diff --git a/advent.tlv b/advent.tlv
index 61cf3d9..5a7f5be 100644
--- a/advent.tlv
+++ b/advent.tlv
@@ -1,253 +1,200 @@
-teliva_program = {
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    norm = [==[
-function norm()
-  window:attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    bold = [==[
-function bold()
-  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    rv = [==[
-function rv()
-  window:attron(curses.A_REVERSE)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    color = [==[
-function color(i)
-  window:attron(curses.color_pair(i))
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    abbreviations = [==[
-clear = curses.clear
-refresh = curses.refresh
-getch = curses.getch
-addch = curses.addch
-mvaddch = curses.mvaddch
-pr = curses.addstr
-mpr = curses.mvaddstr
-str = tostring
-num = tonumber
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    str_helpers = [==[
--- some string helpers from http://lua-users.org/wiki/StringIndexing
-
--- index characters using []
-getmetatable('').__index = function(str,i)
-  if type(i) == 'number' then
-    return string.sub(str,i,i)
-  else
-    return string[i]
-  end
-end
-
--- ranges using (), selected bytes using {}
-getmetatable('').__call = function(str,i,j)
-  if type(i)~='table' then
-    return string.sub(str,i,j)
-  else
-    local t={}
-    for k,v in ipairs(i) do
-      t[k]=string.sub(str,v,v)
-    end
-    return table.concat(t)
-  end
-end
-
--- iterate over an ordered sequence
-function q(x)
-  if type(x) == 'string' then
-    return x:gmatch('.')
-  else
-    return ipairs(x)
-  end
-end
-
--- TODO: backport utf-8 support from Lua 5.3
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    prn = [==[
--- functional form of 'print'
--- use this in map/reduce/filter
-function prn(...)
-  print(unpack(arg))
-  return arg[1]
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    add = [==[
-add = table.insert]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    map = [==[
--- only for arrays
-function map(l, f)
-  result = {}
-  for _, x in q(l) do
-    add(result, f(x))
-  end
-  return result
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    reduce = [==[
--- only for arrays
-function reduce(l, f, init)
-  result = init
-  for _, x in q(l) do
-    result = f(result, x)
-  end
-  return result
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    filter = [==[
--- only for arrays
-function filter(l, f)
-  result = {}
-  for _, x in q(l) do
-    if f(x) then
-      add(result, x)
-    end
-  end
-  return result
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    find_index = [==[
-function find_index(arr, x)
-  for n, y in q(arr) do
-    if x == y then
-      return n
-    end
-  end
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    trim = [==[
-function trim(s)
-  return s:gsub('^%s*', ''):gsub('%s*$', '')
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    split = [==[
-function split(s, d)
-  result = {}
-  for match in (s..d):gmatch("(.-)"..d) do
-    add(result, match);
-  end
-  return result
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    window = [==[
-window = curses.stdscr()]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render = [==[
-function render(window)
-  clear()
-  -- draw stuff to screen here
-  for line in io.lines("input") do
-    pr(line)
-    pr("\n")
-  end
-  refresh()
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    menu = [==[
-menu = {}]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    update = [==[
-function update(window)
-  local key = curses.getch()
-  -- process key here
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    init_colors = [==[
-function init_colors()
-  for i=0,7 do
-    curses.init_pair(i, i, -1)
-  end
-  curses.init_pair(8, 7, 0)
-  curses.init_pair(9, 7, 1)
-  curses.init_pair(10, 7, 2)
-  curses.init_pair(11, 7, 3)
-  curses.init_pair(12, 7, 4)
-  curses.init_pair(13, 7, 5)
-  curses.init_pair(14, 7, 6)
-  curses.init_pair(15, -1, 15)
-  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    main = [==[
-function main()
-  init_colors()
-
-  while true do
-    render(window)
-    update(window)
-  end
-end
-]==],
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-  },
-}
+# .tlv file generated by https://github.com/akkartik/teliva
+# You may edit it if you are careful; however, you may see cryptic errors if you
+# violate Teliva's assumptions.
+#
+# .tlv files are representations of Teliva programs. Teliva programs consist of
+# sequences of definitions. Each definition is a table of key/value pairs. Keys
+# and values are both strings.
+#
+# Lines in .tlv files always follow exactly one of the following forms:
+# - comment lines at the top of the file starting with '#' at column 0
+# - beginnings of definitions starting with '- ' at column 0, followed by a
+#   key/value pair
+# - key/value pairs consisting of '  ' at column 0, containing either a
+#   spaceless value on the same line, or a multi-line value
+# - multiline values indented by more than 2 spaces, starting with a '>'
+#
+# If these constraints are violated, Teliva may unceremoniously crash. Please
+# report bugs at http://akkartik.name/contact
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  norm:
+    >function norm()
+    >  window:attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  bold:
+    >function bold()
+    >  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  rv:
+    >function rv()
+    >  window:attron(curses.A_REVERSE)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  color:
+    >function color(i)
+    >  window:attron(curses.color_pair(i))
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  abbreviations:
+    >clear = curses.clear
+    >refresh = curses.refresh
+    >getch = curses.getch
+    >addch = curses.addch
+    >mvaddch = curses.mvaddch
+    >pr = curses.addstr
+    >mpr = curses.mvaddstr
+    >str = tostring
+    >num = tonumber
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  str_helpers:
+    >-- some string helpers from http://lua-users.org/wiki/StringIndexing
+    >
+    >-- index characters using []
+    >getmetatable('').__index = function(str,i)
+    >  if type(i) == 'number' then
+    >    return string.sub(str,i,i)
+    >  else
+    >    return string[i]
+    >  end
+    >end
+    >
+    >-- ranges using (), selected bytes using {}
+    >getmetatable('').__call = function(str,i,j)
+    >  if type(i)~='table' then
+    >    return string.sub(str,i,j)
+    >  else
+    >    local t={}
+    >    for k,v in ipairs(i) do
+    >      t[k]=string.sub(str,v,v)
+    >    end
+    >    return table.concat(t)
+    >  end
+    >end
+    >
+    >-- iterate over an ordered sequence
+    >function q(x)
+    >  if type(x) == 'string' then
+    >    return x:gmatch('.')
+    >  else
+    >    return ipairs(x)
+    >  end
+    >end
+    >
+    >-- TODO: backport utf-8 support from Lua 5.3
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  prn:
+    >-- functional form of 'print'
+    >-- use this in map/reduce/filter
+    >function prn(...)
