feat: add JACK port management, VU meter, fzf integration, and e2e tests

client/makefile

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 CC = gcc
-CFLAGS = -Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic -std=c11 -Isrc -I../engine/src
+CFLAGS = -Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic -std=c11 -Isrc -I../engine/src -fsanitize=address -fno-omit-frame-pointer
+
 CARLA_INC = -I/usr/include/carla -I/usr/include/carla/includes
 CARLA_LIB = -L/usr/lib/carla -Wl,-rpath,/usr/lib/carla -lcarla_standalone2
 
@@ -20,22 +21,22 @@ TEST_INTEGRATION_BIN = test_integration
 all: looper-client test_status_parse
 
 looper-client: src/main.c src/tui.c $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ) $(LOG_OBJ)
-	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -o $@ $^ $(CARLA_LIB) -ljack -lncurses
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -fsanitize=address -o $@ $^ $(CARLA_LIB) -ljack -lncurses
 
-test_status_parse: tests/test_status_parse.c $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ)
-	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -o test_status_parse tests/test_status_parse.c src/tui.c $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ) $(CARLA_LIB) -ljack -lncurses
+test_status_parse: tests/test_status_parse.c $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ) $(LOG_OBJ)
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -o test_status_parse tests/test_status_parse.c src/tui.c $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ) $(LOG_OBJ) $(CARLA_LIB) -ljack -lncurses
 
 # --- Plugin stubs (now real) ---
 $(PLUGINS_OBJ): src/plugins.c src/plugins.h
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -c -o $@ $<
 
 $(CARLA_OBJ): src/carla_host.c src/carla_host.h
-	$(CC) -Wall -Wextra -std=c11 -Isrc $(CARLA_INC) -c -o $@ $<
+	$(CC) -Wall -Wextra -std=gnu11 -Isrc -I../engine/src $(CARLA_INC) -c -o $@ $<
 
 CARLA_TEST_OBJ = src/carla_host_test.o
 
 $(CARLA_TEST_OBJ): src/carla_host.c src/carla_host.h
-	$(CC) -Wall -Wextra -std=c11 -Isrc $(CARLA_INC) -DTESTING -c -o $@ $<
+	$(CC) -Wall -Wextra -std=gnu11 -Isrc -I../engine/src $(CARLA_INC) -DTESTING -c -o $@ $<
 
 $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ): src/client_cmd.c src/client_cmd.h
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -c -o $@ $<
@@ -51,8 +52,17 @@ TEST_SCRIPT_OBJ = tests/test_script.o
 $(TEST_SCRIPT_OBJ): tests/test_script.c src/script.h
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
 
-$(TEST_SCRIPT_BIN): $(TEST_SCRIPT_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ)
-	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o $@ $^
+TEST_TUI_STUB_OBJ = tests/test_tui_stub.o
+
+tests/test_tui_stub.c:
+	mkdir -p tests
+	@printf '%s\n' '#include "tui.h"' '' 'char *tui_fzf_select(const char *const items[], size_t count, const char *prompt){(void)items;(void)count;(void)prompt;return NULL;}' '' 'void tui_cleanup(void){}' > $@
+
+$(TEST_TUI_STUB_OBJ): tests/test_tui_stub.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
+$(TEST_SCRIPT_BIN): $(TEST_SCRIPT_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ) $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(TEST_TUI_STUB_OBJ)
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -o $@ $^ $(CARLA_LIB) -ljack -lncurses
 
 $(LOG_OBJ): src/log.c
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
@@ -84,7 +94,7 @@ TEST_CLIENT_OBJ = tests/test_client.o
 $(TEST_CLIENT_OBJ): tests/test_client.c src/tui.h
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -c -o $@ $<
 
-$(TEST_CLIENT_BIN): $(TEST_CLIENT_OBJ) src/tui.c $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ)
+$(TEST_CLIENT_BIN): $(TEST_CLIENT_OBJ) src/tui.c $(PLUGINS_OBJ) $(CARLA_OBJ) $(CLIENT_CMD_OBJ) $(SCRIPT_OBJ) $(LOG_OBJ)
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -o $@ $^ $(CARLA_LIB) -ljack -lncurses
 
 # --- Carla host tests ---
@@ -101,7 +111,7 @@ TEST_CARLA_MOCK_BIN = test_carla_host_mock
 CARLA_MOCK_OBJ = src/carla_host_mock.o
 
 $(CARLA_MOCK_OBJ): src/carla_host.c src/carla_host.h
-	$(CC) -Wall -Wextra -std=c11 -Isrc $(CARLA_INC) -DTESTING -DMOCK_JACK -c -o $@ $<
+	$(CC) -Wall -Wextra -std=gnu11 -Isrc -I../engine/src $(CARLA_INC) -DTESTING -DMOCK_JACK -c -o $@ $<
 
 $(TEST_CARLA_MOCK_BIN): tests/test_carla_host_mock.c $(CARLA_MOCK_OBJ)
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(CARLA_INC) -DTESTING -DMOCK_JACK -o $@ $^ $(CARLA_LIB) -ljack

client/src/carla_host.c

@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
+#define _GNU_SOURCE
+#include <stdlib.h>
 #include <CarlaHost.h>
 #include <CarlaBackend.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include "carla_host.h"
 
