diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 96592290..6ab27544 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ Links you put up are downloaded once for everyone, plus What's new and fixes for
 ### Added
 
 - What's new: the update band shows what changed, and after an update the app shows the full list once (also in Settings → About)
+- Sharper subtitles and picture: the video and its subtitles are drawn at your screen's resolution instead of the video's (Settings → Player → Sharp video and subtitles, on by default)
 
 ### Changed
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/controls/player_settings.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/controls/player_settings.dart
index 39ee2a43..1baefca0 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/controls/player_settings.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/controls/player_settings.dart
@@ -199,6 +199,35 @@ class ProgressLineSetting extends StatelessWidget {
   }
 }
 
+/// The video output at the player's size on screen ([AppSettings.screenResVideo]).
+class ScreenResSetting extends StatelessWidget {
+  final ReadonlySignal<RenderMode>? renderMode;
+  const ScreenResSetting({super.key, this.renderMode});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final s = AppScope.of(context).coordinator.settings;
+    return SignalBuilder(builder: (context) {
+      final software = switch (renderMode?.value) {
+        RenderMode.software || RenderMode.softwareGl => true,
+        _ => false,
+      };
+      return SettingRow(
+        label: 'Sharp video and subtitles',
+        help: software
+            ? 'No effect: video uses software rendering'
+            : "Scale the picture and draw subtitles at your screen's resolution, not the video's. "
+                'Off: lighter on a weak GPU',
+        control: Switch(
+          key: const ValueKey('screen-res-video'),
+          value: s.screenResVideo.value,
+          onChanged: s.setScreenResVideo,
+        ),
+      );
+    });
+  }
+}
+
 /// Saves a shader choice (also used on the next join) and puts it on the
 /// running player, if any; the player announces the result.
 void applyShaderChoice(SessionCoordinator coord, ShaderPreset preset, ShaderQuality? quality) {
@@ -403,6 +432,7 @@ List<Widget> playerSettingRows({ReadonlySignal<RenderMode>? renderMode}) => [
       const PlayerDesignSetting(),
       const ProgressLineSetting(),
       ShaderPresetSetting(renderMode: renderMode),
+      ScreenResSetting(renderMode: renderMode),
       const HwdecSetting(),
     ];
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/danmaku/danmaku.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/danmaku/danmaku.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f55b4a3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/danmaku/danmaku.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,475 @@
+import 'dart:collection';
+import 'dart:math' as math;
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+import 'package:flutter/scheduler.dart';
+
+import '../shell/avatar.dart' show AvatarInfo, StatusAvatar;
+
+// Danmaku (Bilibili / niconico style): short lines that fly right to left
+// across the upper part of the picture. Each line takes a free lane (no
+// two ever touch), at most [DanmakuStyle.maxOnScreen] fly at once and the
+// rest wait their turn; every line crosses in the same time, so a long
+// one moves faster. The clock is the layer's own: lines keep flying while
+// the video is paused. Dev preview for now (DEVELOPMENT.md "Dev tools").
+
+/// What a line is: a chat message or a short notice.
+enum DanmakuKind { chat, join, leave, upNext, starting }
+
+/// One line: [sender] (a coloured prefix, [senderColor]) and [text];
+/// [own] lines (this member's) get a hairline frame. [avatar]: the
+/// sender's picture (or initial) before it; the app's own notices have
+/// none.
+@immutable
+class DanmakuItem {
+  final DanmakuKind kind;
+  final String? sender;
+  final Color? senderColor;
+  final String text;
+  final bool own;
+  final AvatarInfo? avatar;
+  const DanmakuItem(
+      {required this.kind, required this.text, this.sender, this.senderColor, this.own = false, this.avatar});
+}
+
+/// How lines look and move.
+@immutable
+class DanmakuStyle {
+  /// Seconds a line takes from the right edge until it has left on the
+  /// left, whatever its length.
+  final double crossSecs;
+
+  /// Lines on screen at once; more wait.
+  final int maxOnScreen;
+
+  /// The band the lanes fill, as fractions of the height from the top:
+  /// below where top signs sit, never down into the dialogue.
+  final double bandTop;
+  final double bandBottom;
+  final double opacity;
+
+  /// Text size relative to the picture's height ([fontSizeFor]).
+  final double size;
+
+  /// Width of the dark outline round the white text, logical px.
+  final double outline;
+  final bool highlightOwn;
+
+  /// The sender's avatar before the line.
+  final bool avatars;
+
+  const DanmakuStyle({
+    this.crossSecs = 8,
+    this.maxOnScreen = 12,
+    this.bandTop = 0.10,
+    this.bandBottom = 0.45,
+    this.opacity = 0.92,
+    this.size = 1,
+    this.outline = 1.4,
+    this.highlightOwn = true,
+    this.avatars = true,
+  });
+
+  DanmakuStyle copyWith({
+    double? crossSecs,
+    int? maxOnScreen,
+    double? bandTop,
+    double? bandBottom,
+    double? opacity,
+    double? size,
+    double? outline,
+    bool? highlightOwn,
+    bool? avatars,
+  }) =>
+      DanmakuStyle(
+        crossSecs: crossSecs ?? this.crossSecs,
+        maxOnScreen: maxOnScreen ?? this.maxOnScreen,
+        bandTop: bandTop ?? this.bandTop,
+        bandBottom: bandBottom ?? this.bandBottom,
+        opacity: opacity ?? this.opacity,
+        size: size ?? this.size,
+        outline: outline ?? this.outline,
+        highlightOwn: highlightOwn ?? this.highlightOwn,
+        avatars: avatars ?? this.avatars,
+      );
+
+  /// The text size in a picture [height] px tall: 4.2 % of it (about 30 px
+  /// on a 720 px player), 13 to 44 px, times [size].
+  double fontSizeFor(double height) => (height * 0.042).clamp(13.0, 44.0) * size;
+
+  /// A lane: the line's height plus a little air.
+  double laneHeightFor(double height) => fontSizeFor(height) * 1.5;
+
+  /// Lanes in the band of a picture [height] px tall (at least one).
+  int lanesFor(double height) {
+    final band = (bandBottom - bandTop).clamp(0.0, 1.0) * height;
+    return math.max(1, (band / laneHeightFor(height)).floor());
+  }
+}
+
+/// One line in flight in [lane], from [start] (seconds on the layer's
+/// clock), [width] px wide, crossing in [crossSecs].
+class DanmakuFlight<T> {
+  final T item;
+  final int lane;
+  final double start;
+  final double width;
+  final double crossSecs;
+  DanmakuFlight({required this.item, required this.lane, required this.start, required this.width, required this.crossSecs});
+
+  /// Its left edge at [t] in a picture [w] px wide: [w] at the start,
+  /// -[width] at the end.
+  double x(double t, double w) => w - (w + width) * ((t - start) / crossSecs);
+  double end() => start + crossSecs;
+  bool doneAt(double t) => t >= end();
+}
+
+/// Lane assignment, pure (no widgets, a clock passed in): lines queue in
+/// order of arrival; [tick] lets the waiting ones in while a lane is free
+/// and fewer than the cap fly. A lane is free for a new line when the last
+/// line in it has fully entered with [gap] behind it and the new one, at
+/// its own speed, cannot catch up with it before it has left.
+class DanmakuLanes<T> {
+  /// Space kept between two lines in a lane, px.
+  final double gap;
+
+  /// A line waiting longer than this is dropped (a burst on a crowded
+  /// picture would otherwise fly long after it was said).
+  final double maxWaitSecs;
+
+  /// Lines kept waiting at most; older ones go first when it is full.
+  final int maxWaiting;
+
+  DanmakuLanes({this.gap = 24, this.maxWaitSecs = 15, this.maxWaiting = 60});
+
+  final List<DanmakuFlight<T>> flights = [];
+  final Queue<(T, double)> _waiting = Queue();
+  int dropped = 0;
+
+  int get waiting => _waiting.length;
+
+  /// Everything flying and waiting goes; returns it.
+  List<T> clear() {
+    final all = [for (final f in flights) f.item, for (final w in _waiting) w.$1];
+    flights.clear();
+    _waiting.clear();
+    return all;
+  }
+
+  /// [item] arrived at [t]; it flies on the next [tick] that has room.
+  void add(T item, double t) {
+    _waiting.add((item, t));
+    while (_waiting.length > maxWaiting) {
+      _waiting.removeFirst();
+      dropped++;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Advances to [t] in a picture [w] px wide with [lanes] lanes: drops
+  /// what has left and what waited too long, then places waiting lines in
+  /// order (the topmost free lane each) until the cap or no lane is free.
+  /// [measure] gives a line's width. Returns the lines placed.
+  List<DanmakuFlight<T>> tick(double t,
+      {required double w, required int lanes, required int cap, required double crossSecs, required double Function(T) measure}) {
+    flights.removeWhere((f) => f.doneAt(t));
+    while (_waiting.isNotEmpty && t - _waiting.first.$2 > maxWaitSecs) {
+      _waiting.removeFirst();
+      dropped++;
+    }
+    final placed = <DanmakuFlight<T>>[];
+    while (_waiting.isNotEmpty && flights.length < cap) {
+      final item = _waiting.first.$1;
+      final width = measure(item);
+      final lane = freeLane(t, w: w, lanes: lanes, width: width, crossSecs: crossSecs);
+      if (lane == null) break;
+      _waiting.removeFirst();
+      final f = DanmakuFlight(item: item, lane: lane, start: t, width: width, crossSecs: crossSecs);
+      flights.add(f);
+      placed.add(f);
+    }
+    return placed;
+  }
+
+  /// The topmost lane a line [width] px wide can start in at [t], or null.
+  int? freeLane(double t, {required double w, required int lanes, required double width, required double crossSecs}) {
+    final last = <int, DanmakuFlight<T>>{};
+    for (final f in flights) {
+      final l = last[f.lane];
+      if (l == null || f.start > l.start) last[f.lane] = f;
+    }
+    for (var lane = 0; lane < lanes; lane++) {
+      final prev = last[lane];
+      if (prev == null || fits(prev, t, w: w, width: width, crossSecs: crossSecs, gap: gap)) return lane;
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  /// A new line ([width], [crossSecs]) may follow [prev] in its lane at [t].
+  /// Both move linearly, so checking now and the moment [prev] has left is
+  /// enough.
+  static bool fits(DanmakuFlight<Object?> prev, double t,
+      {required double w, required double width, required double crossSecs, required double gap}) {
+    // Fully in, with the gap behind it.
+    if (prev.x(t, w) + prev.width + gap > w) return false;
+    final leaves = prev.end();
+    if (leaves <= t) return true;
+    // Where the new line's head is when prev's tail reaches the left edge.
+    final head = w - (w + width) * ((leaves - t) / crossSecs);
+    return head >= gap;
+  }
+}
+
+/// Feeds a [DanmakuLayer]; [onScreen] / [waiting] follow what the layer
+/// does with the lines (for a status readout).
+class DanmakuController extends ChangeNotifier {
+  final _inbox = <DanmakuItem>[];
+  final onScreen = ValueNotifier(0);
+  final waiting = ValueNotifier(0);
+  final dropped = ValueNotifier(0);
+
+  void add(DanmakuItem item) {
+    _inbox.add(item);
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  /// Everything in flight and waiting goes.
+  void clear() {
+    _clear = true;
+    _inbox.clear();
+    notifyListeners();
+  }
+
+  bool _clear = false;
+
+  List<DanmakuItem> _take() {
+    final items = List.of(_inbox);
+    _inbox.clear();
+    return items;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    onScreen.dispose();
+    waiting.dispose();
+    dropped.dispose();
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+}
+
+/// The lines over a picture: fills its box, lets every click through.
+/// Each line is a widget (avatar, outlined text, own frame) moved by a
+/// [Flow] on every frame: only paint runs per frame, a build only when a
+/// line comes or goes.
+class DanmakuLayer extends StatefulWidget {
+  final DanmakuController controller;
+  final DanmakuStyle style;
+
+  /// The accent of [DanmakuItem.own] lines' frame and of "starting now".
+  final Color accent;
+  const DanmakuLayer({super.key, required this.controller, this.style = const DanmakuStyle(), required this.accent});
+
+  @override
+  State<DanmakuLayer> createState() => _DanmakuLayerState();
+}
+
+/// A line measured once (its width decides its speed and its lane) and
+/// its widget, built once.
+class _Line {
+  final DanmakuItem item;
+  final double width;
+  final double height;
+  final Widget widget;
+  _Line(this.item, this.width, this.height, this.widget);
+}
+
+class _DanmakuLayerState extends State<DanmakuLayer> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin {
+  late final Ticker _ticker = createTicker(_onTick);
+  final _lanes = DanmakuLanes<_Line>();
+  final _repaint = ValueNotifier(0);
+  Duration _elapsed = Duration.zero;
+  Size _size = Size.zero;
+  var _pending = <DanmakuItem>[];
+  var _shown = <DanmakuFlight<_Line>>[];
+
+  double get _t => _elapsed.inMicroseconds / 1e6;
+
+  @override
+  void initState() {
+    super.initState();
+    widget.controller.addListener(_onAdd);
+    _ticker.start();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void didUpdateWidget(DanmakuLayer old) {
+    super.didUpdateWidget(old);
+    if (old.controller != widget.controller) {
+      old.controller.removeListener(_onAdd);
+      widget.controller.addListener(_onAdd);
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    widget.controller.removeListener(_onAdd);
+    _ticker.dispose();
+    _repaint.dispose();
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+
+  void _onAdd() {
+    final c = widget.controller;
+    if (c._clear) {
+      c._clear = false;
+      _lanes.clear();
+      _pending = [];
+    }
+    _pending.addAll(c._take());
+  }
+
+  _Line _build(DanmakuItem item) {
+    final s = widget.style;
+    final size = s.fontSizeFor(_size.height);
+    final base = TextStyle(
+      fontSize: size,
+      height: 1.2,
+      fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
+      color: Colors.white,
+      letterSpacing: 0.2,
+      shadows: const [],
+    );
+    InlineSpan span({Paint? stroke}) {
+      final name = item.sender;
+      final accent = item.kind == DanmakuKind.starting && stroke == null ? widget.accent : null;
+      return TextSpan(style: stroke == null ? base : base.copyWith(foreground: stroke, color: null), children: [
+        if (name != null)
+          TextSpan(
+            text: item.kind == DanmakuKind.chat ? '$name  ' : '$name ',
+            style: TextStyle(
+              fontWeight: FontWeight.w700,
+              color: stroke == null ? (item.senderColor ?? Colors.white) : null,
+            ),
+          ),
+        TextSpan(text: item.text, style: accent == null ? null : TextStyle(color: accent)),
+      ]);
+    }
+
+    final measure = TextPainter(text: span(), textDirection: TextDirection.ltr, maxLines: 1)..layout();
+    final textW = measure.width, textH = measure.height;
+    measure.dispose();
+    final avatar = s.avatars ? item.avatar : null;
+    final avatarSize = size * 1.15;
+    final avatarGap = size * 0.3;
+    final frame = item.own && s.highlightOwn;
+    final padX = frame ? size * 0.4 : 0.0;
+    final width = textW + padX * 2 + (avatar == null ? 0 : avatarSize + avatarGap);
+    Widget text = Text.rich(span(), maxLines: 1, softWrap: false);
+    if (s.outline > 0) {
+      final stroke = Paint()
+        ..style = PaintingStyle.stroke
+        ..strokeWidth = s.outline * 2
+        ..strokeJoin = StrokeJoin.round
+        ..color = const Color(0xE6000000);
+      text = Stack(children: [Text.rich(span(stroke: stroke), maxLines: 1, softWrap: false), text]);
+    }
+    Widget line = Row(
+      mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+      children: [
+        if (avatar != null) ...[
+          StatusAvatar(info: avatar, size: avatarSize, badges: false, ring: false),
+          SizedBox(width: avatarGap),
+        ],
+        text,
+      ],
+    );
+    if (frame) {
+      line = DecoratedBox(
+        decoration: BoxDecoration(
+          color: widget.accent.withValues(alpha: 0.14),