+    >  print(unpack(arg))
+    >  return arg[1]
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  add:
+    >add = table.insert
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  map:
+    >-- only for arrays
+    >function map(l, f)
+    >  result = {}
+    >  for _, x in q(l) do
+    >    add(result, f(x))
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  reduce:
+    >-- only for arrays
+    >function reduce(l, f, init)
+    >  result = init
+    >  for _, x in q(l) do
+    >    result = f(result, x)
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  filter:
+    >-- only for arrays
+    >function filter(l, f)
+    >  result = {}
+    >  for _, x in q(l) do
+    >    if f(x) then
+    >      add(result, x)
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  find_index:
+    >function find_index(arr, x)
+    >  for n, y in q(arr) do
+    >    if x == y then
+    >      return n
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  trim:
+    >function trim(s)
+    >  return s:gsub('^%s*', ''):gsub('%s*$', '')
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  split:
+    >function split(s, d)
+    >  result = {}
+    >  for match in (s..d):gmatch("(.-)"..d) do
+    >    add(result, match);
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  window:
+    >window = curses.stdscr()
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render:
+    >function render(window)
+    >  clear()
+    >  -- draw stuff to screen here
+    >  for line in io.lines("input") do
+    >    pr(line)
+    >    pr("\n")
+    >  end
+    >  refresh()
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  menu:
+    >menu = {}
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  update:
+    >function update(window)
+    >  local key = curses.getch()
+    >  -- process key here
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  init_colors:
+    >function init_colors()
+    >  for i=0,7 do
+    >    curses.init_pair(i, i, -1)
+    >  end
+    >  curses.init_pair(8, 7, 0)
+    >  curses.init_pair(9, 7, 1)
+    >  curses.init_pair(10, 7, 2)
+    >  curses.init_pair(11, 7, 3)
+    >  curses.init_pair(12, 7, 4)
+    >  curses.init_pair(13, 7, 5)
+    >  curses.init_pair(14, 7, 6)
+    >  curses.init_pair(15, -1, 15)
+    >  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
+    >end
+- main:
+    >function main()
+    >  init_colors()
+    >
+    >  while true do
+    >    render(window)
+    >    update(window)
+    >  end
+    >end
+  __teliva_timestamp: original
diff --git a/chesstv.tlv b/chesstv.tlv
index e64b3e2..36b1a7e 100644
--- a/chesstv.tlv
+++ b/chesstv.tlv
@@ -1,298 +1,263 @@
-teliva_program = {
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    window = [==[
-window = curses.stdscr()
--- animation-based app
-window:nodelay(true)
-lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    current_game = [==[
-current_game = {}]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    piece_glyph = [==[
-piece_glyph = {
-  -- for legibility, white pieces also use unicode glyphs for black pieces
-  -- we rely on colors to distinguish them
-  K = 0x265a,
-  Q = 0x265b,
-  R = 0x265c,
-  B = 0x265d,
-  N = 0x265e,
-  P = 0x265f,
-  k = 0x265a,
-  q = 0x265b,
-  r = 0x265c,
-  b = 0x265d,
-  n = 0x265e,
-  p = 0x265f,
-}]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    top_player = [==[
-function top_player(current_game)
-  if current_game.players[1].color == "black" then
-    return current_game.players[1]
-  end
-  return current_game.players[2]
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    bottom_player = [==[
-function bottom_player(current_game)
-  if current_game.players[1].color == "white" then
-    return current_game.players[1]
-  end
-  return current_game.players[2]
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render_player = [==[
-function render_player(y, x, player)
-  curses.mvaddstr(y, x, player.user.name)
-  curses.addstr(" · ")
-  curses.addstr(tostring(player.rating))
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render_square = [==[
-function render_square(current_game, rank, file, highlighted_squares)
-  -- decide whether to highlight
-  local hl = 0
-  if (rank == highlighted_squares.from.rank and file == highlighted_squares.from.file)
-      or (rank == highlighted_squares.to.rank and file == highlighted_squares.to.file) then
-    hl = 4
-  end
-  if (rank+file)%2 == 1 then
-    -- light square
-    curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(1+hl))
-  else
-    -- dark square
-    curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(3+hl))
-  end
-  curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3,   file*5, "     ")
-  curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3+1, file*5, "     ")
-  curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3+2, file*5, "     ")
-  curses.attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render_fen_rank = [==[
-function render_fen_rank(rank, fen_rank, highlighted_squares)
-  local file = 1
-  for x in fen_rank:gmatch(".") do
-    if x:match("%d") then
-      file = file + tonumber(x)
-    else
-      -- decide whether to highlight
-      local hl = 0
-      if (rank == highlighted_squares.from.rank and file == highlighted_squares.from.file)
-          or (rank == highlighted_squares.to.rank and file == highlighted_squares.to.file) then
-        hl = 4
-      end
-      if (rank+file)%2 == 1 then
-        if x < 'Z' then
-          -- white piece on light square
-          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(1+hl))
-        else
-          -- black piece on light square
-          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(2+hl))
-        end
-      else
-        if x < 'Z' then
-          -- white piece on dark square
-          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(3+hl))
-        else
-          -- black piece on dark square
-          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(4+hl))
-        end
-      end
-      curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3+1, file*5+2, utf8(piece_glyph[x]))
-      curses.attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
-      file = file + 1
-    end
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render_time = [==[
-function render_time(y, x, seconds)
-  if seconds == nil then return end
-  curses.mvaddstr(y, x, tostring(math.floor(seconds/60)))
-  curses.addstr(string.format(":%02d", seconds%60))
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render_board = [==[
-function render_board(current_game)
---?   curses.mvaddstr(1, 50, dump(current_game.fen))
---?   curses.mvaddstr(6, 50, dump(current_game.previously_moved_squares))
-  render_player(2, 5, top_player(current_game))
-  render_time(2, 35, current_game.bc)
-  for rank=8,1,-1 do
-    for file=1,8 do
-      render_square(current_game, rank, file, current_game.previously_moved_squares)
-    end
-    render_fen_rank(rank, current_game.fen_rank[8-rank+1], current_game.previously_moved_squares)
-  end
-  render_player(27, 5, bottom_player(current_game))
-  render_time(27, 35, current_game.wc)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    parse_lm = [==[
-function parse_lm(move)
---?   curses.mvaddstr(4, 50, move)
-  local file1 = string.byte(move:sub(1, 1)) - 96  -- 'a'-1
-  local rank1 = string.byte(move:sub(2, 2)) - 48  -- '0'
-  local file2 = string.byte(move:sub(3, 3)) - 96  -- 'a'-1
-  local rank2 = string.byte(move:sub(4, 4)) - 48  -- '0'
---?   curses.mvaddstr(5, 50, dump({{rank1, file1}, {rank2, file2}}))
-  return {from={rank=rank1, file=file1}, to={rank=rank2, file=file2}}
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render = [==[
-function render(chunk)
-  local o = json.decode(chunk)
-  if o.t == "featured" then
-    current_game = o.d
---?     current_game.lm = "__"
-    current_game.previously_moved_squares = {from={rank=0, file=0}, to={rank=0, file=0}}  -- no highlight
-  else
-    current_game.fen = o.d.fen
-    current_game.wc = o.d.wc
-    current_game.bc = o.d.bc
---?     current_game.lm = o.d.lm
-    current_game.previously_moved_squares = parse_lm(o.d.lm)
---?     window:nodelay(false)
---?     curses.mvaddstr(3, 50, "paused")
-  end
-  current_game.fen_rank = split(current_game.fen, "%w+")
-  render_board(current_game)
-  curses.refresh()
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    init_colors = [==[
-function init_colors()
-  -- colors
-  local light_piece = 1
-  local dark_piece = 0
-  local light_square = 252
-  local dark_square = 242
-  local light_last_moved_square = 229
-  local dark_last_moved_square = 226
-  -- initialize colors
-  curses.init_pair(1, light_piece, light_square)
-  curses.init_pair(2, dark_piece, light_square)
-  curses.init_pair(3, light_piece, dark_square)
-  curses.init_pair(4, dark_piece, dark_square)
-  curses.init_pair(5, light_piece, light_last_moved_square)
-  curses.init_pair(6, dark_piece, light_last_moved_square)
-  curses.init_pair(7, light_piece, dark_last_moved_square)
-  curses.init_pair(8, dark_piece, dark_last_moved_square)
-  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    main = [==[
-function main()
-  init_colors()
-  local request = {
-    url = "https://lichess.org/api/tv/feed",
-    sink = function(chunk, err)
-             if chunk then
-               curses.clear()
-               render(chunk)
-               curses.getch()
-             end
-             return 1
-           end,
-  }
-  http.request(request)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    utf8 = [==[
--- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7983574/how-to-write-a-unicode-symbol-in-lua
-function utf8(decimal)
-  local bytemarkers = { {0x7FF,192}, {0xFFFF,224}, {0x1FFFFF,240} }
-  if decimal<128 then return string.char(decimal) end
-  local charbytes = {}
-  for bytes,vals in ipairs(bytemarkers) do
-    if decimal<=vals[1] then
-      for b=bytes+1,2,-1 do
-        local mod = decimal%64
-        decimal = (decimal-mod)/64
-        charbytes[b] = string.char(128+mod)
-      end
-      charbytes[1] = string.char(vals[2]+decimal)
-      break
-    end
-  end
-  return table.concat(charbytes)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    split = [==[
-function split(s, pat)
-  result = {}
-  for x in s:gmatch(pat) do
-    table.insert(result, x)
-  end
-  return result
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    dump = [==[
--- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9168058/how-to-dump-a-table-to-console
-function dump(o)
-  if type(o) == 'table' then
-    local s = '{ '
-    for k,v in pairs(o) do
-      if type(k) ~= 'number' then k = '"'..k..'"' end
-      s = s .. '['..k..'] = ' .. dump(v) .. ','
-    end
-    return s .. '} '
-  else
-    return tostring(o)
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-}
+# .tlv file generated by https://github.com/akkartik/teliva
+# You may edit it if you are careful; however, you may see cryptic errors if you
+# violate Teliva's assumptions.
