diff --git a/Toy b/Toy
index 51740e2..6d961ce 160000
--- a/Toy
+++ b/Toy
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 51740e2b9ecdf1dc83c177cb188e8c0d8804e493
+Subproject commit 6d961cea78d6b513eba62dec751892703f523734
diff --git a/core/engine.c b/core/engine.c
index f7a6ccc..38abd70 100644
--- a/core/engine.c
+++ b/core/engine.c
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 #include "lib_input.h"
 #include "lib_node.h"
 #include "lib_standard.h"
+#include "lib_timer.h"
+#include "lib_runner.h"
 #include "repl_tools.h"
 
 #include "memory.h"
@@ -20,7 +22,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 
-//define the engine object
+//define the extern engine object
 Engine engine;
 
 //errors here should be fatal
@@ -54,6 +56,8 @@ void initEngine() {
 	injectNativeHook(&engine.interpreter, "node", hookNode);
 	injectNativeHook(&engine.interpreter, "input", hookInput);
 	injectNativeHook(&engine.interpreter, "standard", hookStandard);
+	injectNativeHook(&engine.interpreter, "timer", hookTimer);
+	injectNativeHook(&engine.interpreter, "runner", hookRunner);
 
 	size_t size = 0;
 	char* source = readFile("./assets/scripts/init.toy", &size);
@@ -102,7 +106,7 @@ static void execEvents() {
 		freeLiteralArray(&engine.keyUpEvents);
 	}
 
-	//poll events
+	//poll all events
 	SDL_Event event;
 	while (SDL_PollEvent(&event)) {
 		switch(event.type) {
@@ -167,10 +171,10 @@ static void execEvents() {
 		}
 	}
 
-	//callbacks
+	//process input events
 	if (engine.rootNode != NULL) {
 		//key down events
-		for (int i = 0; i < engine.keyDownEvents.count; i++) {
+		for (int i = 0; i < engine.keyDownEvents.count; i++) { //TODO: could pass in the whole array?
 			LiteralArray args;
 			initLiteralArray(&args);
 			pushLiteralArray(&args, engine.keyDownEvents.literals[i]);
diff --git a/core/engine.h b/core/engine.h
index 15e0235..134582b 100644
--- a/core/engine.h
+++ b/core/engine.h
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ typedef struct _engine {
 	LiteralDictionary symKeyUpEvents; //keysym -> event names
 } Engine;
 
-//extern singleton
+//extern singleton - used by various libraries
 extern Engine engine;
 
