diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/routes/(app)/memories/+page.svelte b/apps/dashboard/src/routes/(app)/memories/+page.svelte
index 393f84b..e54543d 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/routes/(app)/memories/+page.svelte
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/routes/(app)/memories/+page.svelte
@@ -1,247 +1,199 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-	import { onMount } from 'svelte';
+	import { onDestroy, onMount } from 'svelte';
+	import ObservatoryCanvas from '$lib/components/ObservatoryCanvas.svelte';
 	import { api } from '$stores/api';
 	import type { Memory } from '$types';
-	import { NODE_TYPE_COLORS } from '$types';
-	import MemoryAuditTrail from '$lib/components/MemoryAuditTrail.svelte';
-	import PageHeader from '$lib/components/PageHeader.svelte';
-	import AnimatedNumber from '$lib/components/AnimatedNumber.svelte';
-	import Dropdown, { type DropdownOption } from '$lib/components/Dropdown.svelte';
-	import Icon from '$lib/components/Icon.svelte';
-	import { reveal } from '$lib/actions/reveal';
-	import { spotlight } from '$lib/actions/interactions';
+	import type { ObservatoryEngine } from '$lib/observatory/engine';
+	import { rgb01 } from '$lib/observatory/cognitive-palette';
+	import { TextLayerPass, type TextLayerItem } from '$lib/observatory/text/text-layer';
 
+	type MemoryTextItem = TextLayerItem & { memoryId?: string };
+
+	const CYAN = [...rgb01('#22C7DE'), 1] satisfies [number, number, number, number];
+	const SCARLET = [...rgb01('#FF3B30'), 0.92] satisfies [number, number, number, number];
+	const MUTED = [...rgb01('#29F2A9'), 0.62] satisfies [number, number, number, number];
+	const MEMORY_LIMIT = 40;
+	const ROW_LIMIT = 36;
+
+	let hostEl: HTMLDivElement | null = $state(null);
+	let engineRef: ObservatoryEngine | null = null;
+	let textPass: TextLayerPass | null = null;
+	let cursorSmoothed: { x: number; y: number } | null = null;
 	let memories: Memory[] = $state([]);
-	let searchQuery = $state('');
-	let selectedType = $state('');
-	let selectedTag = $state('');
-	let minRetention = $state(0);
+	let total = $state(0);
 	let loading = $state(true);
-	let selectedMemory: Memory | null = $state(null);
-	// Which inner tab of the expanded card is active. Keyed by memory id so
-	// switching between cards remembers each one's last view independently.
-	let expandedTab: Record<string, 'content' | 'audit'> = $state({});
-	let debounceTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
+	let error: string | null = $state(null);
+	let activeRun: string | null = null;
 
-	onMount(() => loadMemories());
+	onMount(() => {
+		void loadMemories();
+	});
+
+	onDestroy(() => {
+		textPass?.dispose();
+		textPass = null;
+		engineRef = null;
+	});
+
+	async function handleReady(engine: ObservatoryEngine) {
+		engineRef = engine;
+		const pass = new TextLayerPass(engine);
+		textPass = pass;
+		await pass.init();
+		pass.setText(buildTextItems());
+		engine.addPass(pass);
+		engine.demoClock.reset();
+	}
 
 	async function loadMemories() {
 		loading = true;
+		error = null;
+		textPass?.setText(buildTextItems());
 		try {
-			const params: Record<string, string> = {};
-			if (searchQuery) params.q = searchQuery;
-			if (selectedType) params.node_type = selectedType;
-			if (selectedTag) params.tag = selectedTag;
-			if (minRetention > 0) params.min_retention = String(minRetention);
-			const res = await api.memories.list(params);
+			const res = await api.memories.list({ limit: String(MEMORY_LIMIT) });
 			memories = res.memories;
-		} catch {
+			total = res.total;
+		} catch (err) {
 			memories = [];
+			total = 0;
+			error = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'UNKNOWN MEMORY FETCH ERROR';
 		} finally {
 			loading = false;
+			textPass?.setText(buildTextItems());
+			engineRef?.demoClock.reset();
 		}
 	}
 
