diff --git a/firmware/Cargo.toml b/firmware/Cargo.toml
index d1af9b4..5362469 100644
--- a/firmware/Cargo.toml
+++ b/firmware/Cargo.toml
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ log = "0.4"
 esp-idf-svc = { version = "0.52.1", features = ["critical-section", "embassy-time-driver", "embassy-sync"] }
 # Remove `generic-queue-8` if you plan to use `embassy-time` WITH `embassy-executor`
 embassy-time = { version = "0.5", features = ["generic-queue-8"] }
+embedded-graphics = "0.8"
 
 [build-dependencies]
 embuild = "0.33"
diff --git a/firmware/src/epd.rs b/firmware/src/epd.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba25cb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/src/epd.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,321 @@
+//! Thin SSD1683 driver for the GDEY0579T93 (792×272) e-paper panel.
+//!
+//! This panel is a *dual-controller* device: 792×272 exceeds one SSD1683's
+//! 400×300 limit, so it is driven as a **master** (command offset `0x00`) +
+//! **slave** (`0x80`) pair, with the framebuffer split between them. The
+//! command sequences and RAM-window math are ported faithfully from GxEPD2's
+//! `GxEPD2_579_GDEY0579T93` (Jean-Marc Zingg), itself based on the Good
+//! Display factory demo. See `docs/v0.1-mvp-technical.md` (Spike 2) and
+//! ADR-003.
+//!
+//! **Spike 2a scope:** hardware reset, init, uniform full-screen fill, full
+//! refresh — enough to prove wiring + SPI + both controllers + refresh.
+//! Text (an `embedded-graphics` `DrawTarget` + the per-quadrant blit from
+//! GxEPD2's `_writeFromImage`) is Spike 2b.
+
+use embedded_graphics::pixelcolor::BinaryColor;
+use embedded_graphics::prelude::*;
+use esp_idf_svc::hal::delay::FreeRtos;
+use esp_idf_svc::hal::gpio::{Input, Output, PinDriver};
+use esp_idf_svc::hal::spi::{SpiBusDriver, SpiDriver};
+use esp_idf_svc::sys::EspError;
+
+pub const WIDTH: u16 = 792;
+pub const HEIGHT: u16 = 272;
+
+/// Each controller drives one half. SSD1683 X is byte-addressed; 396 px
+/// rounds up to 50 bytes (400 px) of RAM width, full panel height (272 rows).
+const CTRL_BYTES_W: usize = 50;
+const CTRL_BYTES: usize = CTRL_BYTES_W * HEIGHT as usize; // 50 * 272 = 13600
+
+/// Full-frame 1-bit framebuffer: 792 px = 99 bytes per row, MSB-first,
+/// 1 = white, 0 = black (SSD16xx convention).
+pub const FB_BYTES_W: usize = (WIDTH / 8) as usize; // 99
+pub const FB_BYTES: usize = FB_BYTES_W * HEIGHT as usize; // 26928
+
+/// In-memory 792×272 1-bit frame, drawable via `embedded-graphics`.
+/// `BinaryColor::On` = black ink, `Off` = white paper.
+pub struct Frame {
+    buf: Vec<u8>,
+}
+
+impl Frame {
+    pub fn new_white() -> Self {
+        Self { buf: vec![0xFF; FB_BYTES] }
+    }
+
+    pub fn new_black() -> Self {
+        Self { buf: vec![0x00; FB_BYTES] }
+    }
+
+    pub fn bytes(&self) -> &[u8] {
+        &self.buf
+    }
+}
+
+impl OriginDimensions for Frame {
+    fn size(&self) -> Size {
+        Size::new(WIDTH as u32, HEIGHT as u32)
+    }
+}
+
+impl DrawTarget for Frame {
+    type Color = BinaryColor;
+    type Error = core::convert::Infallible;
+
+    fn draw_iter<I>(&mut self, pixels: I) -> Result<(), Self::Error>
+    where
+        I: IntoIterator<Item = Pixel<Self::Color>>,
+    {
+        for Pixel(p, color) in pixels {
+            if (0..WIDTH as i32).contains(&p.x) && (0..HEIGHT as i32).contains(&p.y) {
+                let idx = p.y as usize * FB_BYTES_W + p.x as usize / 8;
+                let bit = 0x80u8 >> (p.x % 8);
+                match color {
+                    BinaryColor::On => self.buf[idx] &= !bit, // black ink
+                    BinaryColor::Off => self.buf[idx] |= bit, // white paper
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+/// Max bytes per SPI transfer; matches the DMA size configured in `main`.
+const SPI_CHUNK: usize = 4096;
+
+pub struct Epd<'d> {
+    spi: SpiBusDriver<'d, SpiDriver<'d>>,
+    dc: PinDriver<'d, Output>,
+    rst: PinDriver<'d, Output>,
+    cs: PinDriver<'d, Output>,
+    busy: PinDriver<'d, Input>,
+}
+
+impl<'d> Epd<'d> {
+    pub fn new(
+        spi: SpiBusDriver<'d, SpiDriver<'d>>,
+        dc: PinDriver<'d, Output>,
+        rst: PinDriver<'d, Output>,
+        cs: PinDriver<'d, Output>,
+        busy: PinDriver<'d, Input>,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self { spi, dc, rst, cs, busy }
+    }
+
+    // ---- low-level SPI framing (DC low = command, DC high = data) ----
+
+    fn cmd(&mut self, c: u8) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        self.dc.set_low()?;
+        self.cs.set_low()?;
+        self.spi.write(&[c])?;
