diff --git a/docs/demo-reels-plan.md b/docs/demo-reels-plan.md
index 7a1c6aa..be2b786 100644
--- a/docs/demo-reels-plan.md
+++ b/docs/demo-reels-plan.md
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ stats:
   ["GUI",     "browser"]
 ```
 Spoken/caption outro: "A shared Kali rig your whole crew drives — saved, restored,
-end-to-end encrypted. ⛧ link in bio."
+end-to-end encrypted. † link in bio."
 
 ---
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ stats:
   ["bind",    "loopbk"]
 ```
 Outro: "A portable Parrot desktop you can hand to a teammate as a single file —
-no host mounts, loopback-only. ⛧"
+no host mounts, loopback-only. †"
 
 ---
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ stats:
   ["model",   "local"]
 ```
 Outro: "An autonomous agent whose blast radius is one container — gated by a single
-grant, running a local model. ⛧"
+grant, running a local model. †"
 
 ---
 
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ cd tools/video-forge
 # 4. Vertical reframe + ship
 cd ~/coding/video-toolkit
 bin/social-reframe.sh output/hh-<reel>-cut.mp4 --out output/hh-<reel>-reel.mp4 --size 1080x1920
-bin/tg-send.sh output/hh-<reel>-reel.mp4 andre "hack-house — <reel> ⛧"
+bin/tg-send.sh output/hh-<reel>-reel.mp4 andre "hack-house — <reel> †"
 ```
 
 ### Gotchas (from prior demo work)
diff --git a/docs/demo-save-load-poc.md b/docs/demo-save-load-poc.md
index c705e7e..380fa38 100644
--- a/docs/demo-save-load-poc.md
+++ b/docs/demo-save-load-poc.md
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ the chat provider is Ollama and a `qwen2.5-coder` is present (it is — pulled).
    → agent drives the shared shell; `fib.py` is written and executed; the
    sandbox pane shows the Fibonacci output.
 5. **Freeze it** — alice: `/sbx save buildbox` →
-   `⛧ saved sandbox → image hh-snap:buildbox · reload with /sbx load buildbox`.
+   `† saved sandbox → image hh-snap:buildbox · reload with /sbx load buildbox`.
 6. **Walk away** — alice: `/sbx stop` (or quits the client entirely). Container is
    purged; prove it: `docker ps -a` shows no `hack-house`, but
    `docker images hh-snap` still lists `buildbox`.
diff --git a/hh/scripts/archive/film-save-load.sh b/hh/scripts/archive/film-save-load.sh
index 8fdf0b0..d943c44 100755
--- a/hh/scripts/archive/film-save-load.sh
+++ b/hh/scripts/archive/film-save-load.sh
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ sleep 2
 ok "recording → $CAST"
 
 # ---- 3. title + join --------------------------------------------------------
-say "echo '⛧ hack-house — ephemeral by default, persistent on demand'"
+say "echo '† hack-house — ephemeral by default, persistent on demand'"
 sleep 1.2
 say "$BIN connect 127.0.0.1 $PORT alice --password '$PW' --no-tls"
 wait_for 'alice|roster|hack-house|owner' 20 && ok "alice joined" || fail "alice never joined"
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ docker images "$SNAP" --format '{{.Tag}}' | grep -qx "$LABEL" && ok "image survi
 sleep 1
 say "docker ps -a --format '{{.Names}}' | grep hack-house || echo '(no hack-house container — purged)'"
 sleep 1.5
-say "docker images hh-snap --format '⛧ {{.Repository}}:{{.Tag}}'"
+say "docker images hh-snap --format '† {{.Repository}}:{{.Tag}}'"
 sleep 2
 
 # ---- 9. fresh client → load -------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/hh/scripts/archive/film-virtualbox.sh b/hh/scripts/archive/film-virtualbox.sh
index 99a14f6..4d79d9b 100755
--- a/hh/scripts/archive/film-virtualbox.sh
+++ b/hh/scripts/archive/film-virtualbox.sh
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ sleep 2
 ok "recording → $CAST"
 
