diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index a98c3ed..9135a5b 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -27,11 +27,13 @@ README for how to run/extend it.
 5. **Real race art wired in** — Terran Republic, Mechanos Sovereignty, and Vorg Swarm each have their own 5-ship roster (Interceptor/Gunship/Bomber/Support/Heavy) with real sprites cropped from uploaded concept sheets (`assets/images/ships/<race>/`); placeholder `example_ships` removed
 6. **Multiplayer networking (movement + combat)** — ENet authoritative server; networked ship spawning with client-side prediction + server reconciliation for movement; server-authoritative bullets, health, death/respawn all broadcast to every peer (see `overview/tech.md`)
 7. **Matchmaking API + client wiring** — FastAPI + Postgres service (`matchmaking-api/`) for casual/ranked queueing; main menu CASUAL/RANKED buttons queue via the API, poll for a match, then connect to the assigned server. Currently only one dev server is registered (auto-seeded on API startup) — see Current Tasks
+8. **In-game chat** — T focuses "all" chat (whole match, both teams), Y focuses "team" chat (peers sharing the sender's race, since race doubles as team); Enter sends, Esc cancels; last 10 messages shown bottom-left, WoW-style translucent log + input line (`chat/chat_box.gd`); server-relayed and team-filtered via `ChatManager` autoload (`autoload/chat_manager.gd`)
+9. **Bot fill for casual** — each of the match's 2 offered races is kept at a minimum of `GameConfig.bot_min_team_size` (7) total humans+bots; bots spawn/despawn reactively as players join/leave (`bots/bot_manager.gd`, server-authoritative autoload). Bots always fly their race's fighter/Interceptor (`race.ships[0]`) and use negative peer_ids, which lets them ride every existing networked-ship system (spawning, loadout replication, position/health sync, bullet attribution) with zero special-casing. AI (`bots/bot_ai.gd`, `class_name BotAI`) is a simple seek-nearest-enemy-and-shoot brain, deliberately isolated from ship networking code so future tuning/behavior changes stay contained to that one file. See `bots.md`. Casual matchmaking now forms with just 1 real player queued (bots pad the rest) — see `matchmaking-api/README.md`.
+10. **Borderless fullscreen, no UI/world scaling** — launches at the real screen resolution with stretch mode disabled (1 game pixel = 1 screen pixel), instead of scaling the Steam-Deck-matched 1280×800 design canvas up to fill PC monitors (which looked zoomed in). PC monitors now just reveal more world/HUD instead. Every menu screen (`main_menu.gd`, `team_select.gd`, `chat/chat_box.gd`) was reworked to position itself via anchors relative to the real window instead of hardcoded 1280×800 pixel coordinates — see `structure.md`'s Display section, including a real `push_opposite_anchor` footgun hit along the way. `menu/server_browser.gd` was NOT updated (still hardcoded, but unreachable in the live flow).
 
 ## Current Tasks
 
 - [ ] Asteroids and environment hazards
-- [ ] Bot fill for casual (minimum 7v7, bots fill empty slots — see `bots.md`) — next logical step now that matchmaking works, since `CASUAL_TEAM_SIZE` is set low (1) for solo/duo testing on the assumption bots will pad real matches later
 - [ ] Sound effects (thrust, shoot, explosion, UI)
 - [ ] Real game-server pool — servers self-register with the matchmaking API (`POST /servers/register` already exists, nothing calls it yet) instead of one hardcoded dev entry
 - [ ] Galaxy war meta / sector control for casual (see `multiplayer.md`)
diff --git a/matchmaking-api/.env.example b/matchmaking-api/.env.example
index 850701b..2d6a06b 100644
--- a/matchmaking-api/.env.example
+++ b/matchmaking-api/.env.example
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 DATABASE_URL=postgresql+asyncpg://matchmaking:matchmaking@postgres:5432/matchmaking
 
 # Real-value targets per overview/bots.md (casual min 7v7) and overview/racesclasses.md (ranked 5v5).
+# CASUAL_TEAM_SIZE no longer gates when a casual match forms (bot fill means
+# 1 real player is enough — see queue_manager.py); it only caps how many real
+# players group into one casual match.
 CASUAL_TEAM_SIZE=7
 RANKED_TEAM_SIZE=5
 
diff --git a/matchmaking-api/README.md b/matchmaking-api/README.md
index f32914e..03cecd0 100644
--- a/matchmaking-api/README.md
+++ b/matchmaking-api/README.md
@@ -33,10 +33,15 @@ rebuilding the image. Rebuild (`docker compose up -d --build`) only when
   returns the assigned server's `server_ip`/`server_port`/`team`.
 - `POST /matchmaking/queue/leave?ticket_id=...` — cancel a queued ticket.
 
-A background loop (`app/queue_manager.py`) runs every 2s, and once enough
-players are queued for a mode (`CASUAL_TEAM_SIZE`/`RANKED_TEAM_SIZE` × 2) it
-forms a match, splits them into two teams, and assigns the first available
-`GameServer` for that mode.
+A background loop (`app/queue_manager.py`) runs every 2s and forms a match
+once enough players are queued for a mode, then splits them into two teams
+and assigns the first available `GameServer` for that mode. Casual and
+ranked differ here: casual has bot fill (`spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd`
+pads both teams up to `GameConfig.bot_min_team_size` in-game), so 1 queued
+player is enough to form a casual match — `CASUAL_TEAM_SIZE` just caps how
+many real players can group into one match, it no longer gates formation.
+Ranked has no bots, so it still waits for the full `RANKED_TEAM_SIZE × 2`
+real players before forming.
 
 There's no real game-server pool yet — one dev server is auto-seeded on API
 startup from `DEV_SEED_SERVER_IP`/`DEV_SEED_SERVER_PORT` (defaults to
diff --git a/matchmaking-api/app/queue_manager.py b/matchmaking-api/app/queue_manager.py
index bae9a9e..71550c9 100644
--- a/matchmaking-api/app/queue_manager.py
+++ b/matchmaking-api/app/queue_manager.py
@@ -65,13 +65,12 @@ class QueueManager:
             tickets.sort(key=lambda t: t.queued_at)
         return tickets
 
-    async def _try_form_match(self, mode: Mode, team_size: int, db: AsyncSession) -> None:
-        required = team_size * 2
+    async def _try_form_match(self, mode: Mode, required: int, cap: int, db: AsyncSession) -> None:
         async with self._lock:
             waiting = self._waiting(mode)
             if len(waiting) < required:
                 return
-            group = waiting[:required]
+            group = waiting[:cap]
 
             server = (
                 await db.execute(
@@ -99,8 +98,20 @@ class QueueManager:
         while True:
             await asyncio.sleep(2)
             async with async_session() as db:
-                await self._try_form_match(Mode.casual, settings.casual_team_size, db)
-                await self._try_form_match(Mode.ranked, settings.ranked_team_size, db)
+                # Casual has bot fill (spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd) — bots pad
+                # both teams up to GameConfig.bot_min_team_size, so a single
+                # queued player is enough to form a match. Still group in
+                # anyone else who queues in the same tick, up to the real
+                # casual_team_size*2 target, rather than capping at 1v1.
+                # Ranked has no bots, so it still needs the full
+                # ranked_team_size*2 real players queued before forming.
+                await self._try_form_match(Mode.casual, required=1, cap=settings.casual_team_size * 2, db=db)
+                await self._try_form_match(
+                    Mode.ranked,
+                    required=settings.ranked_team_size * 2,
+                    cap=settings.ranked_team_size * 2,
+                    db=db,
+                )
 
 
 queue_manager = QueueManager()
diff --git a/overview/bots.md b/overview/bots.md
index cc51357..4b3bc1a 100644
--- a/overview/bots.md
+++ b/overview/bots.md
@@ -13,9 +13,26 @@
 - Avoids the ghost-town feeling of a 25v25 map with 3 players
 - Bots are not added beyond 7v7 so human players always dominate strategy
 