+        self.cs.set_high()?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn data(&mut self, bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        self.dc.set_high()?;
+        self.cs.set_low()?;
+        for chunk in bytes.chunks(SPI_CHUNK) {
+            self.spi.write(chunk)?;
+        }
+        self.cs.set_high()?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// BUSY is active-HIGH on this panel (GxEPD2 constructs with `HIGH`).
+    fn wait_while_busy(&mut self, timeout_ms: u32) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        let mut waited = 0;
+        while self.busy.is_high() {
+            FreeRtos::delay_ms(1);
+            waited += 1;
+            if waited >= timeout_ms {
+                log::warn!("EPD BUSY still high after {timeout_ms} ms — continuing");
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    // ---- panel bring-up ----
+
+    /// Hardware reset (RST is active-low). ~20 ms pulses per GxEPD2 default.
+    pub fn reset(&mut self) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        self.rst.set_high()?;
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(20);
+        self.rst.set_low()?;
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(20);
+        self.rst.set_high()?;
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(20);
+        self.wait_while_busy(100)?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Port of GxEPD2 `_InitDisplay` (B/W mode). The `0x20` master
+    /// activations load the temperature value and LUT.
+    pub fn init(&mut self) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        self.cmd(0x12)?; // SWRESET
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(10);
+        self.wait_while_busy(100)?;
+        self.cmd(0x18)?; // temperature sensor control
+        self.data(&[0x80])?; // internal sensor
+        self.cmd(0x22)?; // display update control 2
+        self.data(&[0xB1])?; // enable clock, load temp, load LUT (B/W), disable clock
+        self.cmd(0x20)?; // master activation
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(10);
+        self.wait_while_busy(100)?;
+        self.cmd(0x1A)?; // write to temperature register
+        self.data(&[0x64, 0x00])?;
+        self.cmd(0x22)?;
+        self.data(&[0x91])?; // load temp, load LUT (B/W), disable clock
+        self.cmd(0x20)?;
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(10);
+        self.wait_while_busy(100)?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Port of GxEPD2 `_setPartialRamArea`. `target` is `0x00` (master) or
+    /// `0x80` (slave); `mode` selects X/Y increment/decrement (0x00–0x03).
+    fn set_ram_area(
+        &mut self,
+        x: u16,
+        y: u16,
+        w: u16,
+        h: u16,
+        mode: u8,
+        target: u8,
+    ) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        self.cmd(0x11 | target)?; // data entry mode
+        self.data(&[mode])?;
+        let xl = (x / 8) as u8;
+        let xh = ((x + w - 1) / 8) as u8;
+        let ys = [(y % 256) as u8, (y / 256) as u8];
+        let ye = [((y + h - 1) % 256) as u8, ((y + h - 1) / 256) as u8];
+        match mode {
+            0x03 => {
+                // X increment, Y increment
+                self.cmd(0x44 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xl, xh])?;
+                self.cmd(0x45 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ys[0], ys[1], ye[0], ye[1]])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4E | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xl])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4F | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ys[0], ys[1]])?;
+            }
+            0x02 => {
+                // X decrement, Y increment
+                self.cmd(0x44 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xh, xl])?;
+                self.cmd(0x45 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ys[0], ys[1], ye[0], ye[1]])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4E | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xh])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4F | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ys[0], ys[1]])?;
+            }
+            0x01 => {
+                // X increment, Y decrement
+                self.cmd(0x44 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xl, xh])?;
+                self.cmd(0x45 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ye[0], ye[1], ys[0], ys[1]])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4E | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xl])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4F | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ye[0], ye[1]])?;
