mut row_w = date_w;
 
     if show::weather()
-        && let Some((glyph, words)) = home::weather_now()
+        && let Some((glyph, said)) = home::weather_now()
     {
-        date.push(Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(size * 0.4).height(1.0)));
-        date.push(Box::new(icon(glyph, size * 1.15, theme.text)));
-        date.push(Box::new(Text::new(words).size(size).color(theme.text)));
+        let (space, icon, after) = (size * 0.6, size * 1.15, size * 0.3);
+        let said_w = words_width(&said, size);
+        let total = date_w + space + icon + after + said_w;
+
+        place(icons, glyph, icon, theme.text, ((width - total) / 2.0 + date_w + space + icon / 2.0, y + date_h / 2.0));
+
+        row.extend(children![room(space), room(icon), room(after), words(&said, size, theme.text, false, said_w)]);
+        row_w = total;
     }
 
     let seconds = now.rem_euclid(86_400);
@@ -165,43 +221,49 @@ fn upper(clock: &Clock, shown: &Shown, width: f32) -> Column {
     let digits = Text::new(time).size(look::clock_size()).weight(look::clock_weight().min(1000) as u16).color(theme.text).tight();
     let family = look::clock_font();
     let digits = if family.trim().is_empty() { digits } else { digits.font(family.trim()) };
+    let clock_h = digits.height_in(width);
 
-    let mut parts: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = vec![Box::new(Row::new(date).gap(size * 0.4).align(Center)), Box::new(digits)];
+    let mut parts: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = vec![
+        Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(row_w).height(date_h).child(Row::new(row).align(Center))),
+        Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(width).height(clock_h).align_child(Center, Center).child(digits)),
+    ];
+
+    let mut height = date_h + inner + clock_h;
 
     if show::splash() && !shown.splash.is_empty() {
         let size = size * 0.7;
-        let words = format!("“{}”", shown.splash);
+        let said = format!("“{}”", shown.splash);
+        let said_w = (words_width(&said, size) + size).min(width * 0.7);
 
-        // as wide as the words, at most most of the screen: elided text starts at its box's left
-        let box_w = (words_width(&words, size) + size).min(width * 0.7);
-
-        parts.push(Box::new(Rectangle::new().width(box_w).height(size * 1.6).align_child(Center, Center).child(Text::new(words).size(size).color(theme.dim).elide())));
+        parts.push(Box::new(words(&said, size, theme.dim, false, said_w)));
+        height += inner + size * 1.4;
     }
 
-    Column::new(parts).gap(look::gap() * 0.4).align(Center)
+    (Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).align_child(Center, Start).child(Column::new(parts).gap(inner).align(Center)), height)
 }
 
-// the music, then the chips
-fn middle(now: i64) -> Column {
+// the music, then the chips, from `y` down
+fn middle(now: i64, width: f32, y: f32, icons: &mut Icons) -> Column {
+    let gap = look::gap() * 0.75;
     let mut parts: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = Vec::new();
+    let mut y = y;
 
     if show::music()
-        && let Some(card) = music()
+        && let Some(card) = music(width, y, icons)
     {
         parts.push(Box::new(card));
+        y += look::card_height() + gap;
     }
 
-    let chips = chips(now);
-
-    if !chips.is_empty() {
-        parts.push(Box::new(Row::new(chips).gap(look::gap() * 0.6).align(Center)));
+    if let Some(chips) = chips(now, width, y, icons) {
+        parts.push(Box::new(chips));
     }
 
-    Column::new(parts).gap(look::gap() * 0.75).align(Center)
+    Column::new(parts).gap(gap).align(Center)
 }
 
-// the shown player's song: its cover, title, artist and how far it is, and its buttons
-fn music() -> Option<Rectangle> {
+// the shown player's song at `y`: its cover, title, artist and how far it is, and its buttons
+fn music(width: f32, y: f32, icons: &mut Icons) -> Option<Rectangle> {
     let media = Media::read();
     let island = Island::read();
     let art = Art::read();
@@ -209,24 +271,30 @@ fn music() -> Option<Rectangle> {
 
     let player = island::shown(&media, island.selected.as_deref())?;
 