-## Implementation Notes (not yet built)
+## Implementation Notes
 
-- Bots use simplified AI: thrust toward nearest enemy, shoot when in range
-- Bot difficulty: intentionally easy (this is casual — bots are filler, not challenge)
-- Bot names: procedurally generated callsigns so they're not obviously bots in the HUD
-- Server tracks human vs bot count per team and manages swap-in on player join
+- **`bots/bot_manager.gd`** (server-authoritative autoload) owns bot lifecycle. All
+  spawn/despawn decisions funnel through one function, `_reconcile_race(race_id)`,
+  triggered by `PlayerRegistry`'s existing `loadout_updated`/`player_removed`
+  signals (join/leave) and `World.decide_offered_races()` (match start) — no
+  polling. This is the one place to change for future tweaks (fill curve, per-map
+  team size, etc.)
+- Bots get **negative peer_ids** (`-1, -2, ...`), assigned by `BotManager`. This
+  lets them reuse every existing networked-ship system for free — spawning
+  (`MultiplayerSpawner`), loadout replication/backfill (`PlayerRegistry`),
+  position/health/visibility sync, bullet damage attribution — none of which
+  cares whether a `peer_id` came from ENet or from `BotManager`
+- Bots always fly **the race's fighter/Interceptor** (`race.ships[0]` in
+  `team_select.gd`'s `RACES` data)
+- AI (`bots/bot_ai.gd`, `class_name BotAI`): thrust toward nearest living enemy,
+  turn to face it, shoot when roughly aimed and in range — simplified
+  seek-and-shoot, intentionally easy (casual bots are filler, not a challenge).
+  Fully isolated from `ship_movement.gd`'s networking code so future
+  difficulty/behavior tuning only ever touches this one file
+- Bot names: `bots/bot_names.gd`, a flat pool of procedural callsigns
+- Tunables live in `GameConfig` (`bot_min_team_size`, `bot_engage_range`,
+  `bot_stop_distance`, `bot_aim_tolerance_deg`)
diff --git a/overview/chat.md b/overview/chat.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1bf3a6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/overview/chat.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+The chat system will be in the game.  In order to focus the chat window, the user presses t.  He then types a message and enter sends it. 
+ The message will only be in the game that the user is in.  The opposing team can see the chat message as well. 
+  If he wants it just for the team, he presses y.  It will say [team] infront of it .  The chat will show the last 10 messages.  It will be positioned on bottom left of screen.  The chat input is at the bottom.  I want it to look similiar to world of warcrafts chat system.
+
+  
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/overview/structure.md b/overview/structure.md
index ff957dd..3131a31 100644
--- a/overview/structure.md
+++ b/overview/structure.md
@@ -17,6 +17,12 @@ spacewar/                        ← repo root
     │   ├── ship.tscn             ← player ship scene (formerly node_2d.tscn)
     │   ├── ship_movement.gd      ← player ship logic
     │   └── bullet.tscn/gd        ← projectile
+    ├── chat/
+    │   └── chat_box.tscn/gd      ← WoW-style chat overlay (T=all, Y=team), added to world.tscn
+    ├── bots/
+    │   ├── bot_manager.gd         ← autoload; server-only bot fill (join/leave reconciliation)
+    │   ├── bot_ai.gd              ← class_name BotAI; seek-nearest-enemy-and-shoot brain
+    │   └── bot_names.gd           ← class_name BotNames; procedural callsign pool
     ├── world/
     │   ├── world.tscn             ← game world; world.gd loads the active map into MapContainer
     │   ├── world.gd                ← picks/instances a map scene from world/maps/
@@ -49,7 +55,8 @@ World (Node2D)              ← world.gd instances MAP_SCENE into MapContainer o
 ├── HUD (CanvasLayer)
 │   └── HealthLabel
 ├── PauseMenu (CanvasLayer, layer=10)   ← menu/pause_menu.tscn
-└── TeamSelect (CanvasLayer, layer=20)  ← menu/team_select.tscn; queue_free()s after selection
+├── TeamSelect (CanvasLayer, layer=20)  ← menu/team_select.tscn; queue_free()s after selection
+└── ChatBox (CanvasLayer, layer=5)      ← chat/chat_box.tscn
 ```
 
 ### `world/maps/map_01.tscn` — hand-painted map
@@ -81,6 +88,8 @@ Player (CharacterBody2D)   ← ship_movement.gd
 | `move_down` | S | — |
 | `shoot` | Space | — |
 | `toggle_pause` | Esc | Start / Options button (JoyButton 6) |
+| `chat_all` | T | — |
+| `chat_team` | Y | — |
 
 ## Game Flow
 
@@ -93,7 +102,32 @@ main_menu.tscn
   └── RANKED → disabled (coming soon)
 ```
 
-> **Note:** `server_browser.tscn` was built (Task 1) and is functional, but the current flow bypasses it — CASUAL goes directly to the world and TeamSelect handles name/race/ship. The server browser will be re-integrated when real multiplayer server listing is built.
+> **Note:** `server_browser.tscn` was built (Task 1) and is functional, but the current flow bypasses it — CASUAL goes directly to the world and TeamSelect handles name/race/ship. The server browser will be re-integrated when real multiplayer server listing is built. It still uses the old hardcoded-1280px layout style (see Display below) — not yet updated since it isn't reachable in the live flow.
+
+## Display
+
+Launches borderless fullscreen at the real screen resolution (`window/size/mode=3`
+in `project.godot`) with stretch mode **disabled** — 1 game pixel = 1 screen
+pixel everywhere, no UI/world scaling. Chosen over Godot's default
+`canvas_items`+`expand` stretch (which scales the whole 2D canvas to fill the
+window) because the game's design canvas is deliberately sized to the Steam
+Deck's native 1280×800; scaling that up to fill a PC monitor made everything
+look zoomed in. With stretch disabled, PC monitors just reveal more of the
+world/HUD at native size instead — the actual map (`world/maps/map_01.tscn`)
+is already a fixed-size 14016×6000 arena, not viewport-sized, so there's more
+world to reveal.
+
+This means every menu Control has to position itself relative to the *real*
+window size, not a fixed 1280×800 design canvas — anchors (0.0=edge,
+0.5=center, 1.0=opposite edge) plus fixed pixel offsets from that anchor,
+not raw absolute pixel coordinates. `main_menu.gd` and `team_select.gd` both
+have a `_place()`/direct-property-assignment helper for this — **always set
+anchor properties directly (`node.anchor_left = ...`) rather than through
+sequential `set_anchor_and_offset()` calls**: that method's default
+`push_opposite_anchor=true` drags the opposite side's anchor/offset along
+whenever two sequential calls momentarily disagree (e.g. left set to a 0.5
+anchor while right is still its 0.0 default), corrupting layout — hit this
+exact bug converting the play-mode buttons to be centered.
 
