diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7ecf73a..cc2b3f0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ This is meant to be used as a **library**, not a plugin. On its own, `u.nvim` do
 
 ## Features
 
+- **Rendering System**: a utility that can declaratively render NeoVim-specific hyperscript into a buffer, supporting creating/managine extmarks, highlights, and key-event handling (requires NeoVim >0.11)
+- **Signals**: a simple dependency tracking system that pairs well with the rendering utilities for creating reactive/interactive UIs in NeoVim.
 - **Range Utility**: Get context-aware selections with ease. Replace regions with new text. Think of it as a programmatic way to work with visual selections (or regions of text).
 - **Code Writer**: Write code with automatic indentation and formatting.
 - **Operator Key Mapping**: Flexible key mapping that works with the selected text.
@@ -20,7 +22,196 @@ lazy.nvim:
 { 'jrop/u.nvim', lazy = true }
 ```
 
-## Usage
+## Signal and Rendering Usage
+
+### Overview
+
+The Signal and Rendering mechanisms are two subsystems of u.nvim, that, while
+simplistic, [compose](./examples/counter.lua) together
+[powerfully](./examples/picker.lua) to create a system for interactive and
+responsive user interfaces. Here is a quick example that show-cases how easy it
+is to dive in to make any buffer an interactive UI:
+
+<details>
+<summary>Example Code: counter.lua</summary>
+
+```lua
+local tracker = require 'u.tracker'
+local Buffer = require 'u.buffer'
+local h = require('u.renderer').h
+
+-- Create an buffer for the UI
+vim.cmd.vnew()
+local ui_buf = Buffer.current()
+ui_buf:set_tmp_options()
+
+local s_count = tracker.create_signal(0)
+
+-- Effect: Render
+-- Setup the effect for rendering the UI whenever dependencies are updated
+tracker.create_effect(function()
+  -- Calling `Signal:get()` in an effect registers the given signal as a
+  -- dependency of the current effect. Whenever that signal (or any other
+  -- dependency) changes, the effect will rerun. In this particular case,
+  -- rendering the UI is an effect that depends on one signal.
+  local count = s_count:get()
+
+  -- Markup is hyperscript, which is just 1) text, and 2) tags (i.e.,
+  -- constructed with `h(...)` calls). To help organize the markup, text and
+  -- tags can be nested in tables at any depth. Line breaks must be specified
+  -- manually, with '\n'.
+  ui_buf:render {
+    'Reactive Counter Example\n',
+    '========================\n\n',
+
+    { 'Counter: ', tostring(count), '\n' },
+
+    '\n',
+
+    {
+      h('text', {
+        hl = 'DiffDelete',
+        on_key = {
+          ['\r'] = function()
+            -- Update the contents of the s_count signal, notifying any
+            -- dependencies (in this case, the render effect):
+            s_count:update(function(n) return n - 1 end)
+            -- Also equivalent: s_count:set(s_count:get() - 1)
+            return ''
+          end,
+        },
+      }, ' Decrement '),
+      ' ',
+      h('text', {
+        hl = 'DiffAdd',
+        on_key = {
+          ['\r'] = function()
+            -- Update the contents of the s_count signal, notifying any
+            -- dependencies (in this case, the render effect):
+            s_count:update(function(n) return n + 1 end)
+            -- Also equivalent: s_count:set(s_count:get() + 1)
+            return ''
+          end,
+        },
+      }, ' Increment '),
+    },
+
+    '\n',
+    '\n',
+    { 'Press <CR> on each "button" above to increment/decrement the counter.' },
+  }
+end)
+```
+
+</details>
+
+### `u.tracker`
+
+The `u.tracker` module provides a simple API for creating reactive variables. These can be composed in Effects and Memos utilizing Execution Contexts that track what signals are used by effects/memos.
+
+```lua
+local tracker = require('u.tracker')
+
+local s_number = tracker.Signal:new(0)
+-- auto-compute the double of the number each time it changes:
+local s_doubled = tracker.create_memo(function() return s_number:get() * 2 end)
+tracker.create_effect(function()
+  local n = s_doubled:get()
+  -- ...
+  -- whenever s_doubled changes, this function gets run
+end)
+```
+
+**Note**: circular dependencies are **not** supported.
+
+### `u.renderer`
+
+The renderer library renders hyperscript into a buffer. Each render performs a
+minimal set of changes in order to transform the current buffer text into the
+desired state.
+
+**Hyperscript** is just 1) _text_ 2) `<text>` tags, which can be nested in 3) Lua tables for readability:
+
+```lua
+local h = require('u.renderer').h
+-- Hyperscript can be organized into tables:
+{
+  "Hello, ",
+  {
+    "I am ", { "a" }, " nested table.",
+  },
+  '\n', -- newlines must be explicitly specified
+
+  -- booleans/nil are ignored:
+  some_conditional_flag and 'This text only shows when the flag is true',
+  -- e.g., use the above to show newlines in lists:
+  idx > 1 and '\n',
+
+  -- <text> tags are specified like so:
+  -- h('text', attributes, children)
+  h('text', {}, "I am a text node."),
+
+  -- <text> tags can be highlighted:
+  h('text', { hl = 'Comment' }, "I am highlighted."),
+
+  -- <text> tags can respond to key events:
+  h('text', {
+    hl = 'Keyword',
+    on_key = {
+      -- Utilizes vim.on_key, under the hood:
+      ["\r"] = function()
+        print("Hello World")
+
+        -- In NeoVim >0.11, you can return '' to swallow the event:
+        return ''
+      end,
+    },
+  }, "I am a text node."),
+}
+```
+
+Managing complex tables of hyperscript can be done more ergonomically using the
+`TreeBuilder` helper class:
+
+```lua
+local TreeBuilder = require('u.renderer').TreeBuilder
+
+-- ...
+renderer:render(
+  TreeBuilder.new()
+    -- text:
+    :put('some text')
+    -- hyperscript tables:
+    :put({ 'some text', 'more hyperscript' })
+    -- hyperscript tags:
+    :put_h('text', { --[[attributes]] }, { --[[children]] })
+    -- callbacks:
+    --- @param tb TreeBuilder
+    :nest(function(tb)
+      tb:put('some text')
+    end)
+    :tree()
+)
+```
+
+**Rendering**: The renderer library provides a `render` function that takes hyperscript in, and converts it to formatted buffer text:
+
+```lua
+local Renderer = require('u.renderer').Renderer
+local renderer = Renderer:new(0 --[[buffer number]])
+renderer:render {
+  -- ...hyperscript...
+}
+
+-- or, if you already have a buffer:
+local Buffer = require('u.buffer')
+local buf = Buffer.current()
+buf:render {
+  -- ...hyperscript...
+}
+```
+
+## Range Usage
 
 ### A note on indices
 
@@ -136,7 +327,8 @@ cw:write('}')
 
 #### Custom Text Objects
 
-Simply by returning a `Range` or a `Pos`, you can easily and quickly define your own text objects:
+Simply by returning a `Range` or a `Pos`, you can easily and quickly define
+your own text objects:
 
 ```lua
 local utils = require 'u.utils'
diff --git a/examples/counter.lua b/examples/counter.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..952a5f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/counter.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+local tracker = require 'u.tracker'
+local Buffer = require 'u.buffer'
+local h = require('u.renderer').h
+
+-- Create an buffer for the UI
+vim.cmd.vnew()
+local ui_buf = Buffer.current()
+ui_buf:set_tmp_options()
+
+local s_count = tracker.create_signal(0, 'counter_signal')
+
+-- Effect: Render
+-- Setup the effect for rendering the UI whenever dependencies are updated
+tracker.create_effect(function()
+  -- Calling `Signal:get()` in an effect registers the given signal as a
+  -- dependency of the current effect. Whenever that signal (or any other
+  -- dependency) changes, the effect will rerun. In this particular case,
+  -- rendering the UI is an effect that depends on one signal.