 # ---- 3. both parties join (alice = owner-side, bob = guest/client) ----------
-asay "echo '⛧ alice — host'"; bsay "echo '⛧ bob — guest'"
+asay "echo '† alice — host'"; bsay "echo '† bob — guest'"
 sleep 0.8
 asay "$BIN connect 127.0.0.1 $PORT alice --password '$PW' --no-tls"
 await_for 'alice|roster|hack-house|owner' 20 && ok "alice joined" || fail "alice never joined"
diff --git a/hh/scripts/connect.sh b/hh/scripts/connect.sh
index 793e69d..9703f56 100755
--- a/hh/scripts/connect.sh
+++ b/hh/scripts/connect.sh
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ HOST="${HOST:-$DEFAULT_HOST}"
 
 # No password yet? Prompt with no echo — straight into RAM, out of history.
 if [[ -z "$PASSWORD" ]]; then
-  read -rsp "⛧ room password: " PASSWORD < /dev/tty
+  read -rsp "† room password: " PASSWORD < /dev/tty
   echo
 fi
 [[ -n "$PASSWORD" ]] || { echo "✖ a password is required" >&2; exit 1; }
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ if [[ "$SYNC" -eq 1 ]]; then
   TO=""; command -v timeout >/dev/null 2>&1 && TO="timeout 10"
   for remote in gitea origin; do
     if git remote get-url "$remote" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-      echo "⛧ syncing $BRANCH from $remote…" >&2
+      echo "† syncing $BRANCH from $remote…" >&2
       GIT_TERMINAL_PROMPT=0 $TO git pull --ff-only "$remote" "$BRANCH" 2>&1 \
         || echo "  (skipped — couldn't fast-forward from $remote/$BRANCH)" >&2
     fi
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ fi
 # runs a prebuilt binary as-is (handy for remote joiners without a toolchain),
 # preferring release, then debug.
 if [[ "$NO_BUILD" -eq 0 ]]; then
-  echo "⛧ building client (use --no-build to skip)…" >&2
+  echo "† building client (use --no-build to skip)…" >&2
   cargo build --quiet || { echo "✖ build failed" >&2; exit 1; }
   BIN=./target/debug/hack-house
 else
diff --git a/hh/scripts/host-house.sh b/hh/scripts/host-house.sh
index 60f9202..d757e99 100755
--- a/hh/scripts/host-house.sh
+++ b/hh/scripts/host-house.sh
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ ensure_branch() {
         echo "  commit/stash first, or run with BRANCH= to build '$cur' as-is." >&2
         exit 2
     fi
-    echo "⛧ switching $cur → $BRANCH before build"
+    echo "† switching $cur → $BRANCH before build"
     git -C "$ROOT" switch "$BRANCH" || { echo "✖ couldn't switch to '$BRANCH'" >&2; exit 2; }
 }
 
diff --git a/hh/scripts/host-room.sh b/hh/scripts/host-room.sh
index f1a9de6..65ea229 100755
--- a/hh/scripts/host-room.sh
+++ b/hh/scripts/host-room.sh
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ LAN_IP="$(ip -4 -o addr show scope global 2>/dev/null | awk '{print $4}' | cut -
 JOIN_IP="${TS_IP:-${LAN_IP:-$HOST}}"
 
 echo "═══════════════════════════════════════════════"
-echo "  ⛧ hack-house room — $PROTO://$HOST:$PORT"
+echo "  † hack-house room — $PROTO://$HOST:$PORT"
 echo "═══════════════════════════════════════════════"
 [[ -n "$TS_IP"  ]] && echo "  tailscale : $TS_IP  (recommended — encrypted)"
 [[ -n "$LAN_IP" ]] && echo "  lan       : $LAN_IP"
diff --git a/hh/scripts/vbox-library.sh b/hh/scripts/vbox-library.sh
index e09aafa..87bd5a2 100755
--- a/hh/scripts/vbox-library.sh
+++ b/hh/scripts/vbox-library.sh
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ fi
 