 ## Key Autoload — `GameConfig`
 
@@ -113,3 +147,22 @@ main_menu.tscn
 | `ship_invincibility_time` | float | Tuning constant |
 | `bullet_damage` | int | Tuning constant |
 | `ship_wall_damage` | int | Tuning constant |
+| `chat_focused` | bool | Set by ChatBox while its input line has keyboard focus; gates ship movement/fire input |
+| `bot_min_team_size` | int | Tuning constant — min humans+bots per race, see `bots/bot_manager.gd` |
+| `bot_engage_range` | float | Tuning constant — bot max shoot distance |
+| `bot_stop_distance` | float | Tuning constant — bot stops closing distance below this |
+| `bot_aim_tolerance_deg` | float | Tuning constant — how precisely a bot must face a target to fire |
+
+## Key Autoload — `BotManager`
+
+Server-authoritative bot fill for casual (`bots/bot_manager.gd`). Keeps each of the
+match's 2 offered races at `GameConfig.bot_min_team_size` total humans+bots,
+reacting to `PlayerRegistry.loadout_updated`/`player_removed` and
+`World.decide_offered_races()`. See `overview/bots.md`.
+
+## Key Autoload — `ChatManager`
+
+Server-relayed chat (`autoload/chat_manager.gd`). `send_chat(text, team_only)` sends;
+`message_received(sender_name, sender_race, team_only, text)` signal delivers
+incoming messages to `ChatBox`. "Team" messages are filtered server-side to
+peers sharing the sender's race (race doubles as team — see `PlayerRegistry`).
diff --git a/overview/task.md b/overview/task.md
index 5fead31..da18552 100644
--- a/overview/task.md
+++ b/overview/task.md
@@ -12,17 +12,18 @@
 | 5 | Main menu | CASUAL / RANKED (disabled), callsign input, rank badge, quit button |
 | 6 | In-game pause menu | ESC / controller Start; game runs behind it; working: RESUME, QUIT TO MENU, QUIT TO DESKTOP |
 | 7 | Team & ship selection | On world load; 2 random races offered; ship grid with real sprites; player spawns after |
+| 8 | Replace placeholder races with chosen 3 (Terran Republic, Mechanos Sovereignty, Vorg Swarm) | Done |
+| 9 | Real ship sprites for all 3 races (5 ships each) | Done |
+| 13 | Multiplayer networking — ENet authoritative server | Done |
+| 18 | In-game chat (T=all, Y=team, last 10 messages, bottom-left) | `chat/chat_box.gd` + `autoload/chat_manager.gd` — see `chat.md` |
+| 11 | Bot fill for casual (min 7v7) | `bots/bot_manager.gd` + `bots/bot_ai.gd` — see `bots.md` |
 
 ## Up Next
 
 | # | Task | Priority |
 |---|------|----------|
-| 8 | Replace placeholder races with chosen 3 (Terran Republic, Mechanos Sovereignty, Void Wraiths) | High |
-| 9 | Real ship sprites for all 3 races (5 ships each) | High |
 | 10 | Asteroids + environment hazards | Medium |
-| 11 | Bot fill for casual (min 7v7) | Medium — see `bots.md` |
 | 12 | Sound effects (thrust, shoot, explosion, UI clicks) | Medium |
-| 13 | Multiplayer networking — ENet authoritative server | High (big) |
 | 14 | Galaxy war meta + sector control | Low (post-networking) |
 | 15 | Ranked matchmaking + MMR | Low (post-networking) |
 | 16 | Settings screen (audio, controls, display) | Low |
diff --git a/spacewar/autoload/chat_manager.gd b/spacewar/autoload/chat_manager.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0276c39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/autoload/chat_manager.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+extends Node
+
+# Server-relayed chat. "All" messages reach every peer in the match; "team"
+# messages only reach peers who share the sender's chosen race (races double
+# as the match's two teams — see TeamSelect/PlayerRegistry).
+
+signal message_received(sender_name: String, sender_race: int, team_only: bool, text: String)
+
+const MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH := 140
+
+
+func send_chat(raw_text: String, team_only: bool) -> void:
+	var text := raw_text.strip_edges().left(MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH)
+	if text.is_empty():
+		return
+
+	# Echo to ourselves immediately — no need to wait on a round trip to see
+	# our own message, and this sidesteps relying on "call_local" local
+	# execution semantics for a targeted rpc_id() call (unlike a broadcast
+	# .rpc(), those do NOT also run locally on the caller in Godot).
+	var local_id := multiplayer.get_unique_id()
+	var local_info := PlayerRegistry.get_info(local_id)
+	message_received.emit(local_info.get("name", "Player"), local_info.get("race", 0), team_only, text)
+
+	if multiplayer.is_server():
+		_relay(local_id, text, team_only)
+	else:
+		# Must target the server explicitly (id 1), not a bare broadcast
+		# .rpc(): ENetMultiplayerPeer's default server_relay transparently
+		# forwards a client's broadcast RPC to every other client too, which
+		# would let every peer run this unfiltered — silently leaking "team"
+		# chat to the other team before the server ever gets a chance to
+		# filter it.
+		submit_chat.rpc_id(1, text, team_only)
+
+
+# Client -> server only. The server is the sole authority on who a "team"
+# message is allowed to reach.
+@rpc("any_peer", "call_remote", "reliable")
+func submit_chat(text: String, team_only: bool) -> void:
+	if not multiplayer.is_server():
+		return
+	_relay(multiplayer.get_remote_sender_id(), text, team_only)
+
+
+func _relay(sender_id: int, raw_text: String, team_only: bool) -> void:
+	var text := raw_text.strip_edges().left(MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH)
+	if text.is_empty():
+		return
+
+	var sender_info := PlayerRegistry.get_info(sender_id)
+	var sender_name: String = sender_info.get("name", "Player")
+	var sender_race: int = sender_info.get("race", 0)
+
+	for peer_id in multiplayer.get_peers():
+		if peer_id != sender_id and _should_receive(peer_id, sender_race, team_only):
+			_receive_chat.rpc_id(peer_id, sender_name, sender_race, team_only, text)
+
+
+@rpc("authority", "call_remote", "reliable")
+func _receive_chat(sender_name: String, sender_race: int, team_only: bool, text: String) -> void:
+	message_received.emit(sender_name, sender_race, team_only, text)
+
+
+func _should_receive(receiver_id: int, sender_race: int, team_only: bool) -> bool:
+	if not team_only:
+		return true
+	return PlayerRegistry.get_info(receiver_id).get("race", -1) == sender_race
diff --git a/spacewar/autoload/chat_manager.gd.uid b/spacewar/autoload/chat_manager.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d7a1b3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/autoload/chat_manager.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://c70wvme1k38y3
diff --git a/spacewar/autoload/game_config.gd b/spacewar/autoload/game_config.gd
index 8641890..2b2f57d 100644
--- a/spacewar/autoload/game_config.gd
+++ b/spacewar/autoload/game_config.gd
@@ -25,3 +25,13 @@ var player_name: String = ""
 
 # Current map's play area, in world coordinates. Set by world.gd on load.
 var world_bounds: Rect2 = Rect2(0, 0, 1152, 648)
+
+# True while the chat input box has keyboard focus — gates ship movement/fire
+# input so typing (e.g. the letter "w") doesn't also move the ship.
+var chat_focused: bool = false
+
+# Bots (casual fill) — see bots/bot_manager.gd and overview/bots.md
+var bot_min_team_size: int = 7  # mirrors matchmaking-api's CASUAL_TEAM_SIZE default
+var bot_engage_range: float = 500.0
+var bot_stop_distance: float = 160.0
+var bot_aim_tolerance_deg: float = 6.0
diff --git a/spacewar/autoload/player_registry.gd b/spacewar/autoload/player_registry.gd
index 226fd6d..ce66b77 100644
--- a/spacewar/autoload/player_registry.gd
+++ b/spacewar/autoload/player_registry.gd
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ extends Node
 # their own.
 
 signal loadout_updated(peer_id: int)
-signal player_removed(peer_id: int)
+signal player_removed(peer_id: int, info: Dictionary)
 
 var players: Dictionary = {}  # peer_id -> {name, race, ship_path, ship_scale, ship_speed_factor}
 
@@ -26,6 +26,20 @@ func submit_local_loadout(player_name: String, race: int, ship_path: String, shi
 	submit_loadout.rpc(player_name, race, ship_path, ship_scale, ship_speed_factor)
 
