diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 999a2c3..0d9751e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,42 +1,44 @@
-# sv
+# Character Records Generator
 
-Everything you need to build a Svelte project, powered by [`sv`](https://github.com/sveltejs/cli).
+A web-based character records tool for [Aurora Station](https://aurorastation.org/). Hosted at [c.ily.rs](https://c.ily.rs).
 
-## Creating a project
+Pick a template and fill in the form. Each section covers a different record. Blank fields are omitted from the output automatically, so no rush to finish everything.
 
-If you're seeing this, you've probably already done this step. Congrats!
-
-```sh
-# create a new project
-npx sv create my-app
-```
-
-To recreate this project with the same configuration:
-
-```sh
-# recreate this project
-npx sv@0.12.8 create --template minimal --types ts --no-install .
-```
-
-## Developing
-
-Once you've created a project and installed dependencies with `npm install` (or `pnpm install` or `yarn`), start a development server:
+Characters save to your browser. You can also export to a file or generate a share link: the link itself encodes the full set of records, so functionally it's a save file.
+
+Share links let the recipient see a preview of your records, with the option to import the character into their own roster.
+
+This tool is entirely data-driven in XML, and it's already set up for template sharing. A visual template editor is coming soon, so anybody can create their own templates and share them between one another.
+
+For issues, your best chance of getting a reply is to make an issue here, or to ping @llywelwyn in Discord.
+
+Cheers.
+
+## Development
 
 ```sh
+npm install
 npm run dev
-
-# or start the server and open the app in a new browser tab
-npm run dev -- --open
 ```
 
-## Building
-
-To create a production version of your app:
+Build for production:
 
 ```sh
 npm run build
 ```
 
-You can preview the production build with `npm run preview`.
+Validate the data files:
 
-> To deploy your app, you may need to install an [adapter](https://svelte.dev/docs/kit/adapters) for your target environment.
+```sh
+npm run validate
+```
+
+Run tests:
+
+```sh
+npx vitest run
+```
+
+## Where did the old WPF app go?
+
+This used to be a WPF desktop app. The last version of that lives at [`03feee5`](https://github.com/Aurorastation/character-records-generator/tree/03feee572bc7085fd8f9c458490a5dcc642ce689).
diff --git a/data/templates/standard.xml b/data/templates/standard.xml
index 077a101..1f9dd9b 100644
--- a/data/templates/standard.xml
+++ b/data/templates/standard.xml
@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@
   <record type="medical">
     <preamble>The following information is protected by doctor-patient confidentiality laws. Do not release without patient's consent.</preamble>
     <field label="Opt-Outs" type="multi-select">
-      <option value="no-borg"       label="Do NOT BORGIFY" />
-      <option value="no-revive"     label="DO NOT REVIVE" />
+      <option value="no-revive"     label="DO NOT RESUSCITATE" />
       <option value="no-prosthetic" label="DO NOT GIVE PROSTHETICS" />
     </field>
     <field label="Postmortem Instructions"   type="textarea" />
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 14db5e2..2f2fdfb 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@
 				"zod": "^4.3.6"
 			},
 			"devDependencies": {
-				"@sveltejs/adapter-auto": "^7.0.0",
-				"@sveltejs/adapter-static": "^3.0.10",
+				"@sveltejs/adapter-auto": "^7.0.1",
 				"@sveltejs/kit": "^2.50.2",
 				"@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^6.2.4",
 				"@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.2.2",
@@ -1112,16 +1111,6 @@
 				"@sveltejs/kit": "^2.0.0"
 			}
 		},
-		"node_modules/@sveltejs/adapter-static": {
-			"version": "3.0.10",
-			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@sveltejs/adapter-static/-/adapter-static-3.0.10.tgz",
-			"integrity": "sha512-7D9lYFWJmB7zxZyTE/qxjksvMqzMuYrrsyh1f4AlZqeZeACPRySjbC3aFiY55wb1tWUaKOQG9PVbm74JcN2Iew==",
-			"dev": true,
-			"license": "MIT",
-			"peerDependencies": {
-				"@sveltejs/kit": "^2.0.0"
-			}
-		},
 		"node_modules/@sveltejs/kit": {
 			"version": "2.55.0",
 			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@sveltejs/kit/-/kit-2.55.0.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index d7123e1..542a588 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -13,8 +13,7 @@
 		"validate": "scripts/validate-xml.sh"
 	},
 	"devDependencies": {
-		"@sveltejs/adapter-auto": "^7.0.0",
-		"@sveltejs/adapter-static": "^3.0.10",
+		"@sveltejs/adapter-auto": "^7.0.1",
 		"@sveltejs/kit": "^2.50.2",
 		"@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte": "^6.2.4",
 		"@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.2.2",
diff --git a/src/app.css b/src/app.css
index 1909965..ae171d5 100644
--- a/src/app.css
+++ b/src/app.css
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 	--text-muted: #737373;
 	--accent: #0066cc;
 	--accent-hover: #0052a3;
+	--error: #dc2626;
 }
 