 //APIs for running the engine in main()
diff --git a/core/lib_runner.c b/core/lib_runner.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e25ea7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/lib_runner.c
@@ -0,0 +1,620 @@
+#include "lib_runner.h"
+
+#include "memory.h"
+#include "interpreter.h"
+
+#include "repl_tools.h"
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+typedef struct Runner {
+	Interpreter interpreter;
+	unsigned char* bytecode;
+	size_t size;
+
+	bool dirty;
+} Runner;
+
+//Toy native functions
+static int nativeLoadScript(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//arguments
+	if (arguments->count != 1) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to loadScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the argument
+	Literal drivePathLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	RefString* drivePath = copyRefString(AS_STRING(drivePathLiteral));
+
+	//get the drive and path as a string (can't trust that pesky strtok - custom split) TODO: move this to refstring library
+	int driveLength = 0;
+	while (toCString(drivePath)[driveLength] != ':') {
+		if (driveLength >= lengthRefString(drivePath)) {
+			interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect drive path format given to loadScript\n");
+			deleteRefString(drivePath);
+			freeLiteral(drivePathLiteral);
+			return -1;
+		}
+
+		driveLength++;
+	}
+
+	RefString* drive = createRefStringLength(toCString(drivePath), driveLength);
+	RefString* path = createRefStringLength( &toCString(drivePath)[driveLength + 1], lengthRefString(drivePath) - driveLength );
+
+	//get the real drive file path
+	Literal driveLiteral = TO_STRING_LITERAL(drive); //NOTE: driveLiteral takes ownership of the refString
+	Literal realDriveLiteral = getLiteralDictionary(getDriveDictionary(), driveLiteral);
+
+	if (!IS_STRING(realDriveLiteral)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect literal type found for drive: ");
+		printLiteralCustom(realDriveLiteral, interpreter->errorOutput);
+		interpreter->errorOutput("\n");
+		freeLiteral(realDriveLiteral);
+		freeLiteral(driveLiteral);
+		deleteRefString(path);
+		deleteRefString(drivePath);
+		freeLiteral(drivePathLiteral);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the final real file path (concat) TODO: move this concat to refstring library
+	RefString* realDrive = copyRefString(AS_STRING(realDriveLiteral));
+	int realLength = lengthRefString(realDrive) + lengthRefString(path);
+
+	char* filePath = ALLOCATE(char, realLength + 1); //+1 for null
+	snprintf(filePath, realLength, "%s%s", toCString(realDrive), toCString(path));
+
+	//clean up the drivepath stuff
+	deleteRefString(realDrive);
+	freeLiteral(realDriveLiteral);
+	freeLiteral(driveLiteral);
+	deleteRefString(path);
+	deleteRefString(drivePath);
+	freeLiteral(drivePathLiteral);
+
+	//check for file extensions
+	if (!(filePath[realLength - 5] == '.' && filePath[realLength - 4] == 't' && filePath[realLength - 3] == 'o' && filePath[realLength - 2] == 'y')) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Bad script file extension (expected .toy)\n");
+		FREE_ARRAY(char, filePath, realLength);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//check for break-out attempts
+	for (int i = 0; i < realLength - 1; i++) {
+		if (filePath[i] == '.' && filePath[i + 1] == '.') {
+			interpreter->errorOutput("Parent directory access not allowed\n");
+			FREE_ARRAY(char, filePath, realLength);
+			return -1;
+		}
+	}
+
+	//load and compile the bytecode
+	size_t fileSize = 0;
+	char* source = readFile(filePath, &fileSize);
+
+	if (!source) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Failed to load source file\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	unsigned char* bytecode = compileString(source, &fileSize);
+	free((void*)source);
+
+	if (!bytecode) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Failed to compile source file\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//build the runner object
+	Runner* runner = ALLOCATE(Runner, 1);
+	setInterpreterPrint(&runner->interpreter, interpreter->printOutput);
+	setInterpreterAssert(&runner->interpreter, interpreter->assertOutput);
+	setInterpreterError(&runner->interpreter, interpreter->errorOutput);
+	runner->interpreter.hooks = interpreter->hooks;
+	runner->interpreter.scope = NULL;
+	resetInterpreter(&runner->interpreter);
+	runner->bytecode = bytecode;
+	runner->size = fileSize;
+	runner->dirty = false;
+
+	//build the opaque object, and push it to the stack
+	Literal runnerLiteral = TO_OPAQUE_LITERAL(runner, OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER);
+	pushLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack, runnerLiteral);
+
+	FREE_ARRAY(char, filePath, realLength);
+
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static int nativeLoadScriptBytecode(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//arguments
+	if (arguments->count != 1) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to loadScriptBytecode\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the argument
+	Literal drivePathLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	RefString* drivePath = copyRefString(AS_STRING(drivePathLiteral));
+