-    let (width, height) = (look::card_width(), look::card_height());
+    let (card_w, card_h) = (look::card_width(), look::card_height());
     let gap = look::gap() * 0.75;
-    let cover = look::cover().min(height - 8.0);
-    let pad = (height - cover) / 2.0;
+    let cover = look::cover().min(card_h - 8.0);
+    let pad = (card_h - cover) / 2.0;
+
+    // where the card's row starts, and the height every part of it is centred on
+    let left = (width - card_w) / 2.0 + pad;
+    let middle = y + card_h / 2.0;
 
     let picture = Rectangle::new().width(cover).height(cover).radius(cover * 0.18);
 
     let picture = if art.path.is_empty() {
-        picture.fill(theme.accent_soft).align_child(Center, Center).child(icon(Glyph::Note, cover * 0.45, theme.accent))
+        place(icons, Glyph::Note, cover * 0.45, theme.accent, (left + cover / 2.0, middle));
+
+        picture.fill(theme.accent_soft)
     } else {
         let pixels = (cover * 2.0).ceil() as u32;
 
         picture.fill(Image::cover(art.path.clone()).thumbnail(pixels, pixels))
     };
 
-    let buttons = show::controls().then(|| controls(player));
-    let buttons_w = buttons.as_ref().map_or(0.0, |(_, width)| width + gap);
-    let words_w = (width - 2.0 * pad - cover - gap - buttons_w).max(0.0);
+    let (small, big) = (text::title() * 1.9, text::title() * 1.9 * 1.25);
+    let buttons_w = if show::controls() { 2.0 * small + big + 8.0 + gap } else { 0.0 };
+    let words_w = (card_w - 2.0 * pad - cover - gap - buttons_w).max(0.0);
 
     let title = if player.title().is_empty() { player.identity() } else { player.title() };
 
@@ -235,105 +303,131 @@ fn music() -> Option<Rectangle> {
 
     let track = Rectangle::new().width(words_w).height(4.0).radius(Full).fill(overlays::track()).align_child(Start, Center).child(Rectangle::new().width((words_w * done).max(4.0)).height(4.0).radius(Full).fill(theme.text));
 
-    let line = |words: &str, size: f32, color: Color, bold: bool| {
-        let words = Text::new(words).size(size).color(color).elide();
-        let words = if bold { words.weight(Weight::Bold) } else { words };
+    let said = Column::new(children![words(title, text::title(), theme.text, true, words_w), words(player.artist(), text::body(), theme.dim, false, words_w), track]).gap(6.0);
 
-        Rectangle::new().width(words_w).height(size * 1.35).align_child(Start, Center).child(words)
-    };
+    let mut items: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = vec![Box::new(picture), Box::new(said)];
 
-    let words = Column::new(children![line(title, text::title(), theme.text, true), line(player.artist(), text::body(), theme.dim, false), track]).gap(6.0);
-
-    let mut items: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = vec![Box::new(picture), Box::new(words)];
-
-    if let Some((buttons, _)) = buttons {
-        items.push(Box::new(buttons));
+    if show::controls() {
+        items.push(Box::new(controls(player, (left + cover + gap + words_w + gap, middle), small, big, icons)));
     }
 
-    let content = Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).padding(pad).align_child(Start, Center).child(Row::new(items).gap(gap).align(Center));
+    let content = Rectangle::new().width(card_w).height(card_h).padding(pad).align_child(Start, Center).child(Row::new(items).gap(gap).align(Center));
 
-    Some(surface::shell(width, height, layout::radius().min(height / 2.0), &theme.surfaces(), 0.0, content))
+    Some(surface::shell(card_w, card_h, layout::radius().min(card_h / 2.0), &theme.surfaces(), 0.0, content))
 }
 
-// previous, play or pause, next, and how wide they are
-fn controls(player: &MediaPlayer) -> (Row, f32) {
+// previous, play or pause, next, from (x, the middle's y), their icons into the canvas
+fn controls(player: &MediaPlayer, (x, y): (f32, f32), small: f32, big: f32, icons: &mut Icons) -> Row {
     let theme = theme::now();
-    let small = text::title() * 1.9;
-    let big = small * 1.25;
 