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(999),
+          border: Border.all(color: widget.accent.withValues(alpha: 0.85), width: 1.2),
+        ),
+        child: Padding(padding: EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: padX), child: line),
+      );
+    }
+    final height = math.max(textH, avatar == null ? 0.0 : avatarSize);
+    return _Line(item, width, height, SizedBox(width: width, height: height, child: Center(child: line)));
+  }
+
+  void _onTick(Duration elapsed) {
+    _elapsed = elapsed;
+    if (_size.isEmpty) return;
+    final t = _t;
+    for (final item in _pending) {
+      _lanes.add(_build(item), t);
+    }
+    _pending = [];
+    final s = widget.style;
+    _lanes.tick(t,
+        w: _size.width,
+        lanes: s.lanesFor(_size.height),
+        cap: s.maxOnScreen,
+        crossSecs: s.crossSecs,
+        measure: (l) => l.width);
+    final c = widget.controller;
+    c.onScreen.value = _lanes.flights.length;
+    c.waiting.value = _lanes.waiting;
+    c.dropped.value = _lanes.dropped;
+    final now = List.of(_lanes.flights);
+    if (now.length != _shown.length || !_sameFlights(now, _shown)) {
+      setState(() => _shown = now);
+    } else if (now.isNotEmpty) {
+      _repaint.value++;
+    }
+  }
+
+  static bool _sameFlights(List<DanmakuFlight<_Line>> a, List<DanmakuFlight<_Line>> b) {
+    for (var i = 0; i < a.length; i++) {
+      if (!identical(a[i], b[i])) return false;
+    }
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    return IgnorePointer(
+      child: LayoutBuilder(builder: (context, box) {
+        _size = box.biggest;
+        return Opacity(
+          opacity: widget.style.opacity.clamp(0.0, 1.0),
+          child: Flow(
+            delegate: _DanmakuFlow(this, _repaint),
+            children: [for (final f in _shown) KeyedSubtree(key: ObjectKey(f), child: f.item.widget)],
+          ),
+        );
+      }),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+class _DanmakuFlow extends FlowDelegate {
+  final _DanmakuLayerState state;
+  _DanmakuFlow(this.state, Listenable repaint) : super(repaint: repaint);
+
+  @override
+  BoxConstraints getConstraintsForChild(int i, BoxConstraints constraints) => const BoxConstraints();
+
+  @override
+  void paintChildren(FlowPaintingContext context) {
+    final s = state.widget.style;
+    final size = context.size;
+    final t = state._t;
+    final top = s.bandTop * size.height;
+    final lane = s.laneHeightFor(size.height);
+    final flights = state._shown;
+    for (var i = 0; i < flights.length && i < context.childCount; i++) {
+      final f = flights[i];
+      final x = f.x(t, size.width);
+      final y = top + f.lane * lane + (lane - f.item.height) / 2;
+      context.paintChild(i, transform: Matrix4.translationValues(x, y, 0));
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  bool shouldRepaint(_DanmakuFlow old) => true;
+}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/danmaku/danmaku_preview.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/danmaku/danmaku_preview.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1e96e939
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/danmaku/danmaku_preview.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,769 @@
+import 'dart:async';
+import 'dart:math' as math;
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+import 'package:signals/signals_flutter.dart';
+
+import '../controls/minimal/style.dart';
+import '../controls/session_controls.dart' show controlsBottomHeight;
+import '../session/notifier.dart' show ToastItem;
+import '../session/session_coordinator.dart' show SessionCoordinator;
+import '../shell/avatar.dart' show AvatarInfo, avatarForName, colorForName, memberAvatarInfo, selfAvatarInfo;
+import '../shell/motion.dart';
+import '../app/app_graph.dart' show AppScope;
+import '../widgets/app_menu.dart' show AppGlass, AppMenuStyle;
+import 'danmaku.dart';
+
+// Dev builds only (Settings → About → Developer): try the danmaku look on
+// the real player (when something is loaded) or on a stand-in picture,
+// fed with samples, a random stream or this session's own toasts, with
+// every knob of [DanmakuStyle] live and mock subtitles to judge overlap.
+
+/// The preview's state, owned by the shell while the app runs.
+class DanmakuPreview {
+  final controller = DanmakuController();
+
+  /// Shown over the full session player.
+  final active = signal(false);
+  final style = signal(const DanmakuStyle());
+
+  /// A random stream: lines per minute, lengths from one word to a long
+  /// sentence, CJK and emoji among them.
+  final auto = signal(false);
+  final autoRate = signal(40.0);
+
+  /// Mock subtitles: a top sign and bottom dialogue.
+  final mockTop = signal(false);
+  final mockBottom = signal(false);
+
+  /// The stand-in picture's control band (the real player has its own).
+  final controlsBand = signal(true);
+
+  /// This session's chat and notice toasts fly too (session only).
+  final live = signal(false);
+
+  /// In a session: the party's real avatars for the samples and the
+  /// session's toasts (set while the session panel is up).
+  SessionCoordinator? coord;
+
+  final _rng = math.Random();
+  Timer? _autoTimer;
+  late final void Function() _stopAuto;
+
+  DanmakuPreview() {
+    _stopAuto = effect(() {
+      final on = auto.value;
+      autoRate.value;
+      untracked(() {
+        _autoTimer?.cancel();
+        if (on) _scheduleAuto();
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  void dispose() {
+    _stopAuto();
+    _autoTimer?.cancel();
+    controller.dispose();
+  }
+
+  void _scheduleAuto() {
+    // Poisson arrivals: bursts and lulls like a real chat.
+    final perSec = autoRate.peek() / 60;
+    final wait = -math.log(1 - _rng.nextDouble()) / perSec;
+    _autoTimer = Timer(Duration(milliseconds: (wait * 1000).round().clamp(30, 60000)), () {
+      if (!auto.peek()) return;
+      controller.add(randomSample());
+      _scheduleAuto();
+    });
+  }
+
+  /// One sample line of [kind]; [own]: as if this member wrote it.
+  /// Senders come from the party in a session (their pictures), else
+  /// from [sampleNames] (initials).
+  DanmakuItem sample(DanmakuKind kind, {bool own = false}) {
+    final a = own ? selfAvatarInfo() : _sampleSender();
+    final who = a.name;
+    final color = own ? a.color : colorForName(who);
+    return switch (kind) {
+      DanmakuKind.chat =>
+        DanmakuItem(kind: kind, sender: who, senderColor: color, text: _pick(sampleChat), own: own, avatar: a),
+      DanmakuKind.join => DanmakuItem(kind: kind, sender: who, senderColor: color, text: 'joined', avatar: a),
+      DanmakuKind.leave => DanmakuItem(kind: kind, sender: who, senderColor: color, text: 'left', avatar: a),
+      DanmakuKind.upNext => DanmakuItem(
+          kind: kind, sender: who, senderColor: color, text: 'added ${_pick(sampleTitles)} to Up next', avatar: a),
+      DanmakuKind.starting => const DanmakuItem(kind: DanmakuKind.starting, text: '▶  Starting now'),
+    };
+  }
+
+  /// [text] as this member's own chat line.
+  DanmakuItem own(String text) {
+    final a = selfAvatarInfo();
+    return DanmakuItem(kind: DanmakuKind.chat, sender: a.name, senderColor: a.color, text: text, own: true, avatar: a);
+  }
+
+  AvatarInfo _sampleSender() {
+    final c = coord;
+    final r = c?.serverState.peek();
+    final others = [
+      if (c != null && r != null)
+        for (final m in r.members)
+          if (m.id != c.connection.memberId) memberAvatarInfo(m, r, c),
+    ];
+    // The party's real ones half the time, so initials show up too.
+    if (others.isNotEmpty && _rng.nextBool()) return _pick(others);
+    final name = _pick(sampleNames);
+    return AvatarInfo(name: name, color: colorForName(name));
+  }
+
+  /// What the random stream sends: mostly chat, some of it yours, now and
+  /// then a notice.
+  DanmakuItem randomSample() {
+    final r = _rng.nextDouble();
+    if (r < 0.70) return sample(DanmakuKind.chat);
+    if (r < 0.80) return sample(DanmakuKind.chat, own: true);
+    if (r < 0.88) return sample(DanmakuKind.join);
+    if (r < 0.94) return sample(DanmakuKind.leave);
+    return sample(DanmakuKind.upNext);
+  }
+
+  /// A toast of this session as a line: chat (name, then the message),
+  /// joins, leaves, Up next adds; the rest (problems) stay toasts.
+  DanmakuItem? fromToast(ToastItem t, {String? selfName}) {
+    final who = t.actor;
+    if (who == null || who.isEmpty) {
+      return t.text.toLowerCase().startsWith('starting')
+          ? DanmakuItem(kind: DanmakuKind.starting, text: '▶  ${t.text}')
+          : null;
+    }
+    final color = colorForName(who);
+    final c = coord;
+    final avatar = c == null ? AvatarInfo(name: who, color: color) : avatarForName(who, c, t.actorId);
+    if (t.chat && t.text.startsWith('$who: ')) {
+      return DanmakuItem(
+          kind: DanmakuKind.chat,
+          sender: who,
+          senderColor: color,
+          text: t.text.substring(who.length + 2),
+          own: who == selfName,
+          avatar: avatar);
+    }
+    final rest = t.text.startsWith('$who ') ? t.text.substring(who.length + 1) : t.text;
+    final kind = rest.startsWith('joined')
+        ? DanmakuKind.join
+        : rest.startsWith('left')
+            ? DanmakuKind.leave
+            : rest.startsWith('added')
+                ? DanmakuKind.upNext
+                : null;
+    if (kind == null) return null;
+    return DanmakuItem(kind: kind, sender: who, senderColor: color, text: rest, avatar: avatar);
+  }
+
+  /// Follows [toasts] while [live] is on; returns the stop.
+  void Function() watchToasts(ReadonlySignal<List<ToastItem>> toasts, {String? selfName}) {
+    var seen = {for (final t in toasts.peek()) t.id};
+    return effect(() {
+      final items = toasts.value;
+      final on = live.value;
+      untracked(() {
+        for (final t in items) {
+          if (!seen.add(t.id) || !on) continue;
+          final line = fromToast(t, selfName: selfName);
+          if (line != null) controller.add(line);
+        }
+        seen = {for (final t in items) t.id};
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  T _pick<T>(List<T> from) => from[_rng.nextInt(from.length)];
+
+  static const sampleNames = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Chiyo', '小雪', 'Kenji', 'Mara'];
+  static const sampleTitles = ['Frieren · 12', 'Bocchi the Rock! · 5', 'Dungeon Meshi · 20', 'Mob Psycho 100 · 3'];
+  static const sampleChat = [
+    'lol',
+    'www',
+    '草',
+    '8888888',
+    'NICE',
+    'it\'s so over',
+    'she\'s back!!',
+    'wait, who is that?',
+    'op skip pls 🙏',
+    'the animation in this scene is insane',
+    'I can\'t believe they actually adapted this arc, the manga panel looked exactly like this, chills honestly',
+    'brb getting snacks, don\'t wait for me (actually do wait)',
+    '前方高能预警！！！',
+    'このシーン最高すぎる',
+    '神回確定',
+    '画质好清晰啊',
+    '🔥🔥🔥',
+    '😭😭 my heart',
+    '🎉 finally',
+    'Himmel would have done the same 🥲',
+  ];
+}
+
+/// The danmaku with this preview's style and mock subtitles over a
+/// picture; lets clicks through.
+class DanmakuPreviewLayers extends StatelessWidget {
+  final DanmakuPreview preview;
+  const DanmakuPreviewLayers({super.key, required this.preview});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final accent = Theme.of(context).colorScheme.primary;
+    return SignalBuilder(
+      builder: (context) => Stack(
+        fit: StackFit.expand,
+        children: [
+          MockSubtitles(top: preview.mockTop.value, bottom: preview.mockBottom.value),
+          DanmakuLayer(controller: preview.controller, style: preview.style.value, accent: accent),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/// Stand-ins for subtitles where real ones sit: an ASS sign at the top
+/// (`\an8`, yellow serif) and two lines of dialogue at the bottom.
+class MockSubtitles extends StatelessWidget {
+  final bool top;
+  final bool bottom;
+  const MockSubtitles({super.key, required this.top, required this.bottom});
+
+  static Widget _outlined(String text, TextStyle style, double outline) => Stack(
+        children: [
+          Text(text,
+              textAlign: TextAlign.center,
+              style: style.copyWith(
+                color: null,
+                foreground: Paint()
+                  ..style = PaintingStyle.stroke
+                  ..strokeWidth = outline
+                  ..strokeJoin = StrokeJoin.round
+                  ..color = const Color(0xFF1A1206),
+              )),
+          Text(text, textAlign: TextAlign.center, style: style),
+        ],
+      );
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    if (!top && !bottom) return const SizedBox.shrink();
+    return IgnorePointer(
+      child: LayoutBuilder(builder: (context, box) {
+        final h = box.maxHeight;
+        final dialogue = (h * 0.05).clamp(12.0, 52.0);
+        return Stack(
+          children: [
+            if (top)
+              Positioned(
+                left: 0,
+                right: 0,
+                top: h * 0.035,
+                child: Center(
+                  child: _outlined(
+                    'TOP SIGN · 第3新東京市',
+                    TextStyle(
+                      fontSize: dialogue * 0.85,
+                      fontWeight: FontWeight.w800,
+                      color: const Color(0xFFFFE14D),
+                    ),
+                    dialogue * 0.14,
+                  ),
+                ),
+              ),
+            if (bottom)
+              Positioned(
+                left: 0,
+                right: 0,
+                bottom: h * 0.05,
+                child: Center(
+                  child: _outlined(
+                    'I told you the controls would cover this line.\nThey never do now — or do they?',
+                    TextStyle(fontSize: dialogue, height: 1.15, color: Colors.white, fontWeight: FontWeight.w500),
+                    dialogue * 0.12,
+                  ),
+                ),
+              ),
+          ],
+        );
+      }),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/// A moving picture for the preview when nothing is loaded: slow colour
+/// fields drifting over a dusk gradient, so motion and contrast behind
+/// the lines are realistic.
+class DanmakuStandIn extends StatefulWidget {
+  const DanmakuStandIn({super.key});
+
+  @override
+  State<DanmakuStandIn> createState() => _DanmakuStandInState();
+}
+
+class _DanmakuStandInState extends State<DanmakuStandIn> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin {
+  late final AnimationController _clock =
+      AnimationController(vsync: this, duration: const Duration(seconds: 60))..repeat();
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    _clock.dispose();
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => RepaintBoundary(
+        child: CustomPaint(painter: _StandInPainter(_clock), child: const SizedBox.expand()),
+      );
+}
+
+class _StandInPainter extends CustomPainter {
+  final Animation<double> clock;
+  _StandInPainter(this.clock) : super(repaint: clock);
+
+  static const _blobs = [
+    (Color(0xFFFF7A59), 0.9, 0.0, 0.42),
+    (Color(0xFF7C5CFF), 1.3, 1.7, 0.5),
+    (Color(0xFF2EC5CE), 0.7, 3.1, 0.38),
+    (Color(0xFFFFC857), 1.1, 4.4, 0.3),
+    (Color(0xFFE85D9E), 0.5, 5.2, 0.45),
+  ];
+
+  @override
+  void paint(Canvas canvas, Size size) {
+    final rect = Offset.zero & size;
+    canvas.drawRect(
+      rect,
+      Paint()
+        ..shader = const LinearGradient(
+          begin: Alignment.topCenter,
+          end: Alignment.bottomCenter,
+          colors: [Color(0xFF0B1030), Color(0xFF2A1B4A), Color(0xFF5A2F4F), Color(0xFF14141C)],
+          stops: [0, 0.45, 0.72, 1],
+        ).createShader(rect),
+    );
+    final t = clock.value * 2 * math.pi;
+    final r = size.shortestSide;
+    for (final (color, speed, phase, radius) in _blobs) {
+      final c = Offset(
+        size.width * (0.5 + 0.38 * math.sin(t * speed + phase)),
+        size.height * (0.5 + 0.32 * math.cos(t * speed * 0.8 + phase * 1.3)),
+      );
+      canvas.drawCircle(
+        c,
+        r * radius,
+        Paint()
+          ..shader = RadialGradient(colors: [color.withValues(alpha: 0.55), color.withValues(alpha: 0)])
+              .createShader(Rect.fromCircle(center: c, radius: r * radius)),
+      );
+    }