+#
+# .tlv files are representations of Teliva programs. Teliva programs consist of
+# sequences of definitions. Each definition is a table of key/value pairs. Keys
+# and values are both strings.
+#
+# Lines in .tlv files always follow exactly one of the following forms:
+# - comment lines at the top of the file starting with '#' at column 0
+# - beginnings of definitions starting with '- ' at column 0, followed by a
+#   key/value pair
+# - key/value pairs consisting of '  ' at column 0, containing either a
+#   spaceless value on the same line, or a multi-line value
+# - multiline values indented by more than 2 spaces, starting with a '>'
+#
+# If these constraints are violated, Teliva may unceremoniously crash. Please
+# report bugs at http://akkartik.name/contact
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  window:
+    >window = curses.stdscr()
+    >-- animation-based app
+    >window:nodelay(true)
+    >lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  current_game:
+    >current_game = {}
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  piece_glyph:
+    >piece_glyph = {
+    >  -- for legibility, white pieces also use unicode glyphs for black pieces
+    >  -- we rely on colors to distinguish them
+    >  K = 0x265a,
+    >  Q = 0x265b,
+    >  R = 0x265c,
+    >  B = 0x265d,
+    >  N = 0x265e,
+    >  P = 0x265f,
+    >  k = 0x265a,
+    >  q = 0x265b,
+    >  r = 0x265c,
+    >  b = 0x265d,
+    >  n = 0x265e,
+    >  p = 0x265f,
+    >}
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  top_player:
+    >function top_player(current_game)
+    >  if current_game.players[1].color == "black" then
+    >    return current_game.players[1]
+    >  end
+    >  return current_game.players[2]
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  bottom_player:
+    >function bottom_player(current_game)
+    >  if current_game.players[1].color == "white" then
+    >    return current_game.players[1]
+    >  end
+    >  return current_game.players[2]
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render_player:
+    >function render_player(y, x, player)
+    >  curses.mvaddstr(y, x, player.user.name)
+    >  curses.addstr(" · ")
+    >  curses.addstr(tostring(player.rating))
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render_square:
+    >function render_square(current_game, rank, file, highlighted_squares)
+    >  -- decide whether to highlight
+    >  local hl = 0
+    >  if (rank == highlighted_squares.from.rank and file == highlighted_squares.from.file)
+    >      or (rank == highlighted_squares.to.rank and file == highlighted_squares.to.file) then
+    >    hl = 4
+    >  end
+    >  if (rank+file)%2 == 1 then
+    >    -- light square
+    >    curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(1+hl))
+    >  else
+    >    -- dark square
+    >    curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(3+hl))
+    >  end
+    >  curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3,   file*5, "     ")
+    >  curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3+1, file*5, "     ")
+    >  curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3+2, file*5, "     ")
+    >  curses.attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render_fen_rank:
+    >function render_fen_rank(rank, fen_rank, highlighted_squares)
+    >  local file = 1
+    >  for x in fen_rank:gmatch(".") do
+    >    if x:match("%d") then
+    >      file = file + tonumber(x)
+    >    else
+    >      -- decide whether to highlight
+    >      local hl = 0
+    >      if (rank == highlighted_squares.from.rank and file == highlighted_squares.from.file)
+    >          or (rank == highlighted_squares.to.rank and file == highlighted_squares.to.file) then
+    >        hl = 4
+    >      end
+    >      if (rank+file)%2 == 1 then
+    >        if x < 'Z' then
+    >          -- white piece on light square
+    >          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(1+hl))
+    >        else
+    >          -- black piece on light square
+    >          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(2+hl))
+    >        end
+    >      else
+    >        if x < 'Z' then
+    >          -- white piece on dark square
+    >          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(3+hl))
+    >        else
+    >          -- black piece on dark square
+    >          curses.attrset(curses.color_pair(4+hl))
+    >        end
+    >      end
+    >      curses.mvaddstr((8 - rank + 1)*3+1, file*5+2, utf8(piece_glyph[x]))
+    >      curses.attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
+    >      file = file + 1
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render_time:
+    >function render_time(y, x, seconds)
+    >  if seconds == nil then return end
+    >  curses.mvaddstr(y, x, tostring(math.floor(seconds/60)))
+    >  curses.addstr(string.format(":%02d", seconds%60))
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render_board:
+    >function render_board(current_game)
+    >--?   curses.mvaddstr(1, 50, dump(current_game.fen))
+    >--?   curses.mvaddstr(6, 50, dump(current_game.previously_moved_squares))
+    >  render_player(2, 5, top_player(current_game))
+    >  render_time(2, 35, current_game.bc)
+    >  for rank=8,1,-1 do
+    >    for file=1,8 do
+    >      render_square(current_game, rank, file, current_game.previously_moved_squares)
+    >    end
+    >    render_fen_rank(rank, current_game.fen_rank[8-rank+1], current_game.previously_moved_squares)
+    >  end
+    >  render_player(27, 5, bottom_player(current_game))
+    >  render_time(27, 35, current_game.wc)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  parse_lm:
+    >function parse_lm(move)
+    >--?   curses.mvaddstr(4, 50, move)
+    >  local file1 = string.byte(move:sub(1, 1)) - 96  -- 'a'-1
+    >  local rank1 = string.byte(move:sub(2, 2)) - 48  -- '0'
+    >  local file2 = string.byte(move:sub(3, 3)) - 96  -- 'a'-1
+    >  local rank2 = string.byte(move:sub(4, 4)) - 48  -- '0'
+    >--?   curses.mvaddstr(5, 50, dump({{rank1, file1}, {rank2, file2}}))
+    >  return {from={rank=rank1, file=file1}, to={rank=rank2, file=file2}}
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render:
+    >function render(chunk)
+    >  local o = json.decode(chunk)
+    >  if o.t == "featured" then
+    >    current_game = o.d
+    >--?     current_game.lm = "__"
+    >    current_game.previously_moved_squares = {from={rank=0, file=0}, to={rank=0, file=0}}  -- no highlight
+    >  else
+    >    current_game.fen = o.d.fen
+    >    current_game.wc = o.d.wc
+    >    current_game.bc = o.d.bc
+    >--?     current_game.lm = o.d.lm
+    >    current_game.previously_moved_squares = parse_lm(o.d.lm)
+    >--?     window:nodelay(false)
+    >--?     curses.mvaddstr(3, 50, "paused")
+    >  end
+    >  current_game.fen_rank = split(current_game.fen, "%w+")
+    >  render_board(current_game)
+    >  curses.refresh()
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  init_colors:
+    >function init_colors()
+    >  -- colors
+    >  local light_piece = 1
+    >  local dark_piece = 0
+    >  local light_square = 252
+    >  local dark_square = 242
+    >  local light_last_moved_square = 229
+    >  local dark_last_moved_square = 226
+    >  -- initialize colors
+    >  curses.init_pair(1, light_piece, light_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(2, dark_piece, light_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(3, light_piece, dark_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(4, dark_piece, dark_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(5, light_piece, light_last_moved_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(6, dark_piece, light_last_moved_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(7, light_piece, dark_last_moved_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(8, dark_piece, dark_last_moved_square)
+    >  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  main:
+    >function main()
+    >  init_colors()
+    >  local request = {
+    >    url = "https://lichess.org/api/tv/feed",
+    >    sink = function(chunk, err)
+    >             if chunk then
+    >               curses.clear()
+    >               render(chunk)
+    >               curses.getch()
+    >             end
+    >             return 1
+    >           end,
+    >  }
+    >  http.request(request)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  utf8:
+    >-- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7983574/how-to-write-a-unicode-symbol-in-lua
+    >function utf8(decimal)
+    >  local bytemarkers = { {0x7FF,192}, {0xFFFF,224}, {0x1FFFFF,240} }
+    >  if decimal<128 then return string.char(decimal) end
+    >  local charbytes = {}
+    >  for bytes,vals in ipairs(bytemarkers) do
+    >    if decimal<=vals[1] then
+    >      for b=bytes+1,2,-1 do
+    >        local mod = decimal%64
+    >        decimal = (decimal-mod)/64
+    >        charbytes[b] = string.char(128+mod)
+    >      end
+    >      charbytes[1] = string.char(vals[2]+decimal)
+    >      break
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >  return table.concat(charbytes)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  split:
+    >function split(s, pat)
+    >  result = {}
+    >  for x in s:gmatch(pat) do
+    >    table.insert(result, x)
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  dump:
+    >-- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9168058/how-to-dump-a-table-to-console
+    >function dump(o)
+    >  if type(o) == 'table' then
+    >    local s = '{ '
+    >    for k,v in pairs(o) do
+    >      if type(k) ~= 'number' then k = '"'..k..'"' end
+    >      s = s .. '['..k..'] = ' .. dump(v) .. ','
+    >    end
+    >    return s .. '} '
+    >  else
+    >    return tostring(o)
+    >  end
+    >end
diff --git a/counter.tlv b/counter.tlv
index 0c16d75..a4b41a5 100644
--- a/counter.tlv
+++ b/counter.tlv
@@ -1,62 +1,61 @@
-teliva_program = {
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    window = [==[
-window = curses.stdscr()]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    n = [==[
-n = 0]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render = [==[
-function render(window)
-  window:clear()
-  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
-  window:attron(curses.color_pair(6))
-  window:mvaddstr(10, 10, "     ")
-  window:mvaddstr(10, 11, n)
-  window:attroff(curses.color_pair(6))
-  window:attroff(curses.A_BOLD)
-  curses.refresh()
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    menu = [==[
-menu = {Enter="increment"}]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    update = [==[
-function update(window)
-  local key = curses.getch()
-  if key == 10 then
-    n = n+1
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    main = [==[
-function main()
-  for i=1,7 do
-    curses.init_pair(i, 0, i)
-  end
-  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
-
-  while true do
-    render(window)
-    update(window)
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-}
+# .tlv file generated by https://github.com/akkartik/teliva
+# You may edit it if you are careful; however, you may see cryptic errors if you
+# violate Teliva's assumptions.
