diff --git a/src/modules/punk-0.1.tm b/src/modules/punk-0.1.tm
index 5d231c4..ef48a42 100644
--- a/src/modules/punk-0.1.tm
+++ b/src/modules/punk-0.1.tm
@@ -6066,15 +6066,15 @@ namespace eval punk {
                 lappend result filebytes [format_number $filebytes]
             } 
             if {$::repl::running} {
-                if {[llength [info commands ::repl::term::set_console_title]]} {
-                    repl::term::set_console_title [lrange $result 1 end] ;#strip location key
+                if {[llength [info commands ::punk::console::titleset]]} {
+                    ::punk::console::titleset [lrange $result 1 end]
                 }
 
                 set out [punk::dirfiles_dict_as_lines -stripbase 1 $matchinfo]
                 #puts stdout $out
                 #puts stderr [a+ white]$out[a]
                 set chunklist [list]
-                lappend chunklist [list stdout "[a+ white light]$out[a]\n"]
+                lappend chunklist [list stdout "[a+ brightwhite]$out[a]\n"]
                 lappend chunklist [list result $result]
                 set ::punk::last_run_display $chunklist
             }
@@ -6185,7 +6185,7 @@ namespace eval punk {
                 dict lappend this_result pattern [dict get $matchinfo opts -glob]
                 if {$::repl::running} {
                     set out [punk::dirfiles_dict_as_lines -stripbase 1 $matchinfo]
-                    lappend chunklist [list stdout "[a+ white light]$out[a]\n"]
+                    lappend chunklist [list stdout "[a+ brightwhite]$out[a]\n"]
                 }
 
 
@@ -6236,11 +6236,11 @@ namespace eval punk {
             set out [punk::dirfiles_dict_as_lines -stripbase 1 $matchinfo]
             #return $out\n[pwd]
             set chunklist [list]
-            lappend chunklist [list stdout "[a+ white light]$out[a]\n"]
+            lappend chunklist [list stdout "[a+ brightwhite]$out[a]\n"]
             lappend chunklist [list result $result]
             set ::punk::last_run_display $chunklist
-            if {[llength [info commands ::repl::term::set_console_title]]} {
-                repl::term::set_console_title [lrange $result 1 end] ;#strip location key
+            if {[llength [info commands ::punk::console::titleset]]} {
+                ::punk::console::titleset [lrange $result 1 end] ;#strip location key
             }
         }
         return $result
diff --git a/src/modules/punk/ansi-999999.0a1.0.tm b/src/modules/punk/ansi-999999.0a1.0.tm
index eacc1aa..f9aed04 100644
--- a/src/modules/punk/ansi-999999.0a1.0.tm
+++ b/src/modules/punk/ansi-999999.0a1.0.tm
@@ -1867,7 +1867,17 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
             set out ""
             set indent "    "
             set RST [a]
-            append out "[a+ web-white]Standard SGR colours and attributes [a]" \n
+            append out "[a+ web-white]Extended underlines$RST" \n
+            set undercurly "undercurly \[a+ undercurly und-199-21-133\]text\[a] -> [a+ undercurly und-199-21-133]text$RST"
+            set underdotted "underdotted \[a+ underdotted und#FFD700\]text\[a] -> [a+ underdotted und#FFD700]text$RST"
+            set underdashed "underdashed \[a+ underdashed undt-45\]text\[a] -> [a+ underdashed undt-45]text$RST"
+            set underline_c "named terminal colour SGR underline \[a+ underline undt-deeppink1\]text\[a] -> [a+ underline undt-deeppink1]text$RST" 
+            append out  "${indent}$undercurly $underdotted" \n
+            append out  "${indent}$underdashed" \n
+            append out  "${indent}$underline_c"  \n
+            append out  "${indent}Extended underlines/colours can suppress other SGR codes on terminals that don't support them if codes are merged." \n
+            append out  "${indent}punk::ansi tries to keep them in separate escape sequences even during merge operations to avoid this" \n
+            append out "[a+ web-white]Standard SGR colours and attributes $RST" \n
             set settings_applied $SGR_setting_map 
             set strmap [list]
             dict for {k v} $SGR_setting_map {
@@ -2000,7 +2010,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         }
                         $t add_row [list $i $descr $s [ansistring VIEW $s]]
                     }
-                    term - Term {
+                    term - Term - undt {
                         set tail [string trim [string range $i 4 end] -]
                         if {[string is integer -strict $tail]} {
                             if {$tail < 256} {
@@ -2033,7 +2043,8 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                     rgb0 - rgb1 - rgb2 - rgb3 - rgb4 - rgb5 - rgb6 - rgb7 - rgb8 - rgb9 - 
                     Rgb0 - Rgb1 - Rgb2 - Rgb3 - Rgb4 - Rgb5 - Rgb6 - Rgb7 - Rgb8 - Rgb9 -
                     RGB0 - RGB1 - RGB2 - RGB3 - RGB4 - RGB5 - RGB6 - RGB7 - RGB8 - RGB9 - 
-                    rgb# - Rgb# - RGB# {
+                    rgb# - Rgb# - RGB# - 
+                    und# - und- {
                         if {[string index $i 3] eq "#"} {
                             set tail [string range $i 4 end]
                             set hex $tail
@@ -2067,6 +2078,16 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         }
                         $t add_row [list $i "$info" $s [ansistring VIEW $s]]
                     }
+                    unde {
+                        switch -- $i {
+                            undercurly - underdotted - underdashed - undersingle - underdouble {
+                                $t add_row [list $i extended $s [ansistring VIEW $s]]
+                            }
+                            default {
+                                $t add_row [list $i UNKNOWN $s [ansistring VIEW $s]]
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
                     default {
                         if {[string is integer -strict $i]} {
                             set rmap [lreverse $SGR_map]
@@ -2083,7 +2104,8 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
             }
             set ansi [a+ {*}$args]
             set s ${ansi}sample
-            set merged [punk::ansi::codetype::sgr_merge_singles [list $ansi]]
+            #set merged [punk::ansi::codetype::sgr_merge_singles [list $ansi]]
+            set merged [punk::ansi::codetype::sgr_merge [list $ansi]]
             set s2 ${merged}sample
             #lappend resultlist "RESULT: [a+ {*}$args]sample[a]"
             $t add_row [list RESULT "" $s [ansistring VIEW $s]]
@@ -2175,6 +2197,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
         variable TERM_colour_map
 
