diff --git a/lua/u/buffer.lua b/lua/u/buffer.lua
index 06424f4..a9e499d 100644
--- a/lua/u/buffer.lua
+++ b/lua/u/buffer.lua
@@ -1,16 +1,21 @@
 local Range = require 'u.range'
+local Renderer = require 'u.renderer'
 
 ---@class Buffer
 ---@field buf number
+---@field private renderer Renderer
 local Buffer = {}
 
 ---@param buf? number
 ---@return Buffer
 function Buffer.from_nr(buf)
   if buf == nil or buf == 0 then buf = vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf() end
-  local b = { buf = buf }
-  setmetatable(b, { __index = Buffer })
-  return b
+
+  local renderer = Renderer.new(buf)
+  return setmetatable({
+    buf = buf,
+    renderer = renderer,
+  }, { __index = Buffer })
 end
 
 ---@return Buffer
@@ -69,4 +74,13 @@ function Buffer:text_object(txt_obj, opts)
   return Range.from_text_object(txt_obj, opts)
 end
 
+--- @param event string|string[]
+--- @param opts vim.api.keyset.create_autocmd
+function Buffer:autocmd(event, opts)
+  vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd(event, vim.tbl_extend('force', opts, { buffer = self.buf }))
+end
+
+--- @param markup string
+function Buffer:render(markup) return self.renderer:render(markup) end
+
 return Buffer
diff --git a/lua/u/renderer.lua b/lua/u/renderer.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4cfb287
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/u/renderer.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,352 @@
+local utils = require 'u.utils'
+local str = require 'u.utils.string'
+
+--- @alias RendererParsedTag { kind: 'tag'; name: string; attributes: table<string, string|boolean> }
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- Renderer class
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+--- @alias RendererHighlight { group: string; start: [number, number]; stop: [number, number ] }
+
+--- @class Renderer
+--- @field bufnr number
+--- @field ns number
+--- @field changedtick number
+--- @field old { lines: string[]; hls: RendererHighlight[] }
+--- @field curr { lines: string[]; hls: RendererHighlight[] }
+local Renderer = {}
+Renderer.__index = Renderer
+
+--- @param bufnr number|nil
+function Renderer.new(bufnr)
+  if bufnr == nil then bufnr = vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf() end
+
+  local self = setmetatable({
+    bufnr = bufnr,
+    ns = vim.api.nvim_create_namespace '',
+    changedtick = 0,
+    old = { lines = {}, hls = {} },
+    curr = { lines = {}, hls = {} },
+  }, Renderer)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- @param opts {
+---   markup: string;
+---   format_tag: fun(tag: RendererParsedTag): string;
+---   on_tag?: fun(tag: RendererParsedTag, start0: [number, number], stop0: [number, number]): any;
+--- }
+function Renderer.markup_to_lines(opts)
+  local nodes = Renderer._parse_markup(opts.markup)
+
+  --- @type string[]
+  local lines = {}
+
+  local curr_line1 = 1
+  local curr_col1 = 1 -- exclusive: sits one position **beyond** the last inserted text
+  --- @param s string
+  local function put(s)
+    lines[curr_line1] = (lines[curr_line1] or '') .. s
+    curr_col1 = #lines[curr_line1] + 1
+  end
+  local function put_line()
+    table.insert(lines, '')
+    curr_line1 = curr_line1 + 1
+    curr_col1 = 1
+  end
+
+  for _, node in ipairs(nodes) do
+    if node.kind == 'text' then
+      local node_lines = vim.split(node.value, '\n')
+      for lnum, s in ipairs(node_lines) do
+        if lnum > 1 then put_line() end
+        put(s)
+      end
+    elseif node.kind == 'tag' then
+      local value = opts.format_tag(node)
+      local start0 = { curr_line1 - 1, curr_col1 - 1 }
+      local value_lines = vim.split(value, '\n')
+      for lnum, value_line in ipairs(value_lines) do
+        if lnum > 1 then put_line() end
+        put(value_line)
+      end
+      local stop0 = { curr_line1 - 1, curr_col1 - 1 }
+      if opts.on_tag then opts.on_tag(node, start0, stop0) end
+    end
+  end
+
+  return lines
+end
+
+--- @param opts {
+---   markup: string;
+---   format_tag?: fun(tag: RendererParsedTag): string;
+--- }
+function Renderer.markup_to_string(opts)
+  if not opts.format_tag then
+    opts.format_tag = function(tag)
+      if tag.name == 't' then