 # cloudimg: the existing, tested unattended path.
 if [[ "$KIND" == "cloudimg" ]]; then
-    echo "⛧ building '$NAME' via vbox-new.sh (cloud-init, unattended)…" >&2
+    echo "† building '$NAME' via vbox-new.sh (cloud-init, unattended)…" >&2
     args=(--name "$NAME" --release "${VERSION:-24.04}" --cpus "$CPUS" --mem "$MEM" --disk "$DISK")
     [[ $ASSUME_YES -eq 1 ]] && args+=(--yes)
     [[ $DO_BOOT -eq 0 ]] && args+=(--no-boot)
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ fi
 
 # ── ova: import the appliance and we're done ─────────────────────────────────
 if [[ "$KIND" == "ova" ]]; then
-    echo "⛧ importing appliance '$NAME' …" >&2
+    echo "† importing appliance '$NAME' …" >&2
     if VBoxManage import "$SRC" >/dev/null; then
         echo "✓ imported '$NAME' — boot it with /sbx vbox \"$NAME\"" >&2
         exit 0
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ if [[ "$KIND" == "ova" ]]; then
 fi
 
 # ── iso: create a VM, attach the installer, boot it ──────────────────────────
-echo "⛧ creating VM '$NAME' (${OSTYPE:-Other_64}) …" >&2
+echo "† creating VM '$NAME' (${OSTYPE:-Other_64}) …" >&2
 VBoxManage createvm --name "$NAME" --ostype "${OSTYPE:-Other_64}" --register >/dev/null
 
 # Roll the half-built VM back if any step below fails.
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ echo "✓ VM '$NAME' created — the installer ISO is attached." >&2
 echo "  finish setup inside the VirtualBox window (it boots into the installer)." >&2
 
 if [[ $DO_BOOT -eq 1 ]]; then
-    echo "⛧ booting '$NAME' (GUI) …" >&2
+    echo "† booting '$NAME' (GUI) …" >&2
     VBoxManage startvm "$NAME" --type gui >/dev/null
     echo "✓ launched $NAME" >&2
 else
diff --git a/hh/scripts/vbox-new.sh b/hh/scripts/vbox-new.sh
index 2093a59..088cf4a 100755
--- a/hh/scripts/vbox-new.sh
+++ b/hh/scripts/vbox-new.sh
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ if [[ ! -f "$IMG_PATH" ]]; then
 fi
 
 # ── 2. register the VM (creates its folder) ──────────────────────────────────
-echo "⛧ creating VM '$NAME' …" >&2
+echo "† creating VM '$NAME' …" >&2
 VBoxManage createvm --name "$NAME" --ostype Ubuntu_64 --register >/dev/null
 MACHINE_FOLDER="$(VBoxManage list systemproperties | sed -n 's/^Default machine folder: *//p')"
 VMDIR="$MACHINE_FOLDER/$NAME"
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ trap 'echo "✖ build failed — rolling back VM" >&2; cleanup' ERR
 set -e
 
 # ── 3. cloud-image → VDI, grown to the requested size ────────────────────────
-echo "⛧ converting cloud image → VDI …" >&2
+echo "† converting cloud image → VDI …" >&2
 qemu-img convert -O vdi "$IMG_PATH" "$VDI"
 VBoxManage modifymedium disk "$VDI" --resize "$((DISK * 1024))" >/dev/null
 
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ trap 'echo "✖ build failed — rolling back VM" >&2; cleanup; rm -rf "$WORK"'
     for p in "${PKG_LIST[@]}"; do echo "  - $p"; done
 } > "$WORK/user-data"
 
-echo "⛧ building cloud-init seed ($SEED_TOOL) …" >&2
+echo "† building cloud-init seed ($SEED_TOOL) …" >&2
 case "$SEED_TOOL" in
     cloud-localds)
         cloud-localds "$SEED_ISO" "$WORK/user-data" "$WORK/meta-data"
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ echo "  cloud-init runs the toolchain install on first boot (give it a minute)."
 