         set t [list] 
+        set e [list] ;#extended codes needing to go in own escape sequence
         foreach i $args {
             set f4 [string range $i 0 3]
             switch -- $f4 {
@@ -2188,7 +2211,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         set rgb [string map { - ;} $rgbdash]
                         lappend t "38;2;$rgb"
                     } else {
-                        puts stderr "ansi web colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                        puts stderr "ansi web colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a+ $args'"
                     }
                 }
                 Web- - WEB- {
@@ -2199,7 +2222,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                     if {[dict exists $WEB_colour_map $cname]} {
                         lappend t "48;2;[string map {- ;} [dict get $WEB_colour_map $cname]]"
                     } else {
-                        puts stderr "ansi Web colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                        puts stderr "ansi Web colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a+ $args'"
                     }
                 }
                 rese            {lappend t 0 ;#reset}
@@ -2219,7 +2242,31 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                                 }
                 hide            {lappend t 8}
                 norm            {lappend t 22 ;#normal}
-                unde            {lappend t 4  ;#underline}
+                unde            {
+                                    #TODO - fix
+                                    # extended codes with colon suppress normal SGR attributes when in same escape sequence on terminal that don't support the extended codes.
+                                    # need to emit in 
+                                    switch -- $i {
+                                        underline {
+                                            lappend t 4  ;#underline
+                                        }
+                                        undersingle {
+                                            lappend e 4:1
+                                        }
+                                        underdouble {
+                                            lappend e 4:2
+                                        }
+                                        undercurly {
+                                            lappend e 4:3
+                                        }
+                                        underdotted {
+                                            lappend e 4:4
+                                        }
+                                        underdashed {
+                                            lappend e 4:5
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                }
                 doub            {lappend t 21 ;#doubleunderline}
                 noun            {lappend t 24 ;#nounderline}
                 stri            {lappend t 9  ;#strike}
@@ -2229,11 +2276,19 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                 reve            {lappend t 7  ;#reverse}
                 nore            {lappend t 27 ;#noreverse}
                 defa            {
-                                    if {$i eq "defaultfg"} {
-                                        lappend t 39
-                                    } else {
-                                        #defaultbg
-                                        lappend t 49
+                                    switch -- $i {
+                                        defaultfg {
+                                            lappend t 39
+                                        }
+                                        defaultbg {
+                                            lappend t 49
+                                        }
+                                        defaultund {
+                                            lappend t 59
+                                        }
+                                        default {
+                                            puts stderr "ansi term unmatched: defa* '$i' in call 'a $args' (defaultfg,defaultbg,defaultund)"
+                                        } 
                                     }
                                 }
                 nohi            {lappend t 28 ;#nohide}
@@ -2298,7 +2353,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         if {[dict exists $TERM_colour_map $cc]} {
                             lappend t "38;5;[dict get $TERM_colour_map $cc]" 
                         } else {
-                            puts stderr "ansi term colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                            puts stderr "ansi term colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a+ $args'"
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -2312,7 +2367,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         if {[dict exists $TERM_colour_map $cc]} {
                             lappend t "48;5;[dict get $TERM_colour_map $cc]" 
                         } else {
-                            puts stderr "ansi Term colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                            puts stderr "ansi Term colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a+ $args'"
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -2341,6 +2396,34 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                     set rgb [join [::scan $hex6 %2X%2X%2X] {;}]
                     lappend t "48;2;$rgb"
                 }
+                und- - und0 - und1 - und2 - und3 - und4 - und5 - und6 - und7 - und8 - und9  {
+                    #decimal rgb underline 
+                    #allow variants und-xxx-xxx-xxx and undxxx-xxx-xxx 
+                    set rgbspec [string trim [string range $i 3 end] -]
+                    set rgb [string map [list - {:} , {:}] $rgbspec]
+                    lappend e "58:2::$rgb"
+                }
+                "und#" {
+                    #hex rgb underline - (e.g kitty, wezterm) - uses colons as separators 
+                    set hex6 [string trim [string range $i 4 end] -]
+                    set rgb [join [::scan $hex6 %2X%2X%2X] {:}]
+                    lappend e "58:2::$rgb"
+                }
+                undt {
+                    #variable TERM_colour_map
+                    #256 colour underline by Xterm name or by integer
+                    #name is xterm name or colour index from 0 - 255
+                    set cc [string trim [string tolower [string range $i 4 end]] -]
+                    if {[string is integer -strict $cc] & $cc < 256} {
+                        lappend e "58:5:$cc" 
+                    } else {
+                        if {[dict exists $TERM_colour_map $cc]} {
+                            lappend e "58:5:[dict get $TERM_colour_map $cc]" 
+                        } else {
+                            puts stderr "ansi term underline colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a $args'"
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
                 x11- {
                     variable X11_colour_map
                     #foreground X11 names
@@ -2350,7 +2433,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         set rgb [string map [list - {;}] $rgbdash]
                         lappend t "38;2;$rgb"
                     } else {
-                        puts stderr "ansi x11 colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                        puts stderr "ansi x11 colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a+ $args'"
                     }
                 }
                 X11- {
@@ -2369,7 +2452,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                     if {[string is integer -strict $i] || [string first ";" $i] > 0} {
                         lappend t $i
                     } else {
-                        puts stderr "ansi name unmatched: '$i' Perhaps missing prefix? e.g web- x11- term- rgb# rgb-"
+                        puts stderr "ansi name unmatched: '$i' in call 'a+ $args' Perhaps missing prefix? e.g web- x11- term- rgb# rgb-"
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -2377,9 +2460,17 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
 