+    // A bright horizon line and some stars: hard edges behind the text.
+    final horizon = size.height * 0.68;
+    canvas.drawRect(
+      Rect.fromLTWH(0, horizon, size.width, size.height - horizon),
+      Paint()..color = const Color(0xCC0D0D14),
+    );
+    canvas.drawLine(Offset(0, horizon), Offset(size.width, horizon),
+        Paint()
+          ..color = const Color(0x88FFD7A8)
+          ..strokeWidth = 1.5);
+    final stars = math.Random(7);
+    for (var i = 0; i < 90; i++) {
+      final x = stars.nextDouble() * size.width;
+      final y = stars.nextDouble() * horizon;
+      final twinkle = 0.4 + 0.6 * (0.5 + 0.5 * math.sin(t * 8 + i));
+      canvas.drawCircle(Offset(x, y), 0.6 + stars.nextDouble() * 1.2,
+          Paint()..color = Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.5 * twinkle));
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  bool shouldRepaint(_StandInPainter old) => false;
+}
+
+/// The preview's knobs on the app's glass: fire samples, the random
+/// stream, the look, mock subtitles. [onClose] ends the preview; it
+/// collapses to its title bar.
+class DanmakuPanel extends StatefulWidget {
+  final DanmakuPreview preview;
+  final VoidCallback onClose;
+
+  /// In a session: offer this session's own toasts as a source.
+  final bool session;
+  const DanmakuPanel({super.key, required this.preview, required this.onClose, this.session = false});
+
+  @override
+  State<DanmakuPanel> createState() => _DanmakuPanelState();
+}
+
+class _DanmakuPanelState extends State<DanmakuPanel> {
+  bool _open = true;
+
+  DanmakuPreview get p => widget.preview;
+
+  void _style(DanmakuStyle Function(DanmakuStyle s) f) => p.style.value = f(p.style.peek());
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final muted = Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.6);
+    return ExcludeFocus(
+      child: AppGlass(
+        child: SizedBox(
+          width: 300,
+          child: Column(
+            mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+            crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,
+            children: [
+              Padding(
+                padding: const EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(14, 8, 6, 4),
+                child: Row(
+                  children: [
+                    const Expanded(
+                      child: Text('Danmaku preview', style: TextStyle(fontWeight: FontWeight.w600, fontSize: 14)),
+                    ),
+                    _Counts(controller: p.controller),
+                    IconButton(
+                      tooltip: _open ? 'Collapse' : 'Expand',
+                      visualDensity: VisualDensity.compact,
+                      iconSize: 18,
+                      onPressed: () => setState(() => _open = !_open),
+                      icon: AnimatedRotation(
+                        turns: _open ? 0 : 0.5,
+                        duration: easeTime,
+                        curve: ease,
+                        child: const Icon(Icons.expand_less),
+                      ),
+                    ),
+                    IconButton(
+                      tooltip: 'Close the preview',
+                      visualDensity: VisualDensity.compact,
+                      iconSize: 18,
+                      onPressed: widget.onClose,
+                      icon: const Icon(Icons.close),
+                    ),
+                  ],
+                ),
+              ),
+              AnimatedSize(
+                duration: easeTime,
+                curve: ease,
+                alignment: Alignment.topCenter,
+                child: !_open
+                    ? const SizedBox(width: double.infinity)
+                    : ConstrainedBox(
+                        constraints: BoxConstraints(maxHeight: MediaQuery.sizeOf(context).height * 0.7),
+                        child: SingleChildScrollView(
+                          padding: const EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(14, 0, 14, 12),
+                          child: SignalBuilder(builder: (context) => _body(muted)),
+                        ),
+                      ),
+              ),
+            ],
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
+  Widget _body(Color muted) {
+    final s = p.style.value;
+    Widget fire(IconData icon, String label, DanmakuItem Function() item) => MinimalButton(
+          icon: icon,
+          label: label,
+          tooltip: '',
+          scale: 0.8,
+          onPressed: () => p.controller.add(item()),
+        );
+    return Column(
+      crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.stretch,
+      children: [
+        _Head('Send', muted),
+        Wrap(
+          spacing: 4,
+          runSpacing: 4,
+          children: [
+            fire(Icons.chat_bubble_outline, 'Chat', () => p.sample(DanmakuKind.chat)),
+            fire(Icons.person_outline, 'Mine', () => p.sample(DanmakuKind.chat, own: true)),
+            fire(Icons.login, 'Join', () => p.sample(DanmakuKind.join)),
+            fire(Icons.logout, 'Leave', () => p.sample(DanmakuKind.leave)),
+            fire(Icons.playlist_add_rounded, 'Up next', () => p.sample(DanmakuKind.upNext)),
+            fire(Icons.play_arrow_rounded, 'Starting', () => p.sample(DanmakuKind.starting)),
+            fire(Icons.bolt, 'Burst ×12', () {
+              for (var i = 0; i < 11; i++) {
+                p.controller.add(p.randomSample());
+              }
+              return p.randomSample();
+            }),
+            MinimalButton(
+              icon: Icons.clear_all,
+              label: 'Clear',
+              tooltip: '',
+              scale: 0.8,
+              onPressed: p.controller.clear,
+            ),
+          ],
+        ),
+        _Toggle('Random stream', p.auto.value, (v) => p.auto.value = v),
+        _Slider('Rate', p.autoRate.value, 5, 240, '${p.autoRate.value.round()}/min', (v) => p.autoRate.value = v,
+            enabled: p.auto.value),
+        if (widget.session) _Toggle("This session's chat and notices", p.live.value, (v) => p.live.value = v),
+        _Head('Look', muted),
+        _Slider('Crossing', s.crossSecs, 4, 16, '${s.crossSecs.toStringAsFixed(1)} s',
+            (v) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(crossSecs: v))),
+        _Slider('At most', s.maxOnScreen.toDouble(), 1, 40, '${s.maxOnScreen} lines',
+            (v) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(maxOnScreen: v.round()))),
+        _Range('Lanes', s.bandTop, s.bandBottom, '${(s.bandTop * 100).round()}–${(s.bandBottom * 100).round()} %',
+            (a, b) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(bandTop: a, bandBottom: b))),
+        _Slider('Opacity', s.opacity, 0.3, 1, '${(s.opacity * 100).round()} %',
+            (v) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(opacity: v))),
+        _Slider('Size', s.size, 0.6, 1.8, '×${s.size.toStringAsFixed(2)}', (v) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(size: v))),
+        _Slider('Outline', s.outline, 0, 4, '${s.outline.toStringAsFixed(1)} px',
+            (v) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(outline: v))),
+        _Toggle('Avatars', s.avatars, (v) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(avatars: v))),
+        _Toggle('Frame my own lines', s.highlightOwn, (v) => _style((s) => s.copyWith(highlightOwn: v))),
+        _Head('Subtitles (mock)', muted),
+        _Toggle('Top sign', p.mockTop.value, (v) => p.mockTop.value = v),
+        _Toggle('Bottom dialogue', p.mockBottom.value, (v) => p.mockBottom.value = v),
+        if (!widget.session) _Toggle('Control bar', p.controlsBand.value, (v) => p.controlsBand.value = v),
+      ],
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+class _Counts extends StatelessWidget {
+  final DanmakuController controller;
+  const _Counts({required this.controller});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => ListenableBuilder(
+        listenable: Listenable.merge([controller.onScreen, controller.waiting]),
+        builder: (context, _) => Tooltip(
+          message: 'Flying · waiting for a lane',
+          child: Text(
+            '${controller.onScreen.value} · ${controller.waiting.value}',
+            style: TextStyle(
+              fontSize: 12,
+              color: Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.6),
+              fontFeatures: const [FontFeature.tabularFigures()],
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+}
+
+class _Head extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String text;
+  final Color color;
+  const _Head(this.text, this.color);
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => Padding(
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.only(top: 10, bottom: 4),
+        child: Text(text.toUpperCase(),
+            style: TextStyle(fontSize: 11, letterSpacing: 0.8, fontWeight: FontWeight.w600, color: color)),
+      );
+}
+
+class _Toggle extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String label;
+  final bool value;
+  final ValueChanged<bool> onChanged;
+  const _Toggle(this.label, this.value, this.onChanged);
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => SizedBox(
+        height: 34,
+        child: Row(
+          children: [
+            Expanded(child: Text(label, style: const TextStyle(fontSize: 13))),
+            Transform.scale(scale: 0.75, alignment: Alignment.centerRight, child: Switch(value: value, onChanged: onChanged)),
+          ],
+        ),
+      );
+}
+
+class _Slider extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String label;
+  final double value, min, max;
+  final String readout;
+  final ValueChanged<double> onChanged;
+  final bool enabled;
+  const _Slider(this.label, this.value, this.min, this.max, this.readout, this.onChanged, {this.enabled = true});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => _SliderFrame(
+        label: label,
+        readout: readout,
+        child: Slider(value: value.clamp(min, max), min: min, max: max, onChanged: enabled ? onChanged : null),
+      );
+}
+
+class _Range extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String label;
+  final double a, b;
+  final String readout;
+  final void Function(double a, double b) onChanged;
+  const _Range(this.label, this.a, this.b, this.readout, this.onChanged);
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => _SliderFrame(
+        label: label,
+        readout: readout,
+        child: RangeSlider(
+          values: RangeValues(a, b),
+          max: 0.9,
+          onChanged: (v) {
+            if (v.end - v.start >= 0.05) onChanged(v.start, v.end);
+          },
+        ),
+      );
+}
+
+class _SliderFrame extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String label;
+  final String readout;
+  final Widget child;
+  const _SliderFrame({required this.label, required this.readout, required this.child});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => SizedBox(
+        height: 34,
+        child: Row(
+          children: [
+            SizedBox(width: 64, child: Text(label, style: const TextStyle(fontSize: 13))),
+            Expanded(
+              child: SliderTheme(
+                data: SliderTheme.of(context).copyWith(
+                  trackHeight: 3,
+                  overlayShape: SliderComponentShape.noOverlay,
+                  thumbShape: const RoundSliderThumbShape(enabledThumbRadius: 6),
+                  rangeThumbShape: const RoundRangeSliderThumbShape(enabledThumbRadius: 6),
+                ),
+                child: child,
+              ),
+            ),
+            SizedBox(
+              width: 76,
+              child: Text(
+                readout,
+                textAlign: TextAlign.right,
+                style: TextStyle(
+                  fontSize: 12,
+                  color: Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.7),
+                  fontFeatures: const [FontFeature.tabularFigures()],
+                ),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ],
+        ),
+      );
+}
+
+/// The preview without a session player: the stand-in picture, a mock
+/// control bar of the skin in use, the lines and the panel, over the
+/// whole window (Esc or × closes it).
+Future<void> showDanmakuPreviewPage(BuildContext context, DanmakuPreview preview) => showGeneralDialog<void>(
+      context: context,
+      barrierDismissible: false,
+      barrierLabel: 'Danmaku preview',
+      barrierColor: Colors.black,
+      transitionDuration: easeTime,
+      pageBuilder: (context, _, _) => DanmakuPreviewPage(preview: preview),
+      transitionBuilder: (context, anim, _, child) => FadeTransition(
+        opacity: CurvedAnimation(parent: anim, curve: ease, reverseCurve: Curves.easeIn),
+        child: child,
+      ),
+    );
+
+class DanmakuPreviewPage extends StatelessWidget {
+  final DanmakuPreview preview;
+  const DanmakuPreviewPage({super.key, required this.preview});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    return Material(
+      color: Colors.black,
+      child: Stack(
+        fit: StackFit.expand,
+        children: [
+          const DanmakuStandIn(),
+          DanmakuPreviewLayers(preview: preview),
+          SignalBuilder(builder: (context) {
+            if (!preview.controlsBand.value) return const SizedBox.shrink();
+            final s = AppScope.of(context).coordinator.settings;
+            final h = controlsBottomHeight(s.controlsSkin.value, s.controlsSize.value);
+            return Align(
+              alignment: Alignment.bottomCenter,
+              child: IgnorePointer(
+                child: Container(
+                  height: h,
+                  decoration: const BoxDecoration(
+                    gradient: LinearGradient(
+                      begin: Alignment.topCenter,
+                      end: Alignment.bottomCenter,
+                      colors: [Color(0x00000000), MinimalStyle.band],
+                    ),
+                    border: Border(top: BorderSide(color: AppMenuStyle.border, width: 0.5)),
+                  ),
+                  alignment: Alignment.center,
+                  child: Text('control bar', style: TextStyle(color: Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.35), fontSize: 12)),
+                ),
+              ),
+            );
+          }),
+          Positioned(
+            left: 16,
+            top: 14,
+            child: Text('Stand-in picture: load something to preview on the real player',
+                style: TextStyle(color: Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.55), fontSize: 12)),
+          ),
+          Positioned(
+            right: 16,
+            top: 16,
+            child: DanmakuPanel(preview: preview, onClose: () => Navigator.of(context).pop()),
+          ),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/// The panel over the session player; while mounted, this session's
+/// toasts reach the preview when its "chat and notices" switch is on.
+class DanmakuSessionPanel extends StatefulWidget {
+  final DanmakuPreview preview;
+  final SessionCoordinator coord;
+  const DanmakuSessionPanel({super.key, required this.preview, required this.coord});
+
+  @override
+  State<DanmakuSessionPanel> createState() => _DanmakuSessionPanelState();
+}
+
+class _DanmakuSessionPanelState extends State<DanmakuSessionPanel> {
+  late final void Function() _stop = widget.preview.watchToasts(widget.coord.toasts);
+
+  @override
+  void initState() {
+    super.initState();
+    widget.preview.coord = widget.coord;
+    _stop;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    _stop();
+    widget.preview.coord = null;
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => DanmakuPanel(
+        preview: widget.preview,
+        session: true,
+        onClose: () => widget.preview.active.value = false,
+      );
+}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/desktop/media_kit_host.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/desktop/media_kit_host.dart
index a164b29e..99358f7f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/desktop/media_kit_host.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/desktop/media_kit_host.dart
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ class MediaKitHost implements PlayerHost {
       : _hwdecSetting = hwdecSetting ?? (() => AppSettings.instance.hwdec.peek());
 