+#
+# .tlv files are representations of Teliva programs. Teliva programs consist of
+# sequences of definitions. Each definition is a table of key/value pairs. Keys
+# and values are both strings.
+#
+# Lines in .tlv files always follow exactly one of the following forms:
+# - comment lines at the top of the file starting with '#' at column 0
+# - beginnings of definitions starting with '- ' at column 0, followed by a
+#   key/value pair
+# - key/value pairs consisting of '  ' at column 0, containing either a
+#   spaceless value on the same line, or a multi-line value
+# - multiline values indented by more than 2 spaces, starting with a '>'
+#
+# If these constraints are violated, Teliva may unceremoniously crash. Please
+# report bugs at http://akkartik.name/contact
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  window:
+    >window = curses.stdscr()
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  n:
+    >n = 0
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render:
+    >function render(window)
+    >  window:clear()
+    >  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
+    >  window:attron(curses.color_pair(6))
+    >  window:mvaddstr(10, 10, "     ")
+    >  window:mvaddstr(10, 11, n)
+    >  window:attroff(curses.color_pair(6))
+    >  window:attroff(curses.A_BOLD)
+    >  curses.refresh()
+    >end
+  __teliva_note: foo
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  menu:
+    >menu = {Enter="increment"}
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  update:
+    >function update(window)
+    >  local key = curses.getch()
+    >  if key == 10 then
+    >    n = n+1
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  main:
+    >function main()
+    >  for i=1,7 do
+    >    curses.init_pair(i, 0, i)
+    >  end
+    >  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
+    >
+    >  while true do
+    >    render(window)
+    >    update(window)
+    >  end
+    >end
diff --git a/hanoi.tlv b/hanoi.tlv
index 23ac9d5..79326da 100644
--- a/hanoi.tlv
+++ b/hanoi.tlv
@@ -1,144 +1,123 @@
-teliva_program = {
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render = [==[
-function render(window)
-  window:clear()
-  local lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
-  local line = math.floor(lines/2)
-  local col = math.floor(cols/4)
-  for i,t in ipairs(tower) do
-    render_tower(window, line, i*col, i, t)
-  end
-  curses.refresh()
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    lines = [==[
-function lines(window)
-  local lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
-  return lines
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    pop = [==[
-function pop(array)
-  return table.remove(array)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    window = [==[
-window = curses.stdscr()]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render_tower = [==[
-function render_tower(window, line, col, tower_index, tower)
-  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
-  window:mvaddch(line+2, col, string.char(96+tower_index))
-  window:attroff(curses.A_BOLD)
-  window:attron(curses.color_pair(15))
-  window:mvaddstr(line+1, col-6, "              ")
-  window:attroff(curses.color_pair(15))
-  for i, n in ipairs(tower) do
-    render_disk(window, line, col, n)
-    line = line - 1
-  end
-  for i=1,5-len(tower)+1 do
-    window:attron(curses.color_pair(15))
-    window:mvaddstr(line, col, "  ")
-    window:attroff(curses.color_pair(15))
-    line = line - 1
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    tower = [==[
-tower = {{6, 5, 4, 3, 2}, {}, {}}]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render_disk = [==[
-function render_disk(window, line, col, size)
-  col = col-size+1
-  for i=1,size do
-    window:attron(curses.color_pair(size))
-    window:mvaddstr(line, col, "  ")
-    window:attroff(curses.color_pair(size))
-    col = col+2
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    main = [==[
-function main()
-  curses.assume_default_colors(250, 139)
-  for i=1,7 do
-    curses.init_pair(i, 0, i)
-  end
-  curses.init_pair(15, 0, 250)  -- tower frames
-  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
-
-  while true do
-    render(window)
-    update(window)
-  end
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    len = [==[
-function len(array)
-  local result = 0
-  for k in pairs(array) do
-    result = result+1
-  end
-  return result
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    update = [==[
-function update(window)
-  window:mvaddstr(lines(window)-2, 5, "tower to remove top disk from? ")
-  local from = curses.getch() - 96
-  window:mvaddstr(lines(window)-1, 5, "tower to stack it on? ")
-  local to = curses.getch() - 96
-  make_move(from, to)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    make_move = [==[
-function make_move(from, to)
-  local disk = pop(tower[from])
-  table.insert(tower[to], disk)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    cols = [==[
-function cols(window)
-  local lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
-  return cols
-end]==],
-  },
-}
+# .tlv file generated by https://github.com/akkartik/teliva
+# You may edit it if you are careful; however, you may see cryptic errors if you
+# violate Teliva's assumptions.
+#
+# .tlv files are representations of Teliva programs. Teliva programs consist of
+# sequences of definitions. Each definition is a table of key/value pairs. Keys
+# and values are both strings.