 
+# Server-only: registers a bot's loadout the same way a real player's
+# submit_loadout would (minus the backfill, since a fresh bot has nothing to
+# learn), broadcasting to every connected peer so bots render identically to
+# human ships on every client. See bots/bot_manager.gd.
+func register_bot(peer_id: int, bot_name: String, race: int, ship_path: String, ship_scale: float, ship_speed_factor: float) -> void:
+	for pid in multiplayer.get_peers():
+		_receive_loadout.rpc_id(pid, peer_id, bot_name, race, ship_path, ship_scale, ship_speed_factor)
+	_store(peer_id, bot_name, race, ship_path, ship_scale, ship_speed_factor)
+
+
+func unregister_bot(peer_id: int) -> void:
+	_remove(peer_id)
+
+
 # Client -> server (and locally to self via call_local). Server then relays
 # the new loadout to everyone else, and backfills the newcomer with everyone
 # else's already-known loadout.
@@ -68,5 +82,10 @@ func _store(peer_id: int, player_name: String, race: int, ship_path: String, shi
 
 
 func _on_peer_left(peer_id: int) -> void:
+	_remove(peer_id)
+
+
+func _remove(peer_id: int) -> void:
+	var info: Dictionary = players.get(peer_id, {})
 	if players.erase(peer_id):
-		player_removed.emit(peer_id)
+		player_removed.emit(peer_id, info)
diff --git a/spacewar/bots/bot_ai.gd b/spacewar/bots/bot_ai.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e75ec0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/bots/bot_ai.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+class_name BotAI
+extends RefCounted
+
+# Simplified "seek and shoot" bot AI (see overview/bots.md): thrust toward
+# the nearest living enemy, turn to face it, fire once roughly aimed and in
+# range. Kept intentionally simple — casual bots are filler, not a challenge
+# — and isolated from ship_movement.gd's networking code entirely so future
+# difficulty/behavior tweaks only ever touch this file.
+
+var _ship: Ship
+var _race_id: int
+
+
+func _init(ship: Ship, race_id: int) -> void:
+	_ship = ship
+	_race_id = race_id
+
+
+func compute_input(_delta: float) -> Dictionary:
+	var target := _find_nearest_enemy()
+	if target == null:
+		return {"up": false, "down": false, "left": false, "right": false, "shoot": false}
+
+	var to_target: Vector2 = target.global_position - _ship.global_position
+	var distance: float = to_target.length()
+	# Ship forward is Vector2.UP.rotated(rotation) (see ship_movement.gd
+	# _simulate_step), so facing `to_target` requires offsetting by the angle
+	# between Vector2.UP and the zero-rotation forward vector (PI/2).
+	var desired_rot: float = to_target.angle() + PI / 2.0
+	var diff: float = angle_difference(_ship.rotation, desired_rot)
+	var aim_tolerance: float = deg_to_rad(GameConfig.bot_aim_tolerance_deg)
+
+	return {
+		"up": distance > GameConfig.bot_stop_distance,
+		"down": false,
+		"left": diff < -aim_tolerance,
+		"right": diff > aim_tolerance,
+		"shoot": absf(diff) <= aim_tolerance and distance <= GameConfig.bot_engage_range,
+	}
+
+
+func _find_nearest_enemy() -> Ship:
+	var best: Ship = null
+	var best_dist := INF
+	for node in _ship.get_tree().get_nodes_in_group("ships"):
+		var candidate := node as Ship
+		if candidate == null or candidate == _ship or not candidate.visible:
+			continue
+		var info: Dictionary = PlayerRegistry.get_info(candidate.peer_id)
+		if info.get("race", -1) == _race_id:
+			continue
+		var dist: float = _ship.global_position.distance_squared_to(candidate.global_position)
+		if dist < best_dist:
+			best_dist = dist
+			best = candidate
+	return best
diff --git a/spacewar/bots/bot_ai.gd.uid b/spacewar/bots/bot_ai.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae265ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/bots/bot_ai.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://b4dxa42o6vq8k
diff --git a/spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd b/spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..38abaed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+extends Node
+
+# Server-authoritative bot fill for casual matches (see overview/bots.md):
+# keeps each of the match's 2 offered races at a minimum of
+# GameConfig.bot_min_team_size total (humans + bots), spawning/despawning
+# bots as players join and leave.
+#
+# All spawn/despawn logic funnels through _reconcile_race() so every future
+# tweak (different fill curve, per-map team size, bot difficulty swaps,
+# etc.) has one place to change instead of being scattered across
+# join/leave handlers.
+
+var _world = null  # World instance; untyped like ship_movement.gd's own
+                    # world ref, since World has no class_name of its own
+var _bots_by_race: Dictionary = {}  # race_id -> Array[int] (bot peer_ids)
+var _next_bot_id: int = -1
+
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	PlayerRegistry.loadout_updated.connect(_on_loadout_updated)
+	PlayerRegistry.player_removed.connect(_on_player_removed)
+
+
+# Called once by World.decide_offered_races() when the match's 2 races are
+# decided, to fill both teams with bots before any human has picked a race.
+func on_match_start(world, offered_race_ids: Array) -> void:
+	if not multiplayer.is_server():
+		return
+	_world = world
+	_bots_by_race.clear()
+	_next_bot_id = -1
+	for race_id in offered_race_ids:
+		_reconcile_race(race_id)
+
+
+func _on_loadout_updated(peer_id: int) -> void:
+	if not multiplayer.is_server() or _world == null or peer_id < 0:
+		return
+	_reconcile_race(PlayerRegistry.get_info(peer_id).get("race", 0))
+
+
+func _on_player_removed(peer_id: int, info: Dictionary) -> void:
+	if not multiplayer.is_server() or _world == null or peer_id < 0:
+		return
+	_reconcile_race(info.get("race", 0))
+
+
+func _reconcile_race(race_id: int) -> void:
+	if race_id <= 0:
+		return
+	var humans := _count_humans(race_id)
+	var desired: int = max(0, GameConfig.bot_min_team_size - humans)
+	var current: Array = _bots_by_race.get(race_id, [])
+	while current.size() < desired:
+		current.append(_spawn_bot(race_id))
+	while current.size() > desired:
+		_despawn_bot(current.pop_back())
+	_bots_by_race[race_id] = current
+
+
+func _count_humans(race_id: int) -> int:
+	var count := 0
+	for peer_id in PlayerRegistry.players:
+		if peer_id > 0 and PlayerRegistry.players[peer_id].race == race_id:
+			count += 1
+	return count
+
+
+func _spawn_bot(race_id: int) -> int:
+	var bot_id := _next_bot_id
+	_next_bot_id -= 1
+
+	var race := _find_race(race_id)
+	var ship_def: Dictionary = race.ships[0]  # bots always fly the race's fighter (Interceptor)
+	PlayerRegistry.register_bot(
+		bot_id, BotNames.random_name(), race_id,
+		ship_def.path, ship_def.scale, ship_def.speed_factor
+	)
+
+	var ship_node := _world.spawn_peer(bot_id) as Ship
+	if ship_node:
+		ship_node.bot_ai = BotAI.new(ship_node, race_id)
+	return bot_id
+
+
+func _despawn_bot(bot_id: int) -> void:
+	_world.despawn_peer(bot_id)
+	PlayerRegistry.unregister_bot(bot_id)
+
+
+func _find_race(race_id: int) -> Dictionary:
+	for race in TeamSelect.RACES:
+		if race.id == race_id:
+			return race
+	return TeamSelect.RACES[0]
diff --git a/spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd.uid b/spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2655f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/bots/bot_manager.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://ddrjywcfsrjdq
diff --git a/spacewar/bots/bot_names.gd b/spacewar/bots/bot_names.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3a9800
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/bots/bot_names.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+class_name BotNames
+extends RefCounted
+
+# Procedurally-flavored callsigns so bots aren't obviously bots in the HUD
+# or chat (see overview/bots.md). Flat pool, picked randomly — a name can
+# repeat across a long casual match, which is fine for filler.
+const NAMES := [
+	"Raptor", "Vagrant", "Nomad", "Cutlass", "Wraith", "Ghostfire", "Talon",
+	"Drifter", "Ironclad", "Nightshade", "Rustwing", "Voidrunner", "Ashback",