 .dark {
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@
 	--text-muted: #a3a3a3;
 	--accent: #4da6ff;
 	--accent-hover: #80bfff;
+	--error: #f87171;
 }
 
 body {
@@ -35,3 +37,9 @@ body {
 	color: var(--text);
 	font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif;
 }
+
+.field-error input,
+.field-error select,
+.field-error textarea {
+	border-color: var(--error) !important;
+}
diff --git a/src/app.html b/src/app.html
index a047305..2a6e487 100644
--- a/src/app.html
+++ b/src/app.html
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 	<head>
 		<meta charset="utf-8" />
 		<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
-		<title>Aurora Records</title>
+		<title>Character Records</title>
 		%sveltekit.head%
 	</head>
 	<body data-sveltekit-preload-data="hover">
diff --git a/src/lib/components/Header.svelte b/src/lib/components/Header.svelte
index a922ccb..912b59f 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/Header.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/Header.svelte
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-	import { Sun, Moon, Trash2, Plus, Upload } from 'lucide-svelte';
+	import { Sun, Moon, Trash2, Plus, Upload, CircleHelp } from 'lucide-svelte';
 	import { theme } from '$lib/theme.svelte';
 	import { roster } from '$lib/state.svelte';
 	import { presets } from '$lib/presets';
@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@
 	import TemplatePicker from './TemplatePicker.svelte';
 	import ShareMenu from './ShareMenu.svelte';
 	import Modal from './Modal.svelte';
+	import HelpText from './HelpText.svelte';
 
 	let { onImport }: { onImport?: (json: string) => void } = $props();
 
 	let confirmDelete = $state(false);
 	let showPicker = $state(false);
+	let showHelp = $state(false);
 	let openDropdown = $state<'add' | 'share' | null>(null);
 	let fileInput: HTMLInputElement;
 
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@
 
 <header class="border-b shrink-0" style="border-color: var(--border); background: var(--bg-card);">
 <div class="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-3 max-w-7xl mx-auto w-full">
-	<h1 class="font-bold whitespace-nowrap">Aurora Records</h1>
+	<h1 class="font-bold whitespace-nowrap">Character Records</h1>
 
 	{#if roster.characters.length > 0}
 		<CharacterSwitcher />
@@ -109,6 +111,10 @@
 			{#if roster.saveStatus === 'saving'}Saving...{:else if roster.saveStatus === 'saved'}Saved{/if}
 		</span>
 
+		<button onclick={() => { showHelp = true; }} class="flex items-center justify-center w-[30px] h-[30px] rounded hover:opacity-80" title="About">
+			<CircleHelp size={18} />
+		</button>
+
 		<button onclick={() => theme.toggle()} class="flex items-center justify-center w-[30px] h-[30px] rounded hover:opacity-80" title="Toggle theme">
 			{#if theme.dark}
 				<Sun size={18} />
@@ -147,4 +153,19 @@
 	</Modal>
 {/if}
 