+  local count = s_count:get()
+
+  -- Markup is hyperscript, which is just 1) text, and 2) tags (i.e.,
+  -- constructed with `h(...)` calls). To help organize the markup, text and
+  -- tags can be nested in tables at any depth. Line breaks must be specified
+  -- manually, with '\n'.
+  ui_buf:render {
+    'Reactive Counter Example\n',
+    '========================\n\n',
+
+    { 'Counter: ', tostring(count), '\n' },
+
+    '\n',
+
+    {
+      h('text', {
+        hl = 'DiffDelete',
+        on_key = {
+          ['\r'] = function()
+            -- Update the contents of the s_count signal, notifying any
+            -- dependencies (in this case, the render effect):
+            s_count:update(function(n) return n - 1 end)
+            -- Also equivalent: s_count:set(s_count:get() - 1)
+            return ''
+          end,
+        },
+      }, ' Decrement '),
+      ' ',
+      h('text', {
+        hl = 'DiffAdd',
+        on_key = {
+          ['\r'] = function()
+            -- Update the contents of the s_count signal, notifying any
+            -- dependencies (in this case, the render effect):
+            s_count:update(function(n) return n + 1 end)
+            -- Also equivalent: s_count:set(s_count:get() + 1)
+            return ''
+          end,
+        },
+      }, ' Increment '),
+    },
+
+    '\n',
+    '\n',
+    { 'Press <CR> on each "button" above to increment/decrement the counter.' },
+  }
+end)
diff --git a/examples/picker.lua b/examples/picker.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7af72a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/picker.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,874 @@
+local utils = require 'u.utils'
+local Buffer = require 'u.buffer'
+local Renderer = require('u.renderer').Renderer
+local h = require('u.renderer').h
+local TreeBuilder = require('u.renderer').TreeBuilder
+local tracker = require 'u.tracker'
+
+local M = {}
+
+local S_EDITOR_DIMENSIONS = tracker.create_signal(utils.get_editor_dimensions(), 's:editor_dimensions')
+vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd('VimResized', {
+  callback = function()
+    local new_dim = utils.get_editor_dimensions()
+    S_EDITOR_DIMENSIONS:set(new_dim)
+  end,
+})
+
+--- @param low number
+---@param x number
+---@param high number
+local function clamp(low, x, high)
+  x = math.max(low, x)
+  x = math.min(x, high)
+  return x
+end
+
+--- @generic T
+--- @param arr `T`[]
+--- @return T[]
+local function shallow_copy_arr(arr) return vim.iter(arr):totable() end
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- BEGIN create_picker
+--
+-- This is the star of the show (in this file, anyway).
+-- In summary, the outline of this function is:
+-- 1. Setup signals/memos for computing the picker size, and window positions
+-- 2. Create the two windows:
+--   a. The picker input. This is where the filter is typed
+--   b. The picker list. This is where the items are displayed
+-- 3. Setup event handlers that respond to user input
+-- 4. Render the list. After all the prework above, this is probably the
+--    shortest portion of this function.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+--- @alias SelectController {
+---   get_items: fun(): T[];
+---   set_items: fun(items: T[]);
+---   set_filter_text: fun(filter_text: string);
+---   get_selected_indices: fun(): number[];
+---   get_selected_items: fun(): T[];
+---   set_selected_indices: fun(indicies: number[], ephemeral?: boolean);
+---   close: fun();
+--- }
+--- @alias SelectOpts<T> {
+---   items: `T`[];
+---   multi?: boolean;
+---   format_item?: fun(item: T[]): Tree;
+---   on_finish?: fun(items: T[], indicies: number[]);
+---   on_selection_changed?: fun(items: T[], indicies: number[]);
+---   mappings?: table<string, fun(select: SelectController)>;
+--- }
+
+--- @generic T
+--- @param opts SelectOpts<T>
+function M.create_picker(opts)
+  local is_in_insert_mode = vim.api.nvim_get_mode().mode:sub(1, 1) == 'i'
+  local stopinsert = not is_in_insert_mode
+
+  if opts.multi == nil then opts.multi = false end
+
+  local H = {}
+
+  --- Runs a function `fn`, and if it fails, cleans up the UI by calling
+  --- `H.finish`
+  ---
+  --- @generic T
+  --- @param fn fun(): `T`
+  --- @return T
+  local function safe_run(fn, ...)
+    local ok, result_or_error = pcall(fn, ...)
+    if not ok then
+      pcall(H.finish, true, result_or_error)
+      error(result_or_error .. '\n' .. debug.traceback())
+    end
+    return result_or_error
+  end
+
+  --- Creates a function that safely calls the given function, cleaning up the
+  --- UI if it ever fails
+  ---
+  --- @generic T
+  --- @param fn `T`
+  --- @return T
+  local function safe_wrap(fn)
+    return function(...) return safe_run(fn, ...) end
+  end
+
+  --
+  -- Compute the positions of the input bar and the list:
+  --
+
+  -- Reactively compute the space available for the picker based on the size of
+  -- the editor
+  local s_editor_dimensions = S_EDITOR_DIMENSIONS:clone()
+  local s_picker_space_available = tracker.create_memo(safe_wrap(function()
+    local editor_dim = s_editor_dimensions:get()
+    local width = math.floor(editor_dim.width * 0.75)
+    local height = math.floor(editor_dim.height * 0.75)
+    local row = math.floor((editor_dim.height - height) / 2)
+    local col = math.floor((editor_dim.width - width) / 2)
+    return { width = width, height = height, row = row, col = col }
+  end))
+
+  -- Reactively compute the size of the prompt (input) bar
+  local s_w_input_coords = tracker.create_memo(safe_wrap(function()
+    local picker_coords = s_picker_space_available:get()
+    return {
+      width = picker_coords.width,
+      height = 1,
+      row = picker_coords.row,
+      col = picker_coords.col,
+    }
+  end))
+
+  -- Reactively compute the size of the list view
+  local s_w_list_coords = tracker.create_memo(safe_wrap(function()
+    local picker_coords = s_picker_space_available:get()
+    return {
+      width = picker_coords.width,
+      height = picker_coords.height - 3,
+      row = picker_coords.row + 3,
+      col = picker_coords.col,
+    }
+  end))
+
+  --
+  -- Create resources (i.e., windows):
+  --
+
+  local w_input_cfg = {
+    width = s_w_input_coords:get().width,
+    height = s_w_input_coords:get().height,
+    row = s_w_input_coords:get().row,
+    col = s_w_input_coords:get().col,
+    relative = 'editor',
+    focusable = true,
+    border = 'rounded',
+  }
+  local w_input_buf = Buffer.create(false, true)
+  local w_input = vim.api.nvim_open_win(w_input_buf.buf, false, w_input_cfg)
+  vim.wo[w_input].number = false
+  vim.wo[w_input].relativenumber = false
+
+  -- The following option is a signal to other plugins like 'cmp' to not mess
+  -- with this buffer:
+  vim.bo[w_input_buf.buf].buftype = 'prompt'
+  vim.fn.prompt_setprompt(w_input_buf.buf, '')
+
+  vim.api.nvim_set_current_win(w_input)
+  tracker.create_effect(safe_wrap(function()
+    -- update window position/size every time the editor is resized:
+    w_input_cfg = vim.tbl_deep_extend('force', w_input_cfg, s_w_input_coords:get())
+    vim.api.nvim_win_set_config(w_input, w_input_cfg)
+  end))
+
+  local w_list_cfg = {
+    width = s_w_list_coords:get().width,
+    height = s_w_list_coords:get().height,
+    row = s_w_list_coords:get().row,
+    col = s_w_list_coords:get().col,
+    relative = 'editor',
+    focusable = true,
+    border = 'rounded',
+  }
+  local w_list_buf = Buffer.create(false, true)
+  local w_list = vim.api.nvim_open_win(w_list_buf.buf, false, w_list_cfg)
+  vim.wo[w_list].number = false
+  vim.wo[w_list].relativenumber = false
+  vim.wo[w_list].scrolloff = 0
+  tracker.create_effect(safe_wrap(function()
+    -- update window position/size every time the editor is resized:
+    w_list_cfg = vim.tbl_deep_extend('force', w_list_cfg, s_w_list_coords:get())
+    vim.api.nvim_win_set_config(w_list, w_list_cfg)
+  end))
+
+  -- Now that we have created the window with the prompt in it, start insert
+  -- mode so that the user can type immediately:
+  vim.cmd.startinsert()
+
+  --
+  -- State:
+  --
+
+  local s_items_raw = tracker.create_signal(opts.items, 's:items')
+  local s_items = s_items_raw:debounce(100)
+  local s_selected_indices = tracker.create_signal({}, 's:selected_indices')
+  local s_top_offset = tracker.create_signal(0, 's:top_offset')
+  local s_cursor_index = tracker.create_signal(1, 's:cursor_index')
+
+  local s_filter_text_undebounced = tracker.create_signal('', 's:filter_text')
+  w_input_buf:autocmd('TextChangedI', {
+    callback = safe_wrap(function() s_filter_text_undebounced:set(vim.api.nvim_get_current_line()) end),
+  })
+  local s_filter_text = s_filter_text_undebounced:debounce(50)
+
+  --
+  -- Derived State:
+  --
+
+  local s_formatted_items = tracker.create_memo(function()
+    local function _format_item(item) return opts.format_item and opts.format_item(item) or tostring(item) end
+
+    local items = s_items:get()
+    return vim.iter(items):map(function(item) return { item = item, formatted = _format_item(item) } end):totable()
+  end)
+
+  -- When the filter text changes, update the filtered items:
+  local s_filtered_items = tracker.create_memo(
+    safe_wrap(function()
+      local formatted_items = s_formatted_items:get()
+      local filter_text = vim.trim(s_filter_text:get())
+      local filter_pattern = (#formatted_items > 250 and #filter_text <= 3) and (filter_text:gsub('%.', '%%.'))