 # ── 6. boot ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 if [[ $DO_BOOT -eq 1 ]]; then
-    echo "⛧ booting '$NAME' (GUI) …" >&2
+    echo "† booting '$NAME' (GUI) …" >&2
     VBoxManage startvm "$NAME" --type gui >/dev/null
     echo "✓ launched $NAME" >&2
 else
diff --git a/hh/src/app.rs b/hh/src/app.rs
index 45275ab..04c318d 100644
--- a/hh/src/app.rs
+++ b/hh/src/app.rs
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ impl App {
                 self.users = users;
                 self.connected = true;
                 self.chat_scroll = 0;
-                self.sys(format!("joined as {} ⛧", self.me));
+                self.sys(format!("joined as {} †", self.me));
                 self.sys("/sbx <docker|podman|multipass|vbox|local> · /drive (F2 releases) · /ai start · /ai <question> · /send <user> <file> · /sendroom <file> · /pw show password · /help full command list · PgUp/PgDn scroll chat · ctrl-q quit");
             }
             Net::Message(l) => self.push_line(l),
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ impl App {
                                 parser: vt100::Parser::new(rows.max(1), cols.max(1), 2000),
                                 backend: backend.clone(),
                             });
-                            self.sys(format!("⛧ sandbox summoned ({backend}) — F2 to drive"));
+                            self.sys(format!("† sandbox summoned ({backend}) — F2 to drive"));
                         }
                     }
                 } else {
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ impl App {
                     self.owner = None;
                     self.drivers.clear();
                     self.sudoers.clear();
-                    self.sys("⛧ sandbox dismissed");
+                    self.sys("† sandbox dismissed");
                 }
             }
             Net::SbxResize { rows, cols } => {
@@ -519,22 +519,22 @@ impl App {
                 let new: std::collections::HashSet<String> = drivers.into_iter().collect();
                 let sudo: std::collections::HashSet<String> = sudoers.into_iter().collect();
                 if !owner.is_empty() && self.owner.as_deref() != Some(owner.as_str()) {
-                    self.sys(format!("⛧ {owner} is the superuser (sandbox owner)"));
+                    self.sys(format!("† {owner} is the superuser (sandbox owner)"));
                 }
                 if new.contains(&self.me)
                     && !self.drivers.contains(&self.me)
                     && self.owner.is_some()
                 {
-                    self.sys("⛧ you were granted drive (F2 to take the shell)");
+                    self.sys("† you were granted drive (F2 to take the shell)");
                 } else if !new.contains(&self.me) && self.drivers.contains(&self.me) {
                     self.driving = false;
-                    self.sys("⛧ your drive permission was revoked");
+                    self.sys("† your drive permission was revoked");
                 }
                 if sudo.contains(&self.me)
                     && !self.sudoers.contains(&self.me)
                     && self.owner.is_some()
                 {
-                    self.sys("⛧ you were granted sudo (superuser) in the VM");
+                    self.sys("† you were granted sudo (superuser) in the VM");
                 }
                 self.owner = Some(owner).filter(|o| !o.is_empty());
                 self.drivers = new;
@@ -548,7 +548,7 @@ impl App {
                 // Skip our own echo — we already saw the local "launched" line.
                 if by != self.me {
                     self.sys(format!(
-                        "⛧ {by} opened ‘{vm}’ locally — `/sbx gui {vm}` to open your own copy"
+                        "† {by} opened ‘{vm}’ locally — `/sbx gui {vm}` to open your own copy"
                     ));
                 }
             }
@@ -771,7 +771,7 @@ fn handle_ft(
                 }
             }
             app.sys(format!(
-                "⛧ {} offers {} ({}{}){} — /accept or /reject",
+                "† {} offers {} ({}{}){} — /accept or /reject",
                 o.from,
                 o.name,
                 ft::human(o.size as usize),
@@ -868,7 +868,7 @@ fn handle_ft(
                                     match ft::commit(downloads, &t.meta, &tmp) {
                                         Ok(p) => {
                                             app.sys(format!(
-                                                "⛧ saved {} ({}) — verified ✓",
+                                                "† saved {} ({}) — verified ✓",
                                                 p.display(),
                                                 ft::human(t.meta.size as usize)
                                             ));
@@ -1044,7 +1044,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                     let SudoPrompt { password, pending } =
                                         app.sudo_prompt.take().unwrap();
                                     if password.is_empty() {
-                                        app.sys("⛧ cancelled — empty password");
+                                        app.sys("† cancelled — empty password");
                                     } else {
                                         match pending {
                                         PendingPrivileged::Launch(pending) => {
@@ -1089,7 +1089,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                 }
                                 KeyCode::Esc => {
                                     app.sudo_prompt = None;
-                                    app.sys("⛧ sudo cancelled — launch aborted");
+                                    app.sys("† sudo cancelled — launch aborted");
                                 }
                                 KeyCode::Backspace => {
                                     if let Some(p) = app.sudo_prompt.as_mut() {
@@ -1121,7 +1121,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                 app.agent_sbx_allow = false;
                                 let _ = sb.write_input(&[0x03]); // Ctrl-C into the shell
                                 broadcast_acl(&out_tx, &session.room, &app);
-                                app.sys("⛧ kill switch — revoked all drive + interrupted the shell");