   final _live = <_MkPlayer>{};
+  final _videos = <_MkVideo>{};
+  // The size outputs render at ([setOutputSize]); null: the video's own.
+  (int, int)? _outputSize;
   final _renderMode = signal(RenderMode.unknown);
   final _http = StreamController<String>.broadcast();
   final _throttle = LogThrottle(burst: 5);
@@ -90,6 +93,16 @@ class MediaKitHost implements PlayerHost {
   @override
   ReadonlySignal<RenderMode> get renderMode => _renderMode;
 
+  @override
+  void setOutputSize(int? width, int? height) {
+    final size = width != null && height != null && width > 0 && height > 0 ? (width, height) : null;
+    if (size == _outputSize) return;
+    _outputSize = size;
+    for (final v in _videos.toList()) {
+      unawaited(v.applySize());
+    }
+  }
+
   @override
   Stream<String> get httpErrors => _http.stream;
 
@@ -185,6 +198,9 @@ class MediaKitHost implements PlayerHost {
     // configured), which used to override SYNC_RELAY_HWDEC.
     final controller = VideoController(p.mk, configuration: VideoControllerConfiguration(hwdec: hwdec));
     final v = _MkVideo(p, controller);
+    _videos.add(v);
+    p._video = v;
+    if (_outputSize != null) unawaited(v.applySize());
     // mpv gets `vo=libmpv` before the output's render context exists; a
     // media opened in between fails its video output ("No render context
     // set") and plays black. Opens wait for the output (seen on X11, where
@@ -340,6 +356,10 @@ class MediaKitHost implements PlayerHost {
     final p = player as _MkPlayer;
     if (!_live.remove(p)) return;
     p._retired = true;
+    if (p._video case final v?) {
+      _videos.remove(v);
+      await v._paramsSub?.cancel();
+    }
     await p._logSub?.cancel();
     try {
       await p.mk.dispose();
@@ -407,6 +427,7 @@ class _MkPlayer implements HostedPlayer {
   // The last open, for one retry when mpv's video output was not up yet.
   ({String url, Map<String, String> headers, bool play})? _lastOpen;
   bool _voRetried = false;
+  _MkVideo? _video;
 
   dynamic get _mpv => mk.platform;
 
@@ -529,4 +550,53 @@ class _MkVideo implements HostedVideo {
 
   @override
   Future<void> get ready => controller.platform.future;
+
+  // What this output was last set to: null with [_sized] the video's own
+  // size again; nothing sent yet while [_sized] is false.
+  (int, int)? _sent;
+  bool _sized = false;
+  StreamSubscription<VideoParams>? _paramsSub;
+  Future<void> _sizeOp = Future.value();
+
+  /// Renders at the host's output size (or the video's own when it has
+  /// none). media_kit's controller sets the output back to the video's
+  /// size whenever the video's parameters change (a new file, a track
+  /// with another size); the fixed size is sent again after it, under
+  /// the controller's own lock so it lands last.
+  Future<void> applySize({bool again = false}) => _sizeOp = _sizeOp.then((_) async {
+        if (player.disposed) return;
+        try {
+          // NativeVideoController (Linux, Windows): not exported, reached
+          // through its public fields.
+          final dynamic native = await controller.platform.future;
+          final want = player.host._outputSize;
+          if (_sized && want == _sent && !again) return;
+          if (want == null) {
+            if (!_sized) return; // never resized: already the video's size
+            await native.setSize();
+          } else {
+            // setSize skips a size it believes is set; after media_kit's own
+            // reset it is not.
+            native.width = null;
+            await native.setSize(width: want.$1, height: want.$2);
+          }
+          _sent = want;
+          _sized = true;
+          // The output takes its new size with the next frame mpv draws;
+          // paused, none comes: a pan too small to see makes mpv redraw.
+          if (!player.state.playing) {
+            await player.setProperty('video-pan-x', '0.000001');
+            await player.setProperty('video-pan-x', '0');
+          }
+          _paramsSub ??= player.mk.stream.videoParams.listen((params) async {
+            if ((params.dw ?? 0) == 0 || _sent == null) return;
+            try {
+              await (native.lock.synchronized(() async {}) as Future);
+            } catch (_) {}
+            unawaited(applySize(again: true));
+          });
+        } catch (e) {
+          debugPrint('video output size: $e');
+        }
+      });
 }
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/ports/player_host.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/ports/player_host.dart
index 74570364..7333c72c 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/ports/player_host.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/platform/ports/player_host.dart
@@ -148,6 +148,12 @@ abstract interface class PlayerHost {
   /// start).
   HostedVideo video(HostedPlayer player, {bool probe = false});
 