-	function onSearch() {
-		clearTimeout(debounceTimer);
-		debounceTimer = setTimeout(loadMemories, 300);
+	function sanitizeAscii(value: string): string {
+		return value
+			.replace(/[\u2014\u2013]/g, '-')
+			.replace(/[\u2018\u2019]/g, "'")
+			.replace(/[\u201C\u201D]/g, '"')
+			.replace(/\u2026/g, '...')
+			.replace(/[^\x20-\x7E]/g, '?');
 	}
 
-	function retentionColor(r: number): string {
-		if (r > 0.7) return '#10b981';
-		if (r > 0.4) return '#f59e0b';
-		return '#ef4444';
+	function memoryLine(memory: Memory): string {
+		const snippet = sanitizeAscii(memory.content).replace(/\s+/g, ' ').trim().slice(0, 52);
+		return sanitizeAscii(
+			`${snippet} | ${memory.id.slice(0, 8)} | ${Math.round(memory.retentionStrength * 100)}%`
+		);
 	}
 
-	// Clear, labelled dropdown options replace the dead native <select>.
-	const typeOptions: DropdownOption[] = [
-		{ value: '', label: 'All types' },
-		{ value: 'fact', label: 'Fact', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.fact },
-		{ value: 'concept', label: 'Concept', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.concept },
-		{ value: 'event', label: 'Event', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.event },
-		{ value: 'person', label: 'Person', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.person },
-		{ value: 'place', label: 'Place', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.place },
-		{ value: 'note', label: 'Note', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.note },
-		{ value: 'pattern', label: 'Pattern', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.pattern },
-		{ value: 'decision', label: 'Decision', color: NODE_TYPE_COLORS.decision },
-	];
+	function clamp01(value: number): number {
+		return Math.min(1, Math.max(0, Number.isFinite(value) ? value : 0.5));
+	}
 