+                                app.sys("† kill switch — revoked all drive + interrupted the shell");
                             } else {
                                 app.sys("kill switch is for the sandbox owner (you don't hold the PTY)");
                             }
@@ -1144,7 +1144,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                             // stays responsive, then re-attach the websocket on success.
                             if !app.reconnecting {
                                 app.reconnecting = true;
-                                app.sys("⛧ reconnecting…");
+                                app.sys("† reconnecting…");
                                 let p = params.clone();
                                 let rtx = recon_tx.clone();
                                 tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || {
@@ -1186,7 +1186,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                 }
                                 KeyCode::Esc => {
                                     app.vbox_picker = None;
-                                    app.sys("⛧ picker dismissed");
+                                    app.sys("† picker dismissed");
                                 }
                                 _ => {} // ignore other keys so the picker stays put
                             }
@@ -1260,7 +1260,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                             if app.sandbox.is_some() {
                                 app.layout.cycle_zoom();
                                 announced_dims = None; // re-sync PTY to the new height
-                                app.sys(format!("⛧ {}", app.layout.describe()));
+                                app.sys(format!("† {}", app.layout.describe()));
                             } else {
                                 app.sys("no sandbox to fullscreen — /sbx <type> first");
                             }
@@ -1271,10 +1271,10 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                             app.cycle_focus();
                             match app.focused_pane {
                                 Some(p) => app.sys(format!(
-                                    "⛧ editing {} — arrows resize · Esc done",
+                                    "† editing {} — arrows resize · Esc done",
                                     pane_label(p)
                                 )),
-                                None => app.sys("⛧ layout editing off"),
+                                None => app.sys("† layout editing off"),
                             }
                         } else if app.focused_pane.is_some() && !app.driving {
                             // Interactive layout editing: a pane is selected (via click
@@ -1293,7 +1293,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                             match k.code {
                                 KeyCode::Esc | KeyCode::Enter => {
                                     app.focused_pane = None;
-                                    app.sys(format!("⛧ {}", app.layout.describe()));
+                                    app.sys(format!("† {}", app.layout.describe()));
                                 }
                                 _ if dir.is_some() => {
                                     // Every pane is resizable on both axes wherever a
@@ -1305,7 +1305,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                             // rect (height *or* width now), so force a
                                             // PTY re-sync to rebroadcast the new grid.
                                             announced_dims = None;
-                                            app.sys(format!("⛧ {}", app.layout.describe()));
+                                            app.sys(format!("† {}", app.layout.describe()));
                                         }
                                         Resize::NoAxisHere => {
                                             app.sys(
@@ -1426,7 +1426,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                         Some(p) if p != Pane::Input => {
                                             app.focused_pane = Some(p);
                                             app.sys(format!(
-                                                "⛧ editing {} — arrows resize · Esc done",
+                                                "† editing {} — arrows resize · Esc done",
                                                 pane_label(p)
                                             ));
                                         }
@@ -1489,7 +1489,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                         .await;
                                         let _ = match res {
                                             Ok(Ok(vm)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!(
-                                                "⛧ imported VM ‘{vm}’ — `/sbx vbox gui {vm}` to boot it"
+                                                "† imported VM ‘{vm}’ — `/sbx vbox gui {vm}` to boot it"
                                             ))),
                                             Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!(
                                                 "(received .ova not auto-imported: {e})"
@@ -1513,7 +1513,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                                             .await;
                                             let _ = match res {
                                                 Ok(Ok(dest)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!(
-                                                    "⛧ bridged into sandbox → {dest}"
+                                                    "† bridged into sandbox → {dest}"
                                                 ))),
                                                 Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!(
                                                     "(received file not bridged into sandbox: {e})"
@@ -1594,7 +1594,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                             parser: vt100::Parser::new(rows.max(1), cols.max(1), 2000),
                             backend: backend.label().to_string(),
                         });