+  /// The pixel size every video output renders at: the view's, so mpv
+  /// scales the picture and draws subtitles at screen resolution
+  /// (Settings → Player, "Sharp video"). Null: each output at its video's
+  /// own size. Applies to live outputs and to new ones once they are up.
+  void setOutputSize(int? width, int? height);
+
   /// How video renders, as last learned (kept after leaving).
   ReadonlySignal<RenderMode> get renderMode;
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/about_page.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/about_page.dart
index ac348da2..cb94fa8b 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/about_page.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/about_page.dart
@@ -18,6 +18,48 @@ import 'update_indicator.dart';
 const uoscCredit = 'Player timeline and controls inspired by uosc by tomasklaen, LGPL-2.1 '
     '(github.com/tomasklaen/uosc).';
 
+/// Dev builds only ([devTools]): previews and experiments not decided
+/// yet (DEVELOPMENT.md "Dev tools").
+class DeveloperPanel extends StatelessWidget {
+  final VoidCallback? onDanmakuPreview;
+  const DeveloperPanel({super.key, this.onDanmakuPreview});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final t = Theme.of(context).textTheme;
+    final s = AppScope.of(context).coordinator.settings;
+    return SettingsPanel(
+      title: 'Developer',
+      child: Column(
+        crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+        children: [
+          Text('Test builds only: try what is not decided yet.', style: t.bodySmall?.copyWith(color: Colors.grey)),
+          const SizedBox(height: 8),
+          FilledButton.tonalIcon(
+            key: const ValueKey('danmaku-preview'),
+            onPressed: onDanmakuPreview,
+            icon: const Icon(Icons.subtitles_outlined, size: 18),
+            label: const Text('Danmaku preview'),
+          ),
+          const SizedBox(height: 8),
+          SignalBuilder(
+            builder: (context) => SwitchListTile(
+              key: const ValueKey('lift-subtitles'),
+              contentPadding: EdgeInsets.zero,
+              title: const Text('Lift subtitles above the chat line and controls'),
+              subtitle: const Text('Enter in the player opens a stand-in chat line at the bottom. '
+                  'While it or the control bar is up, bottom subtitles move above it (mpv sub-pos); '
+                  'signs at the top stay where they are.'),
+              value: s.liftSubtitles.value,
+              onChanged: s.setLiftSubtitles,
+            ),
+          ),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 /// Name, version, update state, What's new in this version, the source
 /// link and the logs (Settings → About).
 class AboutPanel extends StatelessWidget {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/ui.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/ui.dart
index 36e2f28f..ee4112ac 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/ui.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/screens/home/ui.dart
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart' show kDebugMode;
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:sync_relay_core/core.dart' show appVersion, isDevBuild;
 
@@ -26,6 +27,14 @@ String displayVersion({String version = appVersion, String pubspec = _pubspecVer
 /// Settings tab): "1.2.1", "1.2.1-dev.2", "dev run".
 String shortVersion({String version = appVersion}) => version == '0.0.0-dev' ? 'dev run' : version;
 
+/// Dev tools (Settings → About → Developer, the experiments they switch
+/// on) only in test builds and runs from source (a `-dev` version) and
+/// debug runs, never in a release.
+bool devToolsFor({String version = appVersion, bool debug = kDebugMode}) => debug || version.contains('-dev');
+
+/// [devToolsFor] this build.
+final bool devTools = devToolsFor();
+
 const kRadius = 12.0;
 const kGap = 16.0;
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/app_shell.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/app_shell.dart
index 70276184..8634bc4c 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/app_shell.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/app_shell.dart
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import 'package:signals/signals_flutter.dart';
 
 import '../controls/frame.dart' show DoubleClickListener;
 import '../controls/session_controls.dart' show controlsBottomHeight;
+import '../danmaku/danmaku_preview.dart';
 import '../files/folder_store.dart';
 import '../files/ui/files_page.dart' show showFilesFolder;
 import '../jellyfin/accounts.dart';
@@ -248,6 +249,7 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
     for (final stop in _stops) {
       stop();
     }
+    _danmaku?.dispose();
     HardwareKeyboard.instance.removeHandler(_onKey);
     _whatsNewSource?.due.removeListener(_maybeWhatsNew);
     _updateTimer?.cancel();
@@ -358,6 +360,22 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
 
   void _expand() => _show(PlayerMode.full);
 
+  /// Dev builds: the danmaku preview, made on first use.
+  DanmakuPreview? _danmaku;
+
+  /// Over the full player when a player is up, else on its own page with
+  /// a stand-in picture.
+  void _openDanmakuPreview() {
+    final d = _danmaku ??= DanmakuPreview();
+    if (_online.peek() && _graph.coordinator.playback.alive.peek()) {
+      setState(() => d.active.value = true);
+      _show(PlayerMode.full);
+    } else {
+      d.active.value = false;
+      showDanmakuPreviewPage(context, d);
+    }
+  }
+
   void _collapse() {
     if (_fullscreen) _toggleFullscreen();
     _show(PlayerMode.mini);
@@ -765,6 +783,7 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
           onEditProfile: () => showProfileCard(context, onOpenSettings: _openSettings, updates: widget.updates),
           updates: widget.updates,
           jellyfin: _jellyfin,
+          onDanmakuPreview: _openDanmakuPreview,
         ),
     };
     final full = _shown == PlayerMode.full;
@@ -908,6 +927,7 @@ class AppShellState extends State<AppShell> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin
                   videoBuilder: widget.videoBuilder,
                   windowControls: widget.windowControls,
                   controlsShown: _controlsShown,
+                  danmaku: _danmaku,
                 ),
               ),
             ),
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart
index 9beb9923..6f76ff8e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/session_player.dart
@@ -13,9 +13,11 @@ import '../controls/model/controls_layout.dart';
 import '../controls/model/controls_model.dart';
 import '../controls/session_controls.dart';
 import '../controls/volume.dart';
+import '../danmaku/danmaku_preview.dart';
 import '../platform/desktop/media_kit_host.dart' show videoControllerOf;
 import '../queue/queue_ui.dart';
 import '../playback/media_marks.dart' show SkipKind, SkipOffer, formatClock;
+import '../screens/home/ui.dart' show devTools;
 import '../screens/session/jellyfin_widgets.dart';
 import '../screens/session/player_controls.dart';
 import '../session/app_events.dart' show ShaderMessage;
@@ -24,6 +26,7 @@ import '../shaders/shader_presets.dart';
 import '../app/app_graph.dart';
 import '../state/settings.dart';
 import '../widgets/app_keys.dart';
+import '../widgets/app_menu.dart' show AppGlass;
 import '../widgets/text_focus.dart';
 import '../widgets/window_buttons.dart';
 import 'avatar.dart';
@@ -32,6 +35,7 @@ import 'now_playing_title.dart';
 import 'player_status.dart';
 import 'sit_out_card.dart';
 import 'start_banner.dart';
+import 'video_view.dart';
 
 /// Where the session's video is shown: nowhere, the floating mini player,
 /// or filling the body (and, with fullscreen, the window).
@@ -69,6 +73,9 @@ class SessionPlayer extends StatefulWidget {
   /// Follows whether the full player's controls are up (the shell lifts
   /// its toasts above them); the player keeps its own when null.
   final ValueNotifier<bool>? controlsShown;
+  /// Dev builds: the danmaku preview, shown over the full player while
+  /// it is active.
+  final DanmakuPreview? danmaku;
   const SessionPlayer({
     super.key,
     required this.mode,
@@ -86,6 +93,7 @@ class SessionPlayer extends StatefulWidget {
     this.videoBuilder,
     this.windowControls = true,
     this.controlsShown,
+    this.danmaku,
   });
 
   @override
@@ -104,6 +112,11 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
   bool _miniHover = false;
   // Whether the controls are up (their frame reports it).
   final _ownShown = ValueNotifier(true);
+  // Dev builds with "Lift subtitles": Enter opens a stand-in for the
+  // planned chat line at the bottom, in place of the control bar.
+  final _chatLine = ValueNotifier(false);
+  final _chatLineText = TextEditingController();
+  final _chatLineFocus = FocusNode();
   ValueNotifier<bool> get _controlsShown => widget.controlsShown ?? _ownShown;
   // The mouse on a floating element, or the Up next popover open, keeps
   // the controls up.
@@ -166,6 +179,9 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
     _stopPopoverWatch();
     _noFocus.dispose();
     _ownShown.dispose();
+    _chatLine.dispose();
+    _chatLineText.dispose();
+    _chatLineFocus.dispose();
     _hold.dispose();
     _model.dispose();
     super.dispose();
@@ -197,6 +213,12 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
       return false;
     }
     if (textInputFocused()) return false;
+    if (devTools &&
+        _coord.settings.liftSubtitles.peek() &&
+        (event.logicalKey == LogicalKeyboardKey.enter || event.logicalKey == LogicalKeyboardKey.numpadEnter)) {
+      _openChatLine();
+      return true;
+    }
     final now = DateTime.now().toUtc();
     if (_lastKeyAt != null && now.difference(_lastKeyAt!).inMilliseconds < 350) {
       return false;
@@ -306,11 +328,15 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
               fit: StackFit.expand,
               children: [
                 video,
+                // Dev experiment: bottom subtitles above the controls.
+                if (devTools) _subtitleLifter(),
                 if (_full) ...[
                   _blockedCard(),
                   _actionArea(),
                   if (widget.fullscreen) ...[if (!_coord.alone.value) _pausedParty(), _unreadChip()],
                   _volumeReadout(),
+                  if (devTools) _chatLineOverlay(),
+                  if (widget.danmaku case final d?) _danmakuPanel(d),
                 ] else
                   _miniOverlay(),
                 // Sitting out: nothing is loaded; the card covers the
@@ -324,11 +350,111 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
     );
   }
 
-  Widget _video(VideoControlsBuilder? controls) => Video(
-        key: _videoKey,
-        controller: videoControllerOf(_coord.playback.video),
-        subtitleViewConfiguration: const SubtitleViewConfiguration(visible: false),
-        controls: controls,
+  Widget _video(VideoControlsBuilder? controls) => VideoOutputSizer(
+        playback: _coord.playback,
+        sharp: _coord.settings.screenResVideo,
+        child: Video(
+          key: _videoKey,
+          controller: videoControllerOf(_coord.playback.video),
+          subtitleViewConfiguration: const SubtitleViewConfiguration(visible: false),
+          controls: controls,
+        ),
+      );
+
+  /// What covers the bottom of the full player, for the subtitle lift:
+  /// the chat line, else the control bar while it is up.
+  Widget _subtitleLifter() => SignalBuilder(builder: (context) {
+        final controls = _bottomControlsHeight();
+        return SubtitleLifter(
+          playback: _coord.playback,
+          changes: Listenable.merge([_controlsShown, _chatLine]),
+          lift: _coord.settings.liftSubtitles,
+          cover: () => _chatLine.value
+              ? _chatLineHeight + _edge
+              : _controlsShown.value
+                  ? controls
+                  : 0,
+          active: _full,
+        );
+      });
+
+  // ------------------------------------------------- chat line (stand-in)
+
+  static const _chatLineHeight = 44.0;
+
+  void _openChatLine() {
+    _chatLine.value = true;
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => _chatLineFocus.requestFocus());
+  }
+
+  void _closeChatLine() {
+    _chatLine.value = false;
+    _chatLineText.clear();
+    _chatLineFocus.unfocus();
+  }
+
+  void _sendChatLine(String text) {
+    final t = text.trim();
+    if (t.isNotEmpty) {
+      _coord.sendChat(t);
+      // The preview, when it is up, shows it as your own line.
+      final d = widget.danmaku;
+      if (d != null && d.active.peek()) d.controller.add(d.own(t));
+    }
+    _closeChatLine();
+  }
+
+  /// A one-line chat box at the bottom of the full player (Enter opens
+  /// it, Enter sends, Esc closes): the planned chat line, to try the
+  /// subtitle lift with.
+  Widget _chatLineOverlay() => Positioned(
+        left: _edge,
+        right: _edge,
+        bottom: _edge,
+        height: _chatLineHeight,
+        child: ValueListenableBuilder<bool>(
+          valueListenable: _chatLine,
+          builder: (context, open, child) => IgnorePointer(
+            ignoring: !open,
+            child: AnimatedSlide(
+              offset: open ? Offset.zero : const Offset(0, 0.4),
+              duration: easeTime,
+              curve: ease,
+              child: AnimatedOpacity(opacity: open ? 1 : 0, duration: easeTime, curve: ease, child: child),
+            ),
+          ),
+          child: CallbackShortcuts(
+            bindings: {const SingleActivator(LogicalKeyboardKey.escape): _closeChatLine},
+            child: AppGlass.pill(
+              child: Padding(
+                padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 18),
+                child: Row(
+                  children: [
+                    Icon(Icons.chat_bubble_outline, size: 18, color: Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.7)),
+                    const SizedBox(width: 12),
+                    Expanded(
+                      child: TextField(
+                        key: const ValueKey('chat-line'),
+                        controller: _chatLineText,
+                        focusNode: _chatLineFocus,
+                        onSubmitted: _sendChatLine,
+                        onTapOutside: (_) => _closeChatLine(),
+                        style: const TextStyle(color: Colors.white, fontSize: 15),
+                        cursorColor: Colors.white,
+                        decoration: InputDecoration(
+                          isDense: true,
+                          border: InputBorder.none,
+                          hintText: 'Say something  ·  Enter sends, Esc closes',
+                          hintStyle: TextStyle(color: Colors.white.withValues(alpha: 0.45), fontSize: 15),
+                        ),
+                      ),
+                    ),
+                  ],
+                ),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
       );
 