+        local value = tag.attributes.value
+        if type(value) == 'string' then return value end
+      end
+
+      return ''
+    end
+  end
+  return table.concat(Renderer.markup_to_lines(opts), '\n')
+end
+
+--- @param markup string
+function Renderer:render(markup)
+  local changedtick = vim.b[self.bufnr].changedtick
+  if changedtick ~= self.changedtick then
+    self.curr = { lines = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(self.bufnr, 0, -1, false), hls = {} }
+    self.changedtick = changedtick
+  end
+
+  --- @type RendererHighlight[]
+  local hls = {}
+
+  --- @type string[]
+  local lines = Renderer.markup_to_lines {
+    markup = markup,
+
+    format_tag = function(tag)
+      if tag.name == 't' then
+        local value = tag.attributes.value
+        if type(value) == 'string' then return value end
+      end
+
+      return ''
+    end,
+
+    on_tag = function(tag, start0, stop0)
+      local function attr_num(nm)
+        if not tag.attributes[nm] then return end
+        return tonumber(tag.attributes[nm])
+      end
+      local function attr_bool(nm)
+        if not tag.attributes[nm] then return end
+        return tag.attributes[nm] and true or false
+      end
+
+      if tag.name == 't' then
+        local group = tag.attributes.hl
+        if type(group) == 'string' then
+          table.insert(hls, { group = group, start = start0, stop = stop0 })
+
+          local local_exists = #vim.tbl_keys(vim.api.nvim_get_hl(self.ns, { name = group })) > 0
+          local global_exists = #vim.tbl_keys(vim.api.nvim_get_hl(0, { name = group }))
+          local exists = local_exists or global_exists
+
+          if not exists or attr_bool 'hl:force' then
+            vim.api.nvim_set_hl_ns(self.ns)
+            vim.api.nvim_set_hl(self.ns, group, {
+              fg = tag.attributes['hl:fg'],
+              bg = tag.attributes['hl:bg'],
+              sp = tag.attributes['hl:sp'],
+              blend = attr_num 'hl:blend',
+              bold = attr_bool 'hl:bold',
+              standout = attr_bool 'hl:standout',
+              underline = attr_bool 'hl:underline',
+              undercurl = attr_bool 'hl:undercurl',
+              underdouble = attr_bool 'hl:underdouble',
+              underdotted = attr_bool 'hl:underdotted',
+              underdashed = attr_bool 'hl:underdashed',
+              strikethrough = attr_bool 'hl:strikethrough',
+              italic = attr_bool 'hl:italic',
+              reverse = attr_bool 'hl:reverse',
+              nocombine = attr_bool 'hl:nocombine',
+              link = tag.attributes['hl:link'],
+              default = attr_bool 'hl:default',
+              ctermfg = attr_num 'hl:ctermfg',
+              ctermbg = attr_num 'hl:ctermbg',
+              cterm = tag.attributes['hl:cterm'],
+              force = attr_bool 'hl:force',
+            })
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end,
+  }
+
+  self.old = self.curr
+  self.curr = { lines = lines, hls = hls }
+  self:_reconcile()
+end
+
+--- @private
+--- @param info string
+--- @param start integer
+--- @param end_ integer
+--- @param strict_indexing boolean
+--- @param replacement string[]
+function Renderer:_set_lines(info, start, end_, strict_indexing, replacement)
+  self:_log { 'set_lines', self.bufnr, start, end_, strict_indexing, replacement }
+  vim.api.nvim_buf_set_lines(self.bufnr, start, end_, strict_indexing, replacement)
+  self:_log { 'after(' .. info .. ')', vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(self.bufnr, 0, -1, false) }
+end
+
+--- @private
+--- @param info string
+--- @param start_row integer
+--- @param start_col integer
+--- @param end_row integer
+--- @param end_col integer
+--- @param replacement string[]
+function Renderer:_set_text(info, start_row, start_col, end_row, end_col, replacement)
+  self:_log { 'set_text', self.bufnr, start_row, start_col, end_row, end_col, replacement }
+  vim.api.nvim_buf_set_text(self.bufnr, start_row, start_col, end_row, end_col, replacement)
+  self:_log { 'after(' .. info .. ')', vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(self.bufnr, 0, -1, false) }
+end
+
+--- @private
+function Renderer:_log(...)
