diff --git a/pico-cp/README.md b/pico-cp/README.md
index 5c48e56..c1e5832 100644
--- a/pico-cp/README.md
+++ b/pico-cp/README.md
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ Each `prog` is a program string from the web editor. Add/replace entries and sav
 - **Joystick reversed:** toggle `JOY_INVERT_X` / `JOY_INVERT_Y`.
 - **Screen blank / garbled:** the panel lot may differ; drop `SPI_BAUD`, and if it's a 240×320 ILI9341
   instead of the 320×480 ST7796, the init/size need changing (this targets the 320×480 you have).
-- **No RGB LED:** the WS2812 needs the `neopixel` library on `CIRCUITPY/lib` (`circup install neopixel`)
-  — everything else works without it.
+- **RGB LED** is driven by the core `neopixel_write` module — no library to install. If it stays dark,
+  your CircuitPython build is unusually missing that module (everything else still works).
 
 If `code.py` ever errors, CircuitPython prints the traceback **on the screen and over USB serial** —
 copy that to me and I'll fix it.
diff --git a/pico-cp/__pycache__/code.cpython-312.pyc b/pico-cp/__pycache__/code.cpython-312.pyc
index 851f8f3..dfa6936 100644
Binary files a/pico-cp/__pycache__/code.cpython-312.pyc and b/pico-cp/__pycache__/code.cpython-312.pyc differ
diff --git a/pico-cp/code.py b/pico-cp/code.py
index 02439b7..898f7c0 100644
--- a/pico-cp/code.py
+++ b/pico-cp/code.py
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ except ImportError:                    # CircuitPython 8.x
     from displayio import FourWire
     from displayio import Display as BusDisplay
 try:
-    import neopixel
+    import neopixel_write          # core module on RP2040 — drives WS2812 with no external library
 except ImportError:
-    neopixel = None
+    neopixel_write = None
 
 # ============================== CONFIG (tweak if needed) ==============================
 SPI_BAUD      = 40_000_000
@@ -63,6 +63,19 @@ C_CYAN, C_AMBER, C_GREEN, C_DIM = 0x0AB3F7, 0xFF9B2E, 0x2FE07A, 0x243240
 C_BTN = 0x1C222C
 LEVEL_RGB = {2: (255, 110, 0), 1: (0, 150, 255), 3: (130, 70, 255)}
 
+# WS2812 RGB LED — self-contained via the core neopixel_write module (no external library)
+class RGB:
+    def __init__(self, pin):
+        self.ok = neopixel_write is not None
+        if self.ok:
+            self.io = digitalio.DigitalInOut(pin); self.io.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT
+            self.buf = bytearray(3)
+    def set(self, r, g, b):
+        if not self.ok: return
+        self.buf[0] = g; self.buf[1] = r; self.buf[2] = b   # WS2812 wants GRB order
+        try: neopixel_write.neopixel_write(self.io, self.buf)
+        except Exception: self.ok = False
+
 # ============================== ANTI-ALIASED FONTS (binary blobs on the drive; see pico/gen_font.py) ==============================
 def load_font(path):
     with open(path, "rb") as f:
@@ -240,7 +253,7 @@ def make_display():
     displayio.release_displays()
     spi = busio.SPI(clock=P_SCK, MOSI=P_MOSI)
     bus = FourWire(spi, command=P_DC, chip_select=P_CS, reset=P_RST, baudrate=SPI_BAUD)
-    return BusDisplay(bus, st7796_init(), width=WIDTH, height=HEIGHT, auto_refresh=True)
+    return BusDisplay(bus, st7796_init(), width=WIDTH, height=HEIGHT, auto_refresh=False)
 
 def solid(color):
     p = displayio.Palette(1); p[0] = color; return p
@@ -254,7 +267,7 @@ class App:
         self.display = make_display()
         self.i2c = busio.I2C(scl=P_SCL, sda=P_SDA, frequency=400_000)
         self.touch = GT911(self.i2c)
-        self.np = neopixel.NeoPixel(P_RGB, 1, auto_write=True) if neopixel else None
+        self.led = RGB(P_RGB)
         self.buz = pwmio.PWMOut(P_BUZ, frequency=1600, variable_frequency=True, duty_cycle=0)
         self.buz_off = 0
         self.btnA = self._btn(P_BTNA); self.btnB = self._btn(P_BTNB)
@@ -265,6 +278,9 @@ class App:
         self.running = False; self.bpm = 120; self.idx = 0; self.lanes = []; self.rgb = (0, 0, 0)
         self.programs = load_programs()
         self.buttons = []
+        self.dirty = True; self.dots = []
+        self.dot_pal = displayio.Palette(3)
+        self.dot_pal[0] = C_DIM; self.dot_pal[1] = C_CYAN; self.dot_pal[2] = C_AMBER
         self._build_scene()
         self.load(0)
 