+{#if showHelp}
+	<Modal onClose={() => { showHelp = false; }}>
+		<HelpText />
+		<div class="flex justify-end mt-4">
+			<button
+				onclick={() => { showHelp = false; }}
+				class="px-3 py-1 rounded text-sm border hover:opacity-80"
+				style="border-color: var(--border); color: var(--text);"
+			>
+				Got it
+			</button>
+		</div>
+	</Modal>
+{/if}
+
 <svelte:window onclick={() => { openDropdown = null; }} />
diff --git a/src/lib/components/HelpText.svelte b/src/lib/components/HelpText.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bac9a7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/components/HelpText.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+<div class="text-sm flex flex-col gap-4" style="color: var(--text-muted);">
+	<p>
+		Pick a template and fill in the form. Each section covers a different record. Blank fields are omitted from the output automatically, so no rush to finish everything.
+	</p>
+	<p>
+		Characters save to your browser. You can also export to a file or generate a share link: the link itself encodes the full set of records, so functionally it's a save file.
+	</p>
+	<p>
+		Share links let the recipient see a preview of your records, with the option to import the character into their own roster.
+	</p>
+	<p>
+		This tool is entirely data-driven in XML, and it's already set up for template sharing. A visual template editor is coming soon, so anybody can create their own templates and share them between one another.
+	</p>
+	<p>
+		Cheers.
+	</p>
+</div>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/RecordCard.svelte b/src/lib/components/RecordCard.svelte
index cfb1a9f..9c52302 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/RecordCard.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/RecordCard.svelte
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { slide } from 'svelte/transition';
 	import { ChevronDown } from 'lucide-svelte';
-	import type { RecordDef } from '$lib/types';
+	import type { FieldDef, RecordDef } from '$lib/types';
 	import DynamicField from './fields/DynamicField.svelte';
 	import { slugify } from '$lib/utils/slugify';
 
@@ -12,15 +12,22 @@
 	} = $props();
 
 	let expanded = $state(false);
+	let touched: Record<string, boolean> = $state({});
+
+	function isFieldEmpty(v: unknown): boolean {
+		if (v === undefined || v === null || v === '' || v === 0) return true;
+		if (Array.isArray(v) && v.length === 0) return true;
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	function isRequired(field: FieldDef): boolean {
+		if (field.type === 'separator') return false;
+		return !!field.required;
+	}
 
 	let dataFields = $derived(record.fields.filter((f) => f.type !== 'separator'));
 	let filled = $derived(
-		dataFields.filter((f) => {
-			const v = data[slugify(f.label)];
-			if (v === undefined || v === null || v === '' || v === 0) return false;
-			if (Array.isArray(v) && v.length === 0) return false;
-			return true;
-		}).length
+		dataFields.filter((f) => !isFieldEmpty(data[slugify(f.label)])).length
 	);
 </script>
 
@@ -55,12 +62,26 @@
 	{#if expanded}
 		<div transition:slide={{ duration: 150 }} class="px-4 pb-4 flex flex-col gap-4">
 			{#each record.fields as field}
-				<DynamicField
-					{field}
-					value={data[slugify(field.label)]}
-					{data}
-					onChange={(v) => onFieldChange(slugify(field.label), v)}
-				/>
+				{@const key = slugify(field.label)}
+				{@const hasError = isRequired(field) && touched[key] && isFieldEmpty(data[key])}
+				<div
+					class={hasError ? 'field-error' : ''}
+					onfocusout={(e) => {
+						if (isRequired(field) && !(e.currentTarget as HTMLElement).contains(e.relatedTarget as Node)) {
+							touched[key] = true;
+						}
+					}}
+				>
+					<DynamicField
+						{field}
+						value={data[key]}
+						{data}
+						onChange={(v) => onFieldChange(key, v)}
+					/>
+					{#if hasError}
+						<p class="text-xs mt-1" style="color: var(--error);">This field is required</p>
+					{/if}
+				</div>
 			{/each}
 		</div>
 	{/if}
diff --git a/src/lib/components/ShareMenu.svelte b/src/lib/components/ShareMenu.svelte
index 2b03bd6..2da40a2 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/ShareMenu.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/ShareMenu.svelte
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@
 <span class="relative">
 	<button
 		onclick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onToggle(); }}
-		class="flex items-center justify-center w-[30px] h-[30px] rounded border hover:opacity-80"
+		class="flex items-center justify-center h-[30px] rounded border hover:opacity-80 {copied ? 'gap-1 px-2' : 'w-[30px]'}"
 		style="border-color: var(--border);"
 		title="Share & export"
 	>
 		{#if copied}
-			<Check size={14} />
+			<Check size={14} /> <span class="text-xs">Copied!</span>
 		{:else}
 			<Share2 size={14} />
 		{/if}
diff --git a/src/lib/file.test.ts b/src/lib/file.test.ts
index ab924ff..d475bf6 100644
--- a/src/lib/file.test.ts
+++ b/src/lib/file.test.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ describe('exportCharacter', () => {
 		expect(parsed.version).toBe(1);
 		expect(parsed.templateId).toBe('preset:standard');
 		expect(parsed.template).toBeDefined();
-		expect(parsed.template.name).toBe('Standard');
+		expect(parsed.template.name).toBe('General');
 		expect(parsed.data).toEqual({
 			name: 'Yury Zakharov',
 			species: 'human',
diff --git a/src/lib/output.test.ts b/src/lib/output.test.ts
index 824bfbf..9f27027 100644
--- a/src/lib/output.test.ts
+++ b/src/lib/output.test.ts
@@ -101,6 +101,11 @@ describe('formatFieldOutput', () => {
 		expect(formatFieldOutput(field, 'hharar', stubSpecies, 'tajara')).toBe('Ethnicity: Hharar');
 	});
 