   /// Fullscreen hides the strip and its window buttons: the top bar
@@ -355,12 +481,25 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
       fit: StackFit.expand,
       children: [
         const StartBanner(),
-        SessionControls(
-          model: _model,
-          shown: _controlsShown,
-          hold: _hold,
-          onDoubleClick: widget.onToggleFullscreen,
-          windowButtons: _fullscreenWindowButtons(),
+        // Under the controls, over the picture.
+        if (widget.danmaku case final d?)
+          SignalBuilder(
+            builder: (context) => d.active.value ? DanmakuPreviewLayers(preview: d) : const SizedBox.shrink(),
+          ),
+        // The chat line takes the control bar's place while it is open.
+        ValueListenableBuilder<bool>(
+          valueListenable: _chatLine,
+          builder: (context, chatLine, child) => IgnorePointer(
+            ignoring: chatLine,
+            child: AnimatedOpacity(opacity: chatLine ? 0 : 1, duration: easeTime, curve: ease, child: child),
+          ),
+          child: SessionControls(
+            model: _model,
+            shown: _controlsShown,
+            hold: _hold,
+            onDoubleClick: widget.onToggleFullscreen,
+            windowButtons: _fullscreenWindowButtons(),
+          ),
         ),
       ],
     );
@@ -378,6 +517,26 @@ class _SessionPlayerState extends State<SessionPlayer> {
 
   static double get _topBarHeight => controlsTopHeight(AppSettings.instance.controlsSkin.peek());
 
+  /// The danmaku preview's panel, top right under the top bar; the mouse
+  /// on it keeps the controls up.
+  Widget _danmakuPanel(DanmakuPreview d) => Positioned(
+        right: _edge,
+        top: _topBarHeight + 8,
+        child: SignalBuilder(
+          builder: (context) => fadeThrough(
+            expand: false,
+            alignment: Alignment.topRight,
+            d.active.value
+                ? ControlsHoldRegion(
+                    key: const ValueKey('danmaku-panel'),
+                    hold: _hold,
+                    child: DanmakuSessionPanel(preview: d, coord: _coord),
+                  )
+                : const SizedBox.shrink(key: ValueKey('danmaku-none')),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
   /// The volume flash after a wheel or key step: a pill under the top bar.
   Widget _volumeReadout() => Positioned(
         left: 0,
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/settings_tab.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/settings_tab.dart
index d69c5c15..25aca519 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/settings_tab.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/settings_tab.dart
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import '../jellyfin/accounts_panel.dart';
 import '../schedule/animeflow.dart';
 import '../screens/home/about_page.dart';
 import '../screens/home/settings_page.dart';
-import '../screens/home/ui.dart' show appName, displayVersion;
+import '../screens/home/ui.dart' show appName, devTools, displayVersion;
 import '../session/auto_sit_out.dart' show AutoSitOutTimes;
 import '../sfx/sfx.dart';
 import '../sfx/sound_bank.dart';
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ class SettingsTab extends StatelessWidget {
   final JellyfinAccounts? jellyfin;
   /// AnimeFlow's `/me` for the integrations page (tests pass a fake).
   final Future<AnimeFlowMe> Function()? animeFlowMe;
+  /// Dev builds: About → Developer → Danmaku preview.
+  final VoidCallback? onDanmakuPreview;
   const SettingsTab({
     super.key,
     required this.section,
@@ -60,6 +62,7 @@ class SettingsTab extends StatelessWidget {
     this.updates,
     this.jellyfin,
     this.animeFlowMe,
+    this.onDanmakuPreview,
   });
 
   List<Widget> _page(BuildContext context) {
@@ -162,7 +165,10 @@ class SettingsTab extends StatelessWidget {
       case SettingsSection.shortcuts:
         return const [SettingsPanel(title: 'Keyboard shortcuts', child: ShortcutList())];
       case SettingsSection.about:
-        return [AboutPanel(updates: updates)];
+        return [
+          AboutPanel(updates: updates),
+          if (devTools) DeveloperPanel(onDanmakuPreview: onDanmakuPreview),
+        ];
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/video_view.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/video_view.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..de8e6ed6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/shell/video_view.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,235 @@
+import 'dart:async';
+import 'dart:math' as math;
+
+import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
+import 'package:signals/signals_flutter.dart';
+
+import '../playback/playback_controller.dart';
+import 'motion.dart';
+
+// What the session's video view tells mpv about where it is shown: the
+// size its output renders at ("Sharp video and subtitles") and, as a dev
+// experiment, how far bottom subtitles move up while the controls are up.
+
+/// The video output's size for a view of [logical] size at [dpr]: its
+/// physical pixels when [on] and video renders on the GPU, else null (the
+/// video's own size). Software rendering keeps the video's size: every
+/// pixel there is CPU work.
+(int, int)? videoOutputSize(Size logical, double dpr, {required bool on, required RenderMode mode}) {
+  if (!on || mode != RenderMode.gpu) return null;
+  final w = (logical.width * dpr).round(), h = (logical.height * dpr).round();
+  if (w < 16 || h < 16) return null;
+  return (w, h);
+}
+
+/// How long a view size must hold before the output follows it (a
+/// window drag resizes many times a second; each resize reallocates the
+/// output's texture).
+const outputResizeDelay = Duration(milliseconds: 180);
+
+/// Sends the size of the view around [child] to the player host (see
+/// [videoOutputSize]): at once the first time, then once a resize has
+/// settled for [outputResizeDelay]. Follows the setting and the render
+/// mode live.
+class VideoOutputSizer extends StatefulWidget {
+  final PlaybackController playback;
+
+  /// The setting ([AppSettings.screenResVideo]).
+  final ReadonlySignal<bool> sharp;
+  final Widget child;
+  const VideoOutputSizer({super.key, required this.playback, required this.sharp, required this.child});
+
+  @override
+  State<VideoOutputSizer> createState() => _VideoOutputSizerState();
+}
+
+class _VideoOutputSizerState extends State<VideoOutputSizer> {
+  Size? _view;
+  double _dpr = 1;
+  Timer? _debounce;
+  late final void Function() _stop;
+  var _first = true;
+
+  @override
+  void initState() {
+    super.initState();
+    _stop = effect(() {
+      widget.sharp.value;
+      widget.playback.renderMode.value;
+      untracked(_send);
+    });
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    _debounce?.cancel();
+    _stop();
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+
+  void _send() {
+    final view = _view;
+    if (view == null) return;
+    final size = videoOutputSize(view, _dpr,
+        on: widget.sharp.peek(), mode: widget.playback.renderMode.peek());
+    widget.playback.host.setOutputSize(size?.$1, size?.$2);
+  }
+
+  void _resized(Size view, double dpr) {
+    if (view == _view && dpr == _dpr) return;
+    _view = view;
+    _dpr = dpr;
+    _debounce?.cancel();
+    if (_first) {
+      _first = false;
+      _send();
+      return;
+    }
+    _debounce = Timer(outputResizeDelay, _send);
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final dpr = MediaQuery.devicePixelRatioOf(context);
+    return LayoutBuilder(builder: (context, box) {
+      _resized(box.biggest, dpr);
+      return widget.child;
+    });
+  }
+}
+
+/// mpv `sub-pos` (100 = where the file puts them) that lifts bottom
+/// subtitles clear of what covers the bottom of the view ([controls]
+/// logical px tall: the control bar or the chat line, plus [gap]) in a [view] showing a [videoW] x [videoH] video fitted
+/// inside it: only as far as the letterbox under the picture does not
+/// already make room. `sub-pos` moves bottom-aligned lines by a share of
+/// the picture's height; top-aligned ASS signs stay put.
+double subtitleLiftPos({required Size view, int? videoW, int? videoH, required double controls, double gap = 8}) {
+  if (view.height <= 0 || view.width <= 0) return 100;
+  var picH = view.height;
+  if (videoW != null && videoH != null && videoW > 0 && videoH > 0) {
+    picH = math.min(view.height, view.width * videoH / videoW);
+  }
+  final bar = (view.height - picH) / 2;
+  final shift = math.max(0.0, controls + gap - bar);
+  return (100 - shift / picH * 100).clamp(50.0, 100.0);
+}
+
+/// Dev experiment ([AppSettings.liftSubtitles]): while something covers
+/// the bottom of the full player ([cover]: its height, 0 for nothing; the
+/// chat line, else the control bar while it is up), bottom subtitles of the
+/// current player move above it, and back down when it goes, animated over
+/// the shell's [easeTime] in mpv `sub-pos` steps. Top-aligned signs stay
+/// put. Draws nothing.
+class SubtitleLifter extends StatefulWidget {
+  final PlaybackController playback;
+
+  /// Fires when [cover] may have changed.
+  final Listenable changes;
+  final double Function() cover;
+
+  /// The dev setting ([AppSettings.liftSubtitles]).
+  final ReadonlySignal<bool> lift;
+
+  /// Only the full player lifts.
+  final bool active;
+  const SubtitleLifter({
+    super.key,
+    required this.playback,
+    required this.changes,
+    required this.cover,
+    required this.lift,
+    required this.active,
+  });
+
+  @override
+  State<SubtitleLifter> createState() => _SubtitleLifterState();
+}
+
+class _SubtitleLifterState extends State<SubtitleLifter> with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin {
+  late final AnimationController _anim = AnimationController(vsync: this, duration: easeTime)
+    ..addListener(_tick);
+  double _from = 100, _to = 100;
+  double _sent = 100;
+  HostedPlayer? _player;
+  Size _view = Size.zero;
+  late final void Function() _stop;
+
+  @override
+  void initState() {
+    super.initState();
+    widget.changes.addListener(_retarget);
+    _stop = effect(() {
+      widget.lift.value;
+      widget.playback.generation.value;
+      untracked(_retarget);
+    });
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void didUpdateWidget(SubtitleLifter old) {
+    super.didUpdateWidget(old);
+    if (old.changes != widget.changes) {
+      old.changes.removeListener(_retarget);
+      widget.changes.addListener(_retarget);
+    }
+    _retarget();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    widget.changes.removeListener(_retarget);
+    _stop();
+    _anim.dispose();
+    // Leave the player as the file wants it.
+    if (_sent != 100) _send(100);
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+
+  double get _target {
+    final cover = widget.cover();
+    if (!widget.active || !widget.lift.peek() || cover <= 0) return 100;
+    final st = widget.playback.current?.state;
+    return subtitleLiftPos(view: _view, videoW: st?.width, videoH: st?.height, controls: cover);
+  }
+
+  void _retarget() {
+    if (!mounted) return;
+    final p = widget.playback.current;
+    if (!identical(p, _player)) {
+      // A new player starts where the file wants its subtitles.
+      _player = p;
+      _sent = 100;
+      _from = _to = 100;
+      _anim.value = 1;
+    }
+    final t = _target;
+    if ((t - _to).abs() < 0.1) return;
+    _from = _sent;
+    _to = t;
+    _anim.forward(from: 0);
+  }
+
+  void _tick() {
+    final v = _from + (_to - _from) * ease.transform(_anim.value);
+    // mpv redraws on every change: whole tenths are enough.
+    final r = (v * 10).round() / 10;
+    if (r != _sent) _send(r);
+  }
+
+  void _send(double pos) {
+    _sent = pos;
+    final p = widget.playback.current;
+    if (p == null || p.disposed) return;
+    unawaited(p.setProperty('sub-pos', pos.toStringAsFixed(1)).catchError((Object _) {}));
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => LayoutBuilder(builder: (context, box) {
+        if (box.biggest != _view) {
+          _view = box.biggest;
+          WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => _retarget());
+        }
+        return const SizedBox.shrink();
+      });
+}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/lib/src/state/settings.dart b/apps/desktop/lib/src/state/settings.dart
index 136bc267..8e1963a9 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/lib/src/state/settings.dart
+++ b/apps/desktop/lib/src/state/settings.dart
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ const _keyNotifyPeople = 'notifyPeople';
 const _keyShareDiagnostics = 'shareDiagnostics';
 const _keyWhatsNewSeen = 'whatsNewSeen';
 const _keyWhatsNewNotes = 'whatsNewNotes';
+const _keyScreenResVideo = 'screenResVideo';
+const _keyLiftSubtitles = 'liftSubtitles';
 
