diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6c2783
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+**/cava/shaders
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/autostart-i3ipc.yml b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/autostart-i3ipc.yml
index 821c515..9cd8104 100644
--- a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/autostart-i3ipc.yml
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/autostart-i3ipc.yml
@@ -2,18 +2,21 @@
 # yamllint disable rule:line-length
 autostarts:
   pre:  # blocking tasks before others; ie: backup
+    - "/usr/lib64/discord/disable-breaking-updates.py"  # from Discord package, prevents binary updates from breaking the install
     - "truncate -s 0 --no-create ~/.gnupg/trezor/gpg-agent.log"  # this grows ridiculously large/fast, clear it on login - before backup
     - "foot backup_home"  # custom 'restic'/'pass'-driven backup script in '~/.local/bin'
   weekend: []  # blocking tasks to run on weekends, after 'pre' but before the rest in 'common'. 'work' is excluded from weekends.
   #    - "/usr/bin/flatpak update --user --noninteractive --assumeyes | systemd-cat -t flatpak-update"
   common:
+    - "uni-sync"  # ensure lian-li fan controller is configured to sync; run: https://github.com/EightB1ts/uni-sync
     - "/usr/bin/mako"
     - "/usr/libexec/xfce-polkit"  # minimal polkit (gnome is busted), LXQt has an alright option too
     - "kitty --session ~/.config/kitty/sessions/monitoring.conf --title stats"
     - "wl-paste -t text --watch clipman store --no-persist"
-    - "firefox-wayland"  # flatpak/IPA don't seem to work nicely together RE: trust/self-signed
+    # - "firefox-wayland"  # flatpak/IPA don't seem to work nicely together RE: trust/self-signed
+    - "librewolf"  # firefox added 'privacy respecting' ad bullshit
     - "flatpak run --user com.valvesoftware.Steam -silent -nofriendsui -voice_quality 3 -tcp"
-    - "gtk4-launch discord.desktop"
+    - "/usr/bin/Discord --silent --ozone-platform-hint=wayland"
     - "blueman-applet"
     # - "gtk4-launch quasselclient.desktop"
     - "env XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=Unity kdeconnect-indicator"
@@ -21,7 +24,7 @@ autostarts:
     # - "env ELECTRON_NO_UPDATER=1 gtk4-launch bitwarden.desktop"  # disable the updater when running automatically
     - "env XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=Unity tuned-switcher"
     - "thunderbird -P jlay"  # 'thunderbird-wayland' has finally joined/flattened - also, I set the env var; MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1
-    - "flatpak run --file-forwarding org.signal.Signal --class='Signal' --app-id='Signal'"
+    # - "flatpak run --file-forwarding org.signal.Signal --class='Signal' --app-id='Signal'"  # breaks too often in the 'eat 100% of a single core' sense, also don't use it, so dropped/noted
     - "virt-manager"
     # - "flatpak run org.kde.kweather"
     # - "flatpak run com.belmoussaoui.Authenticator"
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/cava/config b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/cava/config
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80ac0fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/cava/config
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+## Configuration file for CAVA. Default values are commented out. Use either ';' or '#' for commenting.
+
+[general]
+mode = normal
+framerate = 120
+autosens = 1
+bars = 0
+bar_width = 4
+bar_spacing = 1
+
+[input]
+sample_bits = 32
+
+[output]
+method = sdl
+channels = mono
+mono_option = average
+alacritty_sync = 1
+
+[color]
+# Colors can be one of seven predefined: black, blue, cyan, green, magenta, red, white, yellow.