+            }
+            _ => {
+                // 0x00: X decrement, Y decrement
+                self.cmd(0x44 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xh, xl])?;
+                self.cmd(0x45 | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ye[0], ye[1], ys[0], ys[1]])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4E | target)?;
+                self.data(&[xh])?;
+                self.cmd(0x4F | target)?;
+                self.data(&[ye[0], ye[1]])?;
+            }
+        }
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(2);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Fill one RAM bank (`0x24` current or `0x26` previous) on both
+    /// controllers with a constant byte. One clean full-coverage window per
+    /// controller (slave = left half `0x80`, master = right half `0x00`) —
+    /// simpler and more complete than GxEPD2's overlapping-window fill, which
+    /// only matters for a constant value anyway.
+    fn write_buffer(&mut self, command: u8, value: u8) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        let buf = vec![value; CTRL_BYTES];
+        for target in [0x80u8, 0x00u8] {
+            self.set_ram_area(0, 0, 400, HEIGHT, 0x03, target)?;
+            self.cmd(command | target)?;
+            self.data(&buf)?;
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Port of GxEPD2 `refresh(false)` → `_Update_Full` (fast full update).
+    fn update_full(&mut self) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        self.set_ram_area(0, 0, WIDTH / 2, HEIGHT, 0x03, 0x80)?; // slave
+        self.set_ram_area(0, 0, WIDTH / 2, HEIGHT, 0x03, 0x00)?; // master
+        self.cmd(0x21)?; // display update control 1
+        self.data(&[0x40, 0x10])?; // bypass RED as 0, cascade
+        self.cmd(0x1A)?; // temperature register (fast full update)
+        self.data(&[0x64, 0x00])?;
+        self.cmd(0x22)?;
+        self.data(&[0xD7])?; // fast full update
+        self.cmd(0x20)?; // master activation
+        self.wait_while_busy(2500)?; // full_refresh_time ≈ 2200 ms
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Fill the whole panel with one value and full-refresh.
+    /// `0xFF` = white, `0x00` = black. Port of GxEPD2 `clearScreen`.
+    pub fn clear_screen(&mut self, value: u8) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        self.write_buffer(0x26, value)?; // previous
+        self.write_buffer(0x24, value)?; // current
+        self.update_full()?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Blit a full 792×272 framebuffer into one RAM bank on both
+    /// controllers. Port of the full-frame case of GxEPD2 `_writeFromImage`:
+    /// slave gets panel bytes 0..=49 of each row in X-increment mode; the
+    /// master's sources are wired mirrored, so it gets bytes 49..=98 in
+    /// bitmap order while the address counter walks RAM 49..=0 (mode 0x02).
+    /// The seam byte 49 (px 392..399) lands on both; the 4 columns past each
+    /// controller's 396 sources aren't wired.
+    fn write_frame_bank(&mut self, command: u8, fb: &[u8]) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        let mut buf = Vec::with_capacity(CTRL_BYTES);
+        for y in 0..HEIGHT as usize {
+            let row = &fb[y * FB_BYTES_W..(y + 1) * FB_BYTES_W];
+            buf.extend_from_slice(&row[..CTRL_BYTES_W]);
+        }
+        self.set_ram_area(0, 0, WIDTH / 2, HEIGHT, 0x03, 0x80)?; // slave
+        self.cmd(command | 0x80)?;
+        self.data(&buf)?;
+
+        buf.clear();
+        for y in 0..HEIGHT as usize {
+            let row = &fb[y * FB_BYTES_W..(y + 1) * FB_BYTES_W];
+            buf.extend_from_slice(&row[FB_BYTES_W - CTRL_BYTES_W..]);
+        }
+        self.set_ram_area(0, 0, WIDTH / 2, HEIGHT, 0x02, 0x00)?; // master
+        self.cmd(command)?;
+        self.data(&buf)?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    /// Show a full 792×272 framebuffer (`FB_BYTES` long) with a full
+    /// refresh. Writes both RAM banks so the next differential update has a
+    /// consistent "previous" image.
+    pub fn display_frame(&mut self, fb: &[u8]) -> Result<(), EspError> {
+        assert_eq!(fb.len(), FB_BYTES, "framebuffer must be 99 x 272 bytes");
+        self.write_frame_bank(0x26, fb)?; // previous
+        self.write_frame_bank(0x24, fb)?; // current
+        self.update_full()?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
diff --git a/firmware/src/main.rs b/firmware/src/main.rs
index 6417b63..bfbcd24 100644
--- a/firmware/src/main.rs
+++ b/firmware/src/main.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,23 @@
-use std::time::Duration;
+mod epd;
 
