diff --git a/kiln-core/src/action.rs b/kiln-core/src/action.rs
index 34d7857..94f943d 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/action.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/action.rs
@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ impl From<SendArg> for Dynamic {
 pub enum Action {
     /// Move the source object one cell in a direction (subject to passability).
     Move(Direction),
-    /// Set the source object's glyph tile index.
-    SetTile(u32),
+    /// Set the source object's glyph character.
+    SetTile(char),
     /// Set the source object's light radius in cells (0 = no light). Zero time
     /// cost. Applied to the source [`ObjectDef::light`](crate::object_def::ObjectDef::light).
     SetLight(u32),
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ impl Debug for Action {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
         match self {
             Action::Move(dir) => write!(f, "Move({:?})", dir),
-            Action::SetTile(i) => write!(f, "SetTile({i})"),
+            Action::SetTile(ch) => write!(f, "SetTile({ch:?})"),
             Action::SetLight(r) => write!(f, "SetLight({r})"),
             Action::SetTag { .. } => write!(f, "SetTag"),
             Action::Say(_, _) => write!(f, "Say"),
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/board.rs b/kiln-core/src/board.rs
index 3290348..6d9344f 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/board.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/board.rs
@@ -128,17 +128,17 @@ impl Board {
         let sensors = self.sensors.iter().filter(|&s| s.x == x && s.y == y);
 
         // Is there a sensor above the grid?
-        if let Some(above) = sensors.clone().find(|s| s.draw_layer == DrawLayer::Above && s.scripting.glyph.tile != 0) {
+        if let Some(above) = sensors.clone().find(|s| s.draw_layer == DrawLayer::Above && s.scripting.glyph.is_visible()) {
             return above.scripting.glyph;
         }
 
         // Does the grid have a good glyph?
-        if let Some(glyph) = grid_glyph && glyph.tile != 0 {
+        if let Some(glyph) = grid_glyph && glyph.is_visible() {
             return glyph;
         }
 
         // Is there a sensor below the grid?
-        if let Some(below) = sensors.clone().find(|s| s.draw_layer == DrawLayer::Below && s.scripting.glyph.tile != 0) {
+        if let Some(below) = sensors.clone().find(|s| s.draw_layer == DrawLayer::Below && s.scripting.glyph.is_visible()) {
             return below.scripting.glyph;
         }
 
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
             draw_layer: DrawLayer::Above,
             scripting: ScriptAttributes {
                 id: board.next_object_id,
-                glyph: Glyph { tile: 1, fg: Rgba8 { r: 255, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 }, bg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 } },
+                glyph: Glyph { tile: '☺', fg: Rgba8 { r: 255, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 }, bg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 } },
                 optics: Optics {
                     glow: 4,
                     opaque: false
@@ -916,7 +916,7 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
         // Player parked at (2,0) so it doesn't overlap either asserted cell.
         let mut board = open_board(3, 1, (2, 0));
         let floor_glyph = Glyph {
-            tile: '.' as u32,
+            tile: '.',
             fg: Rgba8 {
                 r: 10,
                 g: 20,
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/builtin.rs b/kiln-core/src/builtin.rs
index 290ac59..edbabe1 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/builtin.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/builtin.rs
@@ -101,8 +101,8 @@ macro_rules! builtins {
 }
 
 // Shorthand helpers used only within the builtins! invocation below.
-// `g(tile, r, g, b)` builds a Glyph with the given tile and fg on black bg.
-const fn g(tile: u32, r: u8, gr: u8, b: u8) -> Glyph {
+// `g(ch, r, g, b)` builds a Glyph drawing `ch` in the given fg on a black bg.
+const fn g(tile: char, r: u8, gr: u8, b: u8) -> Glyph {
     Glyph {
         tile,
         fg: Rgba8 { r, g: gr, b, a: 255 },
@@ -111,29 +111,29 @@ const fn g(tile: u32, r: u8, gr: u8, b: u8) -> Glyph {
 }
 