+#
+# Lines in .tlv files always follow exactly one of the following forms:
+# - comment lines at the top of the file starting with '#' at column 0
+# - beginnings of definitions starting with '- ' at column 0, followed by a
+#   key/value pair
+# - key/value pairs consisting of '  ' at column 0, containing either a
+#   spaceless value on the same line, or a multi-line value
+# - multiline values indented by more than 2 spaces, starting with a '>'
+#
+# If these constraints are violated, Teliva may unceremoniously crash. Please
+# report bugs at http://akkartik.name/contact
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render:
+    >function render(window)
+    >  window:clear()
+    >  local lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
+    >  local line = math.floor(lines/2)
+    >  local col = math.floor(cols/4)
+    >  for i,t in ipairs(tower) do
+    >    render_tower(window, line, i*col, i, t)
+    >  end
+    >  curses.refresh()
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  lines:
+    >function lines(window)
+    >  local lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
+    >  return lines
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  pop:
+    >function pop(array)
+    >  return table.remove(array)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  window:
+    >window = curses.stdscr()
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render_tower:
+    >function render_tower(window, line, col, tower_index, tower)
+    >  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
+    >  window:mvaddch(line+2, col, string.char(96+tower_index))
+    >  window:attroff(curses.A_BOLD)
+    >  window:attron(curses.color_pair(15))
+    >  window:mvaddstr(line+1, col-6, "              ")
+    >  window:attroff(curses.color_pair(15))
+    >  for i, n in ipairs(tower) do
+    >    render_disk(window, line, col, n)
+    >    line = line - 1
+    >  end
+    >  for i=1,5-len(tower)+1 do
+    >    window:attron(curses.color_pair(15))
+    >    window:mvaddstr(line, col, "  ")
+    >    window:attroff(curses.color_pair(15))
+    >    line = line - 1
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  tower:
+    >tower = {{6, 5, 4, 3, 2}, {}, {}}
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render_disk:
+    >function render_disk(window, line, col, size)
+    >  col = col-size+1
+    >  for i=1,size do
+    >    window:attron(curses.color_pair(size))
+    >    window:mvaddstr(line, col, "  ")
+    >    window:attroff(curses.color_pair(size))
+    >    col = col+2
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  main:
+    >function main()
+    >  curses.assume_default_colors(250, 139)
+    >  for i=1,7 do
+    >    curses.init_pair(i, 0, i)
+    >  end
+    >  curses.init_pair(15, 0, 250)  -- tower frames
+    >  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
+    >
+    >  while true do
+    >    render(window)
+    >    update(window)
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  len:
+    >function len(array)
+    >  local result = 0
+    >  for k in pairs(array) do
+    >    result = result+1
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  update:
+    >function update(window)
+    >  window:mvaddstr(lines(window)-2, 5, "tower to remove top disk from? ")
+    >  local from = curses.getch() - 96
+    >  window:mvaddstr(lines(window)-1, 5, "tower to stack it on? ")
+    >  local to = curses.getch() - 96
+    >  make_move(from, to)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  make_move:
+    >function make_move(from, to)
+    >  local disk = pop(tower[from])
+    >  table.insert(tower[to], disk)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  cols:
+    >function cols(window)
+    >  local lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
+    >  return cols
+    >end
diff --git a/life.tlv b/life.tlv
index ba4f1e7..2abfd08 100644
--- a/life.tlv
+++ b/life.tlv
@@ -1,342 +1,308 @@
-teliva_program = {
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    grid = [==[
--- main data structure
-grid = {}
-for i=1,lines*4 do
-  grid[i] = {}
-  for j=1,cols*2 do
-    grid[i][j] = 0
-  end
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    window = [==[
-window = curses.stdscr()
--- animation-based app
-window:nodelay(true)
-lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    grid_char = [==[
--- grab a 4x2 chunk of grid
-function grid_char(line, col)
-  result = {}
-  for l, row in ipairs({unpack(grid, (line-1)*4+1, line*4)}) do
-    result[l] = {unpack(row, (col-1)*2+1, col*2)}
-  end
-  return result
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    print_grid_char = [==[
-function print_grid_char(window, x)
-  result = {}
-  for l, row in ipairs(x) do
-    for c, val in ipairs(row) do
-      window:mvaddstr(l, c, val)
-    end
-  end
-  return result
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    glyph = [==[
--- look up the braille pattern corresponding to a 4x2 chunk of grid
--- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braille_Patterns
--- not obviously programmatic because Unicode added 4x2 after 3x2
-glyph = {
-  0x2800, 0x2801, 0x2802, 0x2803, 0x2804, 0x2805, 0x2806, 0x2807,   0x2840, 0x2841, 0x2842, 0x2843, 0x2844, 0x2845, 0x2846, 0x2847,
-  0x2808, 0x2809, 0x280a, 0x280b, 0x280c, 0x280d, 0x280e, 0x280f,   0x2848, 0x2849, 0x284a, 0x284b, 0x284c, 0x284d, 0x284e, 0x284f,
-  0x2810, 0x2811, 0x2812, 0x2813, 0x2814, 0x2815, 0x2816, 0x2817,   0x2850, 0x2851, 0x2852, 0x2853, 0x2854, 0x2855, 0x2856, 0x2857,
-  0x2818, 0x2819, 0x281a, 0x281b, 0x281c, 0x281d, 0x281e, 0x281f,   0x2858, 0x2859, 0x285a, 0x285b, 0x285c, 0x285d, 0x285e, 0x285f,
-  0x2820, 0x2821, 0x2822, 0x2823, 0x2824, 0x2825, 0x2826, 0x2827,   0x2860, 0x2861, 0x2862, 0x2863, 0x2864, 0x2865, 0x2866, 0x2867,
-  0x2828, 0x2829, 0x282a, 0x282b, 0x282c, 0x282d, 0x282e, 0x282f,   0x2868, 0x2869, 0x286a, 0x286b, 0x286c, 0x286d, 0x286e, 0x286f,
-  0x2830, 0x2831, 0x2832, 0x2833, 0x2834, 0x2835, 0x2836, 0x2837,   0x2870, 0x2871, 0x2872, 0x2873, 0x2874, 0x2875, 0x2876, 0x2877,
-  0x2838, 0x2839, 0x283a, 0x283b, 0x283c, 0x283d, 0x283e, 0x283f,   0x2878, 0x2879, 0x287a, 0x287b, 0x287c, 0x287d, 0x287e, 0x287f,
-
-  0x2880, 0x2881, 0x2882, 0x2883, 0x2884, 0x2885, 0x2886, 0x2887,   0x28c0, 0x28c1, 0x28c2, 0x28c3, 0x28c4, 0x28c5, 0x28c6, 0x28c7,
-  0x2888, 0x2889, 0x288a, 0x288b, 0x288c, 0x288d, 0x288e, 0x288f,   0x28c8, 0x28c9, 0x28ca, 0x28cb, 0x28cc, 0x28cd, 0x28ce, 0x28cf,
-  0x2890, 0x2891, 0x2892, 0x2893, 0x2894, 0x2895, 0x2896, 0x2897,   0x28d0, 0x28d1, 0x28d2, 0x28d3, 0x28d4, 0x28d5, 0x28d6, 0x28d7,
-  0x2898, 0x2899, 0x289a, 0x289b, 0x289c, 0x289d, 0x289e, 0x289f,   0x28d8, 0x28d9, 0x28da, 0x28db, 0x28dc, 0x28dd, 0x28de, 0x28df,
-  0x28a0, 0x28a1, 0x28a2, 0x28a3, 0x28a4, 0x28a5, 0x28a6, 0x28a7,   0x28e0, 0x28e1, 0x28e2, 0x28e3, 0x28e4, 0x28e5, 0x28e6, 0x28e7,
-  0x28a8, 0x28a9, 0x28aa, 0x28ab, 0x28ac, 0x28ad, 0x28ae, 0x28af,   0x28e8, 0x28e9, 0x28ea, 0x28eb, 0x28ec, 0x28ed, 0x28ee, 0x28ef,
-  0x28b0, 0x28b1, 0x28b2, 0x28b3, 0x28b4, 0x28b5, 0x28b6, 0x28b7,   0x28f0, 0x28f1, 0x28f2, 0x28f3, 0x28f4, 0x28f5, 0x28f6, 0x28f7,
-  0x28b8, 0x28b9, 0x28ba, 0x28bb, 0x28bc, 0x28bd, 0x28be, 0x28bf,   0x28f8, 0x28f9, 0x28fa, 0x28fb, 0x28fc, 0x28fd, 0x28fe, 0x28ff,
-}]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    utf8 = [==[
--- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7983574/how-to-write-a-unicode-symbol-in-lua
-function utf8(decimal)
-  local bytemarkers = { {0x7FF,192}, {0xFFFF,224}, {0x1FFFFF,240} }
-  if decimal<128 then return string.char(decimal) end
-  local charbytes = {}
-  for bytes,vals in ipairs(bytemarkers) do
-    if decimal<=vals[1] then
-      for b=bytes+1,2,-1 do
-        local mod = decimal%64
-        decimal = (decimal-mod)/64
-        charbytes[b] = string.char(128+mod)
-      end
-      charbytes[1] = string.char(vals[2]+decimal)
-      break
-    end
-  end
-  return table.concat(charbytes)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    grid_char_to_glyph_index = [==[
--- convert a chunk of grid into a number
-function grid_char_to_glyph_index(g)
-  return g[1][1]    + g[2][1]*2  + g[3][1]*4  + g[4][1]*8 +
-         g[1][2]*16 + g[2][2]*32 + g[3][2]*64 + g[4][2]*128 +
-         1  -- 1-indexing
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render = [==[
-function render(window)
-  window:clear()
-  curses.attron(curses.color_pair(1))
-  for line=1,lines do
-    for col=1,cols do
-      window:addstr(utf8(glyph[grid_char_to_glyph_index(grid_char(line, col))]))