+  --
+  -- vim.print(...)
+end
+
+--- @private
+function Renderer:_reconcile()
+  local line_changes = utils.levenshtein(self.old.lines, self.curr.lines)
+  self.old = self.curr
+
+  self:_log { line_changes = line_changes }
+  for _, line_change in ipairs(line_changes) do
+    local lnum0 = line_change.index - 1
+
+    if line_change.kind == 'add' then
+      self:_set_lines('add-line', lnum0, lnum0, true, { line_change.item })
+    elseif line_change.kind == 'change' then
+      -- Compute inter-line diff, and apply:
+      self:_log '--------------------------------------------------------------------------------'
+      local col_changes = utils.levenshtein(vim.split(line_change.from, ''), vim.split(line_change.to, ''))
+
+      for _, col_change in ipairs(col_changes) do
+        local cnum0 = col_change.index - 1
+        self:_log { line_change = col_change, cnum = cnum0, lnum = lnum0 }
+        if col_change.kind == 'add' then
+          self:_set_text('add-char', lnum0, cnum0, lnum0, cnum0, { col_change.item })
+        elseif col_change.kind == 'change' then
+          self:_set_text('change-char', lnum0, cnum0, lnum0, cnum0 + 1, { col_change.to })
+        elseif col_change.kind == 'delete' then
+          self:_set_text('del-char', lnum0, cnum0, lnum0, cnum0 + 1, {})
+        else
+          -- No change
+        end
+      end
+    elseif line_change.kind == 'delete' then
+      self:_set_lines('del-line', lnum0, lnum0 + 1, true, {})
+    else
+      -- No change
+    end
+  end
+
+  -- vim.api.nvim_buf_set_lines(self.bufnr, 0, -1, false, self.curr.lines)
+  vim.api.nvim_buf_clear_namespace(self.bufnr, self.ns, 0, -1)
+  for _, hl in ipairs(self.curr.hls) do
+    vim.highlight.range(self.bufnr, self.ns, hl.group, hl.start, hl.stop, {
+      inclusive = false,
+      priority = vim.highlight.priorities.user,
+      regtype = 'charwise',
+    })
+  end
+
+  self.changedtick = vim.b[self.bufnr].changedtick
+end
+
+--- @private
+--- @param markup string e.g., [[Something <t hl="My highlight" value="my text" />]]
+function Renderer._parse_markup(markup)
+  --- @type ({ kind: 'text'; value: string } | RendererParsedTag)[]
+  local nodes = {}
+
+  --- @type 'text' | 'tag'
+  local mode = 'text'
+  local pos = 1
+  local watchdog = 0
+
+  local function skip_whitespace()
+    local _, new_pos = str.eat_while(markup, pos, str.is_whitespace)
+    pos = new_pos
+  end
+  local function check_infinite_loop()
+    watchdog = watchdog + 1
+    if watchdog > #markup then
+      vim.print('ERROR', {
+        num_nodes = #nodes,
+        last_node = nodes[#nodes],
+        pos = pos,
+        len = #markup,
+      })
+      error 'infinite loop'
+    end
+  end
+
+  while pos <= #markup do
+    check_infinite_loop()
+
+    if mode == 'text' then
+      --
+      -- Parse contiguous regions of text
+      --
+      local eaten, new_pos = str.eat_while(markup, pos, function(c) return c ~= '<' end)