+	//get the drive and path as a string (can't trust that pesky strtok - custom split) TODO: move this to refstring library
+	int driveLength = 0;
+	while (toCString(drivePath)[driveLength] != ':') {
+		if (driveLength >= lengthRefString(drivePath)) {
+			interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect drive path format given to loadScriptBytecode\n");
+			deleteRefString(drivePath);
+			freeLiteral(drivePathLiteral);
+			return -1;
+		}
+
+		driveLength++;
+	}
+
+	RefString* drive = createRefStringLength(toCString(drivePath), driveLength);
+	RefString* path = createRefStringLength( &toCString(drivePath)[driveLength + 1], lengthRefString(drivePath) - driveLength );
+
+	//get the real drive file path
+	Literal driveLiteral = TO_STRING_LITERAL(drive); //NOTE: driveLiteral takes ownership of the refString
+	Literal realDriveLiteral = getLiteralDictionary(getDriveDictionary(), driveLiteral);
+
+	if (!IS_STRING(realDriveLiteral)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect literal type found for drive: ");
+		printLiteralCustom(realDriveLiteral, interpreter->errorOutput);
+		interpreter->errorOutput("\n");
+		freeLiteral(realDriveLiteral);
+		freeLiteral(driveLiteral);
+		deleteRefString(path);
+		deleteRefString(drivePath);
+		freeLiteral(drivePathLiteral);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the final real file path (concat) TODO: move this concat to refstring library
+	RefString* realDrive = copyRefString(AS_STRING(realDriveLiteral));
+	int realLength = lengthRefString(realDrive) + lengthRefString(path);
+
+	char* filePath = ALLOCATE(char, realLength + 1); //+1 for null
+	snprintf(filePath, realLength, "%s%s", toCString(realDrive), toCString(path));
+
+	//clean up the drivepath stuff
+	deleteRefString(realDrive);
+	freeLiteral(realDriveLiteral);
+	freeLiteral(driveLiteral);
+	deleteRefString(path);
+	deleteRefString(drivePath);
+	freeLiteral(drivePathLiteral);
+
+	//check for file extensions
+	if (!(filePath[realLength - 4] == '.' && filePath[realLength - 3] == 't' && filePath[realLength - 2] == 'b')) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Bad binary file extension (expected .tb)\n");
+		FREE_ARRAY(char, filePath, realLength);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//check for break-out attempts
+	for (int i = 0; i < realLength - 1; i++) {
+		if (filePath[i] == '.' && filePath[i + 1] == '.') {
+			interpreter->errorOutput("Parent directory access not allowed\n");
+			FREE_ARRAY(char, filePath, realLength);
+			return -1;
+		}
+	}
+
+	//load the bytecode
+	size_t fileSize = 0;
+	unsigned char* bytecode = (unsigned char*)readFile(filePath, &fileSize);
+
+	if (!bytecode) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Failed to load bytecode file\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//build the runner object
+	Runner* runner = ALLOCATE(Runner, 1);
+	setInterpreterPrint(&runner->interpreter, interpreter->printOutput);
+	setInterpreterAssert(&runner->interpreter, interpreter->assertOutput);
+	setInterpreterError(&runner->interpreter, interpreter->errorOutput);
+	runner->interpreter.hooks = interpreter->hooks;
+	runner->interpreter.scope = NULL;
+	resetInterpreter(&runner->interpreter);
+	runner->bytecode = bytecode;
+	runner->size = fileSize;
+	runner->dirty = false;
+
+	//build the opaque object, and push it to the stack
+	Literal runnerLiteral = TO_OPAQUE_LITERAL(runner, OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER);
+	pushLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack, runnerLiteral);
+
+	FREE_ARRAY(char, filePath, realLength);
+
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static int nativeRunScript(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//no arguments
+	if (arguments->count != 1) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to _runScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the runner object
+	Literal runnerLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal idn = runnerLiteral;
+
+	if (parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &runnerLiteral)) {
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (OPAQUE_TAG(runnerLiteral) != OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unrecognized opaque literal in _runScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	Runner* runner = AS_OPAQUE(runnerLiteral);
+
+	//run
+	if (runner->dirty) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Can't re-run a dirty script (try resetting it first)\n");
+		freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	unsigned char* bytecodeCopy = ALLOCATE(unsigned char, runner->size);
+	memcpy(bytecodeCopy, runner->bytecode, runner->size); //need a COPY of the bytecode, because the interpreter eats it
+
+	runInterpreter(&runner->interpreter, bytecodeCopy, runner->size);
+	runner->dirty = true;
+
+	//cleanup
+	freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int nativeGetScriptVar(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//no arguments
+	if (arguments->count != 2) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to _getScriptVar\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the runner object
+	Literal varName = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal runnerLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+