         # \033 - octal.  equivalently \x1b in hex which is more common in documentation
         if {![llength $t]} {
-            set result "" ;# a+ nonexistent should return nothing rather  than a reset ( \033\[\;m  is a reset even without explicit zero(s))
+            if {![llength $e]} {
+                set result "" ;# a+ nonexistent should return nothing rather  than a reset ( \033\[\;m  is a reset even without explicit zero(s))
+            } else {
+                set result "\x1b\[[join $e {;}]m"
+            }
         } else {
-            set result "\x1b\[[join $t {;}]m"
+            if {![llength $e]} {
+                set result "\x1b\[[join $t {;}]m"
+            } else {
+                set result "\x1b\[[join $t {;}]m\x1b\[[join $e {;}]m"
+            }
         }
         dict set sgr_cache a+$args $result
         return $result
@@ -2408,6 +2499,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
         variable TERM_colour_map
 
         set t [list] 
+        set e [list] ;#extended codes will suppress standard SGR colours and attributes if merged in same escape sequence
         foreach i $args {
             set f4 [string range $i 0 3]
             switch -- $f4 {
@@ -2421,7 +2513,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         set rgb [string map { - ;} $rgbdash]
                         lappend t "38;2;$rgb"
                     } else {
-                        puts stderr "ansi web colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                        puts stderr "ansi web colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a $args'"
                     }
                 }
                 Web- - WEB- {
@@ -2432,7 +2524,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                     if {[dict exists $WEB_colour_map $cname]} {
                         lappend t "48;2;[string map {- ;} [dict get $WEB_colour_map $cname]]"
                     } else {
-                        puts stderr "ansi Web colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                        puts stderr "ansi Web colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a $args'"
                     }
                 }
                 rese            {lappend t 0 ;#reset}
@@ -2452,7 +2544,28 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                                 }
                 hide            {lappend t 8}
                 norm            {lappend t 22 ;#normal}
-                unde            {lappend t 4  ;#underline}
+                unde            {
+                                    switch -- $i {
+                                        underline {
+                                            lappend t 4  ;#underline
+                                        }
+                                        undersingle {
+                                            lappend e 4:1
+                                        }
+                                        underdouble {
+                                            lappend e 4:2
+                                        }
+                                        undercurly {
+                                            lappend e 4:3
+                                        }
+                                        underdotted {
+                                            lappend e 4:4
+                                        }
+                                        underdashed {
+                                            lappend e 4:5
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                }
                 doub            {lappend t 21 ;#doubleunderline}
                 noun            {lappend t 24 ;#nounderline}
                 stri            {lappend t 9  ;#strike}
@@ -2462,11 +2575,19 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                 reve            {lappend t 7  ;#reverse}
                 nore            {lappend t 27 ;#noreverse}
                 defa            {
-                                    if {$i eq "defaultfg"} {
-                                        lappend t 39
-                                    } else {
-                                        #defaultbg
-                                        lappend t 49
+                                    switch -- $i {
+                                        defaultfg {
+                                            lappend t 39
+                                        }
+                                        defaultbg {
+                                            lappend t 49
+                                        }
+                                        defaultund {
+                                            lappend t 59
+                                        }
+                                        default {
