diff --git a/compile_flags.txt b/compile_flags.txt
index 18399a5..fce5308 100644
--- a/compile_flags.txt
+++ b/compile_flags.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 -std=c23
+-ffreestanding
 -I
 dependencies/limine
 -I
-kernel/include
+include
diff --git a/include/calcite/calcite.h b/include/calcite/calcite.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f9b4d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/calcite/calcite.h
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/* Calcite, include/calcite/calcite.h
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+[[noreturn]] void end_thread();
+
+struct framebuffer_info {
+  uint8_t *fb_base;
+  int fb_width;
+  int fb_height;
+  int fb_pitch;
+};
+
+void map_framebuffer(struct framebuffer_info *info_out);
diff --git a/include/kernel-public/syscall-numbers.h b/include/kernel-public/syscall-numbers.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05f7a6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/kernel-public/syscall-numbers.h
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/* Calcite, include/kernel-public/syscall-numbers.h
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+enum {
+  SYSCALL_END_THREAD,
+  SYSCALL_MAP_FRAMEBUFFER
+};
diff --git a/make-build.sh b/make-build.sh
index 4bffb5f..17a1e28 100644
--- a/make-build.sh
+++ b/make-build.sh
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
 COMMON_CC_EXTRA_FLAGS="-O3 -Wall -Wextra"
-COMMON_CC_FLAGS="-std=c23 ${COMMON_CC_EXTRA_FLAGS}"
-KERNEL_CC_FLAGS="-I dependencies/limine -I kernel/include -mno-sse -ffreestanding ${COMMON_CC_FLAGS}"
+COMMON_CC_FLAGS="-std=c23 -ffreestanding -I include ${COMMON_CC_EXTRA_FLAGS}"
+KERNEL_CC_FLAGS="-mno-sse -I dependencies/limine ${COMMON_CC_FLAGS}"
+#in the future user code will be allowed to use sse
+USER_CC_FLAGS="-mno-sse ${COMMON_CC_FLAGS}"
 
 if [ -e build.ninja ]; then
   echo build.ninja already exists.
@@ -18,34 +20,81 @@ echo "rule kernel_cc" >> build.ninja
 echo "  depfile = \$out.d" >> build.ninja
 echo "  command = cc -c -MD -MF \$out.d ${KERNEL_CC_FLAGS} \$in -o \$out" >> build.ninja
 
+echo "rule user_cc" >> build.ninja
+echo "  depfile = \$out.d" >> build.ninja
+echo "  command = cc -c -MD -MF \$out.d ${USER_CC_FLAGS} \$in -o \$out" >> build.ninja
+
 echo "rule kernel_ld" >> build.ninja
-echo "  command = ld -T kernel/link.ld \$in -o \$out" >> build.ninja
+echo "  command = ld -T src/kernel/link.ld \$in -o \$out" >> build.ninja
 
-ALL_KERNEL_OBJECTS=""
+echo "rule user_lib_ld" >> build.ninja
+echo "  command = ld -r \$in -o \$out" >> build.ninja
 
-for f in kernel/src/*.asm; do
-  f=$(echo $f | sed -e 's/^kernel\/src\///')
-  echo "build build/kernel/$f.o: nasm kernel/src/$f" >> build.ninja
-  ALL_KERNEL_OBJECTS="${ALL_KERNEL_OBJECTS} build/kernel/$f.o"
+#eventually maybe a libc will be linked in
+echo "rule user_app_ld" >> build.ninja
+echo "  command = ld \$in -o \$out" >> build.ninja
+
+#builds everything in a directory
+#  $1 - source directory
+#  $2 - cc rule
+#  $3 - ld rule
+#  $4 - linked object name
+#  $5 - extra objects to link in
+build_all() {
+
+  sources="$1/*.asm $1/*.c"
+  objects="$5"
+
+  for src in $sources; do
+    if echo $src | grep -q -v '*'; then
+      build=$(echo $src | sed -e 's/^src/build/').o
+      if echo $src | grep -q '.c$'; then
+        echo "build $build: $2 $src" >> build.ninja
+      else
+        echo "build $build: nasm $src" >> build.ninja
+      fi
+      objects="$objects $build"
+    fi
+  done
+
+  build_dir=$(echo $1 | sed -e 's/^src/build/')
+  echo "build $build_dir/$4: $3 $objects" >> build.ninja
+
+}
+
+build_all src/kernel kernel_cc kernel_ld kernel.elf
+
+for dir in src/user-libs/*; do
+  lib_name=$(echo $dir | sed -e 's/^src\/user-libs\///')
+  build_all $dir user_cc user_lib_ld lib$lib_name.o
 done
 