-    end
-  end
-  curses.attroff(curses.color_pair(1))
-  curses.refresh()
-end
-]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    state = [==[
-function state(line, col)
-  if line < 1 or line > table.getn(grid) or col < 1 or col > table.getn(grid[1]) then
-    return 0
-  end
-  return grid[line][col]
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    num_live_neighbors = [==[
-function num_live_neighbors(line, col)
-  return state(line-1, col-1) + state(line-1, col) + state(line-1, col+1) +
-         state(line,   col-1) +                      state(line,   col+1) +
-         state(line+1, col-1) + state(line+1, col) + state(line+1, col+1)
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    step = [==[
-function step()
-  local new_grid = {}
-  for line=1,table.getn(grid) do
-    new_grid[line] = {}
-    for col=1,table.getn(grid[1]) do
-      local n = num_live_neighbors(line, col)
-      if n == 3 then
-        new_grid[line][col] = 1
-      elseif n == 2 then
-        new_grid[line][col] = grid[line][col]
-      else
-        new_grid[line][col] = 0
-      end
-    end
-  end
-  grid = new_grid
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    sleep = [==[
-function sleep(a)
-    local sec = tonumber(os.clock() + a);
-    while (os.clock() < sec) do
-    end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    file_exists = [==[
-function file_exists(filename)
-  local f = io.open(filename, "r")
-  if f ~= nil then
-    io.close(f)
-    return true
-  else
-    return false
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    load_file = [==[
-function load_file(window, filename)
-  io.input(filename)
-  local line_index = lines
-  for line in io.lines() do
-    if line:sub(1,1) ~= '!' then  -- comment; plaintext files can't have whitespace before comments
-      local col_index = cols
-      for c in line:gmatch(".") do
-        if c == '\r' then break end  -- DOS line ending
-        if c == '.' then
-          grid[line_index][col_index] = 0
-        else
-          grid[line_index][col_index] = 1
-        end
-        col_index = col_index+1
-      end
-      line_index = line_index+1
-    end
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    update = [==[
-menu = {arrow="pan"}
-
-function update(window, c)
-  if c == curses.KEY_LEFT then
-    for i=1,lines*4 do
-      for j=2,cols*2 do
-        grid[i][j-1] = grid[i][j]
-      end
-      grid[i][cols*2] = 0
-    end
-  elseif c == curses.KEY_DOWN then
-    for i=lines*4-1,1,-1 do
-      for j=1,cols*2 do
-        grid[i+1][j] = grid[i][j]
-      end
-    end
-    for j=1,cols*2 do
-      grid[1][j] = 0
-    end
-  elseif c == curses.KEY_UP then
-    for i=2,lines*4 do
-      for j=1,cols*2 do
-        grid[i-1][j] = grid[i][j]
-      end
-    end
-    for j=1,cols*2 do
-      grid[lines*4][j] = 0
-    end
-  elseif c == curses.KEY_RIGHT then
-    for i=1,lines*4 do
-      for j=cols*2-1,1,-1 do
-        grid[i][j+1] = grid[i][j]
-      end
-      grid[i][1] = 0
-    end
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    main = [==[
-function main()
-  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
-  curses.init_pair(1, 22, 189)
-
-  -- initialize grid based on commandline args
-  if (#arg == 0) then
-    -- by default, start from a deterministically random state
-    for i=1,lines*4 do
-      for j=1,cols*2 do
-        grid[i][j] = math.random(0, 1)
-      end
-    end
-  elseif arg[1] == "random" then
-    -- start from a non-deterministically random start state
-    math.randomseed(os.time())
-    for i=1,lines*4 do
-      for j=1,cols*2 do
-        grid[i][j] = math.random(0, 1)
-      end
-    end
-  -- shortcuts for some common patterns
-  elseif arg[1] == "pentomino" then
-    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Pentomino
-    grid[83][172] = 1
-    grid[83][173] = 1
-    grid[84][173] = 1
-    grid[84][174] = 1
-    grid[85][173] = 1
-  elseif arg[1] == "glider" then
-    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Glider
-    grid[5][4] = 1
-    grid[6][5] = 1
-    grid[7][3] = 1
-    grid[7][4] = 1
-    grid[7][5] = 1
-  elseif arg[1] == "blinker" then
-    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Blinker
-    grid[7][3] = 1
-    grid[7][4] = 1
-    grid[7][5] = 1
-  elseif arg[1] == "block" then
-    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Block
-    grid[5][4] = 1
-    grid[5][5] = 1
-    grid[6][4] = 1
-    grid[6][5] = 1
-  elseif arg[1] == "loaf" then
-    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Loaf
-    grid[5][4] = 1
-    grid[5][5] = 1
-    grid[6][6] = 1
-    grid[7][6] = 1
-    grid[8][5] = 1
-    grid[7][4] = 1
-    grid[6][3] = 1
-  elseif file_exists(arg[1]) then
-    -- Load a file in the standard "plaintext" format: https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Plaintext
-    --
-    -- Each pattern page at https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki provides its
-    -- plaintext representation in a block called "Pattern Files" on the right.
-    --
-    -- For example, check out the list of Important Patterns at
-    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Category:Patterns_with_Catagolue_frequency_class_0
-    load_file(window, arg[1])
-  end
-
-  -- main loop
-  while true do
-    render(window)
-    c = curses.getch()
-    update(window, c)
-    step()
-  end
-end]==],
-  },
-}
+# .tlv file generated by https://github.com/akkartik/teliva
+# You may edit it if you are careful; however, you may see cryptic errors if you
+# violate Teliva's assumptions.
+#
+# .tlv files are representations of Teliva programs. Teliva programs consist of
+# sequences of definitions. Each definition is a table of key/value pairs. Keys
+# and values are both strings.
+#
+# Lines in .tlv files always follow exactly one of the following forms:
+# - comment lines at the top of the file starting with '#' at column 0
+# - beginnings of definitions starting with '- ' at column 0, followed by a
+#   key/value pair
+# - key/value pairs consisting of '  ' at column 0, containing either a
+#   spaceless value on the same line, or a multi-line value
+# - multiline values indented by more than 2 spaces, starting with a '>'
+#
+# If these constraints are violated, Teliva may unceremoniously crash. Please
+# report bugs at http://akkartik.name/contact
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  grid:
+    >-- main data structure
+    >grid = {}
+    >for i=1,lines*4 do
+    >  grid[i] = {}
+    >  for j=1,cols*2 do
+    >    grid[i][j] = 0
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  window:
+    >window = curses.stdscr()
+    >-- animation-based app
+    >window:nodelay(true)
+    >lines, cols = window:getmaxyx()
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  grid_char:
+    >-- grab a 4x2 chunk of grid
+    >function grid_char(line, col)
+    >  result = {}
+    >  for l, row in ipairs({unpack(grid, (line-1)*4+1, line*4)}) do
+    >    result[l] = {unpack(row, (col-1)*2+1, col*2)}
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  print_grid_char:
+    >function print_grid_char(window, x)
+    >  result = {}
+    >  for l, row in ipairs(x) do
+    >    for c, val in ipairs(row) do
+    >      window:mvaddstr(l, c, val)
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >  return result
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  glyph:
+    >-- look up the braille pattern corresponding to a 4x2 chunk of grid
+    >-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braille_Patterns
+    >-- not obviously programmatic because Unicode added 4x2 after 3x2
+    >glyph = {
+    >  0x2800, 0x2801, 0x2802, 0x2803, 0x2804, 0x2805, 0x2806, 0x2807,   0x2840, 0x2841, 0x2842, 0x2843, 0x2844, 0x2845, 0x2846, 0x2847,
+    >  0x2808, 0x2809, 0x280a, 0x280b, 0x280c, 0x280d, 0x280e, 0x280f,   0x2848, 0x2849, 0x284a, 0x284b, 0x284c, 0x284d, 0x284e, 0x284f,
+    >  0x2810, 0x2811, 0x2812, 0x2813, 0x2814, 0x2815, 0x2816, 0x2817,   0x2850, 0x2851, 0x2852, 0x2853, 0x2854, 0x2855, 0x2856, 0x2857,
+    >  0x2818, 0x2819, 0x281a, 0x281b, 0x281c, 0x281d, 0x281e, 0x281f,   0x2858, 0x2859, 0x285a, 0x285b, 0x285c, 0x285d, 0x285e, 0x285f,
+    >  0x2820, 0x2821, 0x2822, 0x2823, 0x2824, 0x2825, 0x2826, 0x2827,   0x2860, 0x2861, 0x2862, 0x2863, 0x2864, 0x2865, 0x2866, 0x2867,
+    >  0x2828, 0x2829, 0x282a, 0x282b, 0x282c, 0x282d, 0x282e, 0x282f,   0x2868, 0x2869, 0x286a, 0x286b, 0x286c, 0x286d, 0x286e, 0x286f,