 builtins! {
-    Gem => ["gem" => g(4, 0x50, 0x50, 0xFF)] {
+    Gem => ["gem" => g('♦', 0x50, 0x50, 0xFF)] {
         enter: EnterResponse::Grab,
         optics: Optics { opaque: false, glow: 0 },
         script: ScriptKey::Builtin("gem"),
     },
-    Heart => ["heart" => g(3, 0xCC, 0x22, 0x22)] {
+    Heart => ["heart" => g('♡', 0xCC, 0x22, 0x22)] {
         enter: EnterResponse::Grab,
         optics: Optics { opaque: false, glow: 0 },
         script: ScriptKey::Builtin("heart"),
     },
     Pusher => [
-        "pusher_north" => g(30, 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
-        "pusher_south" => g(31, 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
-        "pusher_east"  => g(16, 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
-        "pusher_west"  => g(17, 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
+        "pusher_north" => g('▲', 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
+        "pusher_south" => g('▼', 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
+        "pusher_east"  => g('►', 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
+        "pusher_west"  => g('◄', 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
     ] {
         enter: EnterResponse::Block,
         optics: Optics { opaque: true, glow: 0 },
         script: ScriptKey::Builtin("pusher"),
     },
     Spinner => [
-        "spinner_cw"  => g(47, 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
-        "spinner_ccw" => g(92, 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
+        "spinner_cw"  => g('/', 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
+        "spinner_ccw" => g('\\', 0xAA, 0xAA, 0xAA),
     ] {
         enter: EnterResponse::Block,
         optics: Optics { opaque: true, glow: 0 },
@@ -142,10 +142,10 @@ builtins! {
     // Solid, see-through (opaque: false), unpushable teleporters. Each direction's
     // default glyph is the first frame of its animation loop (see transporter.rhai).
     Transporter => [
-        "transporter_north" => g(94,  0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // '^'
-        "transporter_south" => g(118, 0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // 'v'
-        "transporter_east"  => g(41,  0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // ')'
-        "transporter_west"  => g(40,  0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // '('
+        "transporter_north" => g('^',  0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // '^'
+        "transporter_south" => g('v', 0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // 'v'
+        "transporter_east"  => g(')',  0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // ')'
+        "transporter_west"  => g('(',  0x55, 0xFF, 0xFF),   // '('
     ] {
         enter: EnterResponse::Hook,
         optics: Optics { opaque: false, glow: 0 },
@@ -166,24 +166,24 @@ builtins! {
         script: ScriptKey::Builtin("key"),
     },
     Wall => ["wall" => Glyph {
-            tile: 35,
+            tile: '#',
             fg: Rgba8 { r: 0x80, g: 0x80, b: 0x80, a: 255 },
             bg: Rgba8 { r: 0x60, g: 0x60, b: 0x60, a: 255 }}] {
         enter: EnterResponse::Block,
         optics: Optics { opaque: true, glow: 0 },
         script: ScriptKey::None
     },
-    Crate => ["crate" => g(254, 0xaa, 0xaa, 0xaa)] { // CP437 ■ (small filled square)
+    Crate => ["crate" => g('■', 0xaa, 0xaa, 0xaa)] { // CP437 ■ (small filled square)
         enter: EnterResponse::Push(Pushable::Any),
         optics: Optics { opaque: true, glow: 0 },
         script: ScriptKey::None
     },
-    HCrate => ["hcrate" => g(29, 0xaa, 0xaa, 0xaa)] { // CP437 ↔ (left-right arrow) — pushable east/west
+    HCrate => ["hcrate" => g('↔', 0xaa, 0xaa, 0xaa)] { // CP437 ↔ (left-right arrow) — pushable east/west
         enter: EnterResponse::Push(Pushable::Horizontal),
         optics: Optics { opaque: true, glow: 0 },
         script: ScriptKey::None
     },
-    VCrate => ["vcrate" => g(18, 0xaa, 0xaa, 0xaa)] { // CP437 ↕ (up-down arrow) — pushable north/south
+    VCrate => ["vcrate" => g('↕', 0xaa, 0xaa, 0xaa)] { // CP437 ↕ (up-down arrow) — pushable north/south
         enter: EnterResponse::Push(Pushable::Vertical),
         optics: Optics { opaque: true, glow: 0 },
         script: ScriptKey::None
@@ -209,18 +209,18 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn builtin_names_glyphs_and_round_trip() {
-        // All known aliases must parse, round-trip via name(), and give the right tile.
+        // All known aliases must parse, round-trip via name(), and draw the right char.
         for (name, tile) in [
-            ("gem", 4u32),
-            ("pusher_north", 30),
-            ("pusher_south", 31),
-            ("pusher_east", 16),
-            ("pusher_west", 17),
-            ("spinner_cw", 47),
-            ("spinner_ccw", 92),
-            ("key_red", 12),
-            ("key_blue", 12),
-            ("key_white", 12),
+            ("gem", '♦'),
+            ("pusher_north", '▲'),
+            ("pusher_south", '▼'),
+            ("pusher_east", '►'),
+            ("pusher_west", '◄'),
+            ("spinner_cw", '/'),
+            ("spinner_ccw", '\\'),
+            ("key_red", '♀'),
+            ("key_blue", '♀'),
+            ("key_white", '♀'),
         ] {
             let (builtin, kind) = Builtin::from_name(name)
                 .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("'{name}' should parse as a builtin"));
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ mod tests {
             assert_eq!(
                 builtin.default_glyph_for(kind).tile,
                 tile,
-                "'{name}' has the correct default tile"
+                "'{name}' draws the correct default character"
             );
         }
     }
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/cp437.rs b/kiln-core/src/cp437.rs
index a8feea9..3ed914b 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/cp437.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/cp437.rs
@@ -1,23 +1,27 @@
-//! CP437 → Unicode mapping for interpreting glyph tile indices as characters.
+//! CP437 → Unicode mapping, the numeric shorthand for a glyph's character.
 //!
-//! kiln stores each cell's visual as a `tile: u32` index into a bitmap font.
-//! The default kiln font is IBM CP437, where the tile index equals the CP437
-//! code point. A terminal can't draw the bitmap font, so a front-end reinterprets
-//! the tile index as a character via this table and prints that character with
-//! the cell's foreground/background colors. This lives in kiln-core (not a
-//! front-end) because it is the *meaning* of a tile index under the default font,
-//! shared by every renderer and by the editor's glyph picker.
+//! A [`Glyph`](crate::glyph::Glyph) stores the character it draws directly, but a
+//! map file may also write a tile as a `u8` — the IBM CP437 code point — which is
+//! resolved through this table at load time. It stays in kiln-core (not a
+//! front-end) because it is the *meaning* of that numeric shorthand, shared by the
+//! map-file deserializer and by the editor's glyph picker.
 
 /// CP437 code point → Unicode scalar value.
 ///
-/// Index this array by a byte value (0–255) to get the displayable character.
-/// The low control range (0x00–0x1F) maps to CP437's graphic glyphs (hearts,
-/// arrows, musical notes, etc.) rather than ASCII control codes, matching how
-/// these byte values render in a DOS/ZZT-style font. Code 0x00 maps to a blank
-/// space since a literal NUL is not displayable.
+/// Index this array by a byte value (0–255) to get the character. The low control
+/// range (0x01–0x1F) maps to CP437's graphic glyphs (hearts, arrows, musical
+/// notes, etc.) rather than ASCII control codes, matching how these byte values
+/// render in a DOS/ZZT-style font.
+///
+/// Code `0x00` is the exception: it maps to `'\0'`, the see-through sentinel that
+/// [`Glyph::transparent`](crate::glyph::Glyph::transparent) uses, **not** to a
+/// space. A literal space is code 32. Keeping those distinct is what lets
+/// `tile = 0` in a map file mean "draw nothing, show what is beneath" while
+/// `tile = 32` means "paint a blank over it", and it makes every entry in this
+/// table unique so [`char_to_tile`] is well defined.
 const CP437: [char; 256] = [
-    // 0x00–0x0F
-    ' ', '☺', '☻', '♡', '♦', '♣', '♠', '•', '◘', '○', '◙', '♂', '♀', '♪', '♫', '☼',
+    // 0x00–0x0F  (0x00 is the transparent sentinel, not a space)
+    '\0', '☺', '☻', '♡', '♦', '♣', '♠', '•', '◘', '○', '◙', '♂', '♀', '♪', '♫', '☼',
     // 0x10–0x1F
     '►', '◄', '↕', '‼', '¶', '§', '▬', '↨', '↑', '↓', '→', '←', '∟', '↔', '▲', '▼',
     // 0x20–0x2F  (ASCII space onward)
@@ -50,12 +54,13 @@ const CP437: [char; 256] = [
     '≡', '±', '≥', '≤', '⌠', '⌡', '÷', '≈', '°', '∙', '·', '√', 'ⁿ', '²', '■', '\u{00A0}',
 ];
 
