diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 7f28f5c..6463bc6 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ Issues = "https://github.com/kennethreitz/pytheory/issues"
 
 [project.scripts]
 pytheory = "pytheory.cli:main"
+pytheory-live = "pytheory.live_tui:main"
 
 [dependency-groups]
 dev = ["pytest"]
diff --git a/pytheory/live_tui.py b/pytheory/live_tui.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46f3e30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pytheory/live_tui.py
@@ -0,0 +1,730 @@
+"""PyTheory Live — interactive MIDI synthesizer with TUI."""
+
+import curses
+import random
+import sys
+import threading
+import time
+import os
+
+from pytheory.live import LiveEngine
+from pytheory.rhythm import INSTRUMENTS, Pattern
+
+
+NOTE_NAMES = ['C', 'C#', 'D', 'D#', 'E', 'F', 'F#', 'G', 'G#', 'A', 'A#', 'B']
+
+
+def note_name(midi):
+    return f"{NOTE_NAMES[midi % 12]}{midi // 12 - 1}"
+
+
+class LiveTUI:
+    def __init__(self, seed=None, port="OP-XY", n_channels=8,
+                 drum_pattern="rock", buffer_size=128):
+        self.seed = seed or random.randint(0, 9999)
+        self.port = port
+        self.n_channels = n_channels
+        self.buffer_size = buffer_size
+        self.engine = None
+        self.log_lines = []
+        self.max_log = 500
+        self.running = True
+        self.instruments = sorted([k for k in INSTRUMENTS.keys()
+                                   if k not in ("808_bass",)])
+        self.drum_patterns = sorted(Pattern.list_presets())
+        self.current_drum = drum_pattern
+        self.picks = []
+        self.bpm = "—"
+        self.status = "Init"
+        self.status_color = 3
+        self._build_engine()
+
+    def _build_engine(self):
+        rng = random.Random(self.seed)
+        self.picks = rng.sample(self.instruments, min(self.n_channels, len(self.instruments)))
+        self.engine = LiveEngine(buffer_size=self.buffer_size)
+        for i, inst in enumerate(self.picks, 1):
+            self.engine.channel(i, instrument=inst, reverb=0.3)
+        if self.current_drum and self.current_drum not in ("none", "-"):
+            self.engine.drums(self.current_drum, volume=0.5)
+        self.engine.cc(0, "lowpass", min_val=300, max_val=8000)
+
+    def log(self, msg, color=0):
+        self.log_lines.append((time.time(), msg, color))
+        if len(self.log_lines) > self.max_log:
+            self.log_lines = self.log_lines[-self.max_log:]
+
+    def _patch_engine_logging(self):
+        original_cb = self.engine._midi_callback
+
+        def logging_cb(event, data=None):
+            msg, _ = event
+            if len(msg) == 0:
+                return
+            if msg[0] == 0xF8:
+                if self.engine._bpm > 10:
+                    self.bpm = f"{self.engine._bpm:.0f}"
+            elif msg[0] == 0xFA:
+                self.log("▶ Start", 5)
+                self.status = "Playing"
+                self.status_color = 1
+            elif msg[0] == 0xFC:
+                self.log("■ Stop", 4)
+                self.status = "Stopped"
+                self.status_color = 4
+            elif msg[0] == 0xFB:
+                self.log("▶ Continue", 5)
+                self.status = "Playing"
+                self.status_color = 1
+            elif len(msg) >= 3:
+                status = msg[0]
+                ch = (status & 0x0F) + 1
+                msg_type = status & 0xF0
+                if msg_type == 0x90 and msg[2] > 0:
+                    inst = self.picks[ch - 1] if 1 <= ch <= 8 else "?"