+        or vim.iter(vim.split(filter_text, '')):map(function(c) return c .. '.*' end):join ''
+
+      local new_filtered_items = vim
+        .iter(formatted_items)
+        :enumerate()
+        :map(function(i, inf) return { orig_idx = i, item = inf.item, formatted = inf.formatted } end)
+        :filter(function(inf)
+          if filter_text == '' then return true end
+          local formatted_as_string = Renderer.markup_to_string { tree = inf.formatted }
+          local match = string.match(Renderer.markup_to_string { tree = formatted_as_string }, filter_pattern)
+          return match ~= nil
+        end)
+        :totable()
+
+      -- Don't do the levenshtein-sort if there are over 250 items:
+      if #new_filtered_items <= 250 then
+        table.sort(new_filtered_items, function(a_inf, b_inf)
+          local a = Renderer.markup_to_string { markup = a_inf.formatted }
+          local b = Renderer.markup_to_string { markup = b_inf.formatted }
+          if a == b then return false end
+
+          local lev_a = utils.levenshtein(vim.split(filter_text, ''), vim.split(a, ''))
+          local lev_b = utils.levenshtein(vim.split(filter_text, ''), vim.split(b, ''))
+          return #lev_a < #lev_b
+        end)
+      end
+
+      s_top_offset:set(0)
+      s_cursor_index:set(1)
+      return new_filtered_items
+    end),
+    'e:(filter_text=>filtered_items)'
+  )
+
+  -- Visible items, are _just_ the items that fit into the current viewport.
+  -- This is an optimization so that we are not rendering thousands of lines of
+  -- items on each state-change.
+  local s_visible_items = tracker.create_memo(
+    safe_wrap(function()
+      return vim
+        .iter(s_filtered_items:get())
+        :enumerate()
+        :skip(s_top_offset:get())
+        :take(s_w_list_coords:get().height)
+        :map(
+          function(i, inf)
+            return {
+              filtered_idx = i,
+              orig_idx = inf.orig_idx,
+              item = inf.item,
+              formatted = inf.formatted,
+            }
+          end
+        )
+        :totable()
+    end),
+    'm:visible_items'
+  )
+
+  -- Track selection information:
+  local s_selection_info = tracker.create_memo(
+    safe_wrap(function()
+      local items = s_items:get()
+      local selected_indices = s_selected_indices:get()
+      --- @type { orig_idx: number; item: T }[]
+      local filtered_items = s_filtered_items:get()
+      local cursor_index = s_cursor_index:get()
+      local indices = shallow_copy_arr(selected_indices) -- shallow copy
+      if #indices == 0 and #filtered_items > 0 then indices = { filtered_items[cursor_index].orig_idx } end
+      return {
+        items = vim.iter(indices):map(function(i) return items[i] end):totable(),
+        indices = indices,
+      }
+    end),
+    'm:selection_info'
+  )
+
+  --- When it is time to close the picker, this is the main cleanup routine
+  --- that runs in all cases:
+  ---
+  --- @param esc? boolean Whether the user pressed <Esc> or not
+  --- @param err? any Any error that occurred
+  function H.finish(esc, err)
+    -- s_editor_dimensions is the only signal that is cloned from a global,
+    -- one. It is therefore the only one that needs to be manually disposed.
+    -- The other ones should get cleaned up by the GC
+    s_editor_dimensions:dispose()
+    -- If we happen to have any async state-changes coming down the pipeline,
+    -- we can say right now that we are done rendering new UI (to avoid
+    -- "invalid window ID" errors):
+    H.unsubscribe_render_effect()
+    -- buftype=prompt buffers are not "temporary", so delete the buffer manually:
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_delete(w_input_buf.buf, { force = true })
+    -- The following is not needed, since the buffer is deleted above:
+    -- vim.api.nvim_win_close(w_input, false)
+    vim.api.nvim_win_close(w_list, false)
+    if stopinsert then vim.cmd.stopinsert() end
+    local inf = s_selection_info:get()
+    if not err and opts.on_finish then
+      -- If on_finish opens another picker, the closing of this one can happen
+      -- in _too_ quick succession, so put a small delay in there.
+      --
+      -- TODO: figure out _why_ this is actually happening, and then a better
+      -- way to handle this.