-/// Converts a glyph tile index into a displayable character.
+/// Converts a CP437 tile index into the character it denotes.
 ///
-/// Tile indices in `0..256` use the [`CP437`] table. Larger indices (which a
+/// Indices in `0..256` use the [`CP437`] table. Larger indices (which a
 /// non-default font could in principle reference) fall back to interpreting the
 /// index as a raw Unicode scalar, then to a blank space if that is not a valid
-/// or printable character.
+/// character. Map files cap the numeric form at `u8`, so only in-table indices
+/// arrive from disk.
 pub fn tile_to_char(tile: u32) -> char {
     if tile < 256 {
         CP437[tile as usize]
@@ -64,6 +69,16 @@ pub fn tile_to_char(tile: u32) -> char {
     }
 }
 
+/// The CP437 index denoting `ch`, or `None` if the character has no slot.
+///
+/// The inverse of [`tile_to_char`] over `0..256`. Every table entry is distinct
+/// (see the `cp437_table_has_no_duplicate_characters` test), so the answer is
+/// unambiguous. Used by the editor's glyph picker, which navigates by index; a
+/// glyph carrying a character outside CP437 simply has no slot to highlight.
+pub fn char_to_tile(ch: char) -> Option<u32> {
+    CP437.iter().position(|&c| c == ch).map(|i| i as u32)
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
@@ -73,7 +88,7 @@ mod tests {
         // The printable ASCII range must map to itself.
         assert_eq!(tile_to_char('@' as u32), '@'); // player tile 64
         assert_eq!(tile_to_char('#' as u32), '#'); // wall tile 35
-        assert_eq!(tile_to_char(' ' as u32), ' '); // empty tile 32
+        assert_eq!(tile_to_char(' ' as u32), ' '); // literal space is 32
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -88,4 +103,34 @@ mod tests {
         // A surrogate code point is not a valid char → blank.
         assert_eq!(tile_to_char(0xD800), ' ');
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn index_zero_is_the_transparent_sentinel_not_a_space() {
+        // `tile = 0` in a map file must mean "draw nothing", distinct from the
+        // literal space at 32 — otherwise an empty cell would paint over the floor.
+        assert_eq!(tile_to_char(0), '\0');
+        assert_eq!(tile_to_char(32), ' ');
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn cp437_table_has_no_duplicate_characters() {
+        // char_to_tile is only well defined if the mapping is injective. This also
+        // guards the 0/32 split above: reintroducing a space at index 0 fails here.
+        let mut seen = std::collections::HashSet::new();
+        for (index, &ch) in CP437.iter().enumerate() {
+            assert!(
+                seen.insert(ch),
+                "character {ch:?} appears twice, second time at index {index}"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn char_to_tile_inverts_tile_to_char() {
+        for index in 0u32..256 {
+            assert_eq!(char_to_tile(tile_to_char(index)), Some(index));
+        }
+        // A character with no CP437 slot has no index.
+        assert_eq!(char_to_tile('🦀'), None);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/floor.rs b/kiln-core/src/floor.rs
index a7b0b72..869c8b7 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/floor.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/floor.rs
@@ -163,14 +163,15 @@ impl FloorBiome {
         if rng.next_bool(Probability::new(prob)) {
             let ch = chars[rng.next_lim_usize(chars.len())];
             Glyph {
-                tile: ch as u32,
+                tile: ch,
                 fg: lighten(bg, 35), // a lighter shade of the same ground
                 bg,
             }
         } else {
-            // Bare ground: a space (its fg never shows).
+            // Bare ground: a literal space, which paints over whatever is
+            // beneath rather than revealing it (unlike the transparent sentinel).
             Glyph {
-                tile: 32,
+                tile: ' ',
                 fg: bg,
                 bg,
             }
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/game.rs b/kiln-core/src/game.rs
index 8d5bf25..288c4da 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/game.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/game.rs
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ mod tests {
             assert_eq!(g.fg, base.fg, "fg unchanged");
             assert_eq!(g.bg, base.bg, "bg unchanged");
         }
-        assert_eq!(seq, vec![47, 0xC4, 92, 0xB3, 47]);
+        assert_eq!(seq, vec!['/', '─', '\\', '│', '/']);
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/glyph.rs b/kiln-core/src/glyph.rs
index 1b702e1..f91d7c3 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/glyph.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/glyph.rs
@@ -7,20 +7,24 @@ use crate::utils::LogSink;
 
 /// The visual representation of a single board cell.
 ///
-/// `Glyph` holds everything needed to draw one cell on screen: which tile
-/// index to display and what colors to use. It is stored per-cell (not per
-/// archetype), so individual cells can vary their appearance independently.
-///
-/// `tile` is a left-to-right, top-to-bottom index into the board's bitmap
-/// font. For the default CP437 font this matches the ASCII/CP437 code point.
+/// `Glyph` holds everything needed to draw one cell on screen: which character to
+/// display and what colors to use. It is stored per-cell (not per archetype), so
+/// individual cells can vary their appearance independently.
 ///
 /// `Glyph` values come from the map file palette and are set at load time.
 /// The player is the only entity whose glyph is hardcoded at runtime
 /// (see [`Glyph::player`]).
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Glyph {
-    /// Which tile to draw
-    pub tile: u32,
+    /// The character to draw, or `'\0'` — the see-through sentinel — for a cell
+    /// that draws nothing (see [`Glyph::transparent`] / [`Glyph::is_visible`]).
+    ///
+    /// In a map file this accepts either a single-character string used verbatim
+    /// (`tile = "#"`, `tile = "░"`) or a `u8` CP437 index resolved through
+    /// [`cp437::tile_to_char`](crate::cp437::tile_to_char) (`tile = 176`).
+    /// Omitting the field entirely gives the transparent sentinel.
+    #[serde(with = "self::tile", default = "transparent_tile", skip_serializing_if = "is_transparent")]
+    pub tile: char,
     /// Foreground color, applied to non-background pixels of the tile.
     ///
     /// Serialized as an `"#RRGGBB"` hex string — see [`parse_color`].
@@ -49,7 +53,7 @@ impl Hash for Glyph {
 impl Registerable for Glyph {
     fn register(engine: &mut Engine, _log_sink: LogSink) {
         engine.register_type_with_name::<Glyph>("Glyph");
-        engine.register_get("tile", |g: &mut Glyph| g.tile);
+        engine.register_get("tile", |g: &mut Glyph| g.tile.to_string());
         engine.register_get("fg", |g: &mut Glyph| {
             format!("#{:02x}{:02x}{:02x}", g.fg.r, g.fg.g, g.fg.b)
         });
@@ -60,7 +64,7 @@ impl Registerable for Glyph {
 }
 
 impl Glyph {
-    /// Returns the glyph used to render the player: tile 64 (`@`) in white on dark blue.
+    /// Returns the glyph used to render the player: `@` in white on dark blue.
     ///
     /// This is the only hardcoded glyph; all other glyphs come from the map
     /// file palette. It will be removed once the player becomes a scripted
@@ -68,41 +72,137 @@ impl Glyph {
     #[rustfmt::skip]
     pub const fn player() -> Self {
         Self {
-            tile: 64,
+            tile: '@',
             fg: Rgba8 { r: 255, g: 255, b: 255, a: 255 }, // white
             bg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 200, a: 255 }, // dark blue
         }
     }
 