 enum HwdecMode { auto, off, custom }
 
@@ -89,6 +91,14 @@ class AppSettings {
   /// Send this app's log lines to the server's session log while in a
   /// session (never chat). Off: nothing is sent but a note that it is off.
   final shareDiagnostics = signal(true);
+  /// The video output renders at the player's size on screen, so mpv
+  /// scales the picture (and runs shaders) and draws subtitles at screen
+  /// resolution; off: at the video's own size, scaled by Flutter. Applies
+  /// live (GPU rendering only).
+  final screenResVideo = signal(true);
+  /// Dev builds only, an experiment: bottom subtitles move up while the
+  /// controls are up (mpv `sub-pos`). Applies live.
+  final liftSubtitles = signal(false);
   /// Chat message toasts (default: all). Applies live.
   final chatPopups = signal(ChatPopups.all);
   /// Joins and leaves also notify while sitting out or with the window in
@@ -175,6 +185,10 @@ class AppSettings {
       if (hideRe is bool) hideReReleases.value = hideRe;
       final line = box.get(_keyProgressLine);
       if (line is bool) progressLine.value = line;
+      final screenRes = box.get(_keyScreenResVideo);
+      if (screenRes is bool) screenResVideo.value = screenRes;
+      final lift = box.get(_keyLiftSubtitles);
+      if (lift is bool) liftSubtitles.value = lift;
       final share = box.get(_keyShareDiagnostics);
       if (share is bool) shareDiagnostics.value = share;
       final popups = box.get(_keyChatPopups);
@@ -279,6 +293,16 @@ class AppSettings {
     _put(_keyProgressLine, on);
   }
 
+  void setScreenResVideo(bool on) {
+    screenResVideo.value = on;
+    _put(_keyScreenResVideo, on);
+  }
+
+  void setLiftSubtitles(bool on) {
+    liftSubtitles.value = on;
+    _put(_keyLiftSubtitles, on);
+  }
+
   void setShareDiagnostics(bool on) {
     shareDiagnostics.value = on;
     _put(_keyShareDiagnostics, on);
diff --git a/apps/desktop/test/danmaku_test.dart b/apps/desktop/test/danmaku_test.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3e344a7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/test/danmaku_test.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+import 'dart:math' as math;
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+import 'package:starsync/src/danmaku/danmaku.dart';
+import 'package:starsync/src/shell/avatar.dart' show AvatarInfo;
+
+// Danmaku lanes: free lanes only, no two lines in a lane ever touch, the
+// density cap with a queue in arrival order, and the layer over a real
+// widget clock.
+
+const w = 1000.0;
+
+/// Lines in one lane never overlap (gap kept) at any sampled time.
+void expectNoOverlap(DanmakuLanes<int> lanes, double t, {double gap = 0}) {
+  final byLane = <int, List<DanmakuFlight<int>>>{};
+  for (final f in lanes.flights) {
+    byLane.putIfAbsent(f.lane, () => []).add(f);
+  }
+  for (final fs in byLane.values) {
+    fs.sort((a, b) => a.start.compareTo(b.start));
+    for (var i = 1; i < fs.length; i++) {
+      final ahead = fs[i - 1], behind = fs[i];
+      final tail = ahead.x(t, w) + ahead.width;
+      // Only while both are on screen.
+      if (tail <= 0 || behind.x(t, w) >= w) continue;
+      expect(behind.x(t, w), greaterThanOrEqualTo(tail + gap - 1e-6),
+          reason: 'lane ${behind.lane} at t=$t: #${behind.item} reaches #${ahead.item}');
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+List<DanmakuFlight<int>> tick(DanmakuLanes<int> lanes, double t, Map<int, double> widths,
+        {int lanesN = 5, int cap = 100, double cross = 8}) =>
+    lanes.tick(t, w: w, lanes: lanesN, cap: cap, crossSecs: cross, measure: (i) => widths[i]!);
+
+void main() {
+  group('DanmakuLanes', () {
+    test('lines at the same moment take the lanes top down', () {
+      final lanes = DanmakuLanes<int>();
+      final widths = {for (var i = 0; i < 3; i++) i: 200.0};
+      for (var i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
+        lanes.add(i, 0);
+      }
+      final placed = tick(lanes, 0, widths);
+      expect([for (final f in placed) f.lane], [0, 1, 2]);
+    });
+
+    test('a lane is reused once the line in it has fully entered', () {
+      final lanes = DanmakuLanes<int>(gap: 20);
+      final widths = {0: 200.0, 1: 200.0};
+      lanes.add(0, 0);
+      tick(lanes, 0, widths, lanesN: 1);
+      lanes.add(1, 0.1);
+      // 200 px + gap at 150 px/s: not yet in.
+      expect(tick(lanes, 0.1, widths, lanesN: 1), isEmpty);
+      expect(lanes.waiting, 1);
+      // Same length, same speed: it may follow once 220 px have entered.
+      final placed = tick(lanes, 1.6, widths, lanesN: 1);
+      expect(placed.single.lane, 0);
+    });
+
+    test('a long (faster) line never catches a short one ahead in its lane', () {
+      final lanes = DanmakuLanes<int>(gap: 20);
+      final widths = {0: 60.0, 1: 900.0};
+      lanes.add(0, 0);
+      tick(lanes, 0, widths, lanesN: 1);
+      lanes.add(1, 0.5);
+      // The short one is in, but the long one would run into it: wait.
+      for (var t = 0.5; t < 8; t += 0.1) {
+        final placed = tick(lanes, t, widths, lanesN: 1);
+        if (placed.isNotEmpty) {
+          // Placed: from then on they never touch.
+          for (var s = t; s < t + 8; s += 0.05) {
+            expectNoOverlap(lanes, s, gap: 20);
+          }
+          return;
+        }
+      }
+      fail('the long line never got the lane');
+    });
+
+    test('a random stream of mixed lengths never overlaps', () {
+      final rng = math.Random(3);
+      final lanes = DanmakuLanes<int>(gap: 24, maxWaitSecs: 1000, maxWaiting: 10000);
+      final widths = <int, double>{};
+      var n = 0;
+      for (var t = 0.0; t < 120; t += 0.05) {
+        if (rng.nextDouble() < 0.15) {
+          widths[n] = 20 + rng.nextDouble() * 900;
+          lanes.add(n++, t);
+        }
+        tick(lanes, t, widths, lanesN: 6, cap: 14, cross: 6 + rng.nextDouble() * 0.0);
+        expectNoOverlap(lanes, t, gap: 24);
+        expect(lanes.flights.length, lessThanOrEqualTo(14));
+      }
+      expect(n, greaterThan(300));
+    });
+
+    test('the density cap holds the rest in arrival order', () {
+      final lanes = DanmakuLanes<int>();
+      final widths = {for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++) i: 100.0};
+      for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
+        lanes.add(i, 0);
+      }
+      final first = tick(lanes, 0, widths, lanesN: 20, cap: 4);
+      expect([for (final f in first) f.item], [0, 1, 2, 3]);
+      expect(lanes.waiting, 6);
+      // Nothing leaves before the crossing time: still capped.
+      expect(tick(lanes, 7.9, widths, lanesN: 20, cap: 4), isEmpty);
+      final next = tick(lanes, 8, widths, lanesN: 20, cap: 4);
+      expect([for (final f in next) f.item], [4, 5, 6, 7]);
+    });
+
+    test('a line that waited too long is dropped; the queue is bounded', () {
+      final lanes = DanmakuLanes<int>(maxWaitSecs: 5, maxWaiting: 3);
+      final widths = {for (var i = 0; i < 6; i++) i: 100.0};
+      for (var i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
+        lanes.add(i, 0);
+      }
+      expect(lanes.waiting, 3);
+      expect(lanes.dropped, 2);
+      tick(lanes, 6, widths, cap: 0);
+      expect(lanes.waiting, 0);
+      expect(lanes.dropped, 5);
+    });
+  });
+
+  group('DanmakuStyle', () {
+    test('lanes fill the band at the text size', () {
+      const s = DanmakuStyle(bandTop: 0.1, bandBottom: 0.45);
+      // 720 px: 30.24 px text, 45.36 px lanes in a 252 px band.
+      expect(s.lanesFor(720), 5);
+      expect(const DanmakuStyle(bandTop: 0.4, bandBottom: 0.41).lanesFor(720), 1);
+    });
+  });
+
+  testWidgets('the layer flies lines under the cap and lets the rest wait', (tester) async {
+    final c = DanmakuController();
+    addTearDown(c.dispose);
+    await tester.pumpWidget(Directionality(
+      textDirection: TextDirection.ltr,
+      child: SizedBox(
+        width: 800,
+        height: 450,
+        child: DanmakuLayer(
+          controller: c,
+          accent: Colors.purple,
+          style: const DanmakuStyle(maxOnScreen: 3, crossSecs: 4),
+        ),
+      ),
+    ));
+    for (var i = 0; i < 7; i++) {
+      c.add(DanmakuItem(
+          kind: DanmakuKind.chat,
+          sender: 'Bob',
+          text: 'line $i',
+          own: i == 0,
+          avatar: i.isEven ? const AvatarInfo(name: 'Bob', color: Colors.teal) : null));
+    }
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 16));
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 16));
+    expect(c.onScreen.value, 3);
+    expect(c.waiting.value, 4);
+    // After a crossing the next ones fly.
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(seconds: 4));
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 16));
+    expect(c.onScreen.value, 3);
+    expect(c.waiting.value, 1);
+    c.clear();
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 16));
+    expect(c.onScreen.value, 0);
+    expect(c.waiting.value, 0);
+    await tester.pumpWidget(const SizedBox());
+  });
+}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/test/video_view_test.dart b/apps/desktop/test/video_view_test.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4534fd22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/test/video_view_test.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+import 'package:starsync/src/platform/ports/player_host.dart' show RenderMode;
+import 'package:starsync/src/screens/home/ui.dart' show devToolsFor;
+import 'package:starsync/src/shell/video_view.dart';
+
+// The video view's asks of mpv: the output size ("Sharp video and
+// subtitles") and the dev experiment's subtitle lift.
+
+void main() {
+  group('videoOutputSize', () {
+    test('the view in physical pixels on the GPU', () {
+      expect(videoOutputSize(const Size(1280, 720), 1.5, on: true, mode: RenderMode.gpu), (1920, 1080));
+      expect(videoOutputSize(const Size(384, 216), 2, on: true, mode: RenderMode.gpu), (768, 432));
+    });
+
+    test("the video's own size when off, not on the GPU yet, or in software", () {
+      expect(videoOutputSize(const Size(1280, 720), 1, on: false, mode: RenderMode.gpu), isNull);
+      for (final m in [RenderMode.unknown, RenderMode.software, RenderMode.softwareGl]) {
+        expect(videoOutputSize(const Size(1280, 720), 1, on: true, mode: m), isNull, reason: m.name);
+      }
+      expect(videoOutputSize(const Size(4, 4), 1, on: true, mode: RenderMode.gpu), isNull);
+    });
+  });
+
+  group('subtitleLiftPos', () {
+    test('a picture filling the view lifts by the controls', () {
+      // 108 px of controls + 8 px gap in a 1080 px picture: 10.74 %.
+      final pos = subtitleLiftPos(view: const Size(1920, 1080), videoW: 1920, videoH: 1080, controls: 108);
+      expect(pos, closeTo(100 - 116 / 1080 * 100, 1e-9));
+    });
+
+    test('a letterbox under the picture counts toward the room', () {
+      // 2.39:1 in 16:9: 803 px picture, 138 px bar below it.
+      final none = subtitleLiftPos(view: const Size(1920, 1080), videoW: 1920, videoH: 803, controls: 100);
+      expect(none, 100);
+      final some = subtitleLiftPos(view: const Size(1920, 1080), videoW: 1920, videoH: 803, controls: 200);
+      expect(some, lessThan(100));
+    });
+
+    test('unknown video size: as if it filled the view; never past half', () {
+      expect(subtitleLiftPos(view: const Size(800, 450), controls: 90), closeTo(100 - 98 / 450 * 100, 1e-9));
+      expect(subtitleLiftPos(view: const Size(800, 100), controls: 500), 50);
+      expect(subtitleLiftPos(view: Size.zero, controls: 90), 100);
+    });
+  });
+
+  test('dev tools: dev versions and debug runs only', () {
+    expect(devToolsFor(version: '1.3.3-dev.2', debug: false), isTrue);
+    expect(devToolsFor(version: '0.0.0-dev', debug: false), isTrue);
+    expect(devToolsFor(version: '1.3.2', debug: true), isTrue);
+    expect(devToolsFor(version: '1.3.2', debug: false), isFalse);
+  });
+}
diff --git a/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md b/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
index bba577f7..bdc1b456 100644
--- a/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
+++ b/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
@@ -567,6 +567,30 @@ server without the relay's header rule, or the connection reuse above)
 fails every seek until a fresh open, so the coordinator runs "Reload
 video" once per media for it (`mpvStreamLost`, `onStreamLost`).
 