-    let button = |glyph: Glyph, size: f32, fill: Color, pressed: Box<dyn Fn()>| {
-        Rectangle::new().width(size).height(size).radius(Full).fill(fill).align_child(Center, Center).cursor(Pointer).on_click(move |_| pressed()).child(icon(glyph, size * 0.42, theme.text))
-    };
-
-    let (previous, toggle, next) = (player.clone(), player.clone(), player.clone());
     let middle = if player.playing() { Glyph::Pause } else { Glyph::Play };
 
-    let row = Row::new(children![
-        button(Glyph::Previous, small, CLEAR, Box::new(move || previous.previous())),
-        button(middle, big, overlays::chip(), Box::new(move || toggle.play_pause())),
-        button(Glyph::Next, small, CLEAR, Box::new(move || next.next())),
+    for (glyph, size, centre) in [(Glyph::Previous, small, x + small / 2.0), (middle, big, x + small + 4.0 + big / 2.0), (Glyph::Next, small, x + small + 4.0 + big + 4.0 + small / 2.0)] {
+        place(icons, glyph, size * 0.42, theme.text, (centre, y));
+    }
+
+    let button = |size: f32, fill: Color, pressed: Box<dyn Fn()>| Rectangle::new().width(size).height(size).radius(Full).fill(fill).cursor(Pointer).on_click(move |_| pressed());
+
+    let (previous, toggle, next) = (player.clone(), player.clone(), player.clone());
+
+    Row::new(children![
+        button(small, CLEAR, Box::new(move || previous.previous())),
+        button(big, overlays::chip(), Box::new(move || toggle.play_pause())),
+        button(small, CLEAR, Box::new(move || next.next())),
     ])
     .gap(4.0)
-    .align(Center);
-
-    (row, 2.0 * small + big + 8.0)
+    .align(Center)
 }
 
 // a glass chip around `parts`, which are `inner` wide
-fn chip(parts: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>>, inner: f32) -> Box<dyn Widget> {
+fn chip(parts: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>>, inner: f32) -> Rectangle {
     let height = look::chip_height();
     let width = inner + height;
 
     let content = Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).align_child(Center, Center).child(Row::new(parts).gap(8.0).align(Center));
 
-    Box::new(surface::shell(width, height, height / 2.0, &theme::now().surfaces(), 0.0, content))
+    surface::shell(width, height, height / 2.0, &theme::now().surfaces(), 0.0, content)
 }
 
-// words in a chip, cut with an ellipsis past `most` wide; and how wide they are
-fn chip_words(words: &str, most: f32) -> (Rectangle, f32) {
-    let size = text::body();
-    let width = words_width(words, size).min(most);
-
-    (Rectangle::new().width(width).height(size * 1.4).align_child(Start, Center).child(Text::new(words).size(size).color(theme::now().text).elide()), width)
-}
-
-// the next event, the new notifications, the battery: each its own chip, when there is one
-fn chips(now: i64) -> Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> {
+// the next event, the new notifications, the battery at `y`: each its own chip, when there is one
+fn chips(now: i64, width: f32, y: f32, icons: &mut Icons) -> Option<Row> {
     let theme = theme::now();
-    let icon_size = text::body() * 1.3;
-    let mut chips = Vec::new();
+    let (size, height) = (text::body(), look::chip_height());
+    let icon = size * 1.3;
+    let spacing = look::gap() * 0.6;
+
+    // each chip's parts and inner width, and an icon at the start of its parts
+    let mut wanted: Vec<Chip> = Vec::new();
 
     if show::event()
         && let Some((when, what, color)) = home::next_event(now)
     {
+        let said = format!("{when} · {what}");
+        let said_w = words_width(&said, size).min(look::card_width() * 0.8);
         let dot = Rectangle::new().width(9.0).height(9.0).radius(Full).fill(color.unwrap_or(theme.accent));
-        let (words, width) = chip_words(&format!("{when} · {what}"), look::card_width() * 0.8);
 