+                                            puts stderr "ansi term unmatched: defa* '$i' in call 'a $args' (defaultfg,defaultbg,defaultund)"
+                                        } 
                                     }
                                 }
                 nohi            {lappend t 28 ;#nohide}
@@ -2531,7 +2652,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         if {[dict exists $TERM_colour_map $cc]} {
                             lappend t "38;5;[dict get $TERM_colour_map $cc]" 
                         } else {
-                            puts stderr "ansi term colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                            puts stderr "ansi term colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a $args'"
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -2545,7 +2666,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                         if {[dict exists $TERM_colour_map $cc]} {
                             lappend t "48;5;[dict get $TERM_colour_map $cc]" 
                         } else {
-                            puts stderr "ansi Term colour unmatched: '$i'"
+                            puts stderr "ansi Term colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a $args'"
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -2574,6 +2695,34 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                     set rgb [join [::scan $hex6 %2X%2X%2X] {;}]
                     lappend t "48;2;$rgb"
                 }
+                und- - und0 - und1 - und2 - und3 - und4 - und5 - und6 - und7 - und8 - und9  {
+                    #decimal rgb underline 
+                    #allow variants und-xxx-xxx-xxx and undxxx-xxx-xxx 
+                    set rgbspec [string trim [string range $i 3 end] -]
+                    set rgb [string map [list - {:} , {:}] $rgbspec]
+                    lappend e "58:2::$rgb"
+                }
+                "und#" {
+                    #hex rgb underline - (e.g kitty, wezterm) - uses colons as separators 
+                    set hex6 [string trim [string range $i 4 end] -]
+                    set rgb [join [::scan $hex6 %2X%2X%2X] {:}]
+                    lappend e "58:2::$rgb"
+                }
+                undt {
+                    #variable TERM_colour_map
+                    #256 colour underline by Xterm name or by integer
+                    #name is xterm name or colour index from 0 - 255
+                    set cc [string trim [string tolower [string range $i 4 end]] -]
+                    if {[string is integer -strict $cc] & $cc < 256} {
+                        lappend e "58:5:$cc" 
+                    } else {
+                        if {[dict exists $TERM_colour_map $cc]} {
+                            lappend e "58:5:[dict get $TERM_colour_map $cc]" 
+                        } else {
+                            puts stderr "ansi term underline colour unmatched: '$i' in call 'a $args'"
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
                 x11- {
                     variable X11_colour_map
                     #foreground X11 names
@@ -2602,7 +2751,7 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
                     if {[string is integer -strict $i] || [string first ";" $i] > 0} {
                         lappend t $i
                     } else {
-                        puts stderr "ansi name unmatched: '$i' Perhaps missing prefix? e.g web- x11- term- rgb# rgb-"
+                        puts stderr "ansi name unmatched: '$i' in call 'a $args' Perhaps missing prefix? e.g web- x11- term- rgb# rgb-"
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -2612,7 +2761,11 @@ Brightblack 100   Brightred 101   Brightgreen 102   Brightyellow 103   Brightblu
         # empty list [a] should do reset - same for [a nonexistant]
         # explicit reset at beginning of parameter list for a= (as opposed to a+)
         set t [linsert $t[unset t] 0 0]
-        set result "\x1b\[[join $t {;}]m"
+        if {[![llength $e]]} {
+            set result "\x1b\[[join $t {;}]m"
+        } else {
+            set result "\x1b\[[join $t {;}]m\x1b\[[join $e {;}]m"
+        }
         dict set sgr_cache a_$args $result
         return $result
     }
@@ -3397,6 +3550,7 @@ namespace eval punk::ansi {
                                     dict set codestate italic 3
                                 }
                                 4 {
+                                    #REVIEW - merging extended (e.g 4:4) underline attributes suppresses all other SGR attributes on at least some terminals which don't support extended underlines
                                     if {[llength $paramsplit] == 1} {
                                         dict set codestate underline  4 
                                     } else {
@@ -3634,11 +3788,11 @@ namespace eval punk::ansi {
             }
 