+                    self.log(f"♪ {ch}:{inst} {note_name(msg[1])} v={msg[2]}", 1)
+                elif msg_type == 0xB0:
+                    self.log(f"⚙ CC{msg[1]}={msg[2]}", 3)
+                elif msg_type == 0xE0:
+                    bend = ((msg[2] << 7) | msg[1]) - 8192
+                    self.log(f"↕ Bend ch{ch} {bend:+d}", 3)
+            original_cb(event, data)
+
+        self.engine._midi_callback = logging_cb
+
+    def run(self, stdscr):
+        curses.curs_set(0)
+        curses.use_default_colors()
+        curses.init_pair(1, curses.COLOR_GREEN, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(2, curses.COLOR_CYAN, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(3, curses.COLOR_YELLOW, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(4, curses.COLOR_RED, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(5, curses.COLOR_MAGENTA, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(6, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_BLUE)
+        curses.init_pair(7, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_GREEN)
+        curses.init_pair(8, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_YELLOW)
+        curses.init_pair(9, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_RED)
+        stdscr.nodelay(True)
+        stdscr.timeout(60)
+
+        self._patch_engine_logging()
+
+        # Pre-render with progress
+        self.status = "Rendering"
+        self.status_color = 3
+        stdscr.erase()
+        stdscr.addstr(1, 2, "PyTheory Live", curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.addstr(2, 2, "Pre-rendering wavetables...", curses.color_pair(3))
+        stdscr.refresh()
+
+        n_samples = 44100 * 3
+        count = 0
+        for _, channel in self.engine.channels.items():
+            if channel.is_drums:
+                continue
+            for midi_note in range(36, 97):
+                channel._get_wave(midi_note, n_samples)
+                count += 1
+                if count % 50 == 0:
+                    stdscr.addstr(3, 2, f"  {count} wavetables...", curses.color_pair(2))
+                    stdscr.refresh()
+
+        self.log(f"Cached {count} wavetables", 1)
+        self.log("Starting engine...", 3)
+        self.status = "Starting"
+        self.status_color = 3
+
+        # Start engine
+        def run_engine():
+            import io
+            capture = io.StringIO()
+            old = sys.stdout
+            sys.stdout = capture
+            try:
+                self.engine.start(port=self.port)
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log(f"Engine error: {e}", 4)
+            finally:
+                sys.stdout = old
+                output = capture.getvalue()
+                if output.strip():
+                    for line in output.strip().split('\n'):
+                        self.log(line.strip(), 2)
+
+        engine_thread = threading.Thread(target=run_engine, daemon=True)
+        engine_thread.start()
+
+        cmd_buf = ""
+        cursor_pos = 0
+        cmd_history = []
+        history_idx = -1
+        tab_matches = []
+        tab_idx = -1
+        tab_prefix = ""
+        self.kbd_active = False
+        self._kbd_held = {}  # key → last_press_time
+
+        while self.running:
+            try:
+                # Update status from engine state
+                if (self.engine._stream and self.engine._stream.active
+                        and self.status == "Starting"):
+                    self.status = "Listening"
+                    self.status_color = 2
+                    self.log("Audio stream active", 1)
+
+                h, w = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+                if h < 10 or w < 40:
+                    time.sleep(0.1)
+                    continue
+                stdscr.erase()
+
+                div = max(30, w * 3 // 5)
+                cfg_x = div + 2
+
+                # ═══ HEADER BAR ═══
+                header = f" PyTheory Live "
+                stdscr.addstr(0, 0, header, curses.color_pair(6) | curses.A_BOLD)
+
+                # Status badge
+                badge_colors = {1: 7, 2: 6, 3: 8, 4: 9}
+                badge_cp = badge_colors.get(self.status_color, 6)
+                badge = f" {self.status} "
+                x = len(header)
+                stdscr.addstr(0, x, badge, curses.color_pair(badge_cp) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                x += len(badge)
+
+                kbd_mode = ""
+                if self.engine._keyboard_channel:
+                    kbd_mode = f"  KBD:ch{self.engine._keyboard_channel}"
+                rec_mode = "  ●REC" if self.engine._recording else ""
+                info = f"  BPM:{self.bpm}  drums:{self.current_drum}  seed:{self.seed}{kbd_mode}{rec_mode}"
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(0, x, info[:w - x], curses.color_pair(6))
+                    # Fill rest of header
+                    remaining = w - x - len(info)
+                    if remaining > 0:
+                        stdscr.addstr(0, x + len(info), " " * remaining, curses.color_pair(6))
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                # ═══ DIVIDER ═══
+                for y in range(1, h - 2):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addch(y, div, '│', curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_DIM)
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+
+                # ═══ LEFT: EVENTS ═══