+	"Comet", "Hollow", "Fangtooth", "Static", "Sable", "Ember", "Backdraft",
+	"Grim", "Hexbolt", "Ironsight", "Junker", "Lowbeam", "Mirage", "Nullbyte",
+	"Outlaw", "Payload", "Quickfuse", "Redline", "Scrapheap", "Torque",
+	"Undertow", "Vector", "Whiplash", "Yardbird", "Zerofall",
+]
+
+
+static func random_name() -> String:
+	return NAMES[randi() % NAMES.size()]
diff --git a/spacewar/bots/bot_names.gd.uid b/spacewar/bots/bot_names.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c680c24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/bots/bot_names.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://s42nhrttgq4b
diff --git a/spacewar/chat/chat_box.gd b/spacewar/chat/chat_box.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df78cb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/chat/chat_box.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+extends CanvasLayer
+
+# WoW-style chat overlay. T focuses "all" chat (visible to both teams), Y
+# focuses "team" chat (visible only to players who share the sender's race —
+# races double as teams, see TeamSelect). Enter sends, Escape cancels. Last
+# MAX_LINES messages are kept, positioned bottom-left per overview/chat.md.
+
+const MAX_LINES := 10
+const HISTORY_W := 460.0
+const HISTORY_H := 160.0
+const INPUT_H := 30.0
+const MARGIN_X := 16.0
+const MARGIN_BOTTOM := 16.0
+const GAP := 4.0
+
+var _history: RichTextLabel
+var _input_line: LineEdit
+var _team_mode: bool = false
+var _lines: Array[String] = []
+
+@onready var _pause_menu = get_node_or_null("/root/World/PauseMenu")
+
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	layer = 5
+	_build_ui()
+	ChatManager.message_received.connect(_on_message_received)
+
+
+func _build_ui() -> void:
+	# Positioned bottom-left via anchor 1.0 (actual window bottom edge), not
+	# a hardcoded 800px design height — stretch mode is disabled (see
+	# project.godot), so nothing scales/repositions automatically.
+	var input_y2 := -MARGIN_BOTTOM
+	var input_y1 := input_y2 - INPUT_H
+	var history_y2 := input_y1 - GAP
+	var history_y1 := history_y2 - HISTORY_H
+	var x1 := MARGIN_X
+	var x2 := MARGIN_X + HISTORY_W
+
+	var panel := PanelContainer.new()
+	var ps := StyleBoxFlat.new()
+	ps.bg_color = Color(0.02, 0.03, 0.06, 0.55)
+	ps.set_corner_radius_all(6)
+	panel.add_theme_stylebox_override("panel", ps)
+	panel.mouse_filter = Control.MOUSE_FILTER_IGNORE
+	# Anchors/offsets set as plain property assignments, not sequential
+	# set_anchor_and_offset() calls — that method's default
+	# push_opposite_anchor=true drags the opposite side along when the two
+	# calls momentarily disagree (e.g. top set to anchor 1.0 while bottom is
+	# still its 0.0 default), corrupting layout. See team_select.gd's
+	# _place() for the fuller writeup of this bug.
+	panel.anchor_left = 0.0
+	panel.anchor_right = 0.0
+	panel.anchor_top = 1.0
+	panel.anchor_bottom = 1.0
+	panel.offset_left = x1
+	panel.offset_right = x2
+	panel.offset_top = history_y1
+	panel.offset_bottom = history_y2
+	add_child(panel)
+
+	_history = RichTextLabel.new()
+	_history.bbcode_enabled = true
+	_history.scroll_active = true
+	_history.scroll_following = true
+	_history.mouse_filter = Control.MOUSE_FILTER_IGNORE
+	_history.add_theme_font_size_override("normal_font_size", 15)
+	_history.set_anchors_and_offsets_preset(Control.PRESET_FULL_RECT)
+	_history.offset_left = 8
+	_history.offset_top = 4
+	_history.offset_right = -8
+	_history.offset_bottom = -4
+	panel.add_child(_history)
+
+	_input_line = LineEdit.new()
+	_input_line.anchor_left = 0.0
+	_input_line.anchor_right = 0.0
+	_input_line.anchor_top = 1.0
+	_input_line.anchor_bottom = 1.0
+	_input_line.offset_left = x1
+	_input_line.offset_right = x2
+	_input_line.offset_top = input_y1
+	_input_line.offset_bottom = input_y2
+	_input_line.max_length = ChatManager.MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH
+	var ib := StyleBoxFlat.new()
+	ib.bg_color = Color(0.02, 0.03, 0.06, 0.85)
+	ib.set_corner_radius_all(4)
+	ib.set_border_width_all(1)
+	ib.border_color = Color(0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 0.8)
+	_input_line.add_theme_stylebox_override("normal", ib)
+	_input_line.add_theme_stylebox_override("focus", ib)
+	_input_line.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 15)
+	_input_line.caret_blink = true
+	_input_line.caret_blink_interval = 0.5
+	_input_line.caret_force_displayed = true
+	_input_line.add_theme_color_override("caret_color", Color(0.7, 0.9, 1.0))
+	_input_line.add_theme_constant_override("caret_width", 9)
+	_input_line.visible = false
+	_input_line.text_submitted.connect(_on_text_submitted)
+	_input_line.focus_exited.connect(_close_chat)
+	add_child(_input_line)
+
+
+func _input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
+	if not _input_line.visible:
+		if _pause_menu and _pause_menu.is_paused():
+			return
+		if event.is_action_pressed("chat_all"):
+			_open_chat(false)
+			get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+		elif event.is_action_pressed("chat_team"):
+			_open_chat(true)
+			get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+	elif event is InputEventKey and event.pressed and not event.echo and event.keycode == KEY_ESCAPE:
+		_close_chat()
+		get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+
+
+func _open_chat(team_only: bool) -> void:
+	_team_mode = team_only
+	_input_line.placeholder_text = "[TEAM] Message..." if team_only else "Message..."
+	_input_line.text = ""
+	_input_line.visible = true
+	_input_line.grab_focus()
+	GameConfig.chat_focused = true
+
+
+func _close_chat() -> void:
+	_input_line.visible = false
+	if _input_line.has_focus():
+		_input_line.release_focus()
+	GameConfig.chat_focused = false
+
+
+func _on_text_submitted(text: String) -> void:
+	ChatManager.send_chat(text, _team_mode)
+	_close_chat()
+
+
+func _on_message_received(sender_name: String, sender_race: int, team_only: bool, text: String) -> void:
+	var name_color := _race_color(sender_race).to_html(false)
+	var safe_name := _escape_bbcode(sender_name)
+	var safe_text := _escape_bbcode(text)
+	var line: String
+	if team_only:
+		line = "[color=#7fdc7f][TEAM][/color] [color=#%s]%s[/color]: %s" % [name_color, safe_name, safe_text]
+	else:
+		line = "[color=#%s]%s[/color]: %s" % [name_color, safe_name, safe_text]
+
+	_lines.append(line)
+	if _lines.size() > MAX_LINES:
+		_lines.pop_front()
+	_history.text = "\n".join(_lines)
+
+
+func _race_color(race_id: int) -> Color:
+	for race in TeamSelect.RACES:
+		if race.id == race_id:
+			return race.color
+	return Color(0.85, 0.87, 0.92)
+
+
+func _escape_bbcode(s: String) -> String:
+	return s.replace("[", "[lb]")
diff --git a/spacewar/chat/chat_box.gd.uid b/spacewar/chat/chat_box.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..463304a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/chat/chat_box.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://c4tvxxo8uvqrt
diff --git a/spacewar/chat/chat_box.tscn b/spacewar/chat/chat_box.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f436954
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spacewar/chat/chat_box.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+[gd_scene format=3 uid="uid://cchatbox01a"]
+
+[ext_resource type="Script" path="res://chat/chat_box.gd" id="1_script"]
+
+[node name="ChatBox" type="CanvasLayer"]
+script = ExtResource("1_script")
diff --git a/spacewar/menu/main_menu.gd b/spacewar/menu/main_menu.gd
index 46e2651..745e552 100644
--- a/spacewar/menu/main_menu.gd
+++ b/spacewar/menu/main_menu.gd
@@ -75,11 +75,15 @@ func _add_play_section() -> void:
 	const BTN_W  := 480.0
 	const BTN_H  := 230.0
 	const GAP    := 40.0
-	const LEFT_X := (1280.0 - (BTN_W * 2.0 + GAP)) / 2.0  # 140
 	const TOP_Y  := 220.0
+	# The whole row (both buttons + gap) is centered on the actual screen
+	# width via anchor 0.5, not a hardcoded 1280px design width — offsets
+	# below are all relative to that center point, not the left edge.
+	const HALF_GAP  := GAP / 2.0
+	const ROW_HALF_W := (BTN_W * 2.0 + GAP) / 2.0
 