-        chips.push(chip(children![dot, words], 9.0 + 8.0 + width));
+        wanted.push((children![dot, words(&said, size, theme.text, false, said_w)], 9.0 + 8.0 + said_w, None));
     }
 
     let unread = notices::unread();
 
     if show::notifications() && unread > 0 {
-        let words = if unread == 1 { String::from("1 new notification") } else { format!("{unread} new notifications") };
-        let (words, width) = chip_words(&words, look::card_width());
+        let said = if unread == 1 { String::from("1 new notification") } else { format!("{unread} new notifications") };
+        let said_w = words_width(&said, size).min(look::card_width());
 
-        chips.push(chip(children![icon(Glyph::Bell, icon_size, theme.text), words], icon_size + 8.0 + width));
+        wanted.push((children![room(icon), words(&said, size, theme.text, false, said_w)], icon + 8.0 + said_w, Some((Glyph::Bell, icon, theme.text))));
     }
 
     if show::battery()
         && let Some(charge) = &Power::read().battery
     {
-        chips.push(chip(children![control::battery(charge)], control::battery_width(charge)));
+        let bolt = (charge.status == "Charging").then_some((Glyph::Bolt, 11.0, theme.accent));
+
+        wanted.push((children![control::battery_with(charge, false)], control::battery_width(charge), bolt));
     }
 
-    chips
+    if wanted.is_empty() {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let total: f32 = wanted.iter().map(|(_, inner, _)| inner + height).sum::<f32>() + spacing * (wanted.len() - 1) as f32;
+    let mut x = (width - total) / 2.0;
+
+    let mut row: Vec<Box<dyn Widget>> = Vec::new();
+
+    for (parts, inner, icon) in wanted {
+        // a chip's parts start half its height in
+        if let Some((glyph, size, color)) = icon {
+            place(icons, glyph, size, color, (x + height / 2.0 + size / 2.0, y + height / 2.0));
+        }
+
+        row.push(Box::new(chip(parts, inner)));
+        x += inner + height + spacing;
+    }
+
+    Some(Row::new(row).gap(spacing).align(Center))
 }
 
-// the avatar, the name, the password and what became of the last one
-fn lower(clock: &Clock) -> Column {
+fn name_height() -> f32 {
+    text::title() * 1.4
+}
+
+fn note_height() -> f32 {
+    text::body() * 1.6
+}
+
+// how tall the avatar, the name, the password and the note are together
+fn lower_height() -> f32 {
+    let gap = look::gap() * 0.6;
+
+    look::avatar_size() + gap + name_height() + gap + look::field_height() + gap + note_height()
+}
+
+// the avatar, the name, the password and what became of the last one, from `y` down
+fn lower(clock: &Clock, width: f32, y: f32, icons: &mut Icons) -> Column {
     let theme = theme::now();
     let lock = Lock::read();
+    let gap = look::gap() * 0.6;
     let size = look::avatar_size();
 
     let avatar = Rectangle::new().width(size).height(size).radius(Full).border(2.0, faded(theme.text, 90));
@@ -344,27 +438,32 @@ fn lower(clock: &Clock) -> Column {
 
             avatar.fill(Image::cover(path).thumbnail(pixels, pixels))
         }
-        None => avatar.fill(faded(theme.accent, 60)).align_child(Center, Center).child(icon(Glyph::Person, size * 0.54, theme.accent)),
+        None => {
+            place(icons, Glyph::Person, size * 0.54, theme.accent, (width / 2.0, y + size / 2.0));
+
+            avatar.fill(faded(theme.accent, 60))
+        }
     };
 
-    let name = Text::new(home::name()).size(text::title()).weight(Weight::Bold).color(theme.text);
+    let name = Rectangle::new().width(width).height(name_height()).align_child(Center, Center).child(Text::new(home::name()).size(text::title()).weight(Weight::Bold).color(theme.text));
 
-    let (width, height) = (look::field_width(), look::field_height());
-    let size = text::popup();
+    let (field_w, field_h) = (look::field_width(), look::field_height());
+    let letters = text::popup();
+    let icon = letters * 1.1;
+    let start = field_h * 0.45;
 
-    let input = TextInput::new(FIELD).password().focused().placeholder("Enter password").size(size).color(theme.text).on_submit(submit);
+    let field_y = y + size + gap + name_height() + gap;
 