+      vim.defer_fn(function()
+        if esc then
+          opts.on_finish({}, {})
+        else
+          opts.on_finish(inf.items, inf.indices)
+        end
+      end, 100)
+    end
+  end
+
+  -- On selection info changed:
+  tracker.create_effect(
+    safe_wrap(function()
+      local inf = s_selection_info:get()
+      if opts.on_selection_changed then opts.on_selection_changed(inf.items, inf.indices) end
+    end),
+    'e:selection_changed'
+  )
+
+  --
+  -- Public API (i.e., `controller`):
+  -- We will fill in the methods further down, but we need this variable in scope so that it can be
+  -- closed over by some of the event handlers:
+  --
+  local controller = {}
+
+  --
+  -- Events
+  --
+  vim.keymap.set('i', '<Esc>', function() H.finish(true) end, { buffer = w_input_buf.buf })
+
+  vim.keymap.set('i', '<CR>', function() H.finish() end, { buffer = w_input_buf.buf })
+
+  local function action_next_line()
+    local max_line = #s_filtered_items:get()
+    local next_cursor_index = clamp(1, s_cursor_index:get() + 1, max_line)
+    if next_cursor_index - s_top_offset:get() > s_w_list_coords:get().height then
+      s_top_offset:set(s_top_offset:get() + 1)
+    end
+    s_cursor_index:set(next_cursor_index)
+  end
+  vim.keymap.set('i', '<C-n>', safe_wrap(action_next_line), { buffer = w_input_buf.buf, desc = 'Picker: next' })
+
+  vim.keymap.set(
+    'i',
+    '<C-p>',
+    safe_wrap(function()
+      local max_line = #s_filtered_items:get()
+      local next_cursor_index = clamp(1, s_cursor_index:get() - 1, max_line)
+      if next_cursor_index - s_top_offset:get() < 1 then s_top_offset:set(s_top_offset:get() - 1) end
+      s_cursor_index:set(next_cursor_index)
+    end),
+    { buffer = w_input_buf.buf, desc = 'Picker: previous' }
+  )
+
+  vim.keymap.set(
+    'i',
+    '<Tab>',
+    safe_wrap(function()
+      if not opts.multi then return end
+
+      local index = s_filtered_items:get()[s_cursor_index:get()].orig_idx
+      if vim.tbl_contains(s_selected_indices:get(), index) then
+        s_selected_indices:set(vim.iter(s_selected_indices:get()):filter(function(i) return i ~= index end):totable())
+      else
+        local new_selected_indices = shallow_copy_arr(s_selected_indices:get())
+        table.insert(new_selected_indices, index)
+        s_selected_indices:set(new_selected_indices)
+      end
+      action_next_line()
+    end),
+    { buffer = w_input_buf.buf }
+  )
+
+  for key, fn in pairs(opts.mappings or {}) do
+    vim.keymap.set('i', key, safe_wrap(function() return fn(controller) end), { buffer = w_input_buf.buf })
+  end
+
+  -- Render:
+  H.unsubscribe_render_effect = tracker.create_effect(
+    safe_wrap(function()
+      local selected_indices = s_selected_indices:get()
+      local top_offset = s_top_offset:get()
+      local cursor_index = s_cursor_index:get()
+      --- @type { filtered_idx: number; orig_idx: number; item: T; formatted: string }[]
+      local visible_items = s_visible_items:get()
+
+      -- The above has to run in the execution context for the signaling to work, but
+      -- the following cannot run in a NeoVim loop-callback:
+      vim.schedule(function()
+        w_list_buf:render(TreeBuilder.new()
+          :nest(function(tb)
+            for loop_idx, inf in ipairs(visible_items) do
+              local is_cur_line = inf.filtered_idx == cursor_index
+              local is_selected = vim.tbl_contains(selected_indices, inf.orig_idx)
+
+              tb:put(loop_idx > 1 and '\n')
+              tb:put(is_cur_line and h('text', { hl = 'Structure' }, '❯') or ' ')
+              tb:put(is_selected and h('text', { hl = 'Comment' }, '* ') or '  ')
+              tb:put(inf.formatted)
+            end
+          end)
+          :tree())
+
+        -- set the window viewport to have the first line in view:
+        pcall(vim.api.nvim_win_call, w_list, function() vim.fn.winrestview { topline = 1 } end)
+        pcall(vim.api.nvim_win_set_cursor, w_list, { cursor_index - top_offset, 0 })
+      end)
+    end),
+    'e:render'
+  )
+
+  --
+  -- Populate the public API:
+  --
+  function controller.get_items()
+    return safe_run(function() return s_items_raw:get() end)
+  end
+
+  ---@param items T[]
+  function controller.set_items(items)
+    return safe_run(function() s_items_raw:set(items) end)
+  end
+
+  function controller.set_filter_text(filter_text)
+    return safe_run(function()
+      vim.api.nvim_win_call(w_input, function() vim.api.nvim_set_current_line(filter_text) end)
+    end)
+  end
+
+  function controller.get_selected_indices()
+    return safe_run(function() return s_selection_info:get().indices end)
+  end
+
+  function controller.get_selected_items()
+    return safe_run(function() return s_selection_info:get().items end)
+  end
+
+  --- @param indicies number[]
+  ---@param ephemeral? boolean
+  function controller.set_selected_indices(indicies, ephemeral)
+    return safe_run(function()
+      if ephemeral == nil then ephemeral = false end
+
+      if ephemeral and #indicies == 1 then
+        local matching_filtered_item_idx, _ = vim
+          .iter(s_filtered_items:get())
+          :enumerate()
+          :find(function(_idx, inf) return inf.orig_idx == indicies[1] end)
+        if matching_filtered_item_idx ~= nil then s_cursor_index:set(indicies[1]) end
+      else
+        if not opts.multi then
+          local err = 'Cannot set multiple selected indices on a single-select picker'
+          H.finish(true, err)
+          error(err)
+        end
+        s_selected_indices:set(indicies)
+      end
+    end)
+  end
+
+  function controller.close()
+    return safe_run(function() H.finish(true) end)
+  end
+
+  return controller --[[@as SelectController]]
+end
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- END create_picker
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- vim.ui.select override
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+local ORIGINAL_UI_SELECT
+function M.register_ui_select()
+  ORIGINAL_UI_SELECT = vim.ui.select
+  --- @generic T
+  --- @param items `T`[]
+  --- @param opts { prompt?: string, kind?: any, format_item?: fun(item: T):string }
+  --- @param cb fun(item: T|nil):any
+  function vim.ui.select(items, opts, cb)
+    M.create_picker {
+      items = items,
+      format_item = function(item)
+        local s = opts.format_item and opts.format_item(item) or tostring(item)
+        s = s:gsub('<', '&lt;')
+        return s
+      end,
+      on_finish = function(sel_items)
+        if #sel_items == 0 then cb(nil) end
+        cb(sel_items[#sel_items])
+      end,
+    }
+  end
+end
+function M.unregister_ui_select() vim.ui.select = ORIGINAL_UI_SELECT end
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- Built-in pickers
+-- 1. files
+-- 2. buffers
+-- 3. code-symbols
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+--- @param opts? { limit?: number }
+function M.files(opts)
+  opts = opts or {}
+  opts.limit = opts.limit or 10000
+
+  local cmd = {}
+  if vim.fn.executable 'rg' then
+    cmd = {
+      'rg',
+      '--color=never',
+      '--files',
+      '--hidden',
+      '--follow',
+      '-g',
+      '!.git',
+      '-g',
+      '!node_modules',
+      '-g',
+      '!target',
+    }
+  elseif vim.fn.executable 'fd' then
+    cmd = {
+      'fd',
+      '--color=never',
+      '--type',
+      'f',
+      '--hidden',
+      '--follow',
+      '--exclude',
+      '.git',
+      '--exclude',
+      'node_modules',
+      '--exclude',
+      'target',
+    }
+  elseif vim.fn.executable 'find' then
+    cmd = {
+      'find',
+      '-type',
+      'f',
+      '-not',
+      '-path',
+      "'*/.git/*'",
+      '-not',
+      '-path',
+      "'*/node_modules/*'",
+      '-not',
+      '-path',
+      "'*/target/*'",
+      '-printf',
+      "'%P\n'",
+    }
+  end
+
+  if #cmd == 0 then
+    vim.notify('rg/fd/find executable not found: cannot list files', vim.log.levels.ERROR)
+    return
+  end
+
+  -- Keep track of the job that will list files independent from the picker. We
+  -- will stream lines from this process to the picker as they come in:
+  local job_inf = { id = 0, proc_lines = {}, notified_over_limit = false }
+
+  -- Initially, create the picker with no items:
+  local picker = M.create_picker {
+    multi = true,
+    items = {},
+
+    --- @params items string[]
+    on_finish = function(items)
+      pcall(vim.fn.jobstop, job_inf.id)
+
+      if #items == 0 then return end
+      if #items == 1 then
+        vim.cmd.edit(items[1])
+      else
+        -- populate quickfix:
+        vim.fn.setqflist(vim
+          .iter(items)
+          :map(
+            function(item)
+              return {
+                filename = item,
+                lnum = 1,
+                col = 1,
+              }
+            end
+          )
+          :totable())
+        vim.cmd.copen()
+      end
+    end,
+
+    mappings = {
+      ['<C-t>'] = function(sel)
+        sel.close()
+        --- @type string[]
+        local items = sel.get_selected_items()
+
+        -- open in new tab:
+        for _, item in ipairs(items) do
+          vim.cmd.tabnew(item)
+        end
+      end,
+
+      ['<C-v>'] = function(sel)
+        sel.close()
+        --- @type string[]
+        local items = sel.get_selected_items()
+
+        -- open in vertical split:
+        for _, item in ipairs(items) do
+          vim.cmd.vsplit(item)
+        end
+      end,
+
+      ['<C-s>'] = function(sel)
+        sel.close()
+        --- @type string[]
+        local items = sel.get_selected_items()
+
+        -- open in horizontal split:
+        for _, item in ipairs(items) do
+          vim.cmd.split(item)
+        end
+      end,
+    },
+  }
+
+  -- Kick off the process that lists the files. As lines come in, send them to
+  -- the picker:
+  job_inf.id = vim.fn.jobstart(cmd, {
+    --- @param data string[]
+    on_stdout = vim.schedule_wrap(function(_chanid, data, _name)
+      local lines = job_inf.proc_lines
+      local function set_lines_as_items_state()
+        picker.set_items(vim
+          .iter(lines)
+          :enumerate()
+          :filter(function(idx, item)
+            -- Filter out an incomplete last line:
+            local is_last_line = idx == #lines
+            if is_last_line and item == '' then return false end
+            return true
+          end)
+          :map(function(_, item) return item end)
+          :totable())
+      end
+
+      -- It's just not a good idea to process large lists with Lua. The default
+      -- limit is 10,000 items, and even crunching through this is iffy on a
+      -- fast laptop. Show a warning and truncate the list in this case.