+      if #eaten > 0 then table.insert(nodes, { kind = 'text', value = eaten:gsub('&lt;', '<') }) end
+      pos = new_pos
+
+      if markup:sub(pos, pos) == '<' then mode = 'tag' end
+    elseif mode == 'tag' then
+      --
+      -- Parse self-closing tags
+      --
+      if markup:sub(pos, pos) == '<' then pos = pos + 1 end
+      local tag_name, new_pos = str.eat_while(markup, pos, function(c) return not str.is_whitespace(c) end)
+      pos = new_pos
+
+      if tag_name == '/>' then
+        -- empty tag
+        table.insert(nodes, { kind = 'tag', name = '', attributes = {} })
+      else
+        local node = { kind = 'tag', name = tag_name, attributes = {} }
+        skip_whitespace()
+
+        while markup:sub(pos, pos + 1) ~= '/>' do
+          check_infinite_loop()
+          if pos > #markup then error 'unexpected end of markup' end
+
+          local attr_name
+          attr_name, new_pos = str.eat_while(markup, pos, function(c) return c ~= '=' and not str.is_whitespace(c) end)
+          pos = new_pos
+
+          local attr_value = nil
+          if markup:sub(pos, pos) == '=' then
+            pos = pos + 1
+            if markup:sub(pos, pos) == '"' then
+              pos = pos + 1
+              attr_value, new_pos = str.eat_while(markup, pos, function(c, i, s)
+                local prev_c = s:sub(i - 1, i - 1)
+                return c ~= '"' or (prev_c == '\\' and c == '"')
+              end)
+              pos = new_pos + 1 -- skip the closing '"'
+            else
+              attr_value, new_pos = str.eat_while(markup, pos, function(c) return not str.is_whitespace(c) end)
+              pos = new_pos
+            end
+          end
+
+          node.attributes[attr_name] = (attr_value and attr_value:gsub('\\"', '"')) or true
+          skip_whitespace()
+        end
+        pos = pos + 2 -- skip the '/>'
+
+        table.insert(nodes, node)
+      end
+
+      mode = 'text'
+    end
+  end
+
+  return nodes
+end
+
+return Renderer
diff --git a/lua/u/tracker.lua b/lua/u/tracker.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17b1e82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/u/tracker.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+local M = {}
+
+M.debug = false
+
+--- @class Signal
+--- @field name? string
+--- @field private changing boolean
+--- @field value any
+--- @field subscribers table<function, boolean>
+local Signal = {}
+M.Signal = Signal
+Signal.__index = Signal
+
+--- @param value any
+--- @param name? string
+--- @return Signal
+function Signal:new(value, name)
+  local obj = setmetatable({
+    name = name,
+    changing = false,
+    value = value,
+    subscribers = {},
+  }, self)
+  return obj
+end
+
+--- @param value any
+function Signal:set(value)
+  -- Using deep_equal here is a cheap cop-out that stops from cyclic updates, but only when the
+  -- values converge. Given that I want to keep this library small, and I'm not (yet)
+  -- overly-concerned about performance, this is an acceptable tradeoff.