-    let inside = Row::new(children![
-        Rectangle::new().width(height * 0.45).height(1.0),
-        icon(Glyph::Lock, size * 1.1, theme.dim),
-        Rectangle::new().width(width - height * 0.9 - size * 1.1 - 10.0).height(height).align_child(Start, Center).child(input),
-    ])
-    .gap(10.0)
-    .align(Center);
+    place(icons, Glyph::Lock, icon, theme.dim, ((width - field_w) / 2.0 + start + icon / 2.0, field_y + field_h / 2.0));
+
+    let input = TextInput::new(FIELD).password().focused().placeholder("Enter password").size(letters).color(theme.text).on_submit(submit);
+
+    // the lock icon's room, then the input 10 px after it
+    let inside = Row::new(children![room(start), room(icon), room(10.0), Rectangle::new().width(field_w - 2.0 * start - icon - 10.0).height(field_h).align_child(Start, Center).child(input)]).align(Center);
 
     // a wrong password lights the field's rim
     let lift = if lock.failed() { 1.0 } else { 0.0 };
-    let field = surface::shell(width, height, height / 2.0, &theme.surfaces(), lift, Rectangle::new().width(width).height(height).align_child(Start, Center).child(inside));
+    let field = surface::shell(field_w, field_h, field_h / 2.0, &theme.surfaces(), lift, Rectangle::new().width(field_w).height(field_h).align_child(Start, Center).child(inside));
 
     let (note, color) = if lock.checking() {
         ("Checking…", theme.dim)
@@ -374,9 +473,9 @@ fn lower(clock: &Clock) -> Column {
         ("", theme.dim)
     };
 
-    let note = Rectangle::new().width(width).height(text::body() * 1.6).align_child(Center, Center).child(Text::new(note).size(text::body()).color(color));
+    let note = Rectangle::new().width(field_w).height(note_height()).align_child(Center, Center).child(Text::new(note).size(text::body()).color(color));
 
-    Column::new(children![avatar, name, field, note]).gap(look::gap() * 0.6).align(Center)
+    Column::new(children![avatar, name, field, note]).gap(gap).align(Center)
 }
 
 // Enter: the field empties at once, pam gets the password on its own thread
diff --git a/src/lock.wgsl b/src/lock.wgsl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1ea063
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lock.wgsl
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// the lock screen's backdrop in one pass: the wallpaper colours' gradient, and over the picture
+// a veil that darkens it, more toward the edges. drawn as amane's gradient it was a vello pass
+// over the whole screen on every frame (vello keeps no gradient between frames). lock.rs fills
+// the values:
+//   0: width, height, the gradient's angle in degrees (0 runs bottom to top, 90 left to right), layer
+//   1-3: the gradient's colours at 0, 0.55 and 1, plain
+//   4: the veil's darkness and the vignette's strength, 0 to 1
+// layer 1 is the gradient (under the picture), 2 the veil (over it), 0 both (no picture)
+
+@fragment
+fn main(@location(0) uv: vec2<f32>) -> @location(0) vec4<f32> {
+    let extent = values[0].xy;
+    let angle = radians(values[0].z);
+    let layer = u32(values[0].w);
+
+    // where this pixel lies along the gradient, 0 at its start corner and 1 at its end
+    let direction = vec2<f32>(sin(angle), -cos(angle));
+    let reach = abs(direction.x) * extent.x + abs(direction.y) * extent.y;
+    let t = clamp(dot((uv - 0.5) * extent, direction) / max(reach, 1.0) + 0.5, 0.0, 1.0);
+
+    let gradient = select(mix(values[2], values[3], (t - 0.55) / 0.45), mix(values[1], values[2], t / 0.55), t < 0.55);
+
+    // the veil, darker toward the corners: 0 in the middle, 1 in a corner
+    let corner = length((uv - 0.5) * 2.0) / 1.4142;
+    let dark = clamp(values[4].x + (1.0 - values[4].x) * values[4].y * smoothstep(0.3, 1.0, corner), 0.0, 1.0);
+
+    if layer == 1u {
+        return vec4<f32>(gradient.rgb, 1.0);
+    }
+
+    if layer == 2u {
+        return vec4<f32>(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, dark);
+    }
+
+    return vec4<f32>(gradient.rgb * (1.0 - dark), 1.0);
+}