+Output size ("Sharp video and subtitles", `AppSettings.screenResVideo`,
+on by default, live; Settings → Player and the player settings card):
+media_kit renders mpv into a texture the size of the video and Flutter
+scales it, so libass subtitles, mpv's scaler and the shaders all work on
+a 720p image for a 720p file. With the setting on and the GPU renderer
+(`renderMode` gpu; never in software rendering, where every pixel is CPU
+work, nor before the probe knows), the session view
+(`shell/video_view.dart`, `VideoOutputSizer` around the `Video`) sends its
+size in physical pixels to the host (`PlayerHost.setOutputSize`): at
+once the first time, then once a resize has held 180 ms
+(`outputResizeDelay`: a window drag, fullscreen, full ↔ mini). The host
+applies it to every live output and to each new one once it is up
+(`NativeVideoController.setSize`); mpv then letterboxes inside it and
+draws subtitles at that size (text subtitles may sit in the black bars,
+as in mpv). media_kit's controller sets an output back to the video's
+size whenever the video's parameters change (each new file), so the host
+sends the size again after it, under the controller's own lock; a fresh
+player's first frame or two show at the video's size. A paused player
+draws no frame for the new size: the host nudges `video-pan-x` by a
+millionth and back so mpv redraws. Off: each output at its video's own
+size again (`setOutputSize(null)`). Measured on a GTX 1080, 1280x720
+H.264 at 2560x1080 fullscreen: no difference past the noise in the
+process's GPU (`nvidia-smi pmon`, 9 to 12 % either way) or CPU.
+
 Render mode: media_kit's Linux/Windows video output creates mpv's render
 context (OpenGL, else its software renderer) when the `VideoController` is
 created, and nothing in its API says which. The host therefore requests
@@ -606,7 +630,8 @@ their own): creates players by role (`session`: the full cache, `warn`;
 no outputs, no cache, no log) with every pin set before the caller's
 first command (`pinMismatches` lists the read-backs that differ), gives
 a player its video output (`HostedVideo`, with the hwdec policy:
-`SYNC_RELAY_HWDEC`, else the setting, `auto-copy` on Windows), runs the
+`SYNC_RELAY_HWDEC`, else the setting, `auto-copy` on Windows) at the
+view's size when asked (`setOutputSize`, see "Output size"), runs the
 render-mode probe and its diagnostics (`renderMode`, also after leaving),
 routes mpv's log, and owns the order players go in: `retire` (pause, let
 the view drop the texture: two frames and a route pop, then dispose; a
@@ -2112,7 +2137,8 @@ panel) and chat messages (Copy message, and a link in it).
   between kinds. The mini shows its short line in its hover bar. ⚙ →
   Player settings (both skins) opens the player settings card (`controls/
   player_settings.dart`, `showPopover`, on `AppGlass`): player design, progress line
-  when hidden, upscaling shader, hardware decoding (set live on mpv's
+  when hidden, upscaling shader, sharp video and subtitles (the output
+  at screen size, see "Media"), hardware decoding (set live on mpv's
   `hwdec`), subtitle and audio track. The rows (`playerSettingRows`) are
   the same widgets Settings → Player shows; all apply live. Settings →
   Player also has the controls' own choices (`controlsSettingRows`, see
diff --git a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
index 745b830c..447735b8 100644
--- a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
+++ b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
@@ -75,6 +75,61 @@ Harnesses in `tool/` (own `pubspec.yaml`, `dart run tool/<name>.dart`):
 `range_logger` (serve a file and log every Range request), `shaper`
 (bandwidth cap, latency, `--kill-after` for outage tests), `fake_viewer`
 and `e2e_check` (simulated viewers against a live server).
+`tool/make_sub_test.sh [out.mkv] [seconds]` (ffmpeg) writes a 720p test
+video for subtitle placement and sharpness (default
+`~/Videos/starsync-sub-test.mkv`): an .ass track with a top sign
+(`\an8`) and bottom dialogue (English and Japanese), and an SRT track.
+
+## Dev tools
+
+Test builds and runs from source (a version with `-dev`) and debug runs
+(`devTools`, `screens/home/ui.dart`) get Settings → About → Developer;
+releases never show it. What is there is an experiment to look at, not
+a decided feature:
+
+- **Danmaku preview** (`lib/src/danmaku/`): chat lines and short notices
+  (joins, leaves, Up next adds, "starting now") flying right to left
+  across the upper part of the picture. `DanmakuLayer` is the reusable
+  widget: lanes in a band of the height (`DanmakuStyle.bandTop` /
+  `bandBottom`, default 10 to 45 %, under top signs, never down into the
+  dialogue); each line takes the topmost free lane (`DanmakuLanes`, pure:
+  the last line in a lane must have fully entered with a gap, and the
+  new one, at its own speed, cannot catch it before it leaves); at most
+  `maxOnScreen` fly, the rest wait in order (dropped after 15 s, 60 at
+  most); every line crosses in `crossSecs`, so long ones move faster;
+  white text with a dark outline and no box, the sender's avatar
+  (`StatusAvatar`: picture, else initial) and coloured name first, the
+  app's own notices without one, own lines in an accent frame; the
+  layer's own clock, so lines fly on while paused. Each line is a widget
+  moved by a `Flow`: per frame only paint runs. The button opens it over
+  the full player when one is up (under the controls; the panel top
+  right holds them up), else on a page with a moving stand-in picture
+  and a mock control bar of the skin in use. The panel (`DanmakuPanel`)
+  fires samples (chat, own, join, leave, Up next, starting, a burst), a
+  random stream (Poisson arrivals at a rate, short to long lines, CJK
+  and emoji; in a session half the senders are the party's real
+  members), this session's own chat and notice toasts, and every
+  `DanmakuStyle` knob live (crossing time, cap, lane band, opacity,
+  size, outline, avatars, own frame), plus mock subtitles (a top sign
+  and bottom dialogue). Tests: `danmaku_test`.
+- **Lift subtitles above the chat line and controls**
+  (`AppSettings.liftSubtitles`, off): Enter in the full player opens a
+  stand-in for the planned chat line (a one-line box at the bottom in
+  place of the control bar; Enter sends to the chat, Esc closes). While
+  it is open, or the control bar is up, bottom subtitles move above it
+  and back down when it goes (`SubtitleLifter`, `video_view.dart`): mpv
+  `sub-pos`, animated over the shell's 320 ms curve in 0.1 steps, only as
+  far as the letterbox under the picture leaves no room
+  (`subtitleLiftPos`). What each mpv property does, on
+  `make_sub_test.sh`'s file (mpv 0.41, libmpv as the app uses it):
+  `sub-pos` moves bottom ASS dialogue and SRT lines up and leaves `\an8`
+  signs in place (with `sub-ass-override` at its default `scale` or
+  `yes`; `no` ignores it for ASS); `sub-margin-y` moves SRT only (ASS
+  only with `sub-ass-override=force`, which restyles every line, signs
+  too); `sub-ass-style-overrides=MarginV=...` moves top signs down as
+  well; `video-margin-ratio-bottom` shrinks and moves the picture
+  itself (with `sub-ass-force-margins` the dialogue goes into the new
+  black band).
 
 ## Tests
 
@@ -109,7 +164,9 @@ Three suites, run from each package's folder:
   version gate, the media plan's table with the Jellyfin relay rule and
   the "Waiting for" status (`media_plan_test`), watch tracking and the
   device history (`watch_tracker_test`), what continues a file of a
-  local show (`queue_logic_test`)), `singletons_test` (the `.instance` count, see
+  local show (`queue_logic_test`), the video view's output size and
+  subtitle lift and the dev-tools gate (`video_view_test`), danmaku lanes
+  (`danmaku_test`)), `singletons_test` (the `.instance` count, see
   ARCHITECTURE "Composition root"; lower its baseline when a use goes) and the real-mpv `*_e2e`
   tests plus `coord_presence`. The whole suite takes a couple of minutes;
   run it only before a restructure step lands, otherwise only the files
diff --git a/tool/make_sub_test.sh b/tool/make_sub_test.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..de281a9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tool/make_sub_test.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# A 720p test video for subtitle placement and sharpness: an .ass track
+# (default) with a top-positioned sign (\an8) and bottom dialogue, and an
+# SRT track with plain bottom lines. Needs ffmpeg.
+#
+#   tool/make_sub_test.sh [out.mkv] [seconds]
+#
+# Default output: ~/Videos/starsync-sub-test.mkv, 60 s.
+set -euo pipefail
+
+out="${1:-$HOME/Videos/starsync-sub-test.mkv}"
+secs="${2:-60}"
+work="$(mktemp -d)"
+trap 'rm -rf "$work"' EXIT
+
+clock() { # seconds -> H:MM:SS.cc (ass) or HH:MM:SS,mmm (srt)
+  local s=$1 fmt=$2
+  local h=$((s / 3600)) m=$((s % 3600 / 60)) r=$((s % 60))
+  if [[ $fmt == ass ]]; then printf '%d:%02d:%02d.00' $h $m $r; else printf '%02d:%02d:%02d,000' $h $m $r; fi
+}
+
+lines=(
+  "Bottom dialogue: the controls should never cover this line."
+  "A second line of dialogue,\\Nsplit over two rows."
+  "日本語の字幕もここに表示されます。"
+  "Short one."
+  "The sign at the top must stay where it is."
+)
+
+{
+  cat <<'EOF'
+[Script Info]
+ScriptType: v4.00+
+PlayResX: 1280
+PlayResY: 720
+WrapStyle: 0
+ScaledBorderAndShadow: yes
+
+[V4+ Styles]
+Format: Name, Fontname, Fontsize, PrimaryColour, SecondaryColour, OutlineColour, BackColour, Bold, Italic, Underline, StrikeOut, ScaleX, ScaleY, Spacing, Angle, BorderStyle, Outline, Shadow, Alignment, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Encoding
+Style: Default,Noto Sans,48,&H00FFFFFF,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H80000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,2.5,1,2,40,40,36,1
+Style: Sign,Noto Serif,40,&H0000E5FF,&H000000FF,&H00301000,&H00000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,1,0,1,3,0,8,40,40,30,1
+
+[Events]
+Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
+EOF
+  echo "Dialogue: 0,$(clock 0 ass),$(clock "$secs" ass),Sign,,0,0,0,,{\\an8}TOP SIGN (\\\\an8): stays put"
+  i=0
+  for ((t = 0; t < secs; t += 4)); do
+    echo "Dialogue: 0,$(clock $t ass),$(clock $((t + 4)) ass),Default,,0,0,0,,${lines[$((i % ${#lines[@]}))]}"
+    i=$((i + 1))
+  done
+} >"$work/subs.ass"
+
+{
+  n=1
+  for ((t = 0; t < secs; t += 4)); do
+    echo $n
+    echo "$(clock $t srt) --> $(clock $((t + 4)) srt)"
+    echo "Plain SRT line $n at the bottom"
+    echo
+    n=$((n + 1))
+  done
+} >"$work/subs.srt"
+
+mkdir -p "$(dirname "$out")"
+ffmpeg -hide_banner -loglevel error -y \
+  -f lavfi -i "testsrc2=size=1280x720:rate=24:duration=$secs" \
+  -f lavfi -i "sine=frequency=440:duration=$secs" \
+  -i "$work/subs.ass" -i "$work/subs.srt" \
+  -map 0:v -map 1:a -map 2 -map 3 \
+  -c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -crf 23 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac -b:a 96k \
+  -c:s:0 ass -c:s:1 srt \
+  -metadata:s:s:0 title="ASS: top sign + bottom dialogue" -metadata:s:s:0 language=eng \
+  -metadata:s:s:1 title="SRT: bottom lines" -metadata:s:s:1 language=eng \
+  -disposition:s:0 default -disposition:s:1 0 \
+  "$out"
+echo "$out"