             set codemerge ""
+            set unmergeable "" ;# can merge with each other but not main set (for terminals not supporting extended codes)
             if {[dict get $opts -filter_fg] || [dict get $opts -filter_bg]} {
                 dict for {k v} $codestate {
                     switch -- $v {
                         "" { 
-
                         }
                         default {
                             switch -- $k {
@@ -3652,6 +3806,9 @@ namespace eval punk::ansi {
                                         append codemerge "${v}\;"
                                     }
                                 }
+                                underlinecolour - curlyunderline - dashedunderline - dottedunderline {
+                                    append unmergeable "${v}\;"
+                                }
                                 default {
                                     append codemerge "${v}\;"
                                 }
@@ -3664,20 +3821,42 @@ namespace eval punk::ansi {
                     switch -- $v {
                         "" {}
                         default {
-                            append codemerge "${v}\;"
+                            switch -- $k {
+                                underlinecolour - curlyunderline - dashedunderline - dottedunderline {
+                                    append unmergeable "${v}\;"
+                                }
+                                default {
+                                    append codemerge "${v}\;"
+                                }
+                            }
                         }
                     }
                 }
             }
             if {$did_reset} {
+                #review - unmergeable
                 set codemerge "0\;$codemerge"
+                if {$codemerge eq ""} {
+                    set unmergeable "0\;$unmergeable"
+                }
             }
-            if {[string length $codemerge]} {
+            #puts "+==> codelist:[ansistring VIEW $codelist] did_reset:$did_reset codemerge:[ansistring VIEW $codemerge] unmergeable:[ansistring VIEW $unmergeable]"
+            if {$codemerge ne ""} {
                 set codemerge [string trimright $codemerge {;}]
-                return "\x1b\[${codemerge}m[join $othercodes ""]"
+                if {$unmergeable ne ""} {
+                    set unmergeable [string trimright $unmergeable {;}]
+                    return "\x1b\[${codemerge}m\x1b\[${unmergeable}m[join $othercodes ""]"
+                } else {
+                    return "\x1b\[${codemerge}m[join $othercodes ""]"
+                }
             } else {
-                #there were no SGR codes - not even resets
-                return [join $othercodes ""]
+                if {$unmergeable eq ""} {
+                    #there were no SGR codes - not even resets
+                    return [join $othercodes ""]
+                } else {
+                    set unmergeable [string trimright $unmergeable {;}]
+                    return "\x1b\[${unmergeable}m[join $othercodes ""]"
+                }
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/src/modules/punk/console-999999.0a1.0.tm b/src/modules/punk/console-999999.0a1.0.tm
index 65dbff6..e6dd08b 100644
--- a/src/modules/punk/console-999999.0a1.0.tm
+++ b/src/modules/punk/console-999999.0a1.0.tm
@@ -1201,6 +1201,9 @@ namespace eval punk::console {
     namespace import ansi::cursor_on
     namespace import ansi::cursor_off
 