-                        app.sys(format!("⛧ sandbox summoned ({}) — /drive to take the shell", backend.label()));
+                        app.sys(format!("† sandbox summoned ({}) — /drive to take the shell", backend.label()));
                         app.owner = Some(app.me.clone());
                         app.drivers.clear();
                         app.drivers.insert(app.me.clone());
@@ -1625,7 +1625,7 @@ pub async fn run(params: net::ConnParams, mut session: Session, mut theme: Theme
                             match net::open(&session, tx.clone()).await {
                                 Ok(w) => {
                                     let _ = sink_tx.send(w);
-                                    app.sys("⛧ websocket re-attached — syncing…");
+                                    app.sys("† websocket re-attached — syncing…");
                                     // If we host the sandbox, re-announce it so the
                                     // rest of the house re-syncs the shared shell.
                                     if let Some((be, sbx_name)) = &broker_meta {
@@ -1774,15 +1774,15 @@ fn handle_command(
         // room — other peers keep their own history.
         app.lines.clear();
         app.chat_scroll = 0;
-        app.sys("⛧ chat cleared");
+        app.sys("† chat cleared");
     } else if line == "/pw" || line == "/password" {
         // Show the room password locally (never broadcast). Handy when the
         // server's password was autogenerated and you need to read it off / share
         // it out-of-band to invite someone into the room.
         if app.password.is_empty() {
-            app.sys("⛧ no room password (joined without one)");
+            app.sys("† no room password (joined without one)");
         } else {
-            app.sys(format!("⛧ room password: {}", app.password));
+            app.sys(format!("† room password: {}", app.password));
         }
     } else if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("/theme") {
         // Live vestment switch: `/theme <name>`, or bare `/theme` to list options.
@@ -1842,7 +1842,7 @@ fn handle_command(
         let mut resized = false;
         match cmd {
             "" => {
-                app.sys(format!("⛧ layout: {}", app.layout.describe()));
+                app.sys(format!("† layout: {}", app.layout.describe()));
                 app.sys("  resize live: F4 fullscreen · F5 or click a pane, then arrows · Esc done");
                 app.sys(format!(
                     "  presets: {} — /layout save <name> · load <name> · rm <name>",
@@ -1854,11 +1854,11 @@ fn handle_command(
                 app.layout = Layout::default();
                 app.layout.set_roster_width(roster); // keep your roster choice on reset
                 resized = true;
-                app.sys(format!("⛧ layout reset — {}", app.layout.describe()));
+                app.sys(format!("† layout reset — {}", app.layout.describe()));
             }
             "save" if !arg.is_empty() => match app.layout.save(arg) {
                 Ok(slug) => app.sys(format!(
-                    "⛧ saved layout '{slug}' — re-apply anytime with /layout load {slug}"
+                    "† saved layout '{slug}' — re-apply anytime with /layout load {slug}"
                 )),
                 Err(e) => app.err(format!("couldn't save layout: {e}")),
             },
@@ -1866,7 +1866,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                 Ok(l) => {
                     app.layout = l;
                     resized = true;
-                    app.sys(format!("⛧ loaded layout '{arg}' — {}", app.layout.describe()));
+                    app.sys(format!("† loaded layout '{arg}' — {}", app.layout.describe()));
                 }
                 Err(_) => app.err(format!(
                     "no saved layout '{arg}' — saved: {}",
@@ -1874,10 +1874,10 @@ fn handle_command(
                 )),
             },
             "list" | "presets" | "ls" => {
-                app.sys(format!("⛧ saved layouts: {}", once_or_none(Layout::available())));
+                app.sys(format!("† saved layouts: {}", once_or_none(Layout::available())));
             }
             "rm" | "delete" | "del" if !arg.is_empty() => match Layout::remove(arg) {
-                Ok(()) => app.sys(format!("⛧ deleted layout '{arg}'")),
+                Ok(()) => app.sys(format!("† deleted layout '{arg}'")),
                 Err(e) => app.err(format!("{e}")),
             },
             // Bare `/layout <name>` → load a saved preset if it exists.
@@ -1885,7 +1885,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                 Ok(l) => {
                     app.layout = l;
                     resized = true;
-                    app.sys(format!("⛧ loaded layout '{name}' — {}", app.layout.describe()));
+                    app.sys(format!("† loaded layout '{name}' — {}", app.layout.describe()));
                 }
                 Err(_) => app.sys(
                     "usage: /layout [save <name>|load <name>|list|rm <name>|reset] — resize live with F4/F5 or click",
@@ -1901,7 +1901,7 @@ fn handle_command(
             app.sys("no sandbox running — /sbx <type> first");
         } else if app.can_drive() {
             app.driving = true;
-            app.sys("⛧ drive mode ON — type into the shell (Esc reaches vim etc.) · press F2 to release");
+            app.sys("† drive mode ON — type into the shell (Esc reaches vim etc.) · press F2 to release");
         } else {
             app.sys("you don't have drive permission — the owner can /grant you");
         }
@@ -2167,7 +2167,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                         let res = tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || sbx::save_state(be, &name, &label, local)).await;
                         let _ = match res {
                             Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!(
-                                "⛧ saved sandbox → {desc} · reload with `/sbx load {lbl}`"))),
+                                "† saved sandbox → {desc} · reload with `/sbx load {lbl}`"))),
                             Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("save failed: {e}"))),
                             Err(e) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("save task: {e}"))),
                         };