+# Or defined by hex code '#xxxxxx' (hex code must be within quotes).
+; background = default
+; foreground = blue
+gradient = 1
+; gradient_count = 8
+; gradient_color_1 = '#59cc33'
+; gradient_color_2 = '#80cc33'
+; gradient_color_3 = '#a6cc33'
+; gradient_color_4 = '#cccc33'
+; gradient_color_5 = '#cca633'
+; gradient_color_6 = '#cc8033'
+; gradient_color_7 = '#cc5933'
+; gradient_color_8 = '#cc3333'
+# Dracula gradient
+; gradient_color_1 = '#8BE9FD'
+; gradient_color_2 = '#9AEDFE'
+; gradient_color_3 = '#CAA9FA'
+; gradient_color_4 = '#BD93F9'
+; gradient_color_5 = '#FF92D0'
+; gradient_color_6 = '#FF79C6'
+; gradient_color_7 = '#FF6E67'
+; gradient_color_8 = '#FF5555'
+# arc-darkest inspired, from llm
+gradient_color_1 = "#1b1f22"  # Bottom of the meter
+gradient_color_2 = "#22272c"
+gradient_color_3 = "#24292e"
+gradient_color_4 = "#2a3137"
+gradient_color_5 = "#2d333b"
+gradient_color_6 = "#353b43"
+gradient_color_7 = "#3a4048"
+gradient_color_8 = "#4f565f"  # Top of the meter
+
+[smoothing]
+integral = 50
+monstercat = 0
+# Set gravity percentage for "drop off". Higher values means bars will drop faster.
+# Accepts only non-negative values. 50 means half gravity, 200 means double. Set to 0 to disable "drop off".
+; gravity = 100
+# In bar height, bars that would have been lower that this will not be drawn.
+; ignore = 0
+
+
+[eq]
+# This one is tricky. You can have as much keys as you want.
+# Remember to uncomment more then one key! More keys = more precision.
+# Look at readme.md on github for further explanations and examples.
+; 1 = 1 # bass
+; 2 = 1
+; 3 = 1 # midtone
+; 4 = 1
+; 5 = 1 # treble
+
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/09-autohint-if-no-hinting.conf b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/09-autohint-if-no-hinting.conf
new file mode 120000
index 0000000..3018e67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/09-autohint-if-no-hinting.conf
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+/usr/share/fontconfig/conf.avail/09-autohint-if-no-hinting.conf
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/10-hinting-slight.conf b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/10-hinting-slight.conf
new file mode 120000
index 0000000..99241c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/10-hinting-slight.conf
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+/usr/share/fontconfig/conf.avail/10-hinting-slight.conf
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/11-lcdfilter-light.conf b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/11-lcdfilter-light.conf
new file mode 120000
index 0000000..4be6da5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/conf.d/11-lcdfilter-light.conf
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+/usr/share/fontconfig/conf.avail/11-lcdfilter-light.conf
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/fonts.conf b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/fonts.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c848a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fontconfig/fontconfig/fonts.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
+<fontconfig>
+    <match target="font">
+        <edit name="antialias" mode="assign">
+            <bool>true</bool>
+        </edit>
+    </match>
+</fontconfig>
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fuzzel/fuzzel.ini b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fuzzel/fuzzel.ini
index d67e9b4..e51ccfd 100644
--- a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fuzzel/fuzzel.ini
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/fuzzel/fuzzel.ini
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ terminal=kitty
 