+      if #lines >= opts.limit then
+        if not job_inf.notified_over_limit then
+          vim.notify('Picker list is too large (truncating list to ' .. opts.limit .. ' items)', vim.log.levels.WARN)
+          job_inf.notified_over_limit = true
+        end
+        return
+      end
+
+      -- :help channel-lines
+
+      local eof = #data == 1 and data[1] == ''
+      if eof then set_lines_as_items_state() end
+
+      -- Complete the previous line:
+      if #lines > 0 then lines[#lines] = lines[#lines] .. table.remove(data, 1) end
+
+      for _, l in ipairs(data) do
+        table.insert(lines, l)
+      end
+
+      set_lines_as_items_state()
+    end),
+  })
+end
+
+function M.buffers()
+  local cwd = vim.fn.getcwd(0, 0)
+  -- ensure that `cwd` ends with a trailing slash:
+  if cwd[#cwd] ~= '/' then cwd = cwd .. '/' end
+
+  --- @type { name: string; changed: number; bufnr: number }[]
+  local bufs = vim.fn.getbufinfo { buflisted = 1 }
+
+  M.create_picker {
+    multi = true,
+    items = bufs,
+
+    --- @param item { name: string; changed: number; bufnr: number }
+    format_item = function(item)
+      local item_name = item.name
+      if item_name == '' then item_name = '[No Name]' end
+      -- trim leading `cwd` from the buffer name:
+      if item_name:sub(1, #cwd) == cwd then item_name = item_name:sub(#cwd + 1) end
+
+      return TreeBuilder.new()
+        :put(item.changed == 1 and '[+] ' or '    ')
+        :put(item_name)
+        :tree()
+    end,
+
+    --- @params items { bufnr: number }[]
+    on_finish = function(items)
+      if #items == 0 then return end
+      if #items == 1 then
+        vim.cmd.buffer(items[1].bufnr)
+      else
+        -- populate quickfix:
+        vim.fn.setqflist(vim
+          .iter(items)
+          :map(
+            function(item)
+              return {
+                bufnr = item.bufnr,
+                filename = item.name,
+                lnum = 1,
+                col = 1,
+              }
+            end
+          )
+          :totable())
+        vim.cmd.copen()
+      end
+    end,
+
+    mappings = {
+      ['<C-t>'] = function(sel)
+        sel.close()
+        --- @type { bufnr: number }[]
+        local items = sel.get_selected_items()
+
+        -- open in new tab:
+        for _, item in ipairs(items) do
+          vim.cmd.tabnew()
+          vim.cmd.buffer(item.bufnr)
+        end
+      end,
+
+      ['<C-v>'] = function(sel)
+        sel.close()
+        --- @type { bufnr: number }[]
+        local items = sel.get_selected_items()
+
+        -- open in new vertial split:
+        for _, item in ipairs(items) do
+          vim.cmd.vsplit()
+          vim.cmd.buffer(item.bufnr)
+        end
+      end,
+
+      ['<C-s>'] = function(sel)
+        sel.close()
+        --- @type { bufnr: number }[]
+        local items = sel.get_selected_items()
+
+        -- open in horizontal split:
+        for _, item in ipairs(items) do
+          vim.cmd.split()
+          vim.cmd.buffer(item.bufnr)
+        end
+      end,
+
+      ['<C-x>'] = function(sel)
+        local selected_items = sel.get_selected_items()
+        for _, item in ipairs(selected_items) do
+          -- delete the buffer
+          vim.cmd.bdelete(item.bufnr)
+        end
+
+        sel.set_selected_indices {}
+        sel.set_items(
+          vim
+            .iter(sel.get_items())
+            :filter(function(item) return not vim.tbl_contains(selected_items, item) end)
+            :totable()
+        )
+      end,
+    },
+  }
+end
+
+local IS_CODE_SYMBOL_RUNNING = false
+function M.lsp_code_symbols()
+  if IS_CODE_SYMBOL_RUNNING then return end
+  IS_CODE_SYMBOL_RUNNING = true
+
+  -- Avoid callback-hell with a wizard-based "steps"-system. Define each "step"
+  -- sequentially in the code, and wire up the callbacks to call the next step:
+  -- a simple, yet powerful, and easy to understand pattern/approach.