+use embedded_graphics::mono_font::ascii::FONT_10X20;
+use embedded_graphics::mono_font::MonoTextStyle;
+use embedded_graphics::pixelcolor::BinaryColor;
+use embedded_graphics::prelude::*;
+use embedded_graphics::primitives::{Circle, PrimitiveStyle};
+use embedded_graphics::text::{Alignment, Text};
 use esp_idf_svc::hal::delay::FreeRtos;
-use esp_idf_svc::hal::gpio::PinDriver;
+use esp_idf_svc::hal::gpio::{AnyIOPin, PinDriver, Pull};
 use esp_idf_svc::hal::peripherals::Peripherals;
-use esp_idf_svc::hal::rmt::config::{TransmitConfig, TxChannelConfig};
-use esp_idf_svc::hal::rmt::encoder::CopyEncoder;
-use esp_idf_svc::hal::rmt::{PinState, Symbol, TxChannelDriver};
-use esp_idf_svc::hal::units::Hertz;
+use esp_idf_svc::hal::spi::config::{Config, DriverConfig};
+use esp_idf_svc::hal::spi::{Dma, SpiBusDriver, SpiDriver};
+use esp_idf_svc::hal::units::FromValueType;
 
-const WS2812_RESOLUTION: Hertz = Hertz(10_000_000);
+use epd::Epd;
+
+/// Injected by build.rs so serial output and the panel itself identify the
+/// exact build being diagnosed.
+const BUILD_TAG: &str = concat!("build ", env!("BUILD_TIME"), " @", env!("BUILD_GIT"));
 
 fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     // Required once before any esp-idf-svc call; some runtime patches
@@ -17,61 +26,76 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     esp_idf_svc::log::EspLogger::initialize_default();
 
     let peripherals = Peripherals::take()?;
-    let mut led = PinDriver::output(peripherals.pins.gpio2)?;
+    let pins = peripherals.pins;
 
-    // On-board addressable LED (WS2812) — GPIO 48 on the DevKitC-1 v1.0;
-    // v1.1 boards moved it to GPIO 38.
-    let mut rgb = TxChannelDriver::new(
-        peripherals.pins.gpio48,
-        &TxChannelConfig {
-            resolution: WS2812_RESOLUTION,
-            ..Default::default()
-        },
+    // GDEY0579T93 wiring on S3-safe GPIOs (clear of flash 26–32, octal PSRAM
+    // 33–37, strapping 0/3/45/46, USB 19/20, RGB LED 38/48). See
+    // docs/v0.1-mvp-technical.md (Spike 2):
+    //   SCK 12 · DIN/MOSI 11 · CS 7 · DC 6 · RST 5 · BUSY 4
+    let spi = SpiDriver::new(
+        peripherals.spi2,
+        pins.gpio12,              // SCK
+        pins.gpio11,              // SDO / MOSI (DIN)
+        None::<AnyIOPin>,         // SDI / MISO — unused (write-only panel)
+        &DriverConfig::new().dma(Dma::Auto(4096)),
     )?;
+    // 4 MHz — GxEPD2's default for this controller. Verified clean on the
+    // breadboard rig; a loose CS jumper (not clock speed) was behind the
+    // early bring-up noise.
+    let bus = SpiBusDriver::new(spi, &Config::new().baudrate(4.MHz().into()))?;
 