 	_casual_btn = _make_mode_btn(
-		LEFT_X, TOP_Y, BTN_W, BTN_H,
+		-ROW_HALF_W, TOP_Y, -HALF_GAP, TOP_Y + BTN_H,
 		"CASUAL",
 		"25  vs  25",
 		"Drop in, drop out anytime.\nNo rank at stake.",
@@ -90,7 +94,7 @@ func _add_play_section() -> void:
 	add_child(_casual_btn)
 
 	_ranked_btn = _make_mode_btn(
-		LEFT_X + BTN_W + GAP, TOP_Y, BTN_W, BTN_H,
+		HALF_GAP, TOP_Y, ROW_HALF_W, TOP_Y + BTN_H,
 		"RANKED",
 		"5  vs  5",
 		"Competitive ladder.\nYour rank is on the line.",
@@ -103,10 +107,7 @@ func _add_play_section() -> void:
 
 	var coming_soon := Label.new()
 	coming_soon.text = "— COMING SOON —"
-	coming_soon.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_LEFT,   0.0, LEFT_X + BTN_W + GAP)
-	coming_soon.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_TOP,    0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H - 36.0)
-	coming_soon.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_RIGHT,  0.0, LEFT_X + BTN_W * 2.0 + GAP)
-	coming_soon.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_BOTTOM, 0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H - 8.0)
+	_place(coming_soon, 0.5, HALF_GAP, 0.5, ROW_HALF_W, TOP_Y + BTN_H - 36.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H - 8.0)
 	coming_soon.horizontal_alignment = HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER
 	coming_soon.vertical_alignment = VERTICAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER
 	coming_soon.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 11)
@@ -117,10 +118,7 @@ func _add_play_section() -> void:
 	# Callsign label
 	var lbl := Label.new()
 	lbl.text = "CALLSIGN"
-	lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_LEFT,   0.0, LEFT_X)
-	lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_TOP,    0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 26.0)
-	lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_RIGHT,  0.0, LEFT_X + 95.0)
-	lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_BOTTOM, 0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 62.0)
+	_place(lbl, 0.5, -ROW_HALF_W, 0.5, -ROW_HALF_W + 95.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 26.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 62.0)
 	lbl.vertical_alignment = VERTICAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER
 	lbl.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 12)
 	lbl.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color(0.45, 0.55, 0.70))
@@ -128,10 +126,7 @@ func _add_play_section() -> void:
 
 	_name_input = LineEdit.new()
 	_name_input.placeholder_text = "Enter your callsign..."
-	_name_input.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_LEFT,   0.0, LEFT_X + 100.0)
-	_name_input.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_TOP,    0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 26.0)
-	_name_input.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_RIGHT,  0.0, LEFT_X + BTN_W * 2.0 + GAP)
-	_name_input.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_BOTTOM, 0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 62.0)
+	_place(_name_input, 0.5, -ROW_HALF_W + 100.0, 0.5, ROW_HALF_W, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 26.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 62.0)
 	_name_input.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 15)
 	if GameConfig.player_name != "":
 		_name_input.text = GameConfig.player_name
@@ -140,10 +135,7 @@ func _add_play_section() -> void:
 
 	_status_lbl = Label.new()
 	_status_lbl.text = ""
-	_status_lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_LEFT,   0.0, LEFT_X)
-	_status_lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_TOP,    0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 68.0)
-	_status_lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_RIGHT,  0.0, LEFT_X + BTN_W * 2.0 + GAP)
-	_status_lbl.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_BOTTOM, 0.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 92.0)
+	_place(_status_lbl, 0.5, -ROW_HALF_W, 0.5, ROW_HALF_W, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 68.0, TOP_Y + BTN_H + 92.0)
 	_status_lbl.horizontal_alignment = HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER
 	_status_lbl.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 13)
 	_status_lbl.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color(0.85, 0.4, 0.4))
@@ -153,16 +145,13 @@ func _add_play_section() -> void:
 
 
 func _make_mode_btn(
-		x: float, y: float, w: float, h: float,
+		left: float, top: float, right: float, bottom: float,
 		mode: String, fmt: String, desc: String,
 		bg: Color, accent: Color) -> Button:
 
 	var btn := Button.new()
 	btn.text = ""
-	btn.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_LEFT,   0.0, x)
-	btn.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_TOP,    0.0, y)
-	btn.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_RIGHT,  0.0, x + w)
-	btn.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_BOTTOM, 0.0, y + h)
+	_place(btn, 0.5, left, 0.5, right, top, bottom)
 
 	var sn := _flat(bg.lightened(0.05), 12)
 	sn.set_border_width_all(2)
@@ -325,6 +314,25 @@ func _add_version_label() -> void:
 	add_child(lbl)
 
 
+# Sets all 4 anchors then all 4 offsets as plain property assignments —
+# NOT via sequential set_anchor_and_offset() calls, whose default
+# push_opposite_anchor=true drags the opposite side's anchor/offset along
+# whenever the two calls momentarily disagree (e.g. left set to 0.5 while
+# right is still its 0.0 default), corrupting layout for any non-0.0 anchor
+# (0.5-centered elements hit this hardest). See _make_mode_btn's git history
+# for how this was found — buttons rendered flush against the left edge
+# instead of centered until this fix.
+func _place(node: Control, anchor_left: float, left: float, anchor_right: float, right: float, top: float, bottom: float) -> void:
+	node.anchor_left = anchor_left
+	node.anchor_right = anchor_right
+	node.anchor_top = 0.0
+	node.anchor_bottom = 0.0
+	node.offset_left = left
+	node.offset_right = right
+	node.offset_top = top
+	node.offset_bottom = bottom
+
+
 func _flat(col: Color, radius: int = 0) -> StyleBoxFlat:
 	var s := StyleBoxFlat.new()
 	s.bg_color = col
diff --git a/spacewar/menu/pause_menu.gd b/spacewar/menu/pause_menu.gd
index 74bc7ca..0f3ad65 100644
--- a/spacewar/menu/pause_menu.gd
+++ b/spacewar/menu/pause_menu.gd
@@ -10,11 +10,15 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 
 
 func _input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
-	if event.is_action_pressed("toggle_pause"):
+	if event.is_action_pressed("toggle_pause") and not GameConfig.chat_focused:
 		_toggle()
 		get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
 