+  local STEPS = {}
+
+  --- @param info vim.lsp.LocationOpts.OnList
+  function STEPS._1_on_symbols(info)
+    M.create_picker {
+      items = info.items,
+      --- @param item { text: string }
+      format_item = function(item)
+        local s = item.text:gsub('<', '&lt;')
+        return s
+      end,
+      on_finish = STEPS._2_on_symbol_picked,
+    }
+  end
+
+  --- @param items { filename: string, lnum: integer, col: integer }[]
+  function STEPS._2_on_symbol_picked(items)
+    if #items == 0 then return STEPS._finally() end
+
+    local item = items[1]
+
+    -- Jump to the file/buffer:
+    local buf = vim.iter(vim.fn.getbufinfo { buflisted = 1 }):find(function(b) return b.name == item.filename end)
+    if buf ~= nil then
+      vim.api.nvim_win_set_buf(0, buf.bufnr)
+    else
+      vim.cmd.edit(item.filename)
+    end
+
+    -- Jump to the specific location:
+    vim.api.nvim_win_set_cursor(0, { item.lnum, item.col - 1 })
+    vim.cmd.normal 'zz'
+
+    STEPS._finally()
+  end
+
+  function STEPS._finally() IS_CODE_SYMBOL_RUNNING = false end
+
+  -- Kick off the async operation:
+  vim.lsp.buf.document_symbol { on_list = STEPS._1_on_symbols }
+end
+
+function M.setup()
+  utils.ucmd('Files', M.files)
+  utils.ucmd('Buffers', M.buffers)
+  utils.ucmd('Lspcodesymbols', M.lsp_code_symbols)
+  M.register_ui_select()
+end
+
+return M
diff --git a/lua/u/buffer.lua b/lua/u/buffer.lua
index 06424f4..41cb645 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'.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 tree Tree
+function Buffer:render(tree) return self.renderer:render(tree) end
+
 return Buffer
diff --git a/lua/u/range.lua b/lua/u/range.lua
index b7d4d34..4ac45d3 100644
--- a/lua/u/range.lua
+++ b/lua/u/range.lua
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 local Pos = require 'u.pos'
 local State = require 'u.state'
 
-local orig_on_yank = vim.highlight.on_yank
+local orig_on_yank = (vim.hl or vim.highlight).on_yank
 local on_yank_enabled = true;
-(vim.highlight --[[@as any]]).on_yank = function(opts)
+((vim.hl or vim.highlight) --[[@as any]]).on_yank = function(opts)
   if not on_yank_enabled then return end
   return orig_on_yank(opts)
 end
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ function Range:highlight(group, opts)
   State.run(self.start.buf, function(s)
     if not in_macro then s:track_winview() end
 
-    vim.highlight.range(
+    (vim.hl or vim.highlight).range(
       self.start.buf,
       ns,
       group,
diff --git a/lua/u/renderer.lua b/lua/u/renderer.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4030b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/u/renderer.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,432 @@
+local utils = require 'u.utils'
+
+local M = {}
+
+--- @alias Tag { kind: 'tag'; name: string, attributes: table<string, unknown>, children: Tree }
+--- @alias Node nil | boolean | string | Tag
+--- @alias Tree Node | Node[]
+local TagMetaTable = {}
+
+--- @param name string
+--- @param attributes? table<string, any>
+--- @param children? Node | Node[]
+--- @return Tag
+function M.h(name, attributes, children)
+  return setmetatable({
+    kind = 'tag',
+    name = name,
+    attributes = attributes or {},
+    children = children,
+  }, TagMetaTable)
+end
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- Renderer class
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+--- @alias RendererExtmark { id?: number; start: [number, number]; stop: [number, number]; opts: any; tag: any }
+
+--- @class Renderer
+--- @field bufnr number
+--- @field ns number
+--- @field changedtick number
+--- @field old { lines: string[]; extmarks: RendererExtmark[] }
+--- @field curr { lines: string[]; extmarks: RendererExtmark[] }
+local Renderer = {}
+Renderer.__index = Renderer
+M.Renderer = Renderer
+
+--- @param x any
+--- @return boolean
+function Renderer.is_tag(x) return type(x) == 'table' and getmetatable(x) == TagMetaTable end
+
+--- @param x any
+--- @return boolean
+function Renderer.is_tag_arr(x)
+  if type(x) ~= 'table' then return false end
+  return #x == 0 or not Renderer.is_tag(x)
+end
+
+--- @param bufnr number|nil
+function Renderer.new(bufnr)
+  if bufnr == nil then bufnr = vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf() end
+
+  if vim.b[bufnr]._renderer_ns == nil then
+    vim.b[bufnr]._renderer_ns = vim.api.nvim_create_namespace('my.renderer:' .. tostring(bufnr))
+  end
+
+  local self = setmetatable({
+    bufnr = bufnr,
+    ns = vim.b[bufnr]._renderer_ns,
+    changedtick = 0,
+    old = { lines = {}, extmarks = {} },
+    curr = { lines = {}, extmarks = {} },
+  }, Renderer)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- @param opts {
+---   tree: Tree;
+---   on_tag?: fun(tag: Tag, start0: [number, number], stop0: [number, number]): any;
+--- }
+function Renderer.markup_to_lines(opts)
+  --- @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
+
+  --- @param node Node
+  local function visit(node)
+    if node == nil or type(node) == 'boolean' then return end
+
+    if type(node) == 'string' then
+      local node_lines = vim.split(node, '\n')
+      for lnum, s in ipairs(node_lines) do
+        if lnum > 1 then put_line() end
+        put(s)
+      end
+    elseif Renderer.is_tag(node) then
+      local start0 = { curr_line1 - 1, curr_col1 - 1 }
+
+      -- visit the children:
+      if Renderer.is_tag_arr(node.children) then
+        for _, child in ipairs(node.children) do
+          -- newlines are not controlled by array entries, do NOT output a line here:
+          visit(child)
+        end
+      else
+        visit(node.children)
+      end
+
+      local stop0 = { curr_line1 - 1, curr_col1 - 1 }
+      if opts.on_tag then opts.on_tag(node, start0, stop0) end
+    elseif Renderer.is_tag_arr(node) then
+      for _, child in ipairs(node) do
+        -- newlines are not controlled by array entries, do NOT output a line here:
+        visit(child)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  visit(opts.tree)
+
+  return lines
+end
+
+--- @param opts {
+---   tree: string;
+---   format_tag?: fun(tag: Tag): string;
+--- }
+function Renderer.markup_to_string(opts) return table.concat(Renderer.markup_to_lines(opts), '\n') end
+
+--- @param tree Tree
+function Renderer:render(tree)
+  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) }
+    self.changedtick = changedtick
+  end
+
+  --- @type RendererExtmark[]
+  local extmarks = {}
+
+  --- @type string[]
+  local lines = Renderer.markup_to_lines {
+    tree = tree,
+
+    on_tag = function(tag, start0, stop0)
+      if tag.name == 'text' then
+        local hl = tag.attributes.hl
+        if type(hl) == 'string' then
+          tag.attributes.extmark = tag.attributes.extmark or {}
+          tag.attributes.extmark.hl_group = tag.attributes.extmark.hl_group or hl
+        end
+
+        local extmark = tag.attributes.extmark
+
+        -- Force creating an extmark if there are key handlers. To accurately
+        -- sense the bounds of the text, we need an extmark:
+        if tag.attributes.on_key or tag.attributes.on_typed then extmark = extmark or {} end
+
+        if extmark then
+          table.insert(extmarks, {
+            start = start0,
+            stop = stop0,
+            opts = extmark,
+            tag = tag,
+          })
+        end
+      end
+    end,
+  }
+
+  self.old = self.curr
+  self.curr = { lines = lines, extmarks = extmarks }
+  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
+
+  --
+  -- Step 1: morph the text to the desired state:
+  --
+  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
+  self.changedtick = vim.b[self.bufnr].changedtick
+
+  --
+  -- Step 2: reconcile extmarks:
+  --
+  -- Clear current extmarks:
+  vim.api.nvim_buf_clear_namespace(self.bufnr, self.ns, 0, -1)
+  -- Set current extmarks:
+  for _, extmark in ipairs(self.curr.extmarks) do
+    extmark.id = vim.api.nvim_buf_set_extmark(
+      self.bufnr,
+      self.ns,
+      extmark.start[1],
+      extmark.start[2],
+      vim.tbl_extend('force', {
+        id = extmark.id,
+        end_row = extmark.stop[1],
+        end_col = extmark.stop[2],
+      }, extmark.opts)
+    )
+  end
+
+  --
+  -- Step 3: setup an updated on_key handler:
+  --
+
+  vim.on_key(nil, self.ns)
+  vim.on_key(function(key, typed)
+    -- Discard if not in the current buffer:
+    if
+      -- do not capture keys in the wrong buffer:
+      vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf() ~= self.bufnr
+      -- do not capture keys in COMMAND mode:
+      or vim.startswith(vim.api.nvim_get_mode().mode, 'c')
+    then
+      return
+    end
+
+    -- find the tag with the smallest intersection that contains the cursor:
+    local pos0 = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(0)
+    pos0[1] = pos0[1] - 1 -- make it actually 0-based
+    local pos_infos = self:get_pos_infos(pos0)
+
+    -- Check the attributes for each matching_tag and fire events if they are
+    -- listening:
+    for _, pos_info in ipairs(pos_infos) do
+      local tag = pos_info.tag
+
+      -- is the tag listening?