@@ -55,6 +58,11 @@ int carla_init_jack(void) {
     jack_status_t status;
     jack_client = jack_client_open("looper-connector", JackNoStartServer, &status);
     // It's okay if jack_client is NULL; we still try Carla
+    if (jack_client) {
+        if (jack_activate(jack_client) != 0) {
+            fprintf(stderr, "WARN: could not activate looper-connector JACK client\n");
+        }
+    }
 #endif
 
     // 2) Create the Carla host handle
@@ -80,6 +88,28 @@ int carla_init_jack(void) {
     return 0;
 }
 
+int carla_connect_direct(const char *source, const char *target) {
+    if (!source || !target) return -1;
+    if (!jack_client) return -1;
+    int ret = jack_connect(jack_client, source, target);
+    if (ret != 0) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "JACK connect failed %s -> %s (ret=%d)\n", source, target, ret);
+        return ret;
+    }
+    // Store the connection so get_connected_port can find it
+    if (conn_count < MAX_CONNECTIONS) {
+        strncpy(connections[conn_count].plugin_port, source,
+                sizeof(connections[conn_count].plugin_port)-1);
+        connections[conn_count].plugin_port[sizeof(connections[conn_count].plugin_port)-1] = '\0';
+        strncpy(connections[conn_count].looper_port, target,
+                sizeof(connections[conn_count].looper_port)-1);
+        connections[conn_count].looper_port[sizeof(connections[conn_count].looper_port)-1] = '\0';
+        connections[conn_count].plugin_id = -1; // direct connection
+        conn_count++;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
 void carla_cleanup_jack(void) {
     if (handle != NULL) {
         carla_engine_close(handle);
@@ -132,26 +162,35 @@ int carla_unload(int id) {
 
 int carla_connect(int id, const char *port_name, const char *looper_port) {
     // Check that the plugin id is valid
-    if (id < 0 || id >= plugin_count)
+    if (id < 0 || id >= plugin_count) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "CARLA_CONNECT: invalid plugin id %d (plugin_count=%d)\n", id, plugin_count);
         return -1;
+    }
     if (!port_name || !looper_port) return -1;
     if (!jack_client) return -1;
 
+    fprintf(stderr, "CARLA_CONNECT: plugin_id=%d conn_count=%d port=%s looper=%s\n",
+            id, conn_count, port_name, looper_port);
     // Real JACK port connection
-    int ret = jack_connect(jack_client, looper_port, port_name);
-    if (ret != 0) return -1;
+    int ret = jack_connect(jack_client, port_name, looper_port);
+    if (ret != 0) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "CARLA_CONNECT: jack_connect(%s, %s) failed with %d\n", looper_port, port_name, ret);
+        return -1;
+    }
 
     // Store the connection so we can disconnect it later
-    if (conn_count < MAX_CONNECTIONS) {
-        connections[conn_count].plugin_id = id;
-        strncpy(connections[conn_count].plugin_port, port_name,
-                sizeof(connections[conn_count].plugin_port) - 1);
-        connections[conn_count].plugin_port[sizeof(connections[conn_count].plugin_port) - 1] = '\0';
-        strncpy(connections[conn_count].looper_port, looper_port,
-                sizeof(connections[conn_count].looper_port) - 1);
-        connections[conn_count].looper_port[sizeof(connections[conn_count].looper_port) - 1] = '\0';
-        conn_count++;
+    if (conn_count >= MAX_CONNECTIONS) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "WARN: connection array full, refusing new connection\n");
+        return -1;
     }
+    connections[conn_count].plugin_id = id;
+    strncpy(connections[conn_count].plugin_port, port_name,
+            sizeof(connections[conn_count].plugin_port) - 1);
+    connections[conn_count].plugin_port[sizeof(connections[conn_count].plugin_port) - 1] = '\0';
+    strncpy(connections[conn_count].looper_port, looper_port,
+            sizeof(connections[conn_count].looper_port) - 1);
+    connections[conn_count].looper_port[sizeof(connections[conn_count].looper_port) - 1] = '\0';
+    conn_count++;
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -206,6 +245,48 @@ int carla_disconnect_plugin(int id) {
     return any ? 0 : -1;  // return -1 if no connections were found (harmless)
 }
 
+#ifdef MOCK_JACK
+/* Mock: return a few fake port names */
+int carla_get_ports(const char *type, char ***ports, int *count) {
+    (void)type;
+    static const char *fake[] = {"system:capture_1", "system:capture_2", "system:playback_1", "system:playback_2"};
+    *count = 4;
+    *ports = malloc(*count * sizeof(char*));
+    if (!*ports) { *count = 0; return -1; }
+    for (int i = 0; i < *count; i++)
+        (*ports)[i] = strdup(fake[i]);
+    return 0;
+}
+#else
+#include <jack/jack.h>
+int carla_get_ports(const char *type, char ***ports, int *count) {
+    (void)type;
+    if (!jack_client) {
+        *ports = NULL;
+        *count = 0;
+        return -1;
+    }
+    const char **jports = jack_get_ports(jack_client, NULL, NULL, 0);
+    if (!jports) {
+        *ports = NULL;
+        *count = 0;
+        return -1;
+    }
+    int n = 0;
+    while (jports[n]) n++;
+    *count = n;
+    *ports = malloc(n * sizeof(char*));
+    if (!*ports) {
+        jack_free(jports);
+        return -1;
+    }
+    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
+        (*ports)[i] = strdup(jports[i]);
+    jack_free(jports);
+    return 0;
+}
+#endif
+
 #ifdef TESTING
 int carla_test_connection_count(void) {
     return conn_count;
@@ -230,3 +311,17 @@ int carla_test_add_connection(int plugin_id, const char *plugin_port, const char
 CarlaHostHandle carla_get_handle(void) {
     return handle;
 }
+
+bool carla_get_connected_port(int channel, bool is_input, char *buf, size_t bufsize) {
+    char needle[64];
+    snprintf(needle, sizeof(needle), "ch%d%s", channel, is_input ? "in" : "out");
+    for (int i = 0; i < conn_count; i++) {
+        if (strstr(connections[i].looper_port, needle)) {
+            strncpy(buf, connections[i].plugin_port, bufsize - 1);
+            buf[bufsize - 1] = '\0';
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+    buf[0] = '\0';
+    return false;
+}