+  if vim.deep_equal(self.value, value) then return end
+
+  self.value = value
+  vim.defer_fn(function() self:_notify() end, 0)
+end
+
+--- @return any
+function Signal:get()
+  local ctx = M.ExecutionContext.current()
+  if ctx then ctx:track(self) end
+  return self.value
+end
+
+--- @param fn function
+function Signal:update(fn) self:set(fn(self.value)) end
+
+--- @private
+function Signal:_notify()
+  if self.changing then
+    vim.schedule(function() self:_notify() end)
+    return
+  end
+
+  local old_changing = self.changing
+  self.changing = true
+  for _, cb in ipairs(self.subscribers) do
+    cb(self.value)
+  end
+  self.changing = old_changing
+end
+
+--- @param callback function
+function Signal:subscribe(callback)
+  table.insert(self.subscribers, callback)
+  return function() self:unsubscribe(callback) end
+end
+
+--- @param callback function
+function Signal:unsubscribe(callback)
+  for i, cb in ipairs(self.subscribers) do
+    if cb == callback then
+      table.remove(self.subscribers, i)
+      break
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+function Signal:dispose() self.subscribers = {} end
+
+CURRENT_CONTEXT = nil
+
+--- @class ExecutionContext
+--- @field signals table<Signal, boolean>
+local ExecutionContext = {}
+M.ExecutionContext = ExecutionContext
+ExecutionContext.__index = ExecutionContext
+
+--- @return ExecutionContext
+function ExecutionContext:new()
+  return setmetatable({
+    signals = {},
+    subscribers = {},
+  }, ExecutionContext)
+end
+
+function ExecutionContext.current() return CURRENT_CONTEXT end
+
+--- @param fn function
+--- @param ctx ExecutionContext
+function ExecutionContext:run(fn, ctx)
+  local oldCtx = CURRENT_CONTEXT
+  CURRENT_CONTEXT = ctx
+  local result
+  local success, err = pcall(function() result = fn() end)
+
+  CURRENT_CONTEXT = oldCtx
+
+  if not success then error(err) end
+
+  return result
+end
+
+function ExecutionContext:track(signal) self.signals[signal] = true end
+
+--- @param callback function
+function ExecutionContext:subscribe(callback)
+  local wrapped_callback = function() callback() end
+  for signal in pairs(self.signals) do
+    signal:subscribe(wrapped_callback)
+  end
+
+  return function()
+    for signal in pairs(self.signals) do
+      signal:unsubscribe(wrapped_callback)
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+function ExecutionContext:dispose()
+  for signal, _ in pairs(self.signals) do
+    signal:dispose()
+  end
+  self.signals = {}
+end
+
+--- @param value any
+--- @param name? string
+--- @return Signal
+function M.create_signal(value, name) return Signal:new(value, name) end
+
+--- @param fn function
+--- @param name? string
+--- @return Signal
+function M.create_memo(fn, name)
+  local result
+  M.create_effect(function()
+    local value = fn()
+    if name and M.debug then vim.notify(name) end
+    if result then
+      result:set(value)
+    else
+      result = M.create_signal(value, name and ('m.s:' .. name) or nil)
+    end
+  end, name)
+  return result
+end
+
+--- @param fn function
+--- @param name? string
+function M.create_effect(fn, name)
+  local ctx = M.ExecutionContext:new()
+  M.ExecutionContext:run(fn, ctx)
+  return ctx:subscribe(function()
+    if name and M.debug then
+      local deps = vim
+        .iter(vim.tbl_keys(ctx.signals))
+        :map(function(s) return s.name end)
+        :filter(function(nm) return nm ~= nil end)
+        :join ','
+      vim.notify(name .. ':=>' .. deps)
+    end
+    fn()
+  end)
+end
+
+return M
diff --git a/lua/u/utils.lua b/lua/u/utils.lua
index 228a9d2..ffe1d88 100644
--- a/lua/u/utils.lua
+++ b/lua/u/utils.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,18 @@ local M = {}
 ---@alias KeyMaps table<string, fun(): any | string> }
 ---@alias CmdArgs { args: string; bang: boolean; count: number; fargs: string[]; line1: number; line2: number; mods: string; name: string; range: 0|1|2; reg: string; smods: any; info: Range|nil }
 
+--- @generic T
+--- @param x `T`
+--- @param message? string
+--- @return T
+function M.dbg(x, message)
+  local t = {}
+  if message ~= nil then table.insert(t, message) end
+  table.insert(t, x)
+  vim.print(t)
+  return x
+end
+
 --- A utility for creating user commands that also pre-computes useful information
 --- and attaches it to the arguments.