+    >  0x2830, 0x2831, 0x2832, 0x2833, 0x2834, 0x2835, 0x2836, 0x2837,   0x2870, 0x2871, 0x2872, 0x2873, 0x2874, 0x2875, 0x2876, 0x2877,
+    >  0x2838, 0x2839, 0x283a, 0x283b, 0x283c, 0x283d, 0x283e, 0x283f,   0x2878, 0x2879, 0x287a, 0x287b, 0x287c, 0x287d, 0x287e, 0x287f,
+    >
+    >  0x2880, 0x2881, 0x2882, 0x2883, 0x2884, 0x2885, 0x2886, 0x2887,   0x28c0, 0x28c1, 0x28c2, 0x28c3, 0x28c4, 0x28c5, 0x28c6, 0x28c7,
+    >  0x2888, 0x2889, 0x288a, 0x288b, 0x288c, 0x288d, 0x288e, 0x288f,   0x28c8, 0x28c9, 0x28ca, 0x28cb, 0x28cc, 0x28cd, 0x28ce, 0x28cf,
+    >  0x2890, 0x2891, 0x2892, 0x2893, 0x2894, 0x2895, 0x2896, 0x2897,   0x28d0, 0x28d1, 0x28d2, 0x28d3, 0x28d4, 0x28d5, 0x28d6, 0x28d7,
+    >  0x2898, 0x2899, 0x289a, 0x289b, 0x289c, 0x289d, 0x289e, 0x289f,   0x28d8, 0x28d9, 0x28da, 0x28db, 0x28dc, 0x28dd, 0x28de, 0x28df,
+    >  0x28a0, 0x28a1, 0x28a2, 0x28a3, 0x28a4, 0x28a5, 0x28a6, 0x28a7,   0x28e0, 0x28e1, 0x28e2, 0x28e3, 0x28e4, 0x28e5, 0x28e6, 0x28e7,
+    >  0x28a8, 0x28a9, 0x28aa, 0x28ab, 0x28ac, 0x28ad, 0x28ae, 0x28af,   0x28e8, 0x28e9, 0x28ea, 0x28eb, 0x28ec, 0x28ed, 0x28ee, 0x28ef,
+    >  0x28b0, 0x28b1, 0x28b2, 0x28b3, 0x28b4, 0x28b5, 0x28b6, 0x28b7,   0x28f0, 0x28f1, 0x28f2, 0x28f3, 0x28f4, 0x28f5, 0x28f6, 0x28f7,
+    >  0x28b8, 0x28b9, 0x28ba, 0x28bb, 0x28bc, 0x28bd, 0x28be, 0x28bf,   0x28f8, 0x28f9, 0x28fa, 0x28fb, 0x28fc, 0x28fd, 0x28fe, 0x28ff,
+    >}
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  utf8:
+    >-- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7983574/how-to-write-a-unicode-symbol-in-lua
+    >function utf8(decimal)
+    >  local bytemarkers = { {0x7FF,192}, {0xFFFF,224}, {0x1FFFFF,240} }
+    >  if decimal<128 then return string.char(decimal) end
+    >  local charbytes = {}
+    >  for bytes,vals in ipairs(bytemarkers) do
+    >    if decimal<=vals[1] then
+    >      for b=bytes+1,2,-1 do
+    >        local mod = decimal%64
+    >        decimal = (decimal-mod)/64
+    >        charbytes[b] = string.char(128+mod)
+    >      end
+    >      charbytes[1] = string.char(vals[2]+decimal)
+    >      break
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >  return table.concat(charbytes)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  grid_char_to_glyph_index:
+    >-- convert a chunk of grid into a number
+    >function grid_char_to_glyph_index(g)
+    >  return g[1][1]    + g[2][1]*2  + g[3][1]*4  + g[4][1]*8 +
+    >         g[1][2]*16 + g[2][2]*32 + g[3][2]*64 + g[4][2]*128 +
+    >         1  -- 1-indexing
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render:
+    >function render(window)
+    >  window:clear()
+    >  curses.attron(curses.color_pair(1))
+    >  for line=1,lines do
+    >    for col=1,cols do
+    >      window:addstr(utf8(glyph[grid_char_to_glyph_index(grid_char(line, col))]))
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >  curses.attroff(curses.color_pair(1))
+    >  curses.refresh()
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  state:
+    >function state(line, col)
+    >  if line < 1 or line > table.getn(grid) or col < 1 or col > table.getn(grid[1]) then
+    >    return 0
+    >  end
+    >  return grid[line][col]
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  num_live_neighbors:
+    >function num_live_neighbors(line, col)
+    >  return state(line-1, col-1) + state(line-1, col) + state(line-1, col+1) +
+    >         state(line,   col-1) +                      state(line,   col+1) +
+    >         state(line+1, col-1) + state(line+1, col) + state(line+1, col+1)
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  step:
+    >function step()
+    >  local new_grid = {}
+    >  for line=1,table.getn(grid) do
+    >    new_grid[line] = {}
+    >    for col=1,table.getn(grid[1]) do
+    >      local n = num_live_neighbors(line, col)
+    >      if n == 3 then
+    >        new_grid[line][col] = 1
+    >      elseif n == 2 then
+    >        new_grid[line][col] = grid[line][col]
+    >      else
+    >        new_grid[line][col] = 0
+    >      end
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >  grid = new_grid
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  sleep:
+    >function sleep(a)
+    >    local sec = tonumber(os.clock() + a);
+    >    while (os.clock() < sec) do
+    >    end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  file_exists:
+    >function file_exists(filename)
+    >  local f = io.open(filename, "r")
+    >  if f ~= nil then
+    >    io.close(f)
+    >    return true
+    >  else
+    >    return false
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  load_file:
+    >function load_file(window, filename)
+    >  io.input(filename)
+    >  local line_index = lines
+    >  for line in io.lines() do
+    >    if line:sub(1,1) ~= '!' then  -- comment; plaintext files can't have whitespace before comments
+    >      local col_index = cols
+    >      for c in line:gmatch(".") do
+    >        if c == '\r' then break end  -- DOS line ending
+    >        if c == '.' then
+    >          grid[line_index][col_index] = 0
+    >        else
+    >          grid[line_index][col_index] = 1
+    >        end
+    >        col_index = col_index+1
+    >      end
+    >      line_index = line_index+1
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  update:
+    >menu = {arrow="pan"}
+    >
+    >function update(window, c)
+    >  if c == curses.KEY_LEFT then
+    >    for i=1,lines*4 do
+    >      for j=2,cols*2 do
+    >        grid[i][j-1] = grid[i][j]
+    >      end
+    >      grid[i][cols*2] = 0
+    >    end
+    >  elseif c == curses.KEY_DOWN then
+    >    for i=lines*4-1,1,-1 do
+    >      for j=1,cols*2 do
+    >        grid[i+1][j] = grid[i][j]
+    >      end
+    >    end
+    >    for j=1,cols*2 do
+    >      grid[1][j] = 0
+    >    end
+    >  elseif c == curses.KEY_UP then
+    >    for i=2,lines*4 do
+    >      for j=1,cols*2 do
+    >        grid[i-1][j] = grid[i][j]
+    >      end
+    >    end
+    >    for j=1,cols*2 do
+    >      grid[lines*4][j] = 0
+    >    end
+    >  elseif c == curses.KEY_RIGHT then
+    >    for i=1,lines*4 do
+    >      for j=cols*2-1,1,-1 do
+    >        grid[i][j+1] = grid[i][j]
+    >      end
+    >      grid[i][1] = 0
+    >    end
+    >  end
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  main:
+    >function main()
+    >  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
+    >  curses.init_pair(1, 22, 189)
+    >
+    >  -- initialize grid based on commandline args
+    >  if (#arg == 0) then
+    >    -- by default, start from a deterministically random state
+    >    for i=1,lines*4 do
+    >      for j=1,cols*2 do
+    >        grid[i][j] = math.random(0, 1)
+    >      end
+    >    end
+    >  elseif arg[1] == "random" then
+    >    -- start from a non-deterministically random start state
+    >    math.randomseed(os.time())
+    >    for i=1,lines*4 do
+    >      for j=1,cols*2 do
+    >        grid[i][j] = math.random(0, 1)
+    >      end
+    >    end
+    >  -- shortcuts for some common patterns
+    >  elseif arg[1] == "pentomino" then
+    >    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Pentomino
+    >    grid[83][172] = 1
+    >    grid[83][173] = 1
+    >    grid[84][173] = 1
+    >    grid[84][174] = 1
+    >    grid[85][173] = 1
+    >  elseif arg[1] == "glider" then
+    >    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Glider
+    >    grid[5][4] = 1
+    >    grid[6][5] = 1
+    >    grid[7][3] = 1
+    >    grid[7][4] = 1
+    >    grid[7][5] = 1
+    >  elseif arg[1] == "blinker" then
+    >    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Blinker
+    >    grid[7][3] = 1
+    >    grid[7][4] = 1
+    >    grid[7][5] = 1
+    >  elseif arg[1] == "block" then
+    >    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Block
+    >    grid[5][4] = 1
+    >    grid[5][5] = 1
+    >    grid[6][4] = 1
+    >    grid[6][5] = 1
+    >  elseif arg[1] == "loaf" then
+    >    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Loaf
+    >    grid[5][4] = 1
+    >    grid[5][5] = 1
+    >    grid[6][6] = 1
+    >    grid[7][6] = 1
+    >    grid[8][5] = 1
+    >    grid[7][4] = 1
+    >    grid[6][3] = 1
+    >  elseif file_exists(arg[1]) then
+    >    -- Load a file in the standard "plaintext" format: https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Plaintext
+    >    --
+    >    -- Each pattern page at https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki provides its
+    >    -- plaintext representation in a block called "Pattern Files" on the right.