@@ -2238,7 +2238,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                                     .await;
                                     match res {
                                         Ok(Ok(desc)) => {
-                                            let _ = atx.send(Net::Sys(format!("⛧ {desc} · booting…")));
+                                            let _ = atx.send(Net::Sys(format!("† {desc} · booting…")));
                                             spawn_launch(
                                                 sbx::Backend::Multipass,
                                                 sbx::Backend::Multipass.default_image().to_string(),
@@ -2341,7 +2341,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                                 })
                                 .await;
                                 let _ = match res {
-                                    Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("⛧ saved VM → {desc}"))),
+                                    Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("† saved VM → {desc}"))),
                                     Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vmsave failed: {e}"))),
                                     Err(e) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vmsave task: {e}"))),
                                 };
@@ -2400,7 +2400,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                                 })
                                 .await;
                                 let _ = match res {
-                                    Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("⛧ {desc}"))),
+                                    Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("† {desc}"))),
                                     Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vmload failed: {e}"))),
                                     Err(e) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vmload task: {e}"))),
                                 };
@@ -2463,7 +2463,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                                 })
                                 .await;
                                 let _ = match res {
-                                    Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("⛧ {desc}"))),
+                                    Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("† {desc}"))),
                                     Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vmlib install failed: {e}"))),
                                     Err(e) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vmlib install task: {e}"))),
                                 };
@@ -2596,7 +2596,7 @@ fn handle_command(
         if let Some(mut child) = agent.take() {
             let _ = child.kill();
             let _ = child.wait();
-            app.sys("⛧ dismissed the AI agent");
+            app.sys("† dismissed the AI agent");
             // Drop any sandbox drive the agent held so a dead handle can't act.
             app.agent_sbx_allow = false;
             let revoked = app
@@ -2680,7 +2680,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                         None => String::new(),
                     };
                     app.sys(format!(
-                        "⛧ summoning {name} ({desc}{hdesc})… it will announce when online"
+                        "† summoning {name} ({desc}{hdesc})… it will announce when online"
                     ));
                     if grant_sbx {
                         // Grant now if a sandbox is already running; otherwise the
@@ -2690,7 +2690,7 @@ fn handle_command(
                             broadcast_acl(out_tx, room, app);
                         }
                         app.sys(format!(
-                            "⛧ {name} will get sandbox drive — Ctrl-X kills all drive in a pinch"
+                            "† {name} will get sandbox drive — Ctrl-X kills all drive in a pinch"
                         ));
                     }
                 }
@@ -2885,7 +2885,7 @@ fn open_vbox_picker(app: &mut App) {
     match sbx::list_vms() {
         Ok(vms) if !vms.is_empty() => {
             app.vbox_picker = Some(VboxPicker { vms, selected: 0 });
-            app.sys("⛧ pick a VM — ↑/↓ move · Enter/Tab choose · Esc dismiss");
+            app.sys("† pick a VM — ↑/↓ move · Enter/Tab choose · Esc dismiss");
         }
         Ok(_) => app.sys(
             "no VirtualBox VMs registered — a host can /send you a .ova, then `/sbx vbox gui <vm> yes` to import it",
@@ -2931,7 +2931,7 @@ fn launch_vbox_new(app: &mut App, name: String, user: String, app_tx: &Unbounded
         let (n, u) = (name.clone(), user);
         let res = tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || sbx::vbox_new(&n, &u)).await;
         let _ = match res {
-            Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("⛧ {desc}"))),
+            Ok(Ok(desc)) => tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("† {desc}"))),
             Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vbox new failed: {e}"))),
             Err(e) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("vbox new task: {e}"))),
         };
@@ -3092,7 +3092,7 @@ fn spawn_vm_execute(
                 // Tell the room the shared VM is live (others can open their own).
                 let frame = json!({"_sbx": "vm", "vm": announce_vm});
                 let _ = out.send(WsMsg::Text(room.encrypt(frame.to_string().as_bytes())));
-                tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("⛧ {desc}")))
+                tx.send(Net::Sys(format!("† {desc}")))
             }
             Ok(Err(e)) => tx.send(Net::Err(e)),
             Err(e) => tx.send(Net::Err(format!("gui task: {e}"))),
diff --git a/hh/src/theme.rs b/hh/src/theme.rs
index 88a4397..23b32d2 100644
--- a/hh/src/theme.rs
+++ b/hh/src/theme.rs
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ pub struct Theme {
     /// Width of the roster column.
     pub roster_width: u16,
     /// Glyph flanking the "hack-house" title (and used for occult accents).
-    /// Each theme picks its own sigil (crypt: ✝, church: ⛧, …).
+    /// Each theme picks its own sigil (crypt: ✝, church: †, …).
     pub sigil: String,
 }
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ fn slugify(name: &str) -> String {
 }
 