+    #review - the concept of using local mechanisms at all (ie apis) vs ansi is not necessarily something we want/need to support.
+    #For the system to be really useful if needs to operate in conditions where the terminal is remote
+    #This seems to be why windows console is deprecating various non-ansi api methods for interacting with the console.
     namespace eval local {
         proc titleset {windowtitle} {
             if {"windows" eq $::tcl_platform(platform)} {
@@ -1247,17 +1250,21 @@ namespace eval punk::console {
         return [local::titleget]
     }
 
-    proc infocmp_test {} {
+    proc infocmp {} {
         set cmd1 [auto_execok infocmp]
         if {[string length $cmd1]} {
-            puts stderr "infocmp seems to be available"
+            puts stderr "Using infocmp executable"
             return [exec {*}$cmd1]
         } else {
-            puts stderr "infcmp doesn't seem to be present"
+            puts stderr "infocmp doesn't seem to be present"
+            if {$::tcl_platform(os) eq "FreeBSD"} {
+                puts stderr "For FreeBSD - install ncurses to get infocmp and related binaries and also install terminfo-db"
+            }
             set tcmd [auto_execok tput]
             if {[string length $tcmd]} {
                 puts stderr "tput seems to be available. Try something like: tput -S - (freebsd)"
             }
+            #todo - what? can tput query all caps? OS differences?
         }
     }
 
@@ -1284,6 +1291,7 @@ namespace eval punk::console {
         return [split $data ";"]
     }
 
+    #channel?
     namespace eval ansi {
         proc move {row col} {
             puts -nonewline stdout [punk::ansi::move $row $col]
@@ -1324,6 +1332,12 @@ namespace eval punk::console {
         proc scroll_down {n} {
             puts -nonewline stdout [punk::ansi::scroll_down $n]
         }
+        proc enable_alt_screen {} {
+            puts -nonewline stdout [punk::ansi::enable_alt_screen]
+        }
+        proc disable_alt_screen {} {
+            puts -nonewline stdout [punk::ansi::disable_alt_screen]
+        }
 
         #review - worth the extra microseconds to inline? might be if used in for example prompt on every keypress.
         #caller should build as much as possible using the punk::ansi versions to avoid extra puts calls
@@ -1377,8 +1391,10 @@ namespace eval punk::console {
     namespace import ansi::cursor_restore
     namespace import ansi::cursor_save_dec
     namespace import ansi::cursor_restore_dec
-    namespace import ansi::scroll_down
     namespace import ansi::scroll_up
+    namespace import ansi::scroll_down
+    namespace import ansi::enable_alt_screen
+    namespace import ansi::disable_alt_screen
     namespace import ansi::insert_spaces
     namespace import ansi::delete_characters
     namespace import ansi::erase_characters
diff --git a/src/modules/punk/repl-0.1.tm b/src/modules/punk/repl-0.1.tm
index 0cc2e9c..0f594b4 100644
--- a/src/modules/punk/repl-0.1.tm
+++ b/src/modules/punk/repl-0.1.tm
@@ -23,11 +23,6 @@ set tcl_interactive 1
 
 
 
-proc todo {} {
-    puts "tcl History"
-    puts "repltelemetry package"
-    puts "deaddrop package for a consistent way for modules to leave small notes to others that may come later."
-}
 
 
 
@@ -76,6 +71,12 @@ namespace eval repl {
 namespace eval punk::repl {
     variable debug_repl 0
 
+    proc todo {} {
+        puts "tcl History"
+        puts "repltelemetry package"
+        puts "deaddrop package for a consistent way for modules to leave small notes to others that may come later."
+    }
+
     proc has_script_var_bug {} {
         set script {set j [list spud] ; list}
         append script \n
@@ -95,9 +96,6 @@ namespace eval punk::repl {
             return false
         }
     }
-
-}
-namespace eval repl {
     #since we are targeting Tcl 8.6+ - we should be using 'interp bgerror .'
     #todo - make optional/configurable?
     proc bgerror2 {args} {
@@ -110,20 +108,28 @@ namespace eval repl {
         puts stderr "===================="
         puts stderr "^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^"
     }
-    proc bgerror {message} {
-        puts stderr "*> repl background error: $message"
-        puts stderr "*> [set ::errorInfo]"
+    proc bgerror {args} {
+        set message [lindex $args 0] 
+        set errdict [lindex $args 1]
+        puts stderr "\n*> repl background error: '$message'"
+        #puts stderr "*> [set ::errorInfo]"
+        puts stderr "*> errorinfo: [dict get $errdict -errorinfo]"
         set stdinreader [fileevent stdin readable]
         if {![string length $stdinreader]} {
             puts stderr "*> stdin reader inactive"
         } else {
             puts stderr "*> stdin reader active"
         }
+        flush stderr
     }
 