-    /// A fully transparent glyph: tile `0` (the see-through sentinel) on black.
+    /// A fully transparent glyph: `'\0'` (the see-through sentinel) on black.
     ///
-    /// A layer cell holding this glyph contributes nothing to drawing, so a lower
-    /// layer shows through. It is what an `empty` palette entry resolves to, and
-    /// what is left behind when a solid is pushed/moved off a cell.
+    /// A cell holding this glyph contributes nothing to drawing, so whatever the
+    /// next level of [`Board::glyph_at`](crate::board::Board::glyph_at)'s
+    /// precedence finds — a sensor, the floor — shows through. It is what an
+    /// `empty` palette entry resolves to, and what is left behind when a solid is
+    /// pushed or moved off a cell.
+    ///
+    /// Distinct from a literal space (`' '`), which paints a blank *over* the
+    /// floor rather than revealing it.
     #[rustfmt::skip]
     pub const fn transparent() -> Self {
         Self {
-            tile: 0,
+            tile: '\0',
             fg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 },
             bg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 },
         }
     }
 
-    /// The default glyph for a portal: CP437 char 240 (`≡`), black on white.
+    /// The default glyph for a portal: `≡` (CP437 240), black on white.
     #[rustfmt::skip]
     pub const fn portal() -> Self {
         Self {
-            tile: 240,
+            tile: '≡',
             fg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 },
             bg: Rgba8 { r: 255, g: 255, b: 255, a: 255 },
         }
     }
+
+    /// Whether this glyph draws anything at all.
+    ///
+    /// `false` for the [`transparent`](Glyph::transparent) sentinel, which is how
+    /// [`Board::glyph_at`](crate::board::Board::glyph_at) decides to fall through
+    /// to whatever lies beneath. Note a literal space *is* visible: it paints a
+    /// blank over the floor.
+    pub const fn is_visible(&self) -> bool {
+        self.tile != '\0'
+    }
 }
 
-// TODO make TileIndex work again: `tile` should accept either a single-character
-// string (used directly as the display char) or a `u8` (looked up in CP437). That
-// change turns `Glyph::tile` into a `char`, with `'\0'` as the transparent
-// sentinel and `CP437[0]` remapped to `'\0'` to match.
+/// The `tile` value for a glyph that draws nothing — the `serde` default, used
+/// when a map file omits the field.
+fn transparent_tile() -> char {
+    Glyph::transparent().tile
+}
+
+/// Whether `tile` is the transparent sentinel; keeps it out of saved map files,
+/// since omitting the field is how it round-trips.
+fn is_transparent(tile: &char) -> bool {
+    *tile == '\0'
+}
+
+/// `serde` adapter for [`Glyph::tile`], accepting a character or a CP437 index.
+///
+/// A map file may write either form:
+///
+/// ```toml
+/// tile = "░"    # a single-character string, used verbatim
+/// tile = 176    # a u8 CP437 index, resolved through the cp437 table
+/// ```
+///
+/// Both yield the same `char`. Omitting the field gives `'\0'` (see
+/// [`Glyph::transparent`]), and the sentinel is skipped when serializing, so it
+/// round-trips as an absent key rather than an unprintable NUL.
+///
+/// Hand-written rather than an `#[serde(untagged)]` enum: untagged collapses every
+/// failure into "data did not match any variant", which is useless when the input
+/// is a hand-edited map.
+mod tile {
+    use crate::cp437::tile_to_char;
+    use serde::de::{Error, Unexpected, Visitor};
+    use serde::{Deserializer, Serializer};
+    use std::fmt;
+
+    pub fn serialize<S: Serializer>(tile: &char, s: S) -> Result<S::Ok, S::Error> {
+        s.serialize_str(&tile.to_string())
+    }
+
+    pub fn deserialize<'de, D: Deserializer<'de>>(d: D) -> Result<char, D::Error> {
+        d.deserialize_any(TileVisitor)
+    }
+
+    struct TileVisitor;
+
+    impl<'de> Visitor<'de> for TileVisitor {
+        type Value = char;
+
+        fn expecting(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
+            f.write_str("a single-character string, or a CP437 index in 0..=255")
+        }
+
+        fn visit_str<E: Error>(self, text: &str) -> Result<char, E> {
+            let mut chars = text.chars();
+            match (chars.next(), chars.next()) {
+                (Some(ch), None) => Ok(ch),
+                _ => Err(E::invalid_value(
+                    Unexpected::Str(text),
+                    &"exactly one character",
+                )),
+            }
+        }
+
+        // TOML integers arrive as i64; a negative or oversized index is a clear
+        // authoring error rather than something to silently clamp.
+        fn visit_i64<E: Error>(self, index: i64) -> Result<char, E> {
+            match u8::try_from(index) {
+                Ok(byte) => Ok(tile_to_char(byte as u32)),
+                Err(_) => Err(E::invalid_value(
+                    Unexpected::Signed(index),
+                    &"a CP437 index in 0..=255",
+                )),
+            }
+        }
+
+        fn visit_u64<E: Error>(self, index: u64) -> Result<char, E> {
+            match u8::try_from(index) {
+                Ok(byte) => Ok(tile_to_char(byte as u32)),
+                Err(_) => Err(E::invalid_value(
+                    Unexpected::Unsigned(index),
+                    &"a CP437 index in 0..=255",
+                )),
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
 
 /// Parses an `"#RRGGBB"` hex color into an opaque [`Rgba8`].
 ///
@@ -172,6 +272,87 @@ mod tests {
     use super::{color_to_hex, parse_color, Glyph};
     use color::Rgba8;
 