+	if (IS_IDENTIFIER(varName)) {
+		Literal idn = varName;
+		parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &varName);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (IS_IDENTIFIER(runnerLiteral)) {
+		Literal idn = runnerLiteral;
+		parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &runnerLiteral);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (OPAQUE_TAG(runnerLiteral) != OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unrecognized opaque literal in _runScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	Runner* runner = AS_OPAQUE(runnerLiteral);
+
+	//dirty check
+	if (!runner->dirty) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Can't access variable from a non-dirty script (try running it first)\n");
+		freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the desired variable
+	Literal varIdn = TO_IDENTIFIER_LITERAL(copyRefString(AS_STRING(varName)));
+	Literal result = TO_NULL_LITERAL;
+	getScopeVariable(runner->interpreter.scope, varIdn, &result);
+
+	pushLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack, result);
+
+	//cleanup
+	freeLiteral(result);
+	freeLiteral(varIdn);
+	freeLiteral(varName);
+	freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static int nativeCallScriptFn(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//no arguments
+	if (arguments->count < 2) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to _callScriptFn\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the rest args
+	LiteralArray tmp;
+	initLiteralArray(&tmp);
+
+	while (arguments->count > 2) {
+		Literal lit = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+		pushLiteralArray(&tmp, lit);
+		freeLiteral(lit);
+	}
+
+	LiteralArray rest;
+	initLiteralArray(&rest);
+
+	while (tmp.count) { //correct the order of the rest args
+		Literal lit = popLiteralArray(&tmp);
+		pushLiteralArray(&rest, lit);
+		freeLiteral(lit);
+	}
+
+	freeLiteralArray(&tmp);
+
+
+	//get the runner object
+	Literal varName = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal runnerLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+
+	if (IS_IDENTIFIER(varName)) {
+		Literal idn = varName;
+		parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &varName);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (IS_IDENTIFIER(runnerLiteral)) {
+		Literal idn = runnerLiteral;
+		parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &runnerLiteral);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (OPAQUE_TAG(runnerLiteral) != OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unrecognized opaque literal in _runScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	Runner* runner = AS_OPAQUE(runnerLiteral);
+
+	//dirty check
+	if (!runner->dirty) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Can't access fn from a non-dirty script (try running it first)\n");
+		freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+		freeLiteralArray(&rest);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the desired variable
+	Literal varIdn = TO_IDENTIFIER_LITERAL(copyRefString(AS_STRING(varName)));
+	Literal fn = TO_NULL_LITERAL;
+	getScopeVariable(runner->interpreter.scope, varIdn, &fn);
+
+	if (!IS_FUNCTION(fn)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Can't run a non-function literal\n");
+		freeLiteral(fn);
+		freeLiteral(varIdn);
+		freeLiteral(varName);
+		freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+		freeLiteralArray(&rest);
+	}
+
+	//call
+	LiteralArray resultArray;
+	initLiteralArray(&resultArray);
+
+	callLiteralFn(interpreter, fn, &rest, &resultArray);
+
+	Literal result = TO_NULL_LITERAL;
+	if (resultArray.count > 0) {
+		result = popLiteralArray(&resultArray);
+	}
+
+	pushLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack, result);
+
+	//cleanup
+	freeLiteralArray(&resultArray);
+	freeLiteral(result);
+	freeLiteral(fn);
+	freeLiteral(varIdn);
+	freeLiteral(varName);
+	freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+	freeLiteralArray(&rest);
+
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static int nativeResetScript(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//no arguments
+	if (arguments->count != 1) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to _resetScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the runner object
+	Literal runnerLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+
+	if (IS_IDENTIFIER(runnerLiteral)) {
+		Literal idn = runnerLiteral;
+		parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &runnerLiteral);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (OPAQUE_TAG(runnerLiteral) != OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unrecognized opaque literal in _runScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	Runner* runner = AS_OPAQUE(runnerLiteral);
+
+	//reset
+	if (!runner->dirty) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Can't reset a non-dirty script (try running it first)\n");
+		freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	resetInterpreter(&runner->interpreter);
+	runner->dirty = false;
+	freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int nativeFreeScript(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//no arguments