 ---
@@ -107,28 +119,97 @@ function M.repeatablemap(mode, lhs, rhs, opts)
   end, vim.tbl_extend('force', opts or {}, { expr = true }))
 end
 
-function M.get_editor_dimensions()
-  local w = 0
-  local h = 0
-  local tabnr = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-  for _, winid in ipairs(vim.api.nvim_list_wins()) do
-    local tabpage = vim.api.nvim_win_get_tabpage(winid)
-    if tabpage == tabnr then
-      local pos = vim.api.nvim_win_get_position(winid)
-      local r, c = pos[1], pos[2]
-      local win_w = vim.api.nvim_win_get_width(winid)
-      local win_h = vim.api.nvim_win_get_height(winid)
-      local right = c + win_w
-      local bottom = r + win_h
-      if right > w then w = right end
-      if bottom > h then h = bottom end
+function M.get_editor_dimensions() return { width = vim.go.columns, height = vim.go.lines } end
+
+--- @alias LevenshteinChange<T> ({ kind: 'add'; item: T; index: number; } | { kind: 'delete'; item: T; index: number; } | { kind: 'change'; from: T; to: T; index: number; })
+--- @private
+--- @generic T
+--- @param x `T`[]
+--- @param y T[]
+--- @param cost? { of_delete?: fun(x: T): number; of_add?: fun(x: T): number; of_change?: fun(x: T, y: T): number; }
+--- @return LevenshteinChange<T>[]
+function M.levenshtein(x, y, cost)
+  cost = cost or {}
+  local cost_of_delete_f = cost.of_delete or function() return 1 end
+  local cost_of_add_f = cost.of_add or function() return 1 end
+  local cost_of_change_f = cost.of_change or function() return 1 end
+
+  local m, n = #x, #y
+  -- Initialize the distance matrix
+  local dp = {}
+  for i = 0, m do
+    dp[i] = {}
+    for j = 0, n do
+      dp[i][j] = 0
     end
   end
-  if w == 0 or h == 0 then
-    w = vim.api.nvim_win_get_width(0)
-    h = vim.api.nvim_win_get_height(0)
+
+  -- Fill the base cases
+  for i = 0, m do
+    dp[i][0] = i
   end
-  return { width = w, height = h }
+  for j = 0, n do
+    dp[0][j] = j
+  end
+
+  -- Compute the Levenshtein distance dynamically
+  for i = 1, m do
+    for j = 1, n do
+      if x[i] == y[j] then
+        dp[i][j] = dp[i - 1][j - 1] -- no cost if items are the same
+      else
+        local costDelete = dp[i - 1][j] + cost_of_delete_f(x[i])
+        local costAdd = dp[i][j - 1] + cost_of_add_f(y[j])
+        local costChange = dp[i - 1][j - 1] + cost_of_change_f(x[i], y[j])
+        dp[i][j] = math.min(costDelete, costAdd, costChange)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  -- Backtrack to find the changes
+  local i = m
+  local j = n
+  --- @type LevenshteinChange[]
+  local changes = {}
+
+  while i > 0 or j > 0 do
+    local default_cost = dp[i][j]
+    local cost_of_change = (i > 0 and j > 0) and dp[i - 1][j - 1] or default_cost
+    local cost_of_add = j > 0 and dp[i][j - 1] or default_cost
+    local cost_of_delete = i > 0 and dp[i - 1][j] or default_cost
+
+    --- @param u number
+    --- @param v number
+    --- @param w number
+    local function is_first_min(u, v, w) return u <= v and u <= w end
+
+    if is_first_min(cost_of_change, cost_of_add, cost_of_delete) then
+      -- potential change
+      if x[i] ~= y[j] then
+        --- @type LevenshteinChange
+        local change = { kind = 'change', from = x[i], index = i, to = y[j] }
+        table.insert(changes, change)
+      end
+      i = i - 1
+      j = j - 1
+    elseif is_first_min(cost_of_add, cost_of_change, cost_of_delete) then
+      -- addition
+      --- @type LevenshteinChange
+      local change = { kind = 'add', item = y[j], index = i + 1 }
+      table.insert(changes, change)
+      j = j - 1
+    elseif is_first_min(cost_of_delete, cost_of_change, cost_of_add) then
+      -- deletion
+      --- @type LevenshteinChange
+      local change = { kind = 'delete', item = x[i], index = i }
+      table.insert(changes, change)
+      i = i - 1
+    else
+      error 'unreachable'
+    end
+  end
+
+  return changes
 end
 
 return M
diff --git a/lua/u/utils/string.lua b/lua/u/utils/string.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..947b89b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/u/utils/string.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+local M = {}
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+--- eat_while
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+--- @param s string
+--- @param pos number
+--- @param predicate fun(c: string, i: number, s: string): boolean
+function M.eat_while(s, pos, predicate)
+  local eaten = ''
+  local curr = pos
+  local watchdog = 0
+  while curr <= #s do
+    watchdog = watchdog + 1
+    if watchdog > #s then error 'infinite loop' end
+
+    local c = s:sub(curr, curr)
+    if not predicate(c, curr, s) then break end
+    eaten = eaten .. c
+    curr = curr + 1
+  end
+  return eaten, curr
+end
+
+--- @param c string
+function M.is_whitespace(c) return c == ' ' or c == '\t' or c == '\n' end
+
+return M
diff --git a/spec/renderer_spec.lua b/spec/renderer_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74e7769
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/renderer_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+local Renderer = require 'u.renderer'
+
+--- @param markup string
+local function parse(markup)
+  -- call private method:
+  return (Renderer --[[@as any]])._parse_markup(markup)
+end
+
+describe('Renderer', function()
+  it('_parse_markup: empty string', function()
+    local nodes = parse [[]]
+    assert.are.same({}, nodes)
+  end)
+
+  it('_parse_markup: only string', function()
+    local nodes = parse [[The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.]]