-	// Retention filter as a clear dropdown of thresholds (was a bare range slider).
-	const retentionOptions: DropdownOption[] = [
-		{ value: '0', label: 'Any retention' },
-		{ value: '0.3', label: '≥ 30% — fading & up' },
-		{ value: '0.5', label: '≥ 50% — half-strength' },
-		{ value: '0.7', label: '≥ 70% — well-retained' },
-		{ value: '0.9', label: '≥ 90% — core memories' },
-	];
-	let retentionChoice = $state('0');
-	function onRetentionChange(v: string) {
-		minRetention = parseFloat(v);
-		loadMemories();
+	function statusItem(text: string, color = MUTED): MemoryTextItem {
+		return {
+			id: 'memories:status',
+			kind: 'memory-status',
+			text: sanitizeAscii(text),
+			x: -0.58,
+			y: 0.02,
+			size: 0.044,
+			color,
+			depth: 0.78,
+			weight: 0.62,
+			revealSpan: 32,
+			maxWidthEm: 50
+		};
+	}
+
+	function buildTextItems(): MemoryTextItem[] {
+		if (loading) return [statusItem('LOADING MEMORY FIELD...', CYAN)];
+		if (error) return [statusItem(`ERROR - ${error}`.slice(0, 72), SCARLET)];
+		if (memories.length === 0) return [statusItem('EMPTY MEMORY FIELD', MUTED)];
+
+		const rows = memories.slice(0, ROW_LIMIT);
+		const top = 0.72;
+		const rowStep = 1.5 / Math.max(1, ROW_LIMIT - 1);
+		return rows.map((memory, i) => {
+			const retrieval = clamp01(memory.retrievalStrength);
+			const retention = clamp01(memory.retentionStrength);
+			return {
+				id: `mem:${memory.id}`,
+				kind: 'memory',
+				memoryId: memory.id,
+				text: memoryLine(memory),
+				x: -0.88,
+				y: top - i * rowStep,
+				size: 0.026,
+				color: CYAN,
+				depth: retrieval,
+				weight: retention,
+				startFrame: i * 2,
+				revealSpan: 20,
+				maxWidthEm: 46
+			};
+		});
+	}
+
+	function pointerToNdc(e: PointerEvent | MouseEvent): { x: number; y: number } | null {
+		if (!hostEl) return null;
+		const rect = hostEl.getBoundingClientRect();
+		if (rect.width <= 0 || rect.height <= 0) return null;
+		return {
+			x: ((e.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 2 - 1,
+			y: -(((e.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 2 - 1)
+		};
+	}
+
+	function writeCursorLens(ndc: { x: number; y: number }) {
+		if (!hostEl || !engineRef) return;
+		const rect = hostEl.getBoundingClientRect();
+		const aspect = Math.max(0.0001, rect.width / Math.max(1, rect.height));
+		const raw = { x: ndc.x * Math.max(aspect, 1), y: ndc.y / Math.min(aspect, 1) };
+		const prev = cursorSmoothed ?? raw;
+		const next = { x: prev.x + (raw.x - prev.x) * 0.35, y: prev.y + (raw.y - prev.y) * 0.35 };
+		cursorSmoothed = next;
+		engineRef.setCursorPreNdc(next.x, next.y, next.x - prev.x, next.y - prev.y);
+	}
+
+	function handlePointerMove(e: PointerEvent) {
+		const ndc = pointerToNdc(e);
+		if (!ndc) return;
+		writeCursorLens(ndc);
+		const hit = textPass?.pickAt(ndc.x, ndc.y) ?? null;
+		const nextRun = hit?.kind === 'memory' ? hit.id : null;
+		if (nextRun !== activeRun) {
+			activeRun = nextRun;
+			textPass?.setRunDepth(nextRun, 1);
+		}
+		if (hostEl) hostEl.style.cursor = nextRun ? 'crosshair' : 'default';
+	}
+
+	function handlePointerLeave() {
+		cursorSmoothed = null;
+		activeRun = null;
+		engineRef?.setCursorPreNdc(999, 999, 0, 0);
+		textPass?.setRunDepth(null);
+		if (hostEl) hostEl.style.cursor = 'default';
+	}
+
+	async function handlePointerDown(e: PointerEvent) {
+		const ndc = pointerToNdc(e);
+		if (!ndc || !textPass) return;
+		const hit = textPass.pickAt(ndc.x, ndc.y);
+		if (hit?.kind !== 'memory') return;
+		const item = hit.payload as MemoryTextItem;
+		if (!item.memoryId) return;
+		try {
+			const promoted = await api.memories.promote(item.memoryId);
+			memories = memories.map((memory) => (memory.id === promoted.id ? promoted : memory));
+			textPass.setText(buildTextItems());
+		} catch (err) {
+			error = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'UNKNOWN MEMORY PROMOTE ERROR';
+			textPass.setText(buildTextItems());
+		}
 	}
 </script>
 
-<div class="p-6 max-w-6xl mx-auto space-y-6">
-	<PageHeader
-		icon="memories"
-		title="Memories"
-		subtitle="Search, filter, and curate everything Vestige remembers"
-		accent="memory"
-	>
-		<span class="text-dim text-sm tabular-nums">
-			<AnimatedNumber value={memories.length} /> results
-		</span>
-	</PageHeader>
+<svelte:head>
+	<title>Memories · Vestige</title>
+</svelte:head>
 