+    >    --
+    >    -- For example, check out the list of Important Patterns at
+    >    -- https://www.conwaylife.com/wiki/Category:Patterns_with_Catagolue_frequency_class_0
+    >    load_file(window, arg[1])
+    >  end
+    >
+    >  -- main loop
+    >  while true do
+    >    render(window)
+    >    c = curses.getch()
+    >    update(window, c)
+    >    step()
+    >  end
+    >end
diff --git a/src/tlv.c b/src/tlv.c
index adf21c3..5800418 100644
--- a/src/tlv.c
+++ b/src/tlv.c
@@ -89,7 +89,9 @@ static void teliva_load_definition(lua_State* L, FILE* in) {
         strcpy(line, "-\n");
       }
       else {
-        assert(fgets(line, 1024, in));
+        memset(line, '\0', 1024);
+//?         printf("%d\n", feof(in));
+        fgets(line, 1024, in);
 //?         printf("new line: %s", line);
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/x.tlv b/src/x.tlv
deleted file mode 100644
index c7f5247..0000000
--- a/src/x.tlv
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,43 +0,0 @@
-- __teliva_timestamp: foo1
-  window:
-    >window = curses.stdscr()
-- __teliva_timestamp: foo2
-  n:
-    >n = 0
-- __teliva_timestamp: foo3
-  render:
-    >function render(window)
-    >  window:clear()
-    >  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
-    >  window:attron(curses.color_pair(6))
-    >  window:mvaddstr(10, 10, "     ")
-    >  window:mvaddstr(10, 11, n)
-    >  window:attroff(curses.color_pair(6))
-    >  window:attroff(curses.A_BOLD)
-    >  curses.refresh()
-    >end
-  __teliva_note: foo
-- __teliva_timestamp: foo4
-  menu:
-    >menu = {Enter="increment"}
-- __teliva_timestamp: foo5
-  update:
-    >function update(window)
-    >  local key = curses.getch()
-    >  if key == 10 then
-    >    n = n+1
-    >  end
-    >end
-- __teliva_timestamp: foo6
-  main:
-    >function main()
-    >  for i=1,7 do
-    >    curses.init_pair(i, 0, i)
-    >  end
-    >  curses.init_pair(255, 15, 1)  -- reserved for Teliva error messages
-    >
-    >  while true do
-    >    render(window)
-    >    update(window)
-    >  end
-    >end
diff --git a/template.tlv b/template.tlv
index faf4131..a8b3cb9 100644
--- a/template.tlv
+++ b/template.tlv
@@ -1,72 +1,69 @@
-teliva_program = {
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    window = [==[
-window = curses.stdscr()]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    render = [==[
-function render(window)
-  window:clear()
-  -- draw stuff to screen here
-  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
-  window:mvaddstr(1, 5, "example app")
-  window:attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
-  for i=0,15 do
-    window:attrset(curses.color_pair(i))
-    window:mvaddstr(3+i, 5, "========================")
-  end
-  curses.refresh()
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    menu = [==[
-menu = {}]==],
-  },
-  {
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-    update = [==[
-function update(window)
-  local key = curses.getch()
-  -- process key here
-end]==],
-  },
-  {
-    init_colors = [==[
-function init_colors()
-  for i=0,7 do
-    curses.init_pair(i, i, -1)
-  end
-  curses.init_pair(8, 7, 0)
-  curses.init_pair(9, 7, 1)
-  curses.init_pair(10, 7, 2)
-  curses.init_pair(11, 7, 3)
-  curses.init_pair(12, 7, 4)
-  curses.init_pair(13, 7, 5)
-  curses.init_pair(14, 7, 6)
-  curses.init_pair(15, -1, 15)
-end]==],
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-  },
-  {
-    main = [==[
-function main()
-  init_colors()
-
-  while true do
-    render(window)
-    update(window)
-  end
-end
-]==],
-    __teliva_timestamp = [==[
-original]==],
-  },
-}
+# .tlv file generated by https://github.com/akkartik/teliva
+# You may edit it if you are careful; however, you may see cryptic errors if you
+# violate Teliva's assumptions.
+#
+# .tlv files are representations of Teliva programs. Teliva programs consist of
+# sequences of definitions. Each definition is a table of key/value pairs. Keys
+# and values are both strings.
+#
+# Lines in .tlv files always follow exactly one of the following forms:
+# - comment lines at the top of the file starting with '#' at column 0
+# - beginnings of definitions starting with '- ' at column 0, followed by a
+#   key/value pair
+# - key/value pairs consisting of '  ' at column 0, containing either a
+#   spaceless value on the same line, or a multi-line value
+# - multiline values indented by more than 2 spaces, starting with a '>'
+#
+# If these constraints are violated, Teliva may unceremoniously crash. Please
+# report bugs at http://akkartik.name/contact
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  window:
+    >window = curses.stdscr()
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  render:
+    >function render(window)
+    >  window:clear()
+    >  -- draw stuff to screen here
+    >  window:attron(curses.A_BOLD)
+    >  window:mvaddstr(1, 5, "example app")
+    >  window:attrset(curses.A_NORMAL)
+    >  for i=0,15 do
+    >    window:attrset(curses.color_pair(i))
+    >    window:mvaddstr(3+i, 5, "========================")
+    >  end
+    >  curses.refresh()
+    >end
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  menu:
+    >menu = {}
+- __teliva_timestamp: original
+  update:
+    >function update(window)
+    >  local key = curses.getch()
+    >  -- process key here
+    >end
+- init_colors:
+    >function init_colors()
+    >  for i=0,7 do
+    >    curses.init_pair(i, i, -1)
+    >  end
+    >  curses.init_pair(8, 7, 0)
+    >  curses.init_pair(9, 7, 1)
+    >  curses.init_pair(10, 7, 2)
+    >  curses.init_pair(11, 7, 3)
+    >  curses.init_pair(12, 7, 4)
+    >  curses.init_pair(13, 7, 5)
+    >  curses.init_pair(14, 7, 6)
+    >  curses.init_pair(15, -1, 15)
+    >end
+  __teliva_timestamp: original
+- main:
+    >function main()
+    >  init_colors()
+    >
+    >  while true do
+    >    render(window)
+    >    update(window)
+    >  end
+    >end
+  __teliva_timestamp: original