     if {![llength [info commands ::bgerror]]} {
-        interp alias {} bgerror {} ::repl::bgerror
+        #interp alias {} bgerror {} ::repl::bgerror
     }
+    interp bgerror "" ::punk::repl::bgerror
+
+}
+namespace eval repl {
 }
 
 namespace eval ::repl::term {
@@ -185,13 +191,6 @@ if {$::tcl_platform(platform) eq "windows"} {
                 }
             }
             twapi::set_console_control_handler ::repl::term::handler_console_control
-            proc ::repl::term::set_console_title {text} {
-                #go via console - in case ansi disabled/unavailable
-                punk::console::titleset $text
-            }
-            proc ::repl::term::set_console_icon {name} {
-                #todo
-            }
             #we can't yet emit from an event with proper prompt handling - 
             #repl::rputs stdout "twapi loaded"
         } else {
@@ -200,30 +199,10 @@ if {$::tcl_platform(platform) eq "windows"} {
     }]
 } else {
     #TODO
-    proc ::repl::term::set_console_title {text} {
-        #todo - terminfo/termcap?
-        #puts -nonewline "\033\]2;$text\007" ;#works for xterm and most derivatives
-        puts -nonewline [term::ansi::code::ctrl::title $text]
-    }
-    proc ::repl::term::set_console_icon {name} {
-        #old xterm feature for label given to xterm window when miniaturized? TODO research
-        #puts -nonewline "\033\]1;$name\007"
-    }
 }
 
-
-#expermental terminal alt screens
-#alternatives are \x1b\[?47h ans \x1b[?\47l
-proc ::repl::term::screen_push_alt {} {
-    #tput smcup
-    puts -nonewline stderr "\033\[?1049h"
-}
-proc ::repl::term::screen_pop_alt {} {
-    #tput rmcup
-    puts -nonewline stderr "\033\[?1049l"
-}
-interp alias {} smcup {} ::repl::term::screen_push_alt
-interp alias {} rmcup {} ::repl::term::screen_pop_alt
+interp alias {} smcup {} ::punk::console::enable_alt_screen
+interp alias {} rmcup {} ::punk::console::disable_alt_screen
 