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(1, 1, " Events ", curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                log_h = h - 5
+                visible = self.log_lines[-log_h:] if log_h > 0 else []
+                for i, (ts, msg, color) in enumerate(visible):
+                    ly = 2 + i
+                    if ly >= h - 3:
+                        break
+                    # Fade old messages
+                    age = time.time() - ts
+                    attr = curses.A_DIM if age > 8 else 0
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(ly, 1, msg[:div - 2],
+                                      curses.color_pair(color) | attr)
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+
+                # ═══ RIGHT: CONFIG ═══
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(1, cfg_x, " Config ",
+                                  curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                y = 3
+                rw = w - cfg_x - 1
+                for i, inst in enumerate(self.picks, 1):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, f"{i}", curses.A_BOLD)
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x + 1, ":", curses.A_DIM)
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x + 2, inst[:rw - 2],
+                                      curses.color_pair(1))
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+                    y += 1
+
+                y += 1
+                # VU meters per channel
+                y += 1
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, "Levels:", curses.A_BOLD | curses.A_DIM)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+                y += 1
+                for i, inst in enumerate(self.picks, 1):
+                    if i in self.engine.channels:
+                        lv = self.engine.channels[i].level
+                        bars = int(min(lv, 1.0) * 16)
+                        meter = "|" * bars + "-" * (16 - bars)
+                        color = 1 if bars < 15 else 3 if bars < 18 else 4
+                        try:
+                            stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, f"{i}", curses.A_BOLD)
+                            stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x + 1, f" {meter}", curses.color_pair(color))
+                        except curses.error:
+                            pass
+                        y += 1
+
+                y += 1
+                rec_indicator = " ● REC " if self.engine._recording else ""
+                kbd_indicator = f" kbd:ch{self.engine._keyboard_channel} oct{self.engine._keyboard_octave}" if self.engine._keyboard_channel else ""
+
+                pairs = [
+                    ("Drums", self.current_drum, 5),
+                    ("BPM", str(self.bpm), 0),
+                    ("Latency", f"{self.engine.buffer_size / 44100 * 1000:.1f}ms", 0),
+                    ("MIDI", self.port, 0),
+                    ("Seed", str(self.seed), 2),
+                ]
+                if rec_indicator:
+                    pairs.append(("", rec_indicator, 4))
+                if kbd_indicator:
+                    pairs.append(("", kbd_indicator, 2))
+                for label, val, cp in pairs:
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, f"{label}:", curses.A_BOLD)
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x + len(label) + 1, f" {val}"[:rw],
+                                      curses.color_pair(cp))
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+                    y += 1
+
+                y += 1
+                cmds = [
+                    "ch <n> [inst]",
+                    "fx <n> <param> <val>",
+                    "pan <n> <-1..1>",
+                    "drums [pattern|-]",
+                    "kbd [ch] [oct]",
+                    "rec / stop / export",
+                    "save/load <file>",
+                    "seed [n] / list",
+                    "exit",
+                ]
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, "Commands:", curses.color_pair(3))
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+                for i, c in enumerate(cmds):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(y + 1 + i, cfg_x + 1, c[:rw],
+                                      curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_DIM)
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+
+                # ═══ INPUT BAR ═══
+                iy = h - 2
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(iy - 1, 0, "─" * (w - 1), curses.A_DIM)
+                    if self.kbd_active:
+                        stdscr.addstr(iy, 0, " KEYBOARD ",
+                                      curses.color_pair(7) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                        stdscr.addstr(iy, 10, " Esc=exit Up/Down=octave ",
+                                      curses.color_pair(3))
+                    else:
+                        stdscr.addstr(iy, 0, " $ ",
+                                      curses.color_pair(1) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                    stdscr.addstr(iy, 3, cmd_buf[:w - 5])
+                    # Cursor at position
+                    cx = 3 + cursor_pos
+                    if cx < w - 1:
+                        # Show character under cursor inverted, or block at end
+                        if cursor_pos < len(cmd_buf):
+                            stdscr.addstr(iy, cx, cmd_buf[cursor_pos],
+                                          curses.A_REVERSE)
+                        else:
+                            stdscr.addstr(iy, cx, " ", curses.A_REVERSE)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                stdscr.refresh()
+
+                # ═══ INPUT ═══
+                ch = stdscr.getch()
+                if ch == -1:
+                    continue
+
+                # KEYBOARD MODE: all keys go to MIDI
+                if self.kbd_active:
+                    if ch == 27:  # Escape exits keyboard mode
+                        # Release all held notes
+                        for k in list(self._kbd_held):
+                            self.engine.keyboard_note(k, on=False)
+                        self._kbd_held.clear()
+                        self.kbd_active = False
+                        self.engine._keyboard_channel = None
+                        self.log("Keyboard off (Esc)", 3)
+                    elif ch == curses.KEY_UP:
+                        self.engine._keyboard_octave = min(8, self.engine._keyboard_octave + 1)
+                        self.log(f"Octave ↑ {self.engine._keyboard_octave}", 2)
+                    elif ch == curses.KEY_DOWN:
+                        self.engine._keyboard_octave = max(0, self.engine._keyboard_octave - 1)
+                        self.log(f"Octave ↓ {self.engine._keyboard_octave}", 2)
+                    elif 32 <= ch < 127:
+                        key = chr(ch).lower()
+                        now = time.time()
+                        if key in self._kbd_held:
+                            # Key repeat — just refresh the timer
+                            self._kbd_held[key] = now
+                        else:
+                            # New key press
+                            played = self.engine.keyboard_note(key, on=True)
+                            if played:
+                                self._kbd_held[key] = now
+
+                    # Release keys that haven't been pressed for 150ms
+                    now = time.time()
+                    expired = [k for k, t in self._kbd_held.items()
+                               if now - t > 0.15]
+                    for k in expired:
+                        self.engine.keyboard_note(k, on=False)
+                        del self._kbd_held[k]
+
+                    continue
+
+                if ch == 10 or ch == 13:
+                    if cmd_buf.strip():
+                        cmd_history.append(cmd_buf)
+                        self._handle_command(cmd_buf.strip())
+                        cmd_buf = ""
+                        cursor_pos = 0
+                        history_idx = -1
+                elif ch == 27:
+                    if self.engine._keyboard_channel and not cmd_buf:
+                        # Escape exits keyboard mode
+                        self.engine._keyboard_channel = None
+                        self.log("Keyboard off (Esc)", 3)
+                    else:
+                        cmd_buf = ""
+                        cursor_pos = 0
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_BACKSPACE or ch == 127:
+                    if cursor_pos > 0:
+                        cmd_buf = cmd_buf[:cursor_pos - 1] + cmd_buf[cursor_pos:]
+                        cursor_pos -= 1
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_LEFT:
+                    cursor_pos = max(0, cursor_pos - 1)
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_RIGHT:
+                    cursor_pos = min(len(cmd_buf), cursor_pos + 1)
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_HOME or ch == 1:  # Ctrl-A
+                    cursor_pos = 0
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_END or ch == 5:  # Ctrl-E
+                    cursor_pos = len(cmd_buf)
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_UP:
+                    if cmd_history and history_idx < len(cmd_history) - 1:
+                        history_idx += 1
+                        cmd_buf = cmd_history[-(history_idx + 1)]
+                        cursor_pos = len(cmd_buf)
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_DOWN:
+                    if history_idx > 0:
+                        history_idx -= 1
+                        cmd_buf = cmd_history[-(history_idx + 1)]
+                        cursor_pos = len(cmd_buf)
+                    else:
+                        history_idx = -1
+                        cmd_buf = ""
+                        cursor_pos = 0
+                elif ch == 9:  # Tab
+                    if tab_matches and tab_prefix == cmd_buf:
+                        tab_idx = (tab_idx + 1) % len(tab_matches)
+                        cmd_buf = tab_matches[tab_idx]
+                    else:
+                        tab_matches = self._complete(cmd_buf)
+                        tab_prefix = cmd_buf
+                        if len(tab_matches) == 1:
+                            cmd_buf = tab_matches[0]
+                            tab_matches = []
+                        elif tab_matches:
+                            tab_idx = 0
+                            cmd_buf = tab_matches[0]
+                        else:
+                            tab_matches = []
+                    cursor_pos = len(cmd_buf)
+                elif 32 <= ch < 127:
+                    cmd_buf = cmd_buf[:cursor_pos] + chr(ch) + cmd_buf[cursor_pos:]
+                    cursor_pos += 1
+                    tab_matches = []
+                    tab_idx = -1
+
+            except KeyboardInterrupt:
+                self.running = False
+
+        self.engine.stop()
+
+    def _complete(self, text):
+        """Return list of completions for current input."""