@@ -300,12 +316,14 @@ class App:
 
     def _place(self, group, s, x, y, fg, bg, font, right_edge=None):
         while len(group): group.pop()
+        self.dirty = True
         if not s: return
         tg, w, h = make_text(s, font, fg, bg)
         tg.x = (right_edge - w) if right_edge is not None else x; tg.y = y; group.append(tg)
     def _center(self, group, s, cx, cy, fg, bg, font):
         while len(group): group.pop()
         tg, w, h = make_text(s, font, fg, bg); tg.x = cx - w//2; tg.y = cy - h//2; group.append(tg)
+        self.dirty = True
     def _label(self, key):
         sym = {"prev": "◀◀", "next": "▶▶", "minus": "-", "plus": "+", "tap": "TAP",
                "play": "■" if self.running else "▶"}[key]
@@ -331,10 +349,10 @@ class App:
         self.buz_off = time.monotonic_ns() + 22_000_000
     def flash(self, level):
         self.rgb = LEVEL_RGB.get(level, (0, 150, 255))
-        if self.np: self.np[0] = self.rgb
+        self.led.set(*self.rgb)
     def led_off(self):
         self.rgb = (0, 0, 0)
-        if self.np: self.np[0] = (0, 0, 0)
+        self.led.set(0, 0, 0)
 
     # ---------- transport ----------
     def toggle(self):
@@ -380,7 +398,7 @@ class App:
             if self.rgb != (0, 0, 0):
                 r, g, b = self.rgb; r = r*7//10; g = g*7//10; b = b*7//10
                 self.rgb = (r, g, b) if (r+g+b) > 12 else (0, 0, 0)
-                if self.np: self.np[0] = self.rgb
+                self.led.set(*self.rgb)
 
     # ---------- inputs ----------
     def poll(self):
@@ -432,17 +450,26 @@ class App:
         self._place(self.g_name, self.name[:26], 12, 272, C_TXT, C_BG, FONT_M)
     def draw_dots(self):
         m = self.master; bpb = max(1, m['steps'] // m['sub'])
-        while len(self.g_dots): self.g_dots.pop()
-        sz, sp = 18, 26; x0 = max(12, WIDTH - 12 - bpb*sp)
-        for i in range(bpb):
+        if len(self.dots) != bpb:                       # rebuild only when the beat count changes
+            while len(self.g_dots): self.g_dots.pop()
+            self.dots = []; sz, sp = 18, 26; x0 = max(12, WIDTH - 12 - bpb*sp)
+            for i in range(bpb):
+                r = vectorio.Rectangle(pixel_shader=self.dot_pal, width=sz, height=sz, x=x0 + i*sp, y=200)
+                self.g_dots.append(r); self.dots.append(r)
+        for i in range(bpb):                            # otherwise just recolour (cheap, no tearing)
             lvl = m['levels'][(i*m['sub']) % m['steps']]; on = self.running and i == self.beat
-            col = (C_AMBER if lvl == 2 else C_CYAN) if on else C_DIM
-            self.g_dots.append(rect(x0 + i*sp, 200, sz, sz, col))
+            self.dots[i].color_index = (2 if lvl == 2 else 1) if on else 0
+        self.dirty = True
 
     def run(self):
         if self.touch.addr is None:
             self._place(self.g_name, "touch: not found", 12, 272, C_AMBER, C_BG, FONT_M)
         while True:
-            self.tick(); self.poll(); time.sleep(0.0005)
+            self.tick(); self.poll()
+            # push a complete frame only when something changed (no mid-update tearing);
+            # capped at the display's refresh rate, so dirty regions stay small and quick
+            if self.dirty and self.display.refresh():
+                self.dirty = False
+            time.sleep(0.0005)
 
 App().run()