+	if (arguments->count != 1) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to _freeScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the runner object
+	Literal runnerLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+
+	if (IS_IDENTIFIER(runnerLiteral)) {
+		Literal idn = runnerLiteral;
+		parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &runnerLiteral);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (OPAQUE_TAG(runnerLiteral) != OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unrecognized opaque literal in _freeScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	Runner* runner = AS_OPAQUE(runnerLiteral);
+
+	//clear out the runner object
+	runner->interpreter.hooks = NULL;
+	freeInterpreter(&runner->interpreter);
+	FREE_ARRAY(unsigned char, runner->bytecode, runner->size);
+
+	FREE(Runner, runner);
+
+	freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static int nativeCheckScriptDirty(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//no arguments
+	if (arguments->count != 1) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect number of arguments to _runScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	//get the runner object
+	Literal runnerLiteral = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+
+	if (IS_IDENTIFIER(runnerLiteral)) {
+		Literal idn = runnerLiteral;
+		parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &runnerLiteral);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+	}
+
+	if (OPAQUE_TAG(runnerLiteral) != OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unrecognized opaque literal in _runScript\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	Runner* runner = AS_OPAQUE(runnerLiteral);
+
+	//run
+	Literal result = TO_BOOLEAN_LITERAL(runner->dirty);
+
+	pushLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack, result);
+
+	//cleanup
+	freeLiteral(result);
+	freeLiteral(runnerLiteral);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+//call the hook
+typedef struct Natives {
+	char* name;
+	NativeFn fn;
+} Natives;
+
+int hookRunner(Interpreter* interpreter, Literal identifier, Literal alias) {
+	//build the natives list
+	Natives natives[] = {
+		{"loadScript", nativeLoadScript},
+		{"loadScriptBytecode", nativeLoadScriptBytecode},
+		{"_runScript", nativeRunScript},
+		{"_getScriptVar", nativeGetScriptVar},
+		{"_callScriptFn", nativeCallScriptFn},
+		{"_resetScript", nativeResetScript},
+		{"_freeScript", nativeFreeScript},
+		{"_checkScriptDirty", nativeCheckScriptDirty},
+		{NULL, NULL}
+	};
+
+	//store the library in an aliased dictionary
+	if (!IS_NULL(alias)) {
+		//make sure the name isn't taken
+		if (isDelcaredScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, alias)) {
+			interpreter->errorOutput("Can't override an existing variable\n");
+			freeLiteral(alias);
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		//create the dictionary to load up with functions
+		LiteralDictionary* dictionary = ALLOCATE(LiteralDictionary, 1);
+		initLiteralDictionary(dictionary);
+
+		//load the dict with functions
+		for (int i = 0; natives[i].name; i++) {
+			Literal name = TO_STRING_LITERAL(createRefString(natives[i].name));
+			Literal func = TO_FUNCTION_LITERAL((void*)natives[i].fn, 0);
+			func.type = LITERAL_FUNCTION_NATIVE;
+
+			setLiteralDictionary(dictionary, name, func);
+
+			freeLiteral(name);
+			freeLiteral(func);
+		}
+
+		//build the type
+		Literal type = TO_TYPE_LITERAL(LITERAL_DICTIONARY, true);
+		Literal strType = TO_TYPE_LITERAL(LITERAL_STRING, true);
+		Literal fnType = TO_TYPE_LITERAL(LITERAL_FUNCTION_NATIVE, true);
+		TYPE_PUSH_SUBTYPE(&type, strType);
+		TYPE_PUSH_SUBTYPE(&type, fnType);
+
+		//set scope
+		Literal dict = TO_DICTIONARY_LITERAL(dictionary);
+		declareScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, alias, type);
+		setScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, alias, dict, false);
+
+		//cleanup
+		freeLiteral(dict);
+		freeLiteral(type);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	//default
+	for (int i = 0; natives[i].name; i++) {
+		injectNativeFn(interpreter, natives[i].name, natives[i].fn);
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+//file system API
+static LiteralDictionary driveDictionary;
+
+void initDriveDictionary() {
+	initLiteralDictionary(&driveDictionary);
+}
+
+void freeDriveDictionary() {
+	freeLiteralDictionary(&driveDictionary);
+}
+
+LiteralDictionary* getDriveDictionary() {
+	return &driveDictionary;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/lib_runner.h b/core/lib_runner.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7d2c13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/lib_runner.h
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "interpreter.h"
+
+int hookRunner(Interpreter* interpreter, Literal identifier, Literal alias);
+
+//file system API - these need to be set by the host
+void initDriveDictionary();
+void freeDriveDictionary();
+LiteralDictionary* getDriveDictionary();
+
+#define OPAQUE_TAG_RUNNER 100
diff --git a/core/makefile b/core/makefile
index 63955e1..eecf6e7 100644
--- a/core/makefile
+++ b/core/makefile
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ ODIR = obj
 SRC = $(wildcard *.c)
 OBJ = $(addprefix $(ODIR)/,$(SRC:.c=.o))
 