+    /// Deserializes a `Glyph` from a TOML body, with the colors filled in so each
+    /// test only has to state the `tile` form it is exercising.
+    fn glyph_with_tile(tile_line: &str) -> Result<Glyph, toml::de::Error> {
+        toml::from_str(&format!("{tile_line}\nfg = \"#FFFFFF\"\nbg = \"#000000\"\n"))
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tile_accepts_a_character_or_a_cp437_index() {
+        // A single-character string is used verbatim…
+        assert_eq!(glyph_with_tile(r##"tile = "#""##).unwrap().tile, '#');
+        assert_eq!(glyph_with_tile(r#"tile = "░""#).unwrap().tile, '░');
+        // …and a u8 is resolved through the CP437 table to the same character.
+        assert_eq!(glyph_with_tile("tile = 35").unwrap().tile, '#');
+        assert_eq!(glyph_with_tile("tile = 176").unwrap().tile, '░');
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tile_index_and_character_forms_agree() {
+        // The two spellings are interchangeable across the whole table.
+        for index in 0u32..256 {
+            let by_index = glyph_with_tile(&format!("tile = {index}")).unwrap();
+            let ch = crate::cp437::tile_to_char(index);
+            assert_eq!(by_index.tile, ch);
+            // The character form round-trips too, except the sentinel, which has
+            // no string spelling — it is written by omitting the field instead.
+            if ch != '\0' {
+                // A TOML basic string needs these two escaped; every other CP437
+                // character stands for itself.
+                let escaped = match ch {
+                    '"' => r#"\""#.to_string(),
+                    '\\' => r"\\".to_string(),
+                    other => other.to_string(),
+                };
+                let by_char = glyph_with_tile(&format!("tile = \"{escaped}\"")).unwrap();
+                assert_eq!(by_char.tile, ch, "index {index} disagrees");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tile_rejects_a_multi_character_string_or_an_out_of_range_index() {
+        // Silently taking the first character would hide a typo.
+        let err = glyph_with_tile(r#"tile = "ab""#).unwrap_err().to_string();
+        assert!(err.contains("one character"), "{err}");
+
+        // The numeric form is a CP437 index, so it caps at u8.
+        assert!(glyph_with_tile("tile = 256").is_err());
+        assert!(glyph_with_tile("tile = -1").is_err());
+        // An empty string is not a character.
+        assert!(glyph_with_tile(r#"tile = """#).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn omitting_tile_gives_the_transparent_sentinel() {
+        // A glyphless sensor or trigger just leaves the key out.
+        let glyph = glyph_with_tile("").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(glyph.tile, '\0');
+        assert!(!glyph.is_visible());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_transparent_tile_round_trips_as_an_omitted_key() {
+        // Serializing '\0' as a string would emit an unprintable NUL into the map
+        // file, so the field is skipped and the serde default restores it.
+        let text = toml::to_string(&Glyph::transparent()).unwrap();
+        assert!(!text.contains("tile"), "transparent tile is omitted: {text}");
+        assert_eq!(toml::from_str::<Glyph>(&text).unwrap(), Glyph::transparent());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_literal_space_is_visible_and_distinct_from_transparent() {
+        // `tile = 32` paints a blank over the floor; `tile = 0` reveals it. Keeping
+        // these apart is why CP437 index 0 is the sentinel rather than a space.
+        let space = glyph_with_tile("tile = 32").unwrap();
+        let transparent = glyph_with_tile("tile = 0").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(space.tile, ' ');
+        assert!(space.is_visible());
+        assert_eq!(transparent.tile, '\0');
+        assert!(!transparent.is_visible());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn parse_color_accepts_six_digits_with_optional_hash() {
         let expected = Rgba8 { r: 0x11, g: 0x22, b: 0x33, a: 255 };
@@ -209,7 +390,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn glyph_colors_round_trip_through_toml_as_hex() {
         let glyph = Glyph {
-            tile: 35,
+            tile: '#',
             fg: Rgba8 { r: 0x80, g: 0x80, b: 0x80, a: 255 },
             bg: Rgba8 { r: 0x60, g: 0x60, b: 0x60, a: 255 },
         };
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/keys.rs b/kiln-core/src/keys.rs
index f19495f..ef6586c 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/keys.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/keys.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ impl KeyType {
             KeyType::White => Rgba8 { r: 0xFF, g: 0xFF, b: 0xFF, a: 255 }
         };
 
-        Glyph { tile: 12, fg, bg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 } }
+        Glyph { tile: '♀', fg, bg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 } }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/object_def.rs b/kiln-core/src/object_def.rs
index e1f2c60..b82f87f 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/object_def.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/object_def.rs
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ impl ObjectDef {
     #[rustfmt::skip]
     pub fn default_glyph() -> Glyph {
         Glyph {
-            tile: 63,
+            tile: '?',
             fg: Rgba8 { r: 255, g: 255, b: 0, a: 255 }, // yellow
             bg: Rgba8 { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 255 },
         }
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/script.rs b/kiln-core/src/script.rs
index eebc46e..f03b729 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/script.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/script.rs
@@ -402,8 +402,15 @@ fn register_write_api(engine: &mut Engine, board: BoardRef, log_sink: LogSink) {
     });
 
     let b = board.clone();
-    engine.register_fn("set_tile", move |ctx: NativeCallContext, tile: i64| {
-        emit(&b, source_of(&ctx), Action::SetTile(tile as u32));
+    let sink = log_sink.clone();
+    engine.register_fn("set_tile", move |ctx: NativeCallContext, tile: ImmutableString| {
+        // A glyph is one character; anything else is a script bug worth reporting
+        // rather than silently truncating.
+        let mut chars = tile.chars();
+        match (chars.next(), chars.next()) {
+            (Some(ch), None) => emit(&b, source_of(&ctx), Action::SetTile(ch)),
+            _ => sink.error(format!("set_tile: expected a single character, got {tile:?}")),
+        }
     });
 
     // set_light(radius): change the source object's emitted light radius in cells
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/scripts/spinner.rhai b/kiln-core/src/scripts/spinner.rhai
index 5e4f36d..829b789 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/scripts/spinner.rhai
+++ b/kiln-core/src/scripts/spinner.rhai
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ fn tick(me, dt) {
     // Animate the glyph one frame per rotation (changing only the character): the
     // line spins '/'-'\'-, slash-swapped for counter-clockwise. Frame state lives in
     // the board Registry, keyed per spinner, since script scope resets each tick.
-    let frames = if cw { [47, 0xc4, 92, 0xb3] } else { [92, 0xc4, 47, 0xb3] };
+    let frames = if cw { ["/", "\u2500", "\\", "\u2502"] } else { ["\\", "\u2500", "/", "\u2502"] };
     let fkey = `spin_${me.id}`;
     let f = Board.registry.get_or(fkey, 0);
     set_tile(frames[f % 4]);
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/scripts/transporter.rhai b/kiln-core/src/scripts/transporter.rhai
index 9dcbc91..92662b6 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/scripts/transporter.rhai
+++ b/kiln-core/src/scripts/transporter.rhai
@@ -28,12 +28,12 @@ fn opposite_tag(me) {
     else { "BUILTIN_transporter_east" }
 }
 