 # lines=15
 lines=10
-width=16
+width=15
 # horizontal-pad=40
 horizontal-pad=16
 vertical-pad=6
@@ -34,17 +34,30 @@ image-size-ratio=0.0
 exit-on-keyboard-focus-loss = no
 
 [colors]
-background=2b303cff
-text=d8dee9ff
-match=900000ff
-selection=4c566aff
-selection-text=879aa4ff
-border=2a2f3a75
+# nord-ish colors
+#background=2b303cff
+#text=d8dee9ff
+#match=900000ff
+#selection=4c566aff
+#selection-text=879aa4ff
+#border=2a2f3a75
+# from llm, based on arc-darkest
+# A very dark gray-blue with 80% opacity
+background=1b1f22cc
+# White text with 80% opacity to ensure readability
+text=ffffffcc
+# Cool gray for matched text, with 80% opacity for subtle contrast
+match=4f565fcc
+# Dark gray with a blue tint, used for selected items, 80% opacity
+selection=2d333bcc
+# White text on selected items, with 80% opacity
+selection-text=ffffffcc
+# Slate gray border with 80% opacity to subtly define edges
+border=353b43cc
 
 [border]
-width=8
-# default radius = 10, 2 looked ok. 0 disables rounded corners
-# radius=2
+width=4
+# default radius=10, 2 looked ok. 0 disables rounded corners
 radius=0
 
 [dmenu]
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/11-colors.conf b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/11-colors.conf
index c05f170..8bb660a 100644
--- a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/11-colors.conf
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/11-colors.conf
@@ -1,7 +1,27 @@
-# Constants
-# note: black was claimed as 'transparent' in the source where this was found
+# Sway WM colors, format:
+#  client.<class> <border> <background> <text> [<indicator> [<child_border>]]
 #
-# nord colors from here: https://www.nordtheme.com/docs/colors-and-palettes
+# Defaults:
+# ┌──────────────────┬─────────┬────────────┬─────────┬───────────┬──────────────┐
+# │      class       │ border  │ background │ text    │ indicator │ child_border │
+# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
+# │background        │ n/a     │ #ffffff    │ n/a     │ n/a       │ n/a          │
+# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
+# │focused           │ #4c7899 │ #285577    │ #ffffff │ #2e9ef4   │ #285577      │
+# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
+# │focused_inactive  │ #333333 │ #5f676a    │ #ffffff │ #484e50   │ #5f676a      │
+# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
+# │focused_tab_title │ #333333 │ #5f676a    │ #ffffff │ n/a       │ n/a          │
+# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
+# │unfocused         │ #333333 │ #222222    │ #888888 │ #292d2e   │ #222222      │
+# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
+# │urgent            │ #2f343a │ #900000    │ #ffffff │ #900000   │ #900000      │
+# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
+# │placeholder       │ #000000 │ #0c0c0c    │ #ffffff │ #000000   │ #0c0c0c      │
+# └──────────────────┴─────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴──────────────┘
+# Preview: https://thomashunter.name/i3-configurator/
+#
+# Nord colors sourced here: https://www.nordtheme.com/docs/colors-and-palettes
 set {
     $white          #ffffff
     $cyan           #00afd7
@@ -30,47 +50,25 @@ set {
     $nord15         #b48ead
 }
 
-# format:
-#  client.<class> <border> <background> <text> [<indicator> [<child_border>]]
-#
-# The default colors are:
-# ┌──────────────────┬─────────┬────────────┬─────────┬───────────┬──────────────┐
-# │      class       │ border  │ background │ text    │ indicator │ child_border │
-# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
-# │background        │ n/a     │ #ffffff    │ n/a     │ n/a       │ n/a          │
-# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
-# │focused           │ #4c7899 │ #285577    │ #ffffff │ #2e9ef4   │ #285577      │
-# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
-# │focused_inactive  │ #333333 │ #5f676a    │ #ffffff │ #484e50   │ #5f676a      │
-# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
-# │focused_tab_title │ #333333 │ #5f676a    │ #ffffff │ n/a       │ n/a          │
-# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
-# │unfocused         │ #333333 │ #222222    │ #888888 │ #292d2e   │ #222222      │
-# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
-# │urgent            │ #2f343a │ #900000    │ #ffffff │ #900000   │ #900000      │
-# ├──────────────────┼─────────┼────────────┼─────────┼───────────┼──────────────┤
-# │placeholder       │ #000000 │ #0c0c0c    │ #ffffff │ #000000   │ #0c0c0c      │
-# └──────────────────┴─────────┴────────────┴─────────┴───────────┴──────────────┘
+client.background       #3B6EA5
 
 # Dracula colors:
 # client.focused          #6272A4 #6272A4 #F8F8F2 #6272A4 #6272A4
 # client.focused_inactive #44475A #44475A #F8F8F2 #44475A #44475A
 # client.unfocused        #282A36 #282A36 #BFBFBF #282A36 #282A36
-#
+
 # Garuda (distribution) colors:
 # client.focused          #608080 $nord2 $nord6 $nord7   $nord8
 # client.focused_inactive #608080 $nord0 $nord4 $nord3   $nord3
 # client.unfocused        #608080 $nord0 $nord4 $nord3   $nord3
 # client.urgent           #608080 $nord13 $nord0 $nord7   $nord13
 