+      if tag.attributes.on_key and type(tag.attributes.on_key[key]) == 'function' then
+        -- key:
+        local result = tag.attributes.on_key[key]()
+        if result == '' then return '' end
+      elseif tag.attributes.on_typed and type(tag.attributes.on_typed[typed]) == 'function' then
+        -- typed:
+        local result = tag.attributes.on_typed[typed]()
+        if result == '' then return '' end
+      end
+    end
+  end, self.ns)
+end
+
+--- Returns pairs of extmarks and tags associate with said extmarks. The
+--- returned tags/extmarks are sorted smallest (innermost) to largest
+--- (outermost).
+---
+--- @private (private for now)
+--- @param pos0 [number; number]
+--- @return { extmark: RendererExtmark; tag: Tag; }[]
+function Renderer:get_pos_infos(pos0)
+  local cursor_line0, cursor_col0 = pos0[1], pos0[2]
+
+  -- The cursor (block) occupies **two** extmark spaces: one for it's left
+  -- edge, and one for it's right. We need to do our own intersection test,
+  -- because the NeoVim API is over-inclusive in what it returns:
+  --- @type RendererExtmark[]
+  local intersecting_extmarks = vim
+    .iter(vim.api.nvim_buf_get_extmarks(self.bufnr, self.ns, pos0, pos0, { details = true, overlap = true }))
+    --- @return RendererExtmark
+    :map(function(ext)
+      --- @type number, number, number, { end_row?: number; end_col?: number }|nil
+      local id, line0, col0, details = unpack(ext)
+      local start = { line0, col0 }
+      local stop = { line0, col0 }
+      if details and details.end_row ~= nil and details.end_col ~= nil then
+        stop = { details.end_row, details.end_col }
+      end
+      return { id = id, start = start, stop = stop, opts = details }
+    end)
+    --- @param ext RendererExtmark
+    :filter(function(ext)
+      if ext.stop[1] ~= nil and ext.stop[2] ~= nil then
+        return cursor_line0 >= ext.start[1]
+          and cursor_col0 >= ext.start[2]
+          and cursor_line0 <= ext.stop[1]
+          and cursor_col0 < ext.stop[2]
+      else
+        return true
+      end
+    end)
+    :totable()
+
+  -- Sort the tags into smallest (inner) to largest (outer):
+  table.sort(
+    intersecting_extmarks,
+    --- @param x1 RendererExtmark
+    --- @param x2 RendererExtmark
+    function(x1, x2)
+      if
+        x1.start[1] == x2.start[1]
+        and x1.start[2] == x2.start[2]
+        and x1.stop[1] == x2.stop[1]
+        and x1.stop[2] == x2.stop[2]
+      then
+        return x1.id < x2.id
+      end
+
+      return x1.start[1] >= x2.start[1]
+        and x1.start[2] >= x2.start[2]
+        and x1.stop[1] <= x2.stop[1]
+        and x1.stop[2] <= x2.stop[2]
+    end
+  )
+
+  -- When we set the extmarks in the step above, we captured the IDs of the
+  -- created extmarks in self.curr.extmarks, which also has which tag each
+  -- extmark is associated with. Cross-reference with that list to get a list
+  -- of tags that we need to fire events for:
+  --- @type { extmark: RendererExtmark; tag: Tag }[]
+  local matching_tags = vim
+    .iter(intersecting_extmarks)
+    --- @param ext RendererExtmark
+    :map(function(ext)
+      for _, extmark_cache in ipairs(self.curr.extmarks) do
+        if extmark_cache.id == ext.id then return { extmark = ext, tag = extmark_cache.tag } end
+      end
+    end)
+    :totable()
+
+  return matching_tags
+end
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- TreeBuilder class
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+--- @class TreeBuilder
+--- @field private nodes Node[]
+local TreeBuilder = {}
+TreeBuilder.__index = TreeBuilder
+M.TreeBuilder = TreeBuilder
+
+function TreeBuilder.new()
+  local self = setmetatable({ nodes = {} }, TreeBuilder)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- @param nodes Tree
+--- @return TreeBuilder
+function TreeBuilder:put(nodes)
+  table.insert(self.nodes, nodes)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- @param name string
+--- @param attributes? table<string, any>
+--- @param children? Node | Node[]
+--- @return TreeBuilder
+function TreeBuilder:put_h(name, attributes, children)
+  local tag = M.h(name, attributes, children)
+  table.insert(self.nodes, tag)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- @param fn fun(TreeBuilder): any
+--- @return TreeBuilder
+function TreeBuilder:nest(fn)
+  local nested_writer = TreeBuilder.new()
+  fn(nested_writer)
+  table.insert(self.nodes, nested_writer.nodes)
+  return self
+end
+
+--- @return Tree
+function TreeBuilder:tree() return self.nodes end
+
+return M
diff --git a/lua/u/tracker.lua b/lua/u/tracker.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb13659
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/u/tracker.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,294 @@
+local M = {}
+
+M.debug = false
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- class Signal
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+--- @class Signal
+--- @field name? string
+--- @field private changing boolean
+--- @field private value any
+--- @field private subscribers table<function, boolean>
+--- @field private on_dispose_callbacks function[]
+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 = {},
+    on_dispose_callbacks = {},
+  }, self)
+  return obj
+end
+
+--- @param value any
+function Signal:set(value)
+  self.value = value
+
+  -- We don't handle cyclic updates:
+  if self.changing then
+    if M.debug then
+      vim.notify('circular dependency detected' .. (self.name and (' in ' .. self.name) or ''), vim.log.levels.WARN)
+    end
+    return
+  end
+
+  local prev_changing = self.changing
+  self.changing = true
+  local ok = true
+  local err = nil
+  for _, cb in ipairs(self.subscribers) do
+    local ok2, err2 = pcall(cb, value)
+    if not ok2 then
+      ok = false
+      err = err or err2
+    end
+  end
+  self.changing = prev_changing
+
+  if not ok then
+    vim.notify(
+      'error notifying' .. (self.name and (' in ' .. self.name) or '') .. ': ' .. tostring(err),
+      vim.log.levels.WARN
+    )
+    error(err)
+  end
+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
+
+--- @generic U
+--- @param fn fun(value: T): U
+--- @return Signal --<U>
+function Signal:map(fn)
+  local mapped_signal = M.create_memo(function()
+    local value = self:get()
+    return fn(value)
+  end, self.name and self.name .. ':mapped' or nil)
+  return mapped_signal
+end
+
+--- @return Signal
+function Signal:clone()
+  return self:map(function(x) return x end)
+end
+
+--- @param fn fun(value: T): boolean
+--- @return Signal -- <T>
+function Signal:filter(fn)
+  local filtered_signal = M.create_signal(nil, self.name and self.name .. ':filtered' or nil)
+  local unsubscribe_from_self = self:subscribe(function(value)
+    if fn(value) then filtered_signal:set(value) end
+  end)
+  filtered_signal:on_dispose(unsubscribe_from_self)
+  return filtered_signal
+end
+
+--- @param ms number
+--- @return Signal -- <T>
+function Signal:debounce(ms)
+  local function set_timeout(timeout, callback)
+    local timer = (vim.uv or vim.loop).new_timer()
+    timer:start(timeout, 0, function()
+      timer:stop()
+      timer:close()
+      callback()
+    end)
+    return timer
+  end
+
+  local filtered = M.create_signal(self.value, self.name and self.name .. ':debounced' or nil)
+
+  --- @type {
+  --   queued: { value: T, ts: number }[]
+  --   timer?: uv_timer_t
+  -- }
+  local state = { queued = {}, timer = nil }
+  local function clear_timeout()
+    if state.timer == nil then return end
+    pcall(function()
+      state.timer:stop()
+      state.timer:close()
+    end)
+    state.timer = nil
+  end
+
+  local unsubscribe_from_self = self:subscribe(function(value)
+    -- Stop any previously running timer:
+    if state.timer then clear_timeout() end
+    local now_ms = (vim.uv or vim.loop).hrtime() / 1e6
+
+    -- If there is anything older than `ms` in our queue, emit it:
+    local older_than_ms = vim.iter(state.queued):filter(function(item) return now_ms - item.ts > ms end):totable()
+    local last_older_than_ms = older_than_ms[#older_than_ms]
+    if last_older_than_ms then
+      filtered:set(last_older_than_ms.value)
+      state.queued = {}
+    end
+
+    -- overwrite anything young enough
+    table.insert(state.queued, { value = value, ts = now_ms })
+    state.timer = set_timeout(ms, function()
+      vim.schedule(function() filtered:set(value) end)