-// The 4-frame animation loop for this direction (CP437 tile codes).
+// The 4-frame animation loop for this direction.
 fn frames(me) {
-    if me.has_tag("BUILTIN_transporter_north") { [94, 45, 94, 126] }   // ^ - ^ ~
-    else if me.has_tag("BUILTIN_transporter_south") { [118, 95, 118, 45] } // v _ v -
-    else if me.has_tag("BUILTIN_transporter_east") { [41, 124, 41, 62] }   // ) | ) >
-    else { [40, 124, 40, 60] }                                        // ( | ( <
+    if me.has_tag("BUILTIN_transporter_north") { ["^", "-", "^", "~"] }
+    else if me.has_tag("BUILTIN_transporter_south") { ["v", "_", "v", "-"] }
+    else if me.has_tag("BUILTIN_transporter_east") { [")", "|", ")", ">"] }
+    else { ["(", "|", "(", "<"] }
 }
 
 fn tick(me, dt) {
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/tests/actions.rs b/kiln-core/src/tests/actions.rs
index 9354b97..5b5f92e 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/tests/actions.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/tests/actions.rs
@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@ fn move_into_a_wall_or_edge_is_a_noop() {
 
 #[test]
 fn set_tile_command_changes_the_source_glyph() {
-    let (game, id) = game_with_mover(5, 3, (0, 0), (2, 1), "fn init(me) { set_tile(7); }");
-    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, 7);
+    let (game, id) = game_with_mover(5, 3, (0, 0), (2, 1), "fn init(me) { set_tile(\"*\"); }");
+    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, '*');
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -164,10 +164,10 @@ fn queue_length_reports_pending_actions() {
         1,
         (0, 0),
         (1, 0),
-        "fn init(me) { set_tile(5); set_tile(6); log(`len=${me.queue.length}`); }",
+        r#"fn init(me) { set_tile("5"); set_tile("6"); log(`len=${me.queue.length}`); }"#,
     );
     assert!(log_texts(&game).iter().any(|t| t == "len=2"));
-    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, 6); // last set_tile won
+    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, '6'); // last set_tile won
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ fn queue_clear_drops_pending_actions() {
 
 #[test]
 fn blocked_reports_solid_and_clear() {
-    let src = "fn init(me) { if me.blocked(East) { set_tile(9); } else { set_tile(7); } }";
+    let src = r#"fn init(me) { if me.blocked(East) { set_tile("Y"); } else { set_tile("N"); } }"#;
 
     // Solid ahead (a wall): blocked() is true.
     let mut board = open_board(3, 1, (0, 0));
@@ -194,12 +194,12 @@ fn blocked_reports_solid_and_clear() {
     wall_at(&mut board, 2, 0);
     let mut game = GameState::with_scripts(board, scripts_from(&[("b", src)]));
     game.run_init();
-    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, 9);
+    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, 'Y');
 
     // Open ahead, nothing pending: blocked() is false.
     let mut board = open_board(3, 1, (0, 0));
     let id = object_at(&mut board, 1, 0, "b", EnterResponse::Block);
     let mut game = GameState::with_scripts(board, scripts_from(&[("b", src)]));
     game.run_init();
-    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, 7);
+    assert_eq!(glyph(&game, id).tile, 'N');
 }
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/tests/movement.rs b/kiln-core/src/tests/movement.rs
index d1856b0..57e8f12 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/tests/movement.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/tests/movement.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ fn pushing_a_crate_reveals_the_floor_underneath() {
     // reveal the floor glyph, not black.
     let mut board = open_board(4, 1, (0, 0));
     let floor_glyph = Glyph {
-        tile: ',' as u32,
+        tile: ',',
         fg: Rgba8 { r: 40, g: 60, b: 40, a: 255 },
         bg: Rgba8 { r: 5, g: 10, b: 5, a: 255 },
     };
diff --git a/kiln-core/src/tests/scripting.rs b/kiln-core/src/tests/scripting.rs
index 9034a5b..5351b9c 100644
--- a/kiln-core/src/tests/scripting.rs
+++ b/kiln-core/src/tests/scripting.rs
@@ -167,8 +167,8 @@ fn start_map_greeter_runs_init() {
         .all_ids()
         .into_iter()
         .filter_map(|id| game.board().get_hookable(id).map(|o| o.glyph().tile))
-        .any(|tile| tile == 2);
-    assert!(has_smiley, "greeter set_tile(2) should change its glyph");
+        .any(|tile| tile == '☻');
+    assert!(has_smiley, "greeter set_tile(\"☻\") should change its glyph");
 }
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/kiln-tui/src/editor.rs b/kiln-tui/src/editor.rs
index 5e09ee7..1c66c7f 100644
--- a/kiln-tui/src/editor.rs
+++ b/kiln-tui/src/editor.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use crate::log::{LogWidget, log_preview_line};
 use crate::render::{BoardWidget, board_to_screen, screen_to_board};
 use crate::ui::Ui;
 use crate::utils::{glyph_to_span, rgba8_to_color};
-use kiln_core::cp437::tile_to_char;
+use crate::utils::glyph_char;
 use kiln_core::game::GameState;
 use kiln_core::glyph::Glyph;
 use kiln_core::log::LogLine;
@@ -510,7 +510,7 @@ fn draw_footer_lines<'a>(
 ) -> Vec<Line<'a>> {
     // A one-cell preview of the current glyph in its own fg/bg colors.
     let preview = Span::styled(
-        tile_to_char(ed.current_glyph.tile).to_string(),
+        glyph_char(ed.current_glyph).to_string(),
         Style::default()
             .fg(rgba8_to_color(ed.current_glyph.fg))
             .bg(rgba8_to_color(ed.current_glyph.bg)),
diff --git a/kiln-tui/src/glyph_dialog.rs b/kiln-tui/src/glyph_dialog.rs
index 5b04c21..8279895 100644
--- a/kiln-tui/src/glyph_dialog.rs
+++ b/kiln-tui/src/glyph_dialog.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 use color::Rgba8;
 use kiln_core::colors::NAMED_COLORS;
-use kiln_core::cp437::tile_to_char;
+use kiln_core::cp437::{char_to_tile, tile_to_char};
 use kiln_core::glyph::Glyph;
 use kiln_ui::dialog::DialogResult;
 use kiln_ui::text_field::TextField;
@@ -55,6 +55,17 @@ const GRID_ROWS: u32 = 8;
 /// The strip slot index that means "custom color" (one past the named colors).
 const CUSTOM: usize = NAMED_COLORS.len();
 