 
 # moved to punk package..
diff --git a/src/modules/punk/unixywindows-999999.0a1.0.tm b/src/modules/punk/unixywindows-999999.0a1.0.tm
index 8dbcf9f..e65b599 100644
--- a/src/modules/punk/unixywindows-999999.0a1.0.tm
+++ b/src/modules/punk/unixywindows-999999.0a1.0.tm
@@ -82,14 +82,18 @@ namespace eval punk::unixywindows {
     proc cdwin {path} {
         set path [towinpath $path]
         if {$::repl::running} {
-            repl::term::set_console_title $path
+            if {[llength [info commands ::punk::console::titleset]]} {
+                ::punk::console::titleset $path
+            }
         }
         cd $path
     }
     proc cdwindir {path} {
         set path [towinpath $path]
         if {$::repl::running} {
-            repl::term::set_console_title $path
+            if {[llength [info commands ::punk::console::titleset]]} {
+                ::punk::console::titleset $path
+            }
         }
         cd [file dirname $path]
     }
diff --git a/src/modules/textblock-999999.0a1.0.tm b/src/modules/textblock-999999.0a1.0.tm
index b3b73cf..21f5717 100644
--- a/src/modules/textblock-999999.0a1.0.tm
+++ b/src/modules/textblock-999999.0a1.0.tm
@@ -1108,10 +1108,11 @@ namespace eval textblock {
                                 lappend checked_opts $k $v
                             }
                             -colspans {
-                                if {[llength $v] > [dict size $o_columndefs]} {
+                                set numcols [dict size $o_columndefs]
+                                if {[llength $v] > $numcols} {
                                     error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans length ([llength $v]) is longer than number of columns ([dict size $o_columndefs])"
                                 }
-                                if {[llength $v] < [dict size $o_columndefs]} {
+                                if {[llength $v] < $numcols} { 
                                     puts stderr "textblock::table::configure_header warning - only [llength $v] spans specified for [dict size $o_columndefs] columns."
                                     puts stderr "It is recommended to set all spans explicitly. (auto-calc not implemented)"
                                 }
@@ -1120,48 +1121,61 @@ namespace eval textblock {
                                     set first_is_ok 0
                                     if {$firstspan eq "all"} {
                                         set first_is_ok 1
-                                    } elseif {[string is integer -strict $firstspan] && $firstspan > 0} {
+                                    } elseif {[string is integer -strict $firstspan] && $firstspan > 0 && $firstspan <= $numcols} {
                                         set first_is_ok 1
                                     }
                                     if {!$first_is_ok} {
-                                        error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans first value '$firstspan' must be integer > 0 or the string \"all\""
+                                        error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans first value '$firstspan' must be integer > 0 & <= $numcols or the string \"all\""
                                     } 
                                     #we don't mind if there are less colspans specified than columns.. the tail can be deduced from the leading ones specified (review)
                                     set remaining $firstspan
                                     if {$remaining ne "all"} {
                                         incr remaining -1
                                     }
+                                    set spanview $v
+                                    set sidx 1
+                                    #because we allow 'all' - be careful when doing < or > comparisons - as we are mixing integer and string comparisons if we don't test for 'all' first
                                     foreach span [lrange $v 1 end] {
                                         if {$remaining eq "all"} {
                                             if {$span eq "all"} {
                                                 set remaining "all" 
                                             } elseif {$span > 0} {
                                                 #ok to reset to higher val immediately or after an all and any number of following zeros
+                                                if {$span > ($numcols - $sidx)} {
+                                                    lset spanview $sidx [a+ web-red]$span[a]
+                                                    error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans sequence incorrect at span '$span'. Require span <= [expr {$numcols-$sidx}] or \"all\".[a] $spanview"
+                                                }
                                                 set remaining $span
                                                 incr remaining -1
                                             } else {
                                                 #zero following an all - leave remaining as all 
-                                                incr remaining -1
                                             }
                                         } else {
                                             if {$span eq "0"} {
                                                 if {$remaining eq "0"} {
-                                                    error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans sequence incorrect at span '$span' remaining is $remaining - positive or \"all\" value span required"
+                                                    lset spanview $sidx [a+ web-red]$span[a]
+                                                    error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans sequence incorrect at span '$span' remaining is $remaining. Require positive or \"all\" value.[a] $spanview"
                                                 } else {
                                                     incr remaining -1
                                                 }
                                             } else {
                                                 if {$remaining eq "0"} {
                                                     #ok for new span value of all or > 0
+                                                    if {$span ne "all" && $span > ($numcols - $sidx)} {
+                                                        lset spanview $sidx [a+ web-red]$span[a]
+                                                        error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans sequence incorrect at span '$span'. Require span <= [expr {$numcols-$sidx}] or \"all\".[a] $spanview"
+                                                    }
                                                     set remaining $span
                                                     if {$remaining ne "all"} {
                                                         incr remaining -1
                                                     }
                                                 } else {
-                                                    error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans sequence incorrect at span '$span' remaining is $remaining - zero value span required"
+                                                    lset spanview $sidx [a+ web-red]$span[a]
+                                                    error "textblock::table::configure_header -colspans sequence incorrect at span '$span' remaining is $remaining. Require zero value span.[a] $spanview"
                                                 }
                                             }
                                         }
+                                        incr sidx
                                     }
                                 }
                                 #empty -colspans list should be ok
@@ -5561,6 +5575,12 @@ namespace eval textblock {
     }
     #options before content argument - which is allowed to be absent
     #frame performance (noticeable with complex tables even of modest size) is improved significantly by frame_cache - but is still (2024) a fairly expensive operation.
+    #
+    #consider if we can use -sticky nsew instead of -blockalign (as per Tk grid -sticky option)
+    # This would require some sort of expand equivalent e.g for -sticky ew or -sticky ns - for which we have to decide a meaning for text.. e.g ansi padding?
+    #We are framing 'rendered' text - so we don't have access to for example an inner frame or table to tell it to expand 
+    #we could refactor as an object and provide a -return object option, then use stored -sticky data to influence how another object renders into it
+    # - but we would need to maintain support for the rendered-string based operations too.
     proc frame {args} {
         variable frametypes
         set expect_optval 0