 
+func is_paused() -> bool:
+	return _root.visible
+
+
 func _toggle() -> void:
 	_root.visible = not _root.visible
 
diff --git a/spacewar/menu/team_select.gd b/spacewar/menu/team_select.gd
index 0287556..d89bae8 100644
--- a/spacewar/menu/team_select.gd
+++ b/spacewar/menu/team_select.gd
@@ -107,9 +107,11 @@ const RACES := [
 	},
 ]
 
-# Row layout constants (screen is 1280×800)
-const ROW_X1    := 120.0
-const ROW_X2    := 1160.0
+# Row layout constants — ROW_X1/ROW_X2_MARGIN are left/right margins (not
+# absolute x-coordinates), so rows stretch to fill the actual window width;
+# stretch mode is disabled (project.godot), so nothing scales automatically.
+const ROW_X1        := 120.0
+const ROW_X2_MARGIN := 120.0
 const ROW_H     := 115.0
 const ROW_GAP   := 6.0
 const ROW_START := 175.0
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ func _build_root() -> void:
 	_root.add_child(overlay)
 
 	_loading_lbl = _label(_root, "LOADING MATCH...", 20, Color(0.5, 0.6, 0.75),
-		0, 380, 1280, 420, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER)
+		0, 380, 0, 420, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER, 0.0, 1.0)
 
 
 func _swap_content() -> Control:
@@ -185,18 +187,24 @@ func _show_race_selection() -> void:
 	var c := _swap_content()
 
 	_label(c, "CHOOSE YOUR FACTION", 32, Color(0.42, 0.87, 1.0),
-		0, 105, 1280, 160, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER)
+		0, 105, 0, 160, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER, 0.0, 1.0)
 	_label(c, "This match: %s  vs  %s" % [_offered[0].name, _offered[1].name],
 		13, Color(0.45, 0.58, 0.72),
-		0, 170, 1280, 200, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER)
+		0, 170, 0, 200, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER, 0.0, 1.0)
+
+	# Both race buttons are a fixed 440px wide with a 100px gap, centered on
+	# the actual screen width via anchor 0.5 — not a hardcoded 1280px design
+	# width, since stretch mode is disabled (see project.godot).
+	const BTN_W := 440.0
+	const HALF_GAP := 50.0
 
 	var left_btn := _make_race_btn(_offered[0])
-	_place(left_btn, 150, 225, 590, 540)
+	_place(left_btn, -(BTN_W + HALF_GAP), 225, -HALF_GAP, 540, 0.5, 0.5)
 	left_btn.pressed.connect(_on_race_chosen.bind(_offered[0]))
 	c.add_child(left_btn)
 
 	var right_btn := _make_race_btn(_offered[1])
-	_place(right_btn, 690, 225, 1130, 540)
+	_place(right_btn, HALF_GAP, 225, BTN_W + HALF_GAP, 540, 0.5, 0.5)
 	right_btn.pressed.connect(_on_race_chosen.bind(_offered[1]))
 	c.add_child(right_btn)
 
@@ -212,15 +220,19 @@ func _show_ship_selection() -> void:
 	var c := _swap_content()
 
 	_label(c, "SELECT YOUR SHIP", 30, Color(0.42, 0.87, 1.0),
-		0, 85, 1280, 130, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER)
+		0, 85, 0, 130, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER, 0.0, 1.0)
 	_label(c, "Playing as  —  " + _chosen_race.name, 14, _chosen_race.color,
-		0, 135, 1280, 165, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER)
+		0, 135, 0, 165, HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER, 0.0, 1.0)
 
 	var ships: Array = _chosen_race.ships
 	for i in ships.size():
 		var y := ROW_START + i * (ROW_H + ROW_GAP)
 		var btn := _make_ship_row(ships[i], _chosen_race.color)
-		_place(btn, ROW_X1, y, ROW_X2, y + ROW_H)
+		# ROW_X1 margin from the left edge, ROW_X2_MARGIN margin from the
+		# actual right edge (anchor_right=1.0) — the row stretches to fill
+		# whatever width is available instead of stopping at a hardcoded
+		# 1280px design width.
+		_place(btn, ROW_X1, y, -ROW_X2_MARGIN, y + ROW_H, 0.0, 1.0)
 		btn.pressed.connect(_on_ship_chosen.bind(ships[i]))
 		c.add_child(btn)
 
@@ -368,23 +380,44 @@ func _make_ship_row(ship: Dictionary, accent: Color) -> Button:
 
 func _label(parent: Control, text: String, font_size: int, color: Color,
 		x1: float, y1: float, x2: float, y2: float,
-		align: HorizontalAlignment = HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_LEFT) -> Label:
+		align: HorizontalAlignment = HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_LEFT,
+		anchor_left: float = 0.0, anchor_right: float = 0.0) -> Label:
 	var lbl := Label.new()
 	lbl.text = text
 	lbl.horizontal_alignment = align
 	lbl.vertical_alignment = VERTICAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER
 	lbl.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", font_size)
 	lbl.add_theme_color_override("font_color", color)
-	_place(lbl, x1, y1, x2, y2)
+	_place(lbl, x1, y1, x2, y2, anchor_left, anchor_right)
 	parent.add_child(lbl)
 	return lbl
 
 
-func _place(node: Control, x1: float, y1: float, x2: float, y2: float) -> void:
-	node.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_LEFT,   0.0, x1)
-	node.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_TOP,    0.0, y1)
-	node.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_RIGHT,  0.0, x2)
-	node.set_anchor_and_offset(SIDE_BOTTOM, 0.0, y2)
+# anchor_left/anchor_right default to 0.0 (pixels measured from the left
+# edge), matching the design-resolution layout this screen was originally
+# built at. Pass 1.0 for anchor_right to make x2 a margin from the actual
+# right edge instead (stretches with window width), or 0.5 for both to
+# center a fixed-size element regardless of window width — see call sites
+# below for which each element needs (stretch mode is disabled, so nothing
+# scales automatically the way it used to under canvas_items stretch).
+#
+# Anchors and offsets are set as plain property assignments, NOT via
+# sequential set_anchor_and_offset() calls — that method's default
+# push_opposite_anchor=true drags the opposite side's anchor/offset along
+# whenever the two calls momentarily disagree (e.g. left set to 0.5 while
+# right is still its 0.0 default), corrupting layout for any non-0.0 anchor.
+# Found via main_menu.gd's play buttons rendering flush against the left
+# edge instead of centered.
+func _place(node: Control, x1: float, y1: float, x2: float, y2: float,
+		anchor_left: float = 0.0, anchor_right: float = 0.0) -> void:
+	node.anchor_left = anchor_left
+	node.anchor_right = anchor_right
+	node.anchor_top = 0.0
+	node.anchor_bottom = 0.0
+	node.offset_left = x1
+	node.offset_top = y1
+	node.offset_right = x2
+	node.offset_bottom = y2
 
 
 func _flat(col: Color, radius: int = 0) -> StyleBoxFlat:
diff --git a/spacewar/project.godot b/spacewar/project.godot
index ce4a86a..0bcfba5 100644
--- a/spacewar/project.godot
+++ b/spacewar/project.godot
@@ -21,13 +21,15 @@ GameConfig="*res://autoload/game_config.gd"
 NetworkManager="*res://autoload/network_manager.gd"
 PlayerRegistry="*res://autoload/player_registry.gd"
 MatchmakingClient="*res://autoload/matchmaking_client.gd"
+ChatManager="*res://autoload/chat_manager.gd"
+BotManager="*res://bots/bot_manager.gd"
 