+/// The character drawn for CP437 slot `index` in the picker grid and preview.
+///
+/// Slot 0 holds `'\0'`, the transparent sentinel, which has no printable form —
+/// it shows as a blank, matching how a transparent cell renders on the board (see
+/// [`crate::utils::glyph_char`]). The slot is still selectable: picking it is how
+/// you author an invisible glyph.
+fn glyph_char_for(index: u32) -> char {
+    let ch = tile_to_char(index);
+    if ch == '\0' { ' ' } else { ch }
+}
+
 /// A single fg/bg color selector: a strip of the named swatches plus a custom slot,
 /// with an editable hex field used when the custom slot is selected.
 ///
@@ -126,8 +137,13 @@ type GlyphCallback<Ctx> = Box<dyn FnOnce(Option<Glyph>, &mut Ctx)>;
 pub struct GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
     /// Title shown in the window's top border.
     title: String,
-    /// The currently selected tile index (`0..256`).
-    tile: u32,
+    /// The currently selected CP437 index (`0..256`).
+    ///
+    /// Kept as an index, not the `char` a [`Glyph`] stores, because the picker is
+    /// a 32x8 grid over the CP437 table and navigates by row/column arithmetic.
+    /// Conversion happens only when seeding from ([`char_to_tile`]) and emitting
+    /// to ([`tile_to_char`]) a `Glyph`.
+    index: u32,
     /// Foreground color selector.
     fg: ColorPicker,
     /// Background color selector.
@@ -139,10 +155,14 @@ pub struct GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
 }
 
 impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
-    /// Builds a glyph picker seeded from `initial`: tile selection starts at
-    /// `initial.tile`, and each color picker is seeded from `initial.fg`/`initial.bg`
-    /// (a matching named swatch if any, else the custom slot). `on_done` receives
-    /// `Some(glyph)` on OK or `None` on cancel, plus `&mut Ctx`.
+    /// Builds a glyph picker seeded from `initial`: the grid selects the CP437
+    /// slot holding `initial.tile`, and each color picker is seeded from
+    /// `initial.fg`/`initial.bg` (a matching named swatch if any, else the custom
+    /// slot). `on_done` receives `Some(glyph)` on OK or `None` on cancel, plus
+    /// `&mut Ctx`.
+    ///
+    /// A glyph whose character has no CP437 slot (a map may carry any character)
+    /// falls back to slot 0, the transparent sentinel.
     pub fn new(
         title: impl Into<String>,
         initial: Glyph,
@@ -150,7 +170,7 @@ impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
     ) -> Self {
         Self {
             title: title.into(),
-            tile: initial.tile,
+            index: char_to_tile(initial.tile).unwrap_or(0),
             fg: ColorPicker::new(initial.fg),
             bg: ColorPicker::new(initial.bg),
             focus: Focus::Grid,
@@ -211,7 +231,7 @@ impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
     /// The chosen [`Glyph`], or `None` if either color is currently unresolved.
     fn glyph(&self) -> Option<Glyph> {
         Some(Glyph {
-            tile: self.tile,
+            tile: tile_to_char(self.index),
             fg: self.fg.color()?,
             bg: self.bg.color()?,
         })
@@ -280,7 +300,7 @@ impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
 
     /// Moves the grid selection one cell for an arrow key, clamped at the edges.
     fn move_grid(&mut self, code: KeyCode) {
-        let (col, row) = (self.tile % GRID_COLS, self.tile / GRID_COLS);
+        let (col, row) = (self.index % GRID_COLS, self.index / GRID_COLS);
         let (col, row) = match code {
             KeyCode::Left => (col.saturating_sub(1), row),
             KeyCode::Right => ((col + 1).min(GRID_COLS - 1), row),
@@ -288,7 +308,7 @@ impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
             KeyCode::Down => (col, (row + 1).min(GRID_ROWS - 1)),
             _ => (col, row),
         };
-        self.tile = row * GRID_COLS + col;
+        self.index = row * GRID_COLS + col;
     }
 
     /// Draws the 32×8 character grid into `area`, centered horizontally. When `colors`
@@ -308,7 +328,7 @@ impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
             if x >= area.right() || y >= area.bottom() {
                 continue;
             }
-            let style = if tile == self.tile {
+            let style = if tile == self.index {
                 if self.focus == Focus::Grid {
                     // Bright cursor so the selection reads even against the colored grid.
                     Style::default().fg(Color::Black).bg(CURSOR_BG)
@@ -319,7 +339,7 @@ impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
                 base
             };
             if let Some(cell) = buf.cell_mut((x, y)) {
-                cell.set_symbol(&tile_to_char(tile).to_string());
+                cell.set_symbol(&glyph_char_for(tile).to_string());
                 cell.set_style(style);
             }
         }
@@ -430,7 +450,7 @@ impl<Ctx> GlyphDialog<Ctx> {
         let footer = Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("[enter] ", key_style),
             Span::styled("OK ", ok_style),
-            Span::styled(tile_to_char(self.tile).to_string(), preview_style),
+            Span::styled(glyph_char_for(self.index).to_string(), preview_style),
             Span::styled("  [esc] ", key_style),
             Span::styled("Cancel", Style::default().fg(Color::White).bg(BG)),
         ]);
@@ -567,10 +587,11 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use ratatui::crossterm::event::{KeyEvent, KeyModifiers};
 