client/src/carla_host.h

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 
 /* All functions return -1 on error, 0 on success (except carla_load which returns 0 on success and sets *out_id) */
 
+bool carla_get_connected_port(int channel, bool is_input, char *buf, size_t bufsize);
+
 int carla_init_jack(void);
 void carla_cleanup_jack(void);
 
@@ -14,8 +16,9 @@ int carla_unload(int id);
 int carla_connect(int id, const char *port_name, const char *looper_port);
 int carla_disconnect(const char *from, const char *to);
 void carla_set_bypass(int id, bool bypass);
+int carla_connect_direct(const char *source, const char *target);
+int carla_get_ports(const char *type, char ***ports, int *count);
 
-/* Get internal Carla host handle, may be NULL */
 int carla_disconnect_plugin(int id);
 CarlaHostHandle carla_get_handle(void);
 

client/src/client_cmd.c

@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 #include "client_cmd.h"
 #include "plugins.h"
+#include "carla_host.h"
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
-static char from_port[256] = "";
-static char to_port[256] = "";
+char g_from_port[256] = "";
+char g_to_port[256] = "";
+char g_connect_error[512] = "";
 
-const char* get_stored_from(void) { return from_port; }
-const char* get_stored_to(void) { return to_port; }
+const char* get_stored_from(void) { return g_from_port; }
+const char* get_stored_to(void) { return g_to_port; }
 
 static int get_plugin_id_for_port(const char *port_spec) {
     // port_spec format: "plugin_id:port_name"
@@ -34,18 +36,32 @@ int handle_client_command(const char *input, int *out_id) {
     if (strcmp(token, "from") == 0) {
         const char *port = strtok(NULL, " ");
         if (!port) return -1;
-        strncpy(from_port, port, sizeof(from_port)-1);
-        from_port[sizeof(from_port)-1] = '\0';
-        return 0;
+        int ret = carla_connect_direct(port, "looper:ch0in");
+        if (ret == 0) {
+            strncpy(g_from_port, port, sizeof(g_from_port)-1);
+            g_from_port[sizeof(g_from_port)-1] = '\0';
+            g_connect_error[0] = '\0';
+        } else {
+            snprintf(g_connect_error, sizeof(g_connect_error),
+                     "Failed: %s -> looper:ch0in (ret=%d)", port, ret);
+        }
+        return ret;
     }
 
     // --- to <port> ---
     if (strcmp(token, "to") == 0) {
         const char *port = strtok(NULL, " ");
         if (!port) return -1;
-        strncpy(to_port, port, sizeof(to_port)-1);
-        to_port[sizeof(to_port)-1] = '\0';
-        return 0;
+        int ret = carla_connect_direct("looper:ch0out", port);
+        if (ret == 0) {
+            strncpy(g_to_port, port, sizeof(g_to_port)-1);
+            g_to_port[sizeof(g_to_port)-1] = '\0';
+            g_connect_error[0] = '\0';
+        } else {
+            snprintf(g_connect_error, sizeof(g_connect_error),
+                     "Failed: looper:ch0out -> %s (ret=%d)", port, ret);
+        }
+        return ret;
     }
 
     // --- addplugin <path> ---
@@ -58,12 +74,12 @@ int handle_client_command(const char *input, int *out_id) {
         if (ret == 0 && out_id) *out_id = id;
 
         // auto-connect using stored :from/:to if set
-        if (ret == 0 && from_port[0] && to_port[0]) {
+        if (ret == 0 && g_from_port[0] && g_to_port[0]) {
             // parse plugin port name from stored from_port ("plugin_id:port_name")
-            const char *colon = strchr(from_port, ':');
+            const char *colon = strchr(g_from_port, ':');
             if (colon) {
                 const char *pname = colon + 1;
-                plugin_connect(id, pname, to_port);
+                plugin_connect(id, pname, g_to_port);
             }
         }
 
@@ -75,11 +91,11 @@ int handle_client_command(const char *input, int *out_id) {
         const char *from = strtok(NULL, " ");
         const char *to   = strtok(NULL, " ");
         if (!from) {
-            if (from_port[0]) from = from_port;
+            if (g_from_port[0]) from = g_from_port;
             else return -1;
         }
         if (!to) {
-            if (to_port[0]) to = to_port;
+            if (g_to_port[0]) to = g_to_port;
             else return -1;
         }
 