+      -- If a timer was allowed to run to completion, that means that no other
+      -- item has been queued, since the timer is reset every time a new item
+      -- comes in. This means we can reset the queue
+      clear_timeout()
+      state.queued = {}
+    end)
+  end)
+  filtered:on_dispose(unsubscribe_from_self)
+
+  return filtered
+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:on_dispose(callback) table.insert(self.on_dispose_callbacks, callback) 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 = {}
+  for _, callback in ipairs(self.on_dispose_callbacks) do
+    callback()
+  end
+end
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- class ExecutionContext
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+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
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- Helpers
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+--- @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)
+  --- @type Signal
+  local result
+  local unsubscribe = 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)
+  result:on_dispose(unsubscribe)
+  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=' .. 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/spec/tracker_spec.lua b/spec/tracker_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5da1a85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/tracker_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,206 @@
+local tracker = require 'u.tracker'
+local Signal = tracker.Signal
+local ExecutionContext = tracker.ExecutionContext
+
+describe('Signal', function()
+  local signal
+
+  before_each(function() signal = Signal:new(0, 'testSignal') end)
+
+  it('should initialize with correct parameters', function()
+    assert.is.equal(signal.value, 0)
+    assert.is.equal(signal.name, 'testSignal')
+    assert.is.not_nil(signal.subscribers)
+    assert.is.equal(#signal.subscribers, 0)
+    assert.is.equal(signal.changing, false)
+  end)
+
+  it('should set new value and notify subscribers', function()
+    local called = false
+    signal:subscribe(function(value)
+      called = true
+      assert.is.equal(value, 42)
+    end)
+
+    signal:set(42)
+    assert.is.equal(called, true)
+  end)
+
+  it('should not notify subscribers during circular dependency', function()
+    signal.changing = true
+    local notified = false
+
+    signal:subscribe(function() notified = true end)
+
+    signal:set(42)
+    assert.is.equal(notified, false) -- No notification should occur
+  end)
+
+  it('should get current value', function()
+    signal:set(100)
+    assert.is.equal(signal:get(), 100)
+  end)
+
+  it('should update value with function', function()
+    signal:set(10)
+    signal:update(function(value) return value * 2 end)
+    assert.is.equal(signal:get(), 20)
+  end)
+
+  it('should dispose subscribers', function()
+    local called = false
+    local unsubscribe = signal:subscribe(function() called = true end)
+
+    unsubscribe()
+    signal:set(10)
+    assert.is.equal(called, false) -- Should not be notified
+  end)
+
+  describe('Signal:map', function()
+    it('should transform the signal value', function()
+      local signal = Signal:new(5)
+      local mapped_signal = signal:map(function(value) return value * 2 end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(mapped_signal:get(), 10) -- Initial transformation
+      signal:set(10)
+      assert.is.equal(mapped_signal:get(), 20) -- Updated transformation
+    end)
+
+    it('should handle empty transformations', function()
+      local signal = Signal:new(nil)
+      local mapped_signal = signal:map(function(value) return value or 'default' end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(mapped_signal:get(), 'default') -- Return default
+      signal:set 'new value'
+      assert.is.equal(mapped_signal:get(), 'new value') -- Return new value
+    end)
+  end)
+
+  describe('Signal:filter', function()
+    it('should only emit values that pass the filter', function()
+      local signal = Signal:new(5)
+      local filtered_signal = signal:filter(function(value) return value > 10 end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(filtered_signal:get(), nil) -- Initial value should not pass
+      signal:set(15)
+      assert.is.equal(filtered_signal:get(), 15) -- Now filtered
+      signal:set(8)
+      assert.is.equal(filtered_signal:get(), 15) -- Does not pass the filter
+    end)
+
+    it('should handle empty initial values', function()
+      local signal = Signal:new(nil)
+      local filtered_signal = signal:filter(function(value) return value ~= nil end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(filtered_signal:get(), nil) -- Should be nil
+      signal:set(10)
+      assert.is.equal(filtered_signal:get(), 10) -- Should pass now
+    end)
+  end)
+
+  describe('create_memo', function()
+    it('should compute a derived value and update when dependencies change', function()
+      local signal = Signal:new(2)
+      local memoized_signal = tracker.create_memo(function() return signal:get() * 2 end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(memoized_signal:get(), 4) -- Initially compute 2 * 2
+
+      signal:set(3)
+      assert.is.equal(memoized_signal:get(), 6) -- Update to 3 * 2 = 6
+
+      signal:set(5)
+      assert.is.equal(memoized_signal:get(), 10) -- Update to 5 * 2 = 10
+    end)
+
+    it('should not recompute if the dependencies do not change', function()
+      local call_count = 0
+      local signal = Signal:new(10)
+      local memoized_signal = tracker.create_memo(function()
+        call_count = call_count + 1
+        return signal:get() + 1
+      end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(memoized_signal:get(), 11) -- Compute first value
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 1) -- Should compute once
+
+      memoized_signal:get() -- Call again, should use memoized value
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 1) -- Still should only be one call
+
+      signal:set(10) -- Set the same value
+      assert.is.equal(memoized_signal:get(), 11)
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 2)
+
+      signal:set(20)
+      assert.is.equal(memoized_signal:get(), 21)
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 3)
+    end)
+  end)
+
+  describe('create_effect', function()
+    it('should track changes and execute callback', function()
+      local signal = Signal:new(5)
+      local call_count = 0
+
+      tracker.create_effect(function()
+        signal:get() -- track as a dependency
+        call_count = call_count + 1
+      end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 1)
+      signal:set(10)
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 2)
+    end)
+
+    it('should clean up signals and not call after dispose', function()
+      local signal = Signal:new(5)
+      local call_count = 0
+
+      local unsubscribe = tracker.create_effect(function()
+        call_count = call_count + 1
+        return signal:get() * 2
+      end)
+
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 1) -- Initially calls
+      unsubscribe() -- Unsubscribe the effect
+      signal:set(10) -- Update signal value
+      assert.is.equal(call_count, 1) -- Callback should not be called again
+    end)
+  end)
+end)
+
+describe('ExecutionContext', function()
+  local context
+
+  before_each(function() context = ExecutionContext:new() end)
+
+  it('should initialize a new context', function()
+    assert.is.table(context.signals)
+    assert.is.table(context.subscribers)
+  end)
+
+  it('should track signals', function()
+    local signal = Signal:new(0)
+    context:track(signal)
+
+    assert.is.equal(next(context.signals), signal) -- Check if signal is tracked
+  end)
+
+  it('should subscribe to signals', function()
+    local signal = Signal:new(0)
+    local callback_called = false
+
+    context:track(signal)
+    context:subscribe(function() callback_called = true end)
+
+    signal:set(100)
+    assert.is.equal(callback_called, true) -- Callback should be called
+  end)
+
+  it('should dispose tracked signals', function()
+    local signal = Signal:new(0)
+    context:track(signal)
+
+    context:dispose()
+    assert.is.falsy(next(context.signals)) -- Should not have any tracked signals
+  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)