+    assert.are.same({
+      { kind = 'text', value = 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.' },
+    }, nodes)
+  end)
+
+  it('_parse_markup: &lt;', function()
+    local nodes = parse [[&lt;t value="bleh" />]]
+    assert.are.same({
+      { kind = 'text', value = '<t value="bleh" />' },
+    }, nodes)
+  end)
+
+  it('_parse_markup: empty tag', function()
+    local nodes = parse [[</>]]
+    assert.are.same({ { kind = 'tag', name = '', attributes = {} } }, nodes)
+  end)
+
+  it('_parse_markup: tag', function()
+    local nodes = parse [[<t value="Hello" />]]
+    assert.are.same({
+      {
+        kind = 'tag',
+        name = 't',
+        attributes = {
+          value = 'Hello',
+        },
+      },
+    }, nodes)
+  end)
+
+  it('_parse_markup: attributes with quotes', function()
+    local nodes = parse [[<t value="Hello \"there\"" />]]
+    assert.are.same({
+      {
+        kind = 'tag',
+        name = 't',
+        attributes = {
+          value = 'Hello "there"',
+        },
+      },
+    }, nodes)
+  end)
+end)
diff --git a/spec/utils_spec.lua b/spec/utils_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75bfdf9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/utils_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+local utils = require 'u.utils'
+
+--- @param s string
+local function split(s) return vim.split(s, '') end
+
+--- @param original string
+--- @param changes LevenshteinChange[]
+local function morph(original, changes)
+  local t = split(original)
+  for _, change in ipairs(changes) do
+    if change.kind == 'add' then
+      table.insert(t, change.index, change.item)
+    elseif change.kind == 'delete' then
+      table.remove(t, change.index)
+    elseif change.kind == 'change' then
+      t[change.index] = change.to
+    end
+  end
+  return vim.iter(t):join ''
+end
+
+describe('utils', function()
+  it('levenshtein', function()
+    local original = 'abc'
+    local result = 'absece'
+    local changes = utils.levenshtein(split(original), split(result))
+    assert.are.same(changes, {
+      {
+        item = 'e',
+        kind = 'add',
+        index = 4,
+      },
+      {
+        item = 'e',
+        kind = 'add',
+        index = 3,
+      },
+      {
+        item = 's',
+        kind = 'add',
+        index = 3,
+      },
+    })
+    assert.are.same(morph(original, changes), result)
+
+    original = 'jonathan'
+    result = 'ajoanthan'
+    changes = utils.levenshtein(split(original), split(result))
+    assert.are.same(changes, {
+      {
+        from = 'a',
+        index = 4,
+        kind = 'change',
+        to = 'n',
+      },
+      {
+        from = 'n',
+        index = 3,
+        kind = 'change',
+        to = 'a',
+      },
+      {
+        index = 1,
+        item = 'a',
+        kind = 'add',
+      },
+    })
+    assert.are.same(morph(original, changes), result)
+  end)
+end)