@@ -99,11 +115,11 @@ int handle_client_command(const char *input, int *out_id) {
         const char *from = strtok(NULL, " ");
         const char *to   = strtok(NULL, " ");
         if (!from) {
-            if (from_port[0]) from = from_port;
+            if (g_from_port[0]) from = g_from_port;
             else return -1;
         }
         if (!to) {
-            if (to_port[0]) to = to_port;
+            if (g_to_port[0]) to = g_to_port;
             else return -1;
         }
         return plugin_disconnect(from, to);

client/src/client_cmd.h

@@ -13,4 +13,8 @@ int handle_client_command(const char *input, int *out_id);
 const char* get_stored_from(void);
 const char* get_stored_to(void);
 
+extern char g_connect_error[512];
+extern char g_from_port[256];
+extern char g_to_port[256];
+
 #endif

client/src/main.c

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+#include "carla_host.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "script.h"
 #include "tui.h"
@@ -8,6 +9,10 @@
 int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     log_init();
 
+    if (carla_init_jack() != 0) {
+        log_msg("Warning: could not initialise JACK connector client");
+    }
+
     const char *script_path = NULL;
 
     if (argc > 2 && strcmp(argv[1], "-s") == 0) {

client/src/script.c

@@ -4,10 +4,16 @@
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
+/* Forward declarations for functions used from carla_host.c */
+int carla_load(const char *binary, const char *plugin_id, int *out_id);
+int carla_get_ports(const char *type, char ***ports, int *count);
+#include "tui.h"
+#include <glob.h>
 
 #define MAX_NOTES 128
 
 static char *note_actions[MAX_NOTES] = {0};
+char g_selected_port[256] = {0};
 
 int script_load(const char *path) {
     FILE *fp = fopen(path, "r");
@@ -45,6 +51,100 @@ int script_load(const char *path) {
     return 0;
 }
 
+int script_handle_fzf_command(const char *type) {
+    if (!type) return -1;
+
+    if (strcmp(type, "sample") == 0) {
+        // Get sample directory from env or home
+        const char *dir = getenv("LOOPER_SAMPLE_DIR");
+        if (!dir) dir = getenv("HOME");
+        if (!dir) dir = ".";
+        char pattern[1024];
+        snprintf(pattern, sizeof(pattern), "%s/**/*.wav", dir);
+        glob_t g;
+        if (glob(pattern, GLOB_TILDE, NULL, &g) != 0) {
+            // Try without wildcard
+            snprintf(pattern, sizeof(pattern), "%s/*.wav", dir);
+            if (glob(pattern, GLOB_TILDE, NULL, &g) != 0)
+                return -1;
+        }
+        const char **items = malloc((g.gl_pathc + 1) * sizeof(char*));
+        if (!items) { globfree(&g); return -1; }
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < g.gl_pathc; i++)
+            items[i] = g.gl_pathv[i];
+        items[g.gl_pathc] = NULL;
+
+        char *selected = tui_fzf_select(items, g.gl_pathc, "Load sample: ");
+        if (selected) {
+            int out_id;
+            carla_load(selected, "", &out_id);
+            free(selected);
+        }
+        free(items);
+        globfree(&g);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    if (strcmp(type, "plugin") == 0) {
+        // List .so files in common paths
+        const char *dirs[] = {
+            getenv("VST_PATH") ? getenv("VST_PATH") : "/usr/lib/vst",
+            getenv("HOME"),
+            NULL
+        };
+        char **paths = NULL;
+        size_t count = 0;
+        for (int d = 0; dirs[d]; d++) {
+            char pattern[1024];
+            snprintf(pattern, sizeof(pattern), "%s/**/*.so", dirs[d]);
+            glob_t g;
+            if (glob(pattern, GLOB_TILDE, NULL, &g) == 0) {
+                for (size_t i = 0; i < g.gl_pathc; i++) {
+                    paths = realloc(paths, (count+1) * sizeof(char*));
+                    paths[count] = strdup(g.gl_pathv[i]);
+                    count++;
+                }
+                globfree(&g);
+            }
+        }
+        if (count == 0) return -1;
+        const char **items = malloc(count * sizeof(char*));
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) items[i] = paths[i];
+
+        char *selected = tui_fzf_select(items, count, "Load plugin: ");
+        if (selected) {
+            int out_id;
+            carla_load(selected, "", &out_id);
+            free(selected);
+        }
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) free(paths[i]);
+        free(paths);
+        free(items);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    if (strcmp(type, "from") == 0 || strcmp(type, "to") == 0) {
+        char **ports;
+        int count;
+        // For "to" we need input ports (where output will go), for "from" we need output ports
+        if (carla_get_ports("audio", &ports, &count) != 0)
+            return -1;
+
+        char *selected = tui_fzf_select((const char**)ports, count,
+                                        (strcmp(type,"to")==0) ? "Select plugin input port: " : "Select looper output port: ");
+        if (selected) {
+            strncpy(g_selected_port, selected, sizeof(g_selected_port)-1);
+            g_selected_port[sizeof(g_selected_port)-1] = '\0';
+            free(selected);
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) free(ports[i]);
+        free(ports);
+        return (selected ? 0 : -1);
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
 void script_cleanup(void) {
     for (int i = 0; i < MAX_NOTES; i++) {
         free(note_actions[i]);

client/src/script.h

@@ -4,5 +4,7 @@
 int script_load(const char *path);
 void script_handle_note(int note);
 void script_cleanup(void);
+int script_handle_fzf_command(const char *type);
+extern char g_selected_port[256];
 