-	<!-- Search & Filters -->
-	<div class="flex gap-3 flex-wrap items-end enter">
-		<div class="relative flex-1 min-w-64">
-			<span class="absolute left-3.5 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted pointer-events-none">
-				<Icon name="search" size={16} />
-			</span>
-			<input
-				type="text"
-				placeholder="Search memories…  (press / to focus)"
-				bind:value={searchQuery}
-				oninput={onSearch}
-				class="w-full pl-10 pr-4 py-2.5 bg-white/[0.03] border border-synapse/10 rounded-xl text-text text-sm
-					placeholder:text-muted focus:outline-none focus:border-synapse/40 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-synapse/15 transition backdrop-blur-sm"
-			/>
-		</div>
-		<Dropdown
-			options={typeOptions}
-			bind:value={selectedType}
-			label="Type"
-			icon="filter"
-			placeholder="All types"
-			onChange={loadMemories}
-		/>
-		<Dropdown
-			options={retentionOptions}
-			bind:value={retentionChoice}
-			label="Retention"
-			icon="pulse"
-			onChange={onRetentionChange}
-		/>
-	</div>
-
-	<!-- Memory grid -->
-	{#if loading}
-		<div class="grid gap-3">
-			{#each Array(8) as _}
-				<div class="h-24 glass-subtle rounded-xl shimmer"></div>
-			{/each}
-		</div>
-	{:else if memories.length === 0}
-		<div class="enter flex flex-col items-center justify-center text-center py-20 gap-4">
-			<div class="text-dim opacity-60 breathe"><Icon name="memories" size={48} strokeWidth={1.2} /></div>
-			<p class="text-dim text-sm max-w-sm">
-				{searchQuery || selectedType || minRetention > 0
-					? 'No memories match these filters yet. Try widening your search.'
-					: 'No memories yet — once Vestige starts remembering, they will surface here, alive and searchable.'}
-			</p>
-		</div>
-	{:else}
-		<div class="grid gap-3">
-			{#each memories as memory, i (memory.id)}
-				<button
-					use:reveal={{ delay: Math.min(i * 35, 350), y: 12 }}
-					use:spotlight
-					onclick={() => selectedMemory = selectedMemory?.id === memory.id ? null : memory}
-					class="spotlight-surface text-left p-4 glass-subtle rounded-xl hover:bg-white/[0.04]
-						transition-all duration-200 group
-						{selectedMemory?.id === memory.id ? '!border-synapse/40 glow-synapse live-border' : ''}"
-				>
-					<div class="relative z-[1] flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
-						<div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-							<div class="flex items-center gap-2 mb-2">
-								<span class="w-2 h-2 rounded-full" style="background: {NODE_TYPE_COLORS[memory.nodeType] || '#8B95A5'}; box-shadow: 0 0 6px {NODE_TYPE_COLORS[memory.nodeType] || '#8B95A5'}99"></span>
-								<span class="text-xs text-dim capitalize">{memory.nodeType}</span>
-								{#each memory.tags.slice(0, 3) as tag}
-									<span class="text-xs px-1.5 py-0.5 bg-white/[0.04] rounded text-muted">{tag}</span>
-								{/each}
-							</div>
-							<p class="text-sm text-text leading-relaxed line-clamp-2">{memory.content}</p>
-						</div>
-						<div class="flex flex-col items-end gap-1 flex-shrink-0">
-							<div class="w-12 h-1.5 bg-deep rounded-full overflow-hidden">
-								<div class="h-full rounded-full" style="width: {memory.retentionStrength * 100}%; background: {retentionColor(memory.retentionStrength)}"></div>
-							</div>
-							<span class="text-xs text-muted">{(memory.retentionStrength * 100).toFixed(0)}%</span>
-						</div>
-					</div>
-
-					{#if selectedMemory?.id === memory.id}
-						{@const activeTab = expandedTab[memory.id] ?? 'content'}
-						<div class="relative z-[1] mt-4 pt-4 border-t border-synapse/10 space-y-3">
-							<!-- Inner tab switcher: Content (default) vs Audit Trail. -->
-							<div class="flex gap-1 text-[11px] uppercase tracking-wider">
-								<span
-									role="button"
-									tabindex="0"
-									onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); expandedTab[memory.id] = 'content'; }}
-									onkeydown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') { e.stopPropagation(); expandedTab[memory.id] = 'content'; } }}
-									class="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg cursor-pointer select-none transition