 /// Occult glyphs the randomizer can stamp as the title sigil.
-const SIGILS: [&str; 12] = ["✝", "⛧", "☥", "†", "‡", "✟", "♰", "☩", "⸸", "⯐", "✠", "☦"];
+const SIGILS: [&str; 12] = ["✝", "☧", "☥", "†", "‡", "✟", "♰", "☩", "⸸", "⯐", "✠", "☦"];
 
 /// Arcane name fragments — `<adj>-<noun>` makes a memorable vestment name.
 const NAME_ADJ: [&str; 16] = [
diff --git a/hh/themes/church.toml b/hh/themes/church.toml
index fbf0a12..7a1ad33 100644
--- a/hh/themes/church.toml
+++ b/hh/themes/church.toml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 name = "church"
 border = "#19b3ff"      # cyan window-chrome
 title = "#7df9ff"       # bright cyan
-accent = "#39ff14"      # acid green — ⛧ glyphs, prompt
+accent = "#39ff14"      # acid green — † glyphs, prompt
 dim = "#475a7a"         # muted slate-blue
 me = "#39ff14"          # your messages
 other = "#56c8ff"       # others' messages (soft cyan)
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@ system = "#b46cff"      # system / occult lines (purple)
 input = "#39ff14"
 roster_me = "#ff39c0"   # you / owner (hot magenta)
 roster_width = 22
-sigil = "⛧"             # inverted pentagram
+sigil = "†"             # dagger