 #endif

client/src/tui.c

@@ -1,51 +1,88 @@
+#define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
 #include "carla_host.h"
 #include "client_cmd.h"
+#include "log.h"
 #include "plugins.h"
 #include "script.h"
 #include "tui.h"
 #include <CarlaHost.h>
-#include <ctype.h>
 #include <dirent.h>
 #include <fcntl.h>
-#include <math.h>
 #include <ncurses.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
+#include <sys/wait.h>
+#include <time.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
-
-/* ---------- engine alive indicator ---------- */
 static bool engine_running = false;
 static bool debug_mode = false;
+static int cmd_fifo_fd = -1;
+static int status_fifo_fd = -1;
 
 int send_command(const char *cmd) {
-    if (debug_mode) {
+    if (debug_mode)
         fprintf(stderr, "DEBUG: send_command(%s)\n", cmd);
+
+    if (cmd_fifo_fd < 0) {
+        const char *fifo_path = getenv("LOOPER_CMD_FIFO");
+        if (!fifo_path) fifo_path = "/tmp/looper_cmd";
+        cmd_fifo_fd = open(fifo_path, O_WRONLY);
+        if (cmd_fifo_fd < 0) {
+            perror("open cmd FIFO");
+            return -1;
+        }
     }
-    const char *fifo_path = getenv("LOOPER_CMD_FIFO");
-    if (!fifo_path) fifo_path = "/tmp/looper_cmd";
-    int fd = open(fifo_path, O_WRONLY | O_NONBLOCK);
-    if (fd < 0) return -1;
+
     size_t len = strlen(cmd);
-    int n = write(fd, cmd, len);
+    int n = write(cmd_fifo_fd, cmd, len);
     if (n == (int)len && cmd[len-1] != '\n')
-        write(fd, "\n", 1);
-    close(fd);
+        write(cmd_fifo_fd, "\n", 1);
     return (n >= 0) ? 0 : -1;
 }
 
-/* ---------- Stub functions (no engine) ---------- */
-// Clip states – dummy values used as placeholders
+static bool carla_resolve_channel_port(int channel, bool is_to, char *buf, size_t bufsize) {
+    char **ports = NULL;
+    int count = 0;
+    if (carla_get_ports(NULL, &ports, &count) != 0) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    char pattern[64];
+    if (is_to) {
+        snprintf(pattern, sizeof(pattern), "ch%dout", channel);
+    } else {
+        snprintf(pattern, sizeof(pattern), "ch%din", channel);
+    }
+    bool found = false;
+    for (int i = 0; i < count && !found; i++) {
+        if (strstr(ports[i], pattern)) {
+            strncpy(buf, ports[i], bufsize - 1);
+            buf[bufsize - 1] = '\0';
+            found = true;
+        }
+        free(ports[i]);
+    }
+    free(ports);
+    return found;
+}
 typedef enum { CLIP_EMPTY, CLIP_RECORDING, CLIP_LOOPING, CLIP_STOPPED } ClipState;
-static const char *clip_state_string(ClipState s) { (void)s; return "?"; }
+static const char *clip_state_string(ClipState s) {
+    switch (s) {
+        case CLIP_EMPTY:      return " ";
+        case CLIP_RECORDING:  return "R";
+        case CLIP_LOOPING:    return "L";
+        case CLIP_STOPPED:    return "P";
+        default:              return "?";
+    }
+}
 
 /* Grid dimensions */
 #define GRID_ROWS 8
 #define GRID_COLS 8
 #define NUM_GRIDS 8
-#define CELL_WIDTH 6
+#define CELL_WIDTH 20
 #define CELL_HEIGHT 3
 
 /* status FIFO path */
@@ -87,6 +124,11 @@ typedef struct {
 static FuzzySearch fuzzy_search = {0};
 
 /* ---------- Parse status line from engine status FIFO ---------- */
+static float vu_level[16] = {0.0f}; /* per‑channel RMS level (index = channel number) */
+
+static bool parse_level_line(const char *line, int *ch, float *level) {
+    return sscanf(line, "CH=%d LEVEL=%f", ch, level) == 2;
+}
 bool parse_status_line(const char *line, int *ch, int *scene, ChannelState *state) {
     int sta;
     if (sscanf(line, "CH=%d SC=%d STATE=%d", ch, scene, &sta) == 3) {
@@ -128,7 +170,13 @@ static void draw_cell(int grid, int row, int col, bool selected) {
     for (int dy=0; dy<CELL_HEIGHT; dy++)
         for (int dx=0; dx<CELL_WIDTH; dx++)
             mvaddch(y+dy, x+dx, ' ');
-    mvprintw(y+1, x+1, "%2d", grid*GRID_ROWS*GRID_COLS + row*GRID_COLS + col);
+    int ch = grid * GRID_ROWS * GRID_COLS + row * GRID_COLS + col;
+    const char state_char = (s == STATE_RECORD)  ? 'R' :
+                            (s == STATE_LOOPING) ? 'L' :
+                            (s == STATE_PAUSED)  ? 'P' : '.';
+    mvprintw(y, x, "ch %2d", ch);
+    mvaddch(y, x+5, state_char);
+
     attroff(COLOR_PAIR(color));
 }
 