+        parts = text.split()
+        commands = ["ch", "fx", "pan", "drums", "kbd", "rec", "stop", "export",
+                    "save", "load", "seed", "list", "patterns", "octave", "help", "exit"]
+        fx_params = ["volume", "pan", "lowpass", "lowpass_q", "reverb", "chorus",
+                     "detune", "spread", "analog", "distortion", "delay",
+                     "tremolo_depth", "saturation", "phaser", "sub_osc", "noise_mix"]
+
+        if not parts:
+            return [c + " " for c in commands]
+
+        # Completing first word
+        if len(parts) == 1 and not text.endswith(" "):
+            prefix = parts[0].lower()
+            return [c + " " for c in commands if c.startswith(prefix)]
+
+        verb = parts[0].lower()
+
+        # ch <n> <instrument>
+        if verb == "ch" and len(parts) == 3 and not text.endswith(" "):
+            prefix = parts[2].lower()
+            return [f"ch {parts[1]} {i} " for i in self.instruments
+                    if i.startswith(prefix)]
+        if verb == "ch" and len(parts) == 2 and text.endswith(" "):
+            return [f"ch {parts[1]} {i} " for i in self.instruments]
+
+        # drums <pattern>
+        if verb == "drums" and len(parts) == 2 and not text.endswith(" "):
+            prefix = parts[1].lower()
+            matches = [p for p in self.drum_patterns if p.startswith(prefix)]
+            return [f"drums {m} " for m in matches]
+        if verb == "drums" and len(parts) == 1 and text.endswith(" "):
+            return [f"drums {p} " for p in self.drum_patterns]
+
+        # fx <n> <param> <val>
+        if verb == "fx" and len(parts) == 3 and not text.endswith(" "):
+            prefix = parts[2].lower()
+            return [f"fx {parts[1]} {p} " for p in fx_params
+                    if p.startswith(prefix)]
+        if verb == "fx" and len(parts) == 2 and text.endswith(" "):
+            return [f"fx {parts[1]} {p} " for p in fx_params]
+
+        return []
+
+    def _handle_command(self, cmd):
+        parts = cmd.split()
+        if not parts:
+            return
+        verb = parts[0].lower()
+
+        if verb in ("quit", "q", "exit"):
+            self.running = False
+        elif verb in ("help", "h"):
+            self.log("ch <n> [inst] | fx <n> <param> <val> | drums [pat|-]", 2)
+            self.log("seed [n] | list | patterns | exit", 2)
+        elif verb == "ch" and len(parts) == 2:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                if 1 <= n <= len(self.picks):
+                    self.log(f"Ch {n}: {self.picks[n-1]}", 2)
+                else:
+                    self.log(f"Channel 1-{len(self.picks)}", 4)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("ch <1-8> [instrument]", 4)
+        elif verb == "ch" and len(parts) >= 3:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                inst = parts[2]
+                if inst not in INSTRUMENTS:
+                    self.log(f"Unknown: {inst}", 4)
+                    return
+                if not (1 <= n <= len(self.picks)):
+                    self.log(f"Channel 1-{len(self.picks)}", 4)
+                    return
+                self.picks[n - 1] = inst
+                self.engine.channel(n, instrument=inst, reverb=0.3)
+                self.log(f"Ch {n} → {inst}", 1)
+            except (ValueError, IndexError):
+                self.log("ch <1-8> <instrument>", 4)
+        elif verb == "fx" and len(parts) >= 4:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                param = parts[2]
+                val = float(parts[3])
+                if not (1 <= n <= len(self.picks)):
+                    self.log(f"Channel 1-{len(self.picks)}", 4)
+                    return
+                if n not in self.engine.channels:
+                    self.log(f"Channel {n} not active", 4)
+                    return
+                channel = self.engine.channels[n]
+                if param == "reverb":
+                    channel.reverb = val