 [display]
 
 window/size/viewport_width=1280
 window/size/viewport_height=800
-window/stretch/mode="canvas_items"
-window/stretch/aspect="expand"
+window/size/mode=3
+window/stretch/mode="disabled"
 
 [input]
 
@@ -62,6 +64,16 @@ toggle_pause={
 , Object(InputEventJoypadButton,"resource_local_to_scene":false,"resource_name":"","device":-1,"button_index":6,"pressure":0.0,"pressed":false,"script":null)
 ]
 }
+chat_all={
+"deadzone": 0.2,
+"events": [Object(InputEventKey,"resource_local_to_scene":false,"resource_name":"","device":-1,"window_id":0,"alt_pressed":false,"shift_pressed":false,"ctrl_pressed":false,"meta_pressed":false,"pressed":false,"keycode":0,"physical_keycode":84,"key_label":0,"unicode":116,"location":0,"echo":false,"script":null)
+]
+}
+chat_team={
+"deadzone": 0.2,
+"events": [Object(InputEventKey,"resource_local_to_scene":false,"resource_name":"","device":-1,"window_id":0,"alt_pressed":false,"shift_pressed":false,"ctrl_pressed":false,"meta_pressed":false,"pressed":false,"keycode":0,"physical_keycode":89,"key_label":0,"unicode":121,"location":0,"echo":false,"script":null)
+]
+}
 
 [physics]
 
diff --git a/spacewar/ships/ship_movement.gd b/spacewar/ships/ship_movement.gd
index 136eda3..144faa2 100644
--- a/spacewar/ships/ship_movement.gd
+++ b/spacewar/ships/ship_movement.gd
@@ -1,8 +1,17 @@
 extends CharacterBody2D
+class_name Ship
 
 # Set by World._spawn_ship() before this node enters the tree.
 var peer_id: int = 0
 
+# Bots use a negative peer_id (see bots/bot_manager.gd) so they ride every
+# piece of existing networked-ship infrastructure — spawning, loadout,
+# position/health/visibility sync, bullet attribution — for free, all of
+# which is already keyed off peer_id and none of which cares whether it came
+# from ENet or from BotManager. Set by BotManager right after spawning, only
+# ever non-null on the server (bots have no owner/remote client).
+var bot_ai: BotAI = null
+
 var _fire_cooldown: float = 0.0
 var health: int = 0
 var _dead: bool = false
@@ -37,6 +46,7 @@ var _interp_elapsed: float = 0.0
 func _ready() -> void:
 	_fixed_delta = 1.0 / Engine.physics_ticks_per_second
 	_is_owner = peer_id == multiplayer.get_unique_id()
+	add_to_group("ships")  # lets BotAI find nearby targets without a World reference
 
 	# Only ever claim the camera for the local owner. Whichever Camera2D
 	# enters the SceneTree first auto-claims the viewport's active camera
@@ -160,7 +170,9 @@ func _reconcile(server_tick: int, server_pos: Vector2, server_rot: float, server
 
 func _server_tick(delta: float) -> void:
 	var input: Dictionary
-	if _is_owner:
+	if peer_id < 0:
+		input = bot_ai.compute_input(delta) if bot_ai else {}
+	elif _is_owner:
 		input = _sample_local_input()
 	else:
 		if not _remote_inputs.is_empty():
@@ -198,6 +210,8 @@ func _remote_tick(delta: float) -> void:
 # ── Shared movement step (deterministic — replayed during reconciliation) ───
 
 func _sample_local_input() -> Dictionary:
+	if GameConfig.chat_focused:
+		return {"up": false, "down": false, "left": false, "right": false, "shoot": false}
 	return {
 		"up": Input.is_action_pressed("move_up"),
 		"down": Input.is_action_pressed("move_down"),
diff --git a/spacewar/world/world.gd b/spacewar/world/world.gd
index 59f6b25..e637f9a 100644
--- a/spacewar/world/world.gd
+++ b/spacewar/world/world.gd
@@ -31,19 +31,25 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	NetworkManager.peer_left.connect(_on_peer_left)
 
 	if multiplayer.is_server():
-		_spawn_peer(multiplayer.get_unique_id())
+		spawn_peer(multiplayer.get_unique_id())
 		for peer_id in multiplayer.get_peers():
-			_spawn_peer(peer_id)
+			spawn_peer(peer_id)
 
 
 # Picks the match's 2 offered races once and caches them, so every caller
 # (the server's own TeamSelect and every remote client's request) converges
-# on the same pair regardless of call order.
+# on the same pair regardless of call order. Also kicks off bot fill for
+# those 2 races — see bots/bot_manager.gd.
 func decide_offered_races() -> Array:
 	if _offered_race_ids.is_empty():
 		var ids := range(1, TeamSelect.RACES.size() + 1)
 		ids.shuffle()
 		_offered_race_ids = [ids[0], ids[1]]
+		# Deferred: this can run from TeamSelect._ready(), which (as World's
+		# child) fires before World's own _ready() — before _players/_spawner
+		# are assigned. Deferring runs it after the whole scene's _ready
+		# cascade finishes, once World is actually spawn-ready.
+		BotManager.call_deferred("on_match_start", self, _offered_race_ids)
 	return _offered_race_ids
 
 
@@ -60,10 +66,19 @@ func _deliver_offered_races(race_ids: Array) -> void:
 	_team_select.offer_races(race_ids)
 
 
-func _spawn_peer(peer_id: int) -> void:
+# Spawns (or returns the already-spawned) ship for a given peer_id — real
+# (positive) or bot (negative, see bots/bot_manager.gd). Replicates to every
+# client automatically via MultiplayerSpawner.
+func spawn_peer(peer_id: int) -> Node:
 	if _players.has_node(str(peer_id)):
-		return
-	_spawner.spawn(peer_id)
+		return _players.get_node(str(peer_id))
+	return _spawner.spawn(peer_id)
+
+
+func despawn_peer(peer_id: int) -> void:
+	var ship := _players.get_node_or_null(str(peer_id))
+	if ship:
+		ship.queue_free()
 
 
 func _spawn_ship(peer_id: int) -> Node:
@@ -91,15 +106,13 @@ func _spawn_bullet(data: Dictionary) -> Node:
 
 func _on_peer_joined(peer_id: int) -> void:
 	if multiplayer.is_server():
-		_spawn_peer(peer_id)
+		spawn_peer(peer_id)
 
 
 func _on_peer_left(peer_id: int) -> void:
 	if not multiplayer.is_server():
 		return
-	var ship := _players.get_node_or_null(str(peer_id))
-	if ship:
-		ship.queue_free()
+	despawn_peer(peer_id)
 
 
 # Tiles have no collision shapes of their own, so spawn one StaticBody2D per
diff --git a/spacewar/world/world.tscn b/spacewar/world/world.tscn
index 0d1bf14..7b46fe6 100644
--- a/spacewar/world/world.tscn
+++ b/spacewar/world/world.tscn
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://cpausemenu01a" path="res://menu/pause_menu.tscn" id="2_pm"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://dteamselect01" path="res://menu/team_select.tscn" id="3_ts"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://world/world.gd" id="4_world"]
+[ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://cchatbox01a" path="res://chat/chat_box.tscn" id="5_chat"]
 
 [node name="World" type="Node2D" unique_id=1962020789]
 script = ExtResource("4_world")
@@ -32,3 +33,5 @@ theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 24
 [node name="PauseMenu" parent="." instance=ExtResource("2_pm")]
 
 [node name="TeamSelect" parent="." instance=ExtResource("3_ts")]
+
+[node name="ChatBox" parent="." instance=ExtResource("5_chat")]