+	it('formats custom subspecies with dynamic label', () => {
+		const field: FieldDef = { label: 'Subspecies', type: 'subspecies' };
+		expect(formatFieldOutput(field, 'asdfg', stubSpecies, 'tajara')).toBe('Ethnicity: asdfg');
+	});
+
 	it('returns null for empty subspecies', () => {
 		const field: FieldDef = { label: 'Subspecies', type: 'subspecies' };
 		expect(formatFieldOutput(field, '', stubSpecies, 'tajara')).toBeNull();
diff --git a/src/lib/output.ts b/src/lib/output.ts
index da0647c..05481b1 100644
--- a/src/lib/output.ts
+++ b/src/lib/output.ts
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ export function formatFieldOutput(
 			const sp = speciesData.find((s) => s.id === currentSpecies);
 			if (!sp) return null;
 			const sub = sp.subspecies.find((s) => s.id === value);
-			return sub ? `${sp.subspeciesLabel}: ${sub.name}` : null;
+			return sub ? `${sp.subspeciesLabel}: ${sub.name}` : `${sp.subspeciesLabel}: ${value}`;
 		}
 
 		case 'languages': {
diff --git a/src/lib/sharing.test.ts b/src/lib/sharing.test.ts
index d4eae67..f34d0a9 100644
--- a/src/lib/sharing.test.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sharing.test.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ describe('character URL encoding', () => {
 		const encoded = encodeCharacterURL(testCharacter);
 		const decoded = decodeCharacterURL(encoded);
 		expect(decoded.data).toEqual(testCharacter.data);
-		expect(decoded.template.name).toBe('Standard');
+		expect(decoded.template.name).toBe('General');
 	});
 
 	it('uses short encoding for preset templates', () => {
diff --git a/src/lib/utils/blank.test.ts b/src/lib/utils/blank.test.ts
index 4b8adb4..8aaebc6 100644
--- a/src/lib/utils/blank.test.ts
+++ b/src/lib/utils/blank.test.ts
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ describe('isBlankCharacter', () => {
 		expect(isBlankCharacter(makeChar({ 'spoken-languages': [] }))).toBe(true);
 	});
 
-	it('returns true when languages is just the default', () => {
-		expect(isBlankCharacter(makeChar({ 'spoken-languages': ['Tau Ceti Basic'] }))).toBe(true);
+	it('returns false when languages has any value', () => {
+		expect(isBlankCharacter(makeChar({ 'spoken-languages': ['Tau Ceti Basic'] }))).toBe(false);
 	});
 