-										{activeTab === 'content' ? 'bg-synapse/20 text-synapse-glow border border-synapse/40' : 'bg-white/[0.03] text-dim hover:text-text border border-transparent'}"
-								>Content</span>
-								<span
-									role="button"
-									tabindex="0"
-									onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); expandedTab[memory.id] = 'audit'; }}
-									onkeydown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') { e.stopPropagation(); expandedTab[memory.id] = 'audit'; } }}
-									class="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg cursor-pointer select-none transition
-										{activeTab === 'audit' ? 'bg-synapse/20 text-synapse-glow border border-synapse/40' : 'bg-white/[0.03] text-dim hover:text-text border border-transparent'}"
-								>Audit Trail</span>
-							</div>
-
-							{#if activeTab === 'content'}
-								<p class="text-sm text-text whitespace-pre-wrap">{memory.content}</p>
-								<div class="grid grid-cols-3 gap-3 text-xs text-dim">
-									<div>Storage: {(memory.storageStrength * 100).toFixed(1)}%</div>
-									<div>Retrieval: {(memory.retrievalStrength * 100).toFixed(1)}%</div>
-									<div>Created: {new Date(memory.createdAt).toLocaleDateString()}</div>
-								</div>
-							{:else}
-								<div
-									role="presentation"
-									onclick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
-									onkeydown={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
-								>
-									<MemoryAuditTrail memoryId={memory.id} />
-								</div>
-							{/if}
-
-							<div class="flex gap-2">
-								<span role="button" tabindex="0" onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); api.memories.promote(memory.id); }}
-									onkeydown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter') { e.stopPropagation(); api.memories.promote(memory.id); } }}
-									class="px-3 py-1.5 bg-recall/20 text-recall text-xs rounded-lg hover:bg-recall/30 cursor-pointer select-none">Promote</span>
-								<span role="button" tabindex="0" onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); api.memories.demote(memory.id); }}
-									onkeydown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter') { e.stopPropagation(); api.memories.demote(memory.id); } }}
-									class="px-3 py-1.5 bg-decay/20 text-decay text-xs rounded-lg hover:bg-decay/30 cursor-pointer select-none">Demote</span>
-								<!-- v2.0.7: suppress (active forgetting). Distinct from delete: the memory
-									 persists but is inhibited from retrieval and actively decays. Each click
-									 compounds. Graph plays the violet implosion via MemorySuppressed event. -->
-								<span role="button" tabindex="0"
-									onclick={async (e) => {
-										e.stopPropagation();
-										await api.memories.suppress(memory.id, 'dashboard trigger');
-									}}
-									onkeydown={async (e) => {
-										if (e.key === 'Enter') {
-											e.stopPropagation();
-											await api.memories.suppress(memory.id, 'dashboard trigger');
-										}
-									}}
-									title="Top-down inhibition (Anderson 2025). Compounds. Reversible for 24h."
-									class="px-3 py-1.5 bg-purple-500/20 text-purple-400 text-xs rounded-lg hover:bg-purple-500/30 cursor-pointer select-none">Suppress</span>
-								<span role="button" tabindex="0" onclick={async (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); await api.memories.delete(memory.id); loadMemories(); }}
-									onkeydown={async (e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter') { e.stopPropagation(); await api.memories.delete(memory.id); loadMemories(); } }}
-									class="px-3 py-1.5 bg-decay/10 text-decay/60 text-xs rounded-lg hover:bg-decay/20 ml-auto cursor-pointer select-none">Delete</span>
-							</div>
-						</div>
-					{/if}
-				</button>
-			{/each}
-		</div>
-	{/if}
+<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
+<div bind:this={hostEl} class="fixed inset-0 bg-[#020307]" onpointerdown={handlePointerDown} onpointermove={handlePointerMove} onpointerleave={handlePointerLeave}>
+	<ObservatoryCanvas demo="recall-path" seed={`real-memory-field:${total}`} onready={handleReady} />
 </div>