+TOYLIBS = $(wildcard ../Toy/repl/lib*) $(wildcard ../Toy/repl/repl_tools.*)
+
 OUTNAME=core
 
 ifeq ($(findstring CYGWIN, $(shell uname)),CYGWIN)
@@ -33,8 +35,7 @@ static: libs $(OBJ)
 
 #copy the stuff from Toy/repl that is needed
 libs:
-	cp ../Toy/repl/lib* .
-	cp ../Toy/repl/repl_tools.* .
+	cp $(TOYLIBS) .
 
 $(OBJ): | $(ODIR)
 
@@ -46,5 +47,5 @@ $(ODIR)/%.o: %.c
 
 .PHONY: clean
 
-clean:
-	$(RM) $(ODIR)
+clean-libs:
+	$(RM) $(notdir $(TOYLIBS))
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/repl_tools.c b/core/repl_tools.c
index df3fd2c..17b12ff 100644
--- a/core/repl_tools.c
+++ b/core/repl_tools.c
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "repl_tools.h"
 #include "lib_standard.h"
 #include "lib_timer.h"
+#include "lib_runner.h"
 
 #include "console_colors.h"
 
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ char* readFile(char* path, size_t* fileSize) {
 
 	if (file == NULL) {
 		fprintf(stderr, ERROR "Could not open file \"%s\"\n" RESET, path);
-		exit(-1);
+		return NULL;
 	}
 
 	fseek(file, 0L, SEEK_END);
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ char* readFile(char* path, size_t* fileSize) {
 
 	if (buffer == NULL) {
 		fprintf(stderr, ERROR "Not enough memory to read \"%s\"\n" RESET, path);
-		exit(-1);
+		return NULL;
 	}
 
 	size_t bytesRead = fread(buffer, sizeof(char), *fileSize, file);
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ char* readFile(char* path, size_t* fileSize) {
 
 	if (bytesRead < *fileSize) {
 		fprintf(stderr, ERROR "Could not read file \"%s\"\n" RESET, path);
-		exit(-1);
+		return NULL;
 	}
 
 	fclose(file);
@@ -46,22 +47,24 @@ char* readFile(char* path, size_t* fileSize) {
 	return buffer;
 }
 
-void writeFile(char* path, unsigned char* bytes, size_t size) {
+int writeFile(char* path, unsigned char* bytes, size_t size) {
 	FILE* file = fopen(path, "wb");
 
 	if (file == NULL) {
 		fprintf(stderr, ERROR "Could not open file \"%s\"\n" RESET, path);
-		exit(-1);
+		return -1;
 	}
 
 	int written = fwrite(bytes, size, 1, file);
 
 	if (written != 1) {
 		fprintf(stderr, ERROR "Could not write file \"%s\"\n" RESET, path);
-		exit(-1);
+		return -1;
 	}
 
 	fclose(file);
+
+	return 0;
 }
 
 //repl functions
@@ -79,7 +82,6 @@ unsigned char* compileString(char* source, size_t* size) {
 	while(node != NULL) {
 		//pack up and leave
 		if (node->type == AST_NODE_ERROR) {
-			printf(ERROR "error node detected\n" RESET);
 			freeASTNode(node);
 			freeCompiler(&compiler);
 			freeParser(&parser);
@@ -110,6 +112,7 @@ void runBinary(unsigned char* tb, size_t size) {
 	//inject the libs
 	injectNativeHook(&interpreter, "standard", hookStandard);
 	injectNativeHook(&interpreter, "timer", hookTimer);
+	injectNativeHook(&interpreter, "runner", hookRunner);
 
 	runInterpreter(&interpreter, tb, size);
 	freeInterpreter(&interpreter);
diff --git a/core/repl_tools.h b/core/repl_tools.h
index e61a1ed..289abd1 100644
--- a/core/repl_tools.h
+++ b/core/repl_tools.h
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #include "toy_common.h"
 
 char* readFile(char* path, size_t* fileSize);
-void writeFile(char* path, unsigned char* bytes, size_t size);
+int writeFile(char* path, unsigned char* bytes, size_t size);
 
 unsigned char* compileString(char* source, size_t* size);
 
diff --git a/source/main.c b/source/main.c
index c83c183..7680310 100644
--- a/source/main.c
+++ b/source/main.c
@@ -3,9 +3,31 @@
 
 #include "engine.h"
 
+//the runner library needs a little more setup since it accesses the disk
+#include "lib_runner.h"
+
 int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
+	//the drive system uses a LiteralDictionary, which must be initialized with this
+    initDriveDictionary();
+
+    //create a pair of literals, the first for the drive name, the second for the path
+    Literal driveLiteral = TO_STRING_LITERAL(createRefString("scripts"));
+    Literal pathLiteral = TO_STRING_LITERAL(createRefString("assets/scripts"));
+
+    //set these within the drive dictionary
+    setLiteralDictionary(getDriveDictionary(), driveLiteral, pathLiteral);
+
+    //these literals are no longer needed
+    freeLiteral(driveLiteral);
+    freeLiteral(pathLiteral);
+
+    //run the rest of your program
 	initEngine();
 	execEngine();
 	freeEngine();
+
+    //clean up the drive dictionary when you're done
+    freeDriveDictionary();
+
 	return 0;
 }