@@ -174,11 +222,62 @@ static void draw_grid(void) {
     for (int r=0; r<GRID_ROWS; r++)
         for (int c=0; c<GRID_COLS; c++)
             draw_cell(selected_grid, r, c, r==selected_row && c==selected_col);
-    mvprintw(GRID_ROWS*CELL_HEIGHT+3, 0, "Selected: Grid %d, Row %d, Col %d",
+
+    /* ---------- Footer: per‑column input / output ---------- */
+    int footer_y = GRID_ROWS * CELL_HEIGHT + 3;
+    for (int c=0; c<GRID_COLS; c++) {
+        int x = c * CELL_WIDTH + 1;
+        int global_ch = selected_grid * GRID_ROWS * GRID_COLS + c;
+        char input_buf[80], output_buf[80];
+        bool has_input = carla_get_connected_port(global_ch, true, input_buf, sizeof(input_buf));
+        bool has_output = carla_get_connected_port(global_ch, false, output_buf, sizeof(output_buf));
+        if (global_ch == 0) {
+            if (!has_input && g_from_port[0]) {
+                strncpy(input_buf, g_from_port, sizeof(input_buf)-1);
+                input_buf[sizeof(input_buf)-1] = '\0';
+                has_input = true;
+            }
+            if (!has_output && g_to_port[0]) {
+                strncpy(output_buf, g_to_port, sizeof(output_buf)-1);
+                output_buf[sizeof(output_buf)-1] = '\0';
+                has_output = true;
+            }
+        }
+        char fallback[16];
+        snprintf(fallback, sizeof(fallback), "ch%d", global_ch);
+        mvprintw(footer_y,   x, "i:%-20.20s", has_input ? input_buf : fallback);
+        mvprintw(footer_y+1, x, "o:%-20.20s", has_output ? output_buf : fallback);
+    }
+
+    /* VU meter line per channel */
+    int vu_y = footer_y + 2;
+    for (int c = 0; c < GRID_COLS; c++) {
+        int x = c * CELL_WIDTH + 1;
+        float level = vu_level[c];
+        int bar_width = CELL_WIDTH - 2;
+        int filled = (int)(level * bar_width);
+        if (filled > bar_width) filled = bar_width;
+        mvprintw(vu_y, x, "%*s", CELL_WIDTH, "");
+        for (int i = 0; i < filled; i++) {
+            char ch = (i < bar_width * 0.3f) ? '.' :
+                      (i < bar_width * 0.6f) ? 'x' : '#';
+            mvaddch(vu_y, x + 1 + i, ch);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /* Display connection error if any */
+    if (g_connect_error[0]) {
+        attron(COLOR_PAIR(COLOR_RECORDING));
+        mvprintw(vu_y + 1, 0, "ERROR: %-60s", g_connect_error);
+        attroff(COLOR_PAIR(COLOR_RECORDING));
+        g_connect_error[0] = '\0';
+    }
+
+    mvprintw(vu_y + 2, 0, "Selected: Grid %d, Row %d, Col %d",
              selected_grid, selected_row, selected_col);
     if (show_help) {
         attron(COLOR_PAIR(COLOR_HELP));
-        mvprintw(GRID_ROWS*CELL_HEIGHT+4, 0, "Help: h/j/k/l navigate, t record, d/D stop, s/S scene, a add, A add_midi, r remove, b bind, u unbind, R rack, ? help, Esc/Q quit");
+        mvprintw(vu_y + 3, 0, "Help: h/j/k/l navigate, t record, d/D stop, s/S scene, a add, A add_midi, r remove, b bind, u unbind, R rack, ? help, Esc/Q quit");
         attroff(COLOR_PAIR(COLOR_HELP));
     }
     refresh();
@@ -186,6 +285,7 @@ static void draw_grid(void) {
 
 /* ---------- TUI init ---------- */
 void tui_init(void) {
+    log_init();
     initscr();
     cbreak(); noecho(); keypad(stdscr, TRUE); curs_set(0);
     debug_mode = (getenv("LOOPER_DEBUG") != NULL);
@@ -213,36 +313,42 @@ static char colon_buf[256];
 static int colon_len = 0;
 static bool in_colon = false;
 
-void tui_run(void) {
-    draw_grid();
-    while (1) {
-        /* read any available status lines */
-        int fd = open(STATUS_FIFO, O_RDONLY | O_NONBLOCK);
-        if (fd >= 0) {
-            char buf[256];
-            int n = read(fd, buf, sizeof(buf)-1);
-            if (n > 0) {
-                buf[n] = '\0';
-                char *line = buf;
-                while (*line) {
-                    char *nl = strchr(line, '\n');
-                    if (nl) *nl = '\0';
-                    int ch, sc;
-                    ChannelState st;
-                    if (parse_status_line(line, &ch, &sc, &st)) {
-                        if (ch >= 0 && ch < GRID_ROWS * GRID_COLS)
-                            cell_state[ch] = st;
-                    }
-                    if (nl) {
-                        *nl = '\n';
-                        line = nl + 1;
-                    } else break;
+static void tui_read_status(void) {
+    if (status_fifo_fd < 0) {
+        status_fifo_fd = open(STATUS_FIFO, O_RDONLY | O_NONBLOCK);
+        if (status_fifo_fd < 0) return;
+    }
+    char buf[4096];
+    int n = read(status_fifo_fd, buf, sizeof(buf)-1);
+    if (n > 0) {
+        buf[n] = '\0';
+        char *line = buf;
+        while (*line) {
+            char *nl = strchr(line, '\n');
+            if (nl) *nl = '\0';
+            int ch, sc; ChannelState st; float level_val;
+            if (parse_level_line(line, &ch, &level_val)) {
+                if (ch >= 0 && ch < 16)
+                    vu_level[ch] = level_val;
+            } else if (parse_status_line(line, &ch, &sc, &st)) {
+                if (ch >= 0 && ch < GRID_COLS && sc >= 0 && sc < GRID_ROWS) {
+                    int idx = sc * GRID_COLS + ch;
+                    cell_state[idx] = st;
                 }
             }
-            close(fd);
+            if (nl) { *nl = '\n'; line = nl + 1; } else break;
         }
+    }
+    /* keep fd open */
+}
+void tui_run(void) {
+    draw_grid();
+    nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);   // non‑blocking input – getch returns ERR when no key is pressed
+    while (1) {
+        /* read status FIFO once per iteration – always */
+        tui_read_status();
 