 	it('returns false when languages has custom values', () => {
diff --git a/src/routes/+page.svelte b/src/routes/+page.svelte
index 7aa356e..fe06c25 100644
--- a/src/routes/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/+page.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { onMount } from 'svelte';
 	import Header from '$lib/components/Header.svelte';
+	import HelpText from '$lib/components/HelpText.svelte';
 	import SchemaForm from '$lib/components/SchemaForm.svelte';
 	import OutputPanel from '$lib/components/OutputPanel.svelte';
 	import ImportModal from '$lib/components/ImportModal.svelte';
@@ -11,8 +12,10 @@
 
 	let importData = $state<string | null>(null);
 	let fileImportData = $state<{ template: any; data: Record<string, unknown> } | null>(null);
+	let importError = $state<string | null>(null);
 	let mobileView = $state<'edit' | 'preview' | 'split'>('split');
 	let showPicker = $state(false);
+	let emptyFileInput = $state<HTMLInputElement>();
 
 	function checkHash() {
 		const hash = window.location.hash.slice(1);
@@ -35,8 +38,9 @@
 	function handleFileImport(json: string) {
 		try {
 			fileImportData = parseCharacterFile(json);
+			importError = null;
 		} catch {
-			// TODO: show error to user
+			importError = 'Could not read that file. Check that it\u2019s a valid character export.';
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -44,12 +48,28 @@
 		fileImportData = null;
 	}
 
+	async function handleEmptyFileImport(e: Event) {
+		const input = e.target as HTMLInputElement;
+		const file = input.files?.[0];
+		if (!file) return;
+		const text = await file.text();
+		handleFileImport(text);
+		input.value = '';
+	}
+
 	const modes = ['edit', 'preview', 'split'] as const;
 </script>
 
 <div class="h-dvh flex flex-col overflow-hidden">
 	<Header onImport={handleFileImport} />
 
+	{#if importError}
+		<div class="px-4 py-2 text-sm flex items-center justify-center gap-2 border-b" style="background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--error) 8%, var(--bg)); color: var(--error); border-color: var(--border);">
+			<span>{importError}</span>
+			<button onclick={() => { importError = null; }} class="underline hover:opacity-80">Dismiss</button>
+		</div>
+	{/if}
+
 	{#if fileImportData}
 		<div class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
 			<ImportModal fileData={fileImportData} onClose={closeFileImport} />
@@ -109,19 +129,40 @@
 			{/if}
 		</main>
 	{:else}
-		<main class="flex-1 flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-4">
-			<p style="color: var(--text-muted);">No characters yet.</p>
-			<button
-				onclick={() => {
-					if (presets.length === 1) roster.create(presets[0]);
-					else showPicker = true;
-				}}
-				class="px-3 py-1 rounded text-sm border hover:opacity-80"
-				style="border-color: var(--border);"
-			>
-				Get Started
-			</button>
+		<main class="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center p-6">
+			<div class="max-w-md w-full flex flex-col gap-6">
+				<HelpText />
+
+				<div class="flex gap-3">
+					<button
+						onclick={() => {
+							if (presets.length === 1) roster.create(presets[0]);
+							else showPicker = true;
+						}}
+						class="flex-1 px-4 py-2 rounded text-sm font-medium hover:opacity-90"
+						style="background: var(--accent); color: white;"
+					>
+						New Character
+					</button>
+					<button
+						onclick={() => emptyFileInput.click()}
+						class="px-4 py-2 rounded text-sm border hover:opacity-80"
+						style="border-color: var(--border); color: var(--text-muted);"
+					>
+						Import
+					</button>
+				</div>
+			</div>
 		</main>
+
+		<input
+			bind:this={emptyFileInput}
+			type="file"
+			accept=".json"
+			class="hidden"
+			onchange={handleEmptyFileImport}
+		/>
+
 		{#if showPicker}
 			<TemplatePicker onClose={() => { showPicker = false; }} />
 		{/if}
diff --git a/svelte.config.js b/svelte.config.js
index 0b663ed..301e785 100644
--- a/svelte.config.js
+++ b/svelte.config.js
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
-import adapter from '@sveltejs/adapter-static';
+import adapter from '@sveltejs/adapter-auto';
 
 /** @type {import('@sveltejs/kit').Config} */
 const config = {
 	kit: {
-		adapter: adapter({
-			fallback: 'index.html'
-		})
+		adapter: adapter()
 	}
 };