+                    channel._cache.clear()
+                elif param == "lowpass":
+                    channel.lowpass = val
+                    channel._cache.clear()
+                elif param == "volume":
+                    channel.volume = val
+                elif hasattr(channel, param):
+                    setattr(channel, param, val)
+                    channel._cache.clear()
+                else:
+                    self.log(f"Unknown param: {param}", 4)
+                    return
+                self.log(f"Ch {n} {param}={val}", 1)
+            except (ValueError, IndexError):
+                self.log("fx <1-8> <param> <value>", 4)
+        elif verb == "fx" and len(parts) == 2:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                if n in self.engine.channels:
+                    ch = self.engine.channels[n]
+                    self.log(f"Ch {n}: vol={ch.volume} lp={ch.lowpass} rev={ch.reverb}", 2)
+                else:
+                    self.log(f"Channel {n} not active", 4)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("fx <ch> <param> <value>", 4)
+        elif verb == "fx" and len(parts) <= 1:
+            self.log("Volume/Mix:", 3)
+            self.log("  volume  pan  reverb  delay", 2)
+            self.log("Filter:", 3)
+            self.log("  lowpass  lowpass_q", 2)
+            self.log("Modulation:", 3)
+            self.log("  chorus  detune  spread  tremolo_depth", 2)
+            self.log("  phaser  analog", 2)
+            self.log("Drive:", 3)
+            self.log("  distortion  saturation", 2)
+            self.log("Synth:", 3)
+            self.log("  sub_osc  noise_mix", 2)
+            self.log("", 0)
+            self.log("fx <ch> <param> <value>", 2)
+        elif verb == "drums" and len(parts) == 1:
+            self.log(f"Current: {self.current_drum}", 5)
+            for i in range(0, len(self.drum_patterns), 4):
+                row = " ".join(f"{x:17s}" for x in self.drum_patterns[i:i+4])
+                self.log(f" {row}", 2)
+        elif verb == "drums" and len(parts) >= 2:
+            pat = " ".join(parts[1:])
+            if pat in ("none", "off", "mute", "-"):
+                self.current_drum = "none"
+                self.engine._drum_pattern = None
+                self.engine._drum_channel = None
+                self.log("Drums off", 4)
+            else:
+                try:
+                    self.current_drum = pat
+                    self.engine.drums(pat, volume=0.5)
+                    self.log(f"Drums → {pat}", 5)
+                except Exception as e:
+                    self.log(f"Error: {e}", 4)
+        elif verb == "seed" and len(parts) == 1:
+            self.log(f"Seed: {self.seed}", 2)
+        elif verb == "seed" and len(parts) >= 2:
+            try:
+                self.seed = int(parts[1])
+                rng = random.Random(self.seed)
+                self.picks = rng.sample(self.instruments, 8)
+                for i, inst in enumerate(self.picks, 1):
+                    self.engine.channel(i, instrument=inst, reverb=0.3)
+                self.log(f"Seed → {self.seed}", 1)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("seed <number>", 4)
+        elif verb == "list":
+            for i in range(0, len(self.instruments), 3):
+                row = " ".join(f"{x:22s}" for x in self.instruments[i:i+3])
+                self.log(f" {row}", 2)
+        elif verb == "patterns":
+            for i in range(0, len(self.drum_patterns), 4):
+                row = " ".join(f"{x:17s}" for x in self.drum_patterns[i:i+4])
+                self.log(f" {row}", 2)
+        elif verb == "pan" and len(parts) >= 3:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                val = float(parts[2])
+                val = max(-1.0, min(1.0, val))
+                if n in self.engine.channels:
+                    self.engine.channels[n].pan = val
+                    self.log(f"Ch {n} pan={val:+.1f}", 1)
+                else:
+                    self.log(f"Channel {n} not active", 4)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("pan <1-8> <-1..1>", 4)
+        elif verb == "kbd":
+            if len(parts) >= 2:
+                try:
+                    ch_num = int(parts[1])
+                    self.engine._keyboard_channel = ch_num
+                    if len(parts) >= 3:
+                        self.engine._keyboard_octave = int(parts[2])
+                except ValueError:
+                    self.log("kbd <channel> [octave]", 4)
+                    return
+            else:
+                self.engine._keyboard_channel = self.engine._keyboard_channel or 1
+            self.kbd_active = True
+            # Make sure wavetables are cached for this channel
+            ch_num = self.engine._keyboard_channel
+            if ch_num in self.engine.channels:
+                channel = self.engine.channels[ch_num]
+                if not channel._cache:
+                    self.log("Rendering wavetables...", 3)
+                    for midi_note in range(36, 97):
+                        channel._get_wave(midi_note, 44100 * 3)
+            self.log(f"♪ Keyboard ON ch{ch_num} oct{self.engine._keyboard_octave} (Esc=exit, ↑↓=octave)", 1)
+        elif verb == "rec":
+            self.engine.start_recording()
+            self.log("● Recording...", 4)
+        elif verb == "stop" and self.engine._recording:
+            self.engine.stop_recording()
+            n = len(self.engine._record_events)
+            self.log(f"■ Stopped ({n} events)", 3)
+        elif verb == "export":
+            fname = parts[1] if len(parts) > 1 else "recording.mid"
+            score = self.engine.export_recording(fname)
+            if score:
+                self.log(f"Exported → {fname}", 1)
+            else:
+                self.log("Nothing to export", 4)
+        elif verb == "save" and len(parts) >= 2:
+            fname = parts[1]
+            if not fname.endswith(".json"):
+                fname += ".json"
+            self.engine.seed = self.seed
+            self.engine.save_config(fname)
+            self.log(f"Saved → {fname}", 1)
+        elif verb == "load" and len(parts) >= 2:
+            fname = parts[1]
+            if not fname.endswith(".json"):
+                fname += ".json"
+            try:
+                self.engine.load_config(fname)
+                self.log(f"Loaded ← {fname}", 1)
+                # Update picks from channels
+                for ch, channel in self.engine.channels.items():
+                    if 1 <= ch <= 8:
+                        self.picks[ch - 1] = channel.synth_name
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log(f"Error: {e}", 4)
+        elif verb == "octave" and len(parts) >= 2:
+            try:
+                self.engine._keyboard_octave = int(parts[1])
+                self.log(f"Keyboard octave → {self.engine._keyboard_octave}", 2)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("octave <0-8>", 4)
+        else:
+            self.log(f"? {cmd}", 4)
+
+
+def main():
+    import argparse
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="PyTheory Live — real-time MIDI synthesizer")
+    parser.add_argument("seed", nargs="?", type=int, default=None, help="Random seed for instruments")
+    parser.add_argument("--port", "-p", default="OP-XY", help="MIDI port name (default: OP-XY)")
+    parser.add_argument("--channels", "-c", type=int, default=8, help="Number of channels (default: 8)")
+    parser.add_argument("--drums", "-d", default="rock", help="Drum pattern (default: rock, 'none' to disable)")
+    parser.add_argument("--buffer", "-b", type=int, default=128, help="Audio buffer size (default: 128)")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    tui = LiveTUI(seed=args.seed, port=args.port, n_channels=args.channels,
+                  drum_pattern=args.drums, buffer_size=args.buffer)
+    curses.wrapper(tui.run)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()