-        /* Check if engine is alive by testing existence of status FIFO */
+        /* Check if engine is alive */
         engine_running = (access(STATUS_FIFO, F_OK) == 0);
 
         /* read any available note events (for script macros) */
@@ -267,13 +373,23 @@ void tui_run(void) {
             close(nfd);
         }
 
+        /* redraw grid (status may have changed – no extra key needed) */
+        {
+            struct timespec t1, t2;
+            clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &t1);
+            draw_grid();
+            clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &t2);
+            double ms = (t2.tv_sec - t1.tv_sec)*1000.0 + (t2.tv_nsec - t1.tv_nsec)/1000000.0;
+            if (ms > 200) log_msg("SLOW draw_grid: %f ms", ms);
+        }
+
+        int chc = getch();
+
         if (in_colon) {
-            int chc = getch();
             if (chc == '\n') {
                 colon_buf[colon_len] = '\0';
                 colon_len = 0;
                 in_colon = false;
-                // Check first token before calling handle_client_command
                 char cmd_copy[256];
                 strncpy(cmd_copy, colon_buf, sizeof(cmd_copy)-1);
                 cmd_copy[sizeof(cmd_copy)-1] = '\0';
@@ -284,6 +400,62 @@ void tui_run(void) {
                         rack_selected = 0;
                     } else if (strcmp(first, "grid") == 0) {
                         rack_mode = false;
+                    } else if ((strcmp(first, "from") == 0 || strcmp(first, "to") == 0)) {
+                        char *potential_arg = strtok(NULL, " ");
+                        const char *port_name = NULL;
+                        if (potential_arg != NULL) {
+                            port_name = potential_arg;
+                            // Do NOT strip client prefix – keep full JACK port name
+                        } else {
+                            script_handle_fzf_command(first);
+                            if (g_selected_port[0] != '\0') {
+                                port_name = g_selected_port;
+                            }
+                        }
+                        /* port assignment happens only after successful connection below */
+                        if (port_name) {
+                            /* Resolve the looper port for the currently selected channel */
+                            char looper_port[256] = "";
+                            const bool is_to = (strcmp(first, "to") == 0);
+                            int channel = selected_col; // selected column = channel number
+                            bool found = carla_resolve_channel_port(channel, is_to, looper_port, sizeof(looper_port));
+                            if (!found) {
+                                /* Fallback to generic name with looper: prefix */
+                                if (is_to)
+                                    snprintf(looper_port, sizeof(looper_port), "looper:ch%dout", channel);
+                                else
+                                    snprintf(looper_port, sizeof(looper_port), "looper:ch%din", channel);
+                            }
+                            int ret;
+                            const char *src, *dst;
+                            if (is_to) {
+                                ret = carla_connect_direct(looper_port, port_name);
+                                src = looper_port;
+                                dst = port_name;
+                            } else {
+                                ret = carla_connect_direct(port_name, looper_port);
+                                src = port_name;
+                                dst = looper_port;
+                            }
+                            if (ret == 0) {
+                                if (is_to) {
+                                    strncpy(g_to_port, port_name, sizeof(g_to_port)-1);
+                                    g_to_port[sizeof(g_to_port)-1] = '\0';
+                                } else {
+                                    strncpy(g_from_port, port_name, sizeof(g_from_port)-1);
+                                    g_from_port[sizeof(g_from_port)-1] = '\0';
+                                }
+                                g_connect_error[0] = '\0';
+                                log_msg("Connected %s -> %s", src, dst);
+                            } else {
+                                snprintf(g_connect_error, sizeof(g_connect_error),
+                                         "Failed: %s -> %s (ret=%d)", src, dst, ret);
+                                log_msg("Failed to connect %s -> %s (ret=%d)", src, dst, ret);
+                            }
+                        }
+                        if (!potential_arg) g_selected_port[0] = '\0';
+                        draw_grid();
+                        continue;
                     }
                 }
                 int dummy_id;
@@ -304,10 +476,10 @@ void tui_run(void) {
             clrtoeol();
             move(LINES-1, colon_len+1);
             refresh();
+            napms(50);
             continue;
         }
 