-    /// A glyph with custom (non-named) colors for seeding tests.
+    /// A glyph with custom (non-named) colors for seeding tests. Its character
+    /// is CP437 slot 5 (`♣`), so the picker seeds its grid selection there.
     fn sample() -> Glyph {
         Glyph {
-            tile: 5,
+            tile: '♣',
             fg: Rgba8 {
                 r: 0xFF,
                 g: 0x00,
@@ -594,7 +615,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn seed_custom_colors_go_to_custom_slot() {
         let d: GlyphDialog<()> = GlyphDialog::new("t", sample(), |_, _| {});
-        assert_eq!(d.tile, 5);
+        assert_eq!(d.index, 5, "seeded to the CP437 slot holding the glyph's char");
         assert!(d.fg.is_custom() && d.bg.is_custom());
         assert_eq!(d.fg.field.value(), "FF0000");
         assert_eq!(d.bg.field.value(), "0000FF");
@@ -604,7 +625,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn seed_matching_named_color_selects_its_swatch() {
         let g = Glyph {
-            tile: 1,
+            tile: '☺',
             fg: NAMED_COLORS[4].1, // Red
             bg: NAMED_COLORS[0].1, // Black
         };
@@ -634,7 +655,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn tab_cycles_focus_skipping_unreachable_custom_fields() {
         // A named-only glyph: neither color is custom, so the field stops are skipped.
         let g = Glyph {
-            tile: 0,
+            tile: '\0',
             fg: NAMED_COLORS[1].1,
             bg: NAMED_COLORS[2].1,
         };
@@ -667,20 +688,20 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn arrows_move_grid_selection_and_clamp() {
         let mut g = sample();
-        g.tile = 0;
+        g.tile = '\0'; // CP437 slot 0, the grid's top-left
         let mut d: GlyphDialog<()> = GlyphDialog::new("t", g, |_, _| {});
         d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Right));
-        assert_eq!(d.tile, 1);
+        assert_eq!(d.index, 1);
         d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Down));
-        assert_eq!(d.tile, 1 + GRID_COLS);
+        assert_eq!(d.index, 1 + GRID_COLS);
         d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Left));
-        assert_eq!(d.tile, GRID_COLS);
+        assert_eq!(d.index, GRID_COLS);
         d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Up));
-        assert_eq!(d.tile, 0);
+        assert_eq!(d.index, 0);
         // Clamps at the top-left corner.
         d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Up));
         d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Left));
-        assert_eq!(d.tile, 0);
+        assert_eq!(d.index, 0);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -707,11 +728,11 @@ mod tests {
         let mut out: Option<Option<Glyph>> = None;
         let mut d: GlyphDialog<Option<Option<Glyph>>> =
             GlyphDialog::new("t", sample(), |g, c| *c = Some(g));
-        d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Right)); // tile 5 -> 6
+        d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Right)); // CP437 slot 5 -> 6
         let res = d.handle_event(&key(KeyCode::Enter));
         d.finish(res, &mut out);
         let chosen = out.unwrap().unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(chosen.tile, 6);
+        assert_eq!(chosen.tile, tile_to_char(6));
         assert_eq!(chosen.fg, sample().fg);
         assert_eq!(chosen.bg, sample().bg);
 
diff --git a/kiln-tui/src/render.rs b/kiln-tui/src/render.rs
index 005f603..ab7d0aa 100644
--- a/kiln-tui/src/render.rs
+++ b/kiln-tui/src/render.rs
@@ -5,11 +5,10 @@
 //! and background colors. Objects are drawn over their floor cell, and the
 //! player is drawn on top of everything.
 
-use crate::utils::rgba8_to_color;
+use crate::utils::{glyph_char, rgba8_to_color};
 use color::Rgba8;
 use kiln_core::Board;
 use kiln_core::Lighting;
-use kiln_core::cp437::tile_to_char;
 use ratatui::buffer::Buffer;
 use ratatui::layout::Rect;
 use ratatui::widgets::Widget;
@@ -162,7 +161,7 @@ impl Widget for BoardWidget<'_> {
                             Some(l) => (l.tint(bx, by, glyph.fg), l.tint(bx, by, glyph.bg)),
                             None => (glyph.fg, glyph.bg),
                         };
-                        cell.set_char(tile_to_char(glyph.tile))
+                        cell.set_char(glyph_char(glyph))
                             .set_fg(rgba8_to_color(fg))
                             .set_bg(rgba8_to_color(bg));
                     } else {
diff --git a/kiln-tui/src/status.rs b/kiln-tui/src/status.rs
index adf527a..34d0502 100644
--- a/kiln-tui/src/status.rs
+++ b/kiln-tui/src/status.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 use std::collections::VecDeque;
 use crate::utils::rgba8_to_color;
 use kiln_core::Builtin;
-use kiln_core::cp437::tile_to_char;
+use crate::utils::glyph_char;
 use ratatui::buffer::Buffer;
 use ratatui::layout::Rect;
 use ratatui::style::{Color, Style};
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ impl Widget for StatusSidebarWidget {
         // Draw the gem indicator from the gem archetype's default glyph, so the
         // sidebar matches what gems look like on the board (no hardcoded ♦/color).
         let gem_glyph = Builtin::Gem.default_glyph_for("gem");
-        let gem_char = tile_to_char(gem_glyph.tile).to_string();
+        let gem_char = glyph_char(gem_glyph).to_string();
         let gem_style = Style::default().fg(rgba8_to_color(gem_glyph.fg));
 
         // Build the key row: 8 ♀ glyphs, colored when held, near-black when absent.
diff --git a/kiln-tui/src/utils.rs b/kiln-tui/src/utils.rs
index 7a7ccbe..1e25f8a 100644
--- a/kiln-tui/src/utils.rs
+++ b/kiln-tui/src/utils.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 use color::Rgba8;
-use kiln_core::cp437::tile_to_char;
 use kiln_core::glyph::Glyph;
 use ratatui::layout::Rect;
 use ratatui::prelude::Color;
@@ -14,15 +13,27 @@ pub fn rgba8_to_color(c: Rgba8) -> Color {
     Color::Rgb(c.r, c.g, c.b)
 }
 
-/// Converts a [`Glyph`] to a single-character styled [`Span`].
+/// The character this terminal front-end draws for `glyph`.
 ///
-/// The tile index is mapped to a CP437 character; fg and bg are both applied.
+/// A glyph carries its character directly, so this is almost the identity — the
+/// one case that needs handling is the transparent sentinel `'\0'`, which means
+/// "draw nothing". By the time a glyph reaches a renderer, `Board::glyph_at` has
+/// already exhausted its precedence chain, so there is nothing underneath left to
+/// reveal and the cell is simply blank. Writing the NUL through to the terminal
+/// buffer would emit an unprintable character instead.
+///
+/// How a sentinel looks on screen is a front-end decision, which is why this
+/// lives here rather than in kiln-core.
+pub fn glyph_char(glyph: Glyph) -> char {
+    if glyph.is_visible() { glyph.tile } else { ' ' }
+}
+
+/// Converts a [`Glyph`] to a single-character styled [`Span`], applying fg and bg.
 pub fn glyph_to_span(glyph: Glyph) -> Span<'static> {
-    let ch = tile_to_char(glyph.tile).to_string();
     let style = Style::default()
         .fg(rgba8_to_color(glyph.fg))
         .bg(rgba8_to_color(glyph.bg));
-    Span::styled(ch, style)
+    Span::styled(glyph_char(glyph).to_string(), style)
 }
 
 /// Returns true if two `Rect`s share at least one cell.