-    log::info!("Typoena Spike 1 — Blink on GPIO 2 + on-board WS2812 (GPIO 48)");
+    let cs = PinDriver::output(pins.gpio7)?;
+    let dc = PinDriver::output(pins.gpio6)?;
+    let rst = PinDriver::output(pins.gpio5)?;
+    let busy = PinDriver::input(pins.gpio4, Pull::Down)?;
 
-    let mut n: u32 = 0;
+    let mut epd = Epd::new(bus, dc, rst, cs, busy);
+
+    log::info!("Typoena Spike 2b — GDEY0579T93 text test, {BUILD_TAG}");
+    log::info!("hardware reset…");
+    epd.reset()?;
+    log::info!("init…");
+    epd.init()?;
+    epd.clear_screen(0xFF)?; // initial clean slate, per GxEPD2
+
+    // Alternate normal and inverted frames: circle on the master/slave seam
+    // (proves the split-and-mirror blit), "Typoena" inside it, and the build
+    // tag at the bottom so the panel identifies the running build.
+    let frames = [make_frame(false), make_frame(true)];
+    let mut i = 0;
     loop {
-        led.set_high()?;
-        ws2812_set(&mut rgb, 4, 0, 24)?;
-        log::info!("blink {n}");
-        n = n.wrapping_add(1);
-        FreeRtos::delay_ms(500);
-
-        led.set_low()?;
-        ws2812_set(&mut rgb, 0, 0, 0)?;
-        FreeRtos::delay_ms(500);
+        log::info!("frame → {}", if i == 0 { "black on WHITE" } else { "white on BLACK" });
+        epd.display_frame(frames[i].bytes())?;
+        log::info!("refresh done; holding 3 s");
+        FreeRtos::delay_ms(3000);
+        i = 1 - i;
     }
 }
 
-/// Send one WS2812 GRB frame. The ≥50 µs low reset the LED needs between
-/// frames is covered by the 500 ms idle gap between calls.
-fn ws2812_set(tx: &mut TxChannelDriver, r: u8, g: u8, b: u8) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-    // Bit timings from the WS2812 datasheet.
-    let zero = Symbol::new_with(
-        WS2812_RESOLUTION,
-        PinState::High,
-        Duration::from_nanos(350),
-        PinState::Low,
-        Duration::from_nanos(800),
-    )?;
-    let one = Symbol::new_with(
-        WS2812_RESOLUTION,
-        PinState::High,
-        Duration::from_nanos(700),
-        PinState::Low,
-        Duration::from_nanos(600),
-    )?;
-
-    let mut symbols = [zero; 24];
-    for (i, byte) in [g, r, b].into_iter().enumerate() {
-        for bit in 0..8 {
-            if byte & (0x80 >> bit) != 0 {
-                symbols[i * 8 + bit] = one;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    tx.send_and_wait(CopyEncoder::new()?, &symbols, &TransmitConfig::default())?;
-    Ok(())
+/// Circle centered on the controller seam, "Typoena" inside, build tag at
+/// the bottom edge. `inverted` swaps ink and paper.
+fn make_frame(inverted: bool) -> epd::Frame {
+    let (mut frame, ink) = if inverted {
+        (epd::Frame::new_black(), BinaryColor::Off)
+    } else {
+        (epd::Frame::new_white(), BinaryColor::On)
+    };
+    let center = Point::new(epd::WIDTH as i32 / 2, epd::HEIGHT as i32 / 2);
+    let style = MonoTextStyle::new(&FONT_10X20, ink);
+    Circle::with_center(center, 200)
+        .into_styled(PrimitiveStyle::with_stroke(ink, 6))
+        .draw(&mut frame)
+        .unwrap();
+    Text::with_alignment("Typoena", center + Point::new(0, 7), style, Alignment::Center)
+        .draw(&mut frame)
+        .unwrap();
+    Text::with_alignment(
+        BUILD_TAG,
+        Point::new(center.x, epd::HEIGHT as i32 - 10),
+        style,
+        Alignment::Center,
+    )
+    .draw(&mut frame)
+    .unwrap();
+    frame
 }