-        int chc = getch();
         if (chc == ':') {
             in_colon = true;
             colon_len = 0;
@@ -318,6 +490,7 @@ void tui_run(void) {
             refresh();
             continue;
         }
+
         switch (chc) {
         case 'h': case KEY_LEFT:   selected_col = (selected_col-1+GRID_COLS)%GRID_COLS; break;
         case 'j': case KEY_DOWN:   selected_row = (selected_row+1)%GRID_ROWS; break;
@@ -325,8 +498,20 @@ void tui_run(void) {
         case 'l': case KEY_RIGHT:  selected_col = (selected_col+1)%GRID_COLS; break;
         case 't': {
             char cmd[32];
+            log_msg("DIAG t pressed: selected_row=%d selected_col=%d", selected_row, selected_col);
+            // First bind to the selected channel so engine knows which channel to operate on
+            snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd), "bind %d\n", selected_col);
+            send_command(cmd);
+            log_msg("DIAG sent: %s", cmd);
+            // Then set the scene for that channel
+            snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd), "set_scene %d %d\n", selected_col, selected_row);
+            send_command(cmd);
+            log_msg("DIAG sent: %s", cmd);
+            // Finally trigger record
             snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd), "record %d\n", selected_col);
             send_command(cmd);
+            log_msg("DIAG sent: %s", cmd);
+            // tui_read_status already called at top of loop
             break;
         }
         case 's':
@@ -349,6 +534,8 @@ void tui_run(void) {
             break;
         case 'b': {
             char cmd[16];
+            snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd), "set_scene %d %d\n", selected_col, selected_row);
+            send_command(cmd);
             snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd), "bind %d\n", selected_col);
             send_command(cmd);
             break;
@@ -361,12 +548,27 @@ void tui_run(void) {
             rack_mode = !rack_mode;
             rack_selected = 0;
             break;
+        case KEY_F(5):
+            script_handle_fzf_command("sample");
+            draw_grid();
+            break;
+        case KEY_F(6):
+            script_handle_fzf_command("plugin");
+            draw_grid();
+            break;
+        case KEY_F(7):
+            script_handle_fzf_command("from");
+            draw_grid();
+            break;
         case 27: case 'Q':
             if (rack_mode) {
                 rack_mode = false;
                 break;
             }
             return;
+        case ERR:
+            /* no key pressed – just continue the loop */
+            break;
         default:
             if (rack_mode) {
                 switch (chc) {
@@ -386,7 +588,6 @@ void tui_run(void) {
                     break;
                 case 'b': case 'B':
                     plugin_set_bypass(rack_selected, true);
-                    // toggle would be better, but for now just enable bypass
                     break;
                 case 'd': case 'D':
                     plugin_unload(rack_selected);
@@ -403,11 +604,81 @@ void tui_run(void) {
             }
             break;
         }
-        draw_grid();
+        napms(50);   // avoid busy‑waste – grid redraws frequently enough
     }
 }
 
+char* tui_fzf_select(const char *const items[], size_t count, const char *prompt) {
+    if (!items || count == 0) return NULL;
+
+    // Save ncurses state
+    def_prog_mode();
+    endwin();
+
+    // Build a temporary file with the items list
+    char tmpfile[] = "/tmp/tui_fzf_XXXXXX";
+    int fd = mkstemp(tmpfile);
+    if (fd == -1) {
+        reset_prog_mode();
+        refresh();
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    FILE *tmp = fdopen(fd, "w");
+    if (!tmp) {
+        close(fd);
+        unlink(tmpfile);
+        reset_prog_mode();
+        refresh();
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        if (items[i])
+            fprintf(tmp, "%s\n", items[i]);
+    }
+    fclose(tmp);
+
+    // Build fzf command reading from the temporary file
+    char cmd[8192];
+    snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd),
+             "fzf --prompt='%s' < %s",
+             prompt ? prompt : "Select: ",
+             tmpfile);
+
+    FILE *result = popen(cmd, "r");
+    if (!result) {
+        unlink(tmpfile);
+        reset_prog_mode();
+        refresh();
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    char selected[4096] = {0};
+    if (fgets(selected, sizeof(selected), result) != NULL) {
+        size_t len = strlen(selected);
+        if (len > 0 && selected[len-1] == '\n')
+            selected[len-1] = '\0';
+    }
+    pclose(result);
+    unlink(tmpfile);
+
+    // Restore ncurses
+    reset_prog_mode();
+    refresh();
+
+    if (selected[0] == '\0')
+        return NULL;
+
+    return strdup(selected);
+}
 void tui_cleanup(void) {
+    if (cmd_fifo_fd >= 0) {
+        close(cmd_fifo_fd);
+        cmd_fifo_fd = -1;
+    }
+    if (status_fifo_fd >= 0) {
+        close(status_fifo_fd);
+        status_fifo_fd = -1;
+    }
     if (yank_buffer.clip_indices) free(yank_buffer.clip_indices);
     /* free script note allocations */
     script_cleanup();
@@ -419,3 +690,5 @@ void tui_cleanup(void) {
     carla_cleanup_jack();
     curs_set(1); endwin();
 }
+
+extern char g_selected_port[256];

client/src/tui.h

@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 #ifndef TUI_H
 #define TUI_H
 
+#include <stddef.h>
+
 void tui_init(void);
 void tui_run(void);
 void tui_cleanup(void);
 int send_command(const char *cmd);
+char* tui_fzf_select(const char *const items[], size_t count, const char *prompt);
 
 #endif

client/tests/test_tui_stub.c

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#include "tui.h"
+
+char *tui_fzf_select(const char *const items[], size_t count, const char *prompt){(void)items;(void)count;(void)prompt;return NULL;}
+
+void tui_cleanup(void){}