-
-# last-used:
-# Garuda but tweaked: diff borders, nord alert/yellow
-#client.background       $black
-#client.focused          $nord2 $nord2 $nord6 $nord7   $nord8
-#client.focused_inactive $nord3 $nord0 $nord4 $nord3   $nord3
-#client.unfocused        $nord3 $nord0 $nord4 $nord3   $nord3
-#client.urgent           $nord12 $nord13 $nord0 $nord7   $nord13
+# last-used, Garuda but tweaked: diff borders, nord alert/yellow
+# client.background       $black
+# client.focused          $nord2 $nord2 $nord6 $nord7   $nord8
+# client.focused_inactive $nord3 $nord0 $nord4 $nord3   $nord3
+# client.unfocused        $nord3 $nord0 $nord4 $nord3   $nord3
+# client.urgent           $nord12 $nord13 $nord0 $nord7   $nord13
 
 # xfce kind of look, from https://github.com/ayamir/nord-and-light/blob/master/.config/sway/config
 # client.focused          $nord10 $nord10 $nord1 $nord1   $nord10
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/config b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/config
index c7a2525..1ab08b4 100644
--- a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/config
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/sway/config
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Config for sway
 #
 # See `man 5 sway` for a complete reference.
-font pango:SFProDisplay Regular 12
+font pango:SFProDisplay Regular 14
 smart_borders on
 default_border pixel 1
 default_floating_border pixel 1
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/waybar/styles/mine.css b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/waybar/styles/mine.css
index d7891dc..1a91dd2 100644
--- a/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/waybar/styles/mine.css
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.config/waybar/styles/mine.css
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
  *   misc. GTK: https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gtk/-/blob/gtk-3-24/gtk/theme/Adwaita/_colors-public.scss
  * */
 window#waybar {
-        background: alpha(@theme_base_color, 0.92);
+        background: alpha(@theme_base_color, 0.85);
         border-top: 1px solid @unfocused_borders;
         color: @theme_text_color;
 }
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.gtkrc-2.0 b/outerheaven.init3.home/.gtkrc-2.0
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..384cfa1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.gtkrc-2.0
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+gtk-primary-button-warps-slider=0
+gtk-button-images=0
+gtk-menu-images=0
+gtk-fallback-icon-theme="Redmond97"
+gtk-icon-theme-name="Arc-Darkest-Numix-FLAT"
+#gtk-icon-theme-name="Redmond97"
+#gtk-theme-name="Nordic-darker-standard-buttons"
+#gtk-theme-name="Orchis-Dark-Compact"
+gtk-theme-name="Arc-Darkest"
+gtk-font-name="SF Pro Text 12"
+gtk-xft-antialias=1
+gtk-xft-hinting=1
+gtk-xft-hintstyle="hintfull"
+# trying to leave this up to Sway...
+#gtk-xft-rgba="rgb"
+gtk-toolbar-style=GTK_TOOLBAR_ICONS
+gtk-enable-event-sounds=0
+gtk-enable-input-feedback-sounds=0
diff --git a/outerheaven.init3.home/.gtkrc-2.0-kde4 b/outerheaven.init3.home/.gtkrc-2.0-kde4
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6b5de5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/outerheaven.init3.home/.gtkrc-2.0-kde4
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+gtk-enable-animations=1
+gtk-primary-button-warps-slider=0
+gtk-toolbar-style=GTK_TOOLBAR_BOTH_HORIZ
+gtk-menu-images=1
+gtk-button-images=1
+gtk-font-name="SF Pro Text,  12"
+include "/usr/share/themes/Adwaita/gtk-2.0/gtkrc"
diff --git a/update.sh b/update.sh
index fd1e18f..3b19417 100755
--- a/update.sh
+++ b/update.sh
@@ -12,8 +12,11 @@ set -u
 # array of files/dirs [relative to home] to include
 DOTS=(
         '.bashrc'
+        '.gtkrc-2.0'
+        '.gtkrc-2.0-kde4'
         # '.shell_aliases'  # needs cleaned up first
         '.vimrc'
+        '.config/cava/'
         '.config/fuzzel/'
         '.config/fontconfig'
         '.config/kitty/'