-for f in kernel/src/*.c; do
-  f=$(echo $f | sed -e 's/^kernel\/src\///')
-  echo "build build/kernel/$f.o: kernel_cc kernel/src/$f" >> build.ninja
-  ALL_KERNEL_OBJECTS="${ALL_KERNEL_OBJECTS} build/kernel/$f.o"
-done
+apps=""
 
-echo "build build/kernel/kernel.elf: kernel_ld ${ALL_KERNEL_OBJECTS}" >> build.ninja
+for dir in src/user-apps/*; do
+
+  if [ -e $dir/libraries.txt ]; then
+    lib_paths=$(cat $dir/libraries.txt | sed -e 's/^.*$/build\/user-libs\/\0\/lib\0.o/')
+  else
+    lib_paths=""
+  fi
+
+  app_name=$(echo $dir | sed -e 's/^src\/user-apps\///')
+  build_all $dir user_cc user_app_ld $app_name.elf $lib_paths
+  build_dir=$(echo $dir | sed -e 's/^src/build/')
+  apps="$apps $build_dir/$app_name.elf"
+
+done
 
 echo "rule initfs" >> build.ninja
 echo "  command =" \
   "rm -rf build/initfs &&" \
-  "mkdir -p build/initfs/resx &&" \
-  "echo Hello! > build/initfs/resx/hello.txt &&" \
+  "mkdir -p build/initfs/apps &&" \
+  "cp build/user-apps/hello/hello.elf build/initfs/apps/ &&" \
   "cd build/initfs &&" \
   "tar cf ../initfs.tar *" >> build.ninja
 
-echo "build build/initfs.tar: initfs" >> build.ninja
+echo "build build/initfs.tar: initfs $apps" >> build.ninja
 
 echo "rule disk" >> build.ninja
 echo "  command =" \
diff --git a/kernel/src/entry.c b/src/kernel/entry.c
similarity index 80%
rename from kernel/src/entry.c
rename to src/kernel/entry.c
index 952dba9..51fd941 100644
--- a/kernel/src/entry.c
+++ b/src/kernel/entry.c
@@ -1,28 +1,34 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/entry.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/entry.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include <framebuffer.h>
-#include <interrupts.h>
-#include <utility.h>
-#include <initfs.h>
+#include "framebuffer.h"
+#include "interrupts.h"
+#include "kernel-public/syscall-numbers.h"
+#include "scheduler.h"
+#include "syscalls.h"
+#include "process.h"
+#include "utility.h"
+#include "initfs.h"
+#include "paging.h"
+#include "panic.h"
+#include "heap.h"
+#include "ps2.h"
+
 #include <limine.h>
-#include <paging.h>
-#include <panic.h>
-#include <ps2.h>
 
 LIMINE_BASE_REVISION(3)
 
@@ -145,10 +151,9 @@ static uint64_t initfs_length;
 
   //we round up to a multiple of a page.
   uint64_t fb_length = ((fb->height * fb->pitch - 1) / 4096 + 1) * 4096;
+  fb_physical_base = (uint64_t)fb->address - hhdm_request.response->offset;
   fb_base = find_free_kernel_region(fb_length);
-  map_kernel_region(
-    (uint64_t)fb->address - hhdm_request.response->offset,
-    fb_base, fb_length, 1, 0);
+  map_kernel_region(fb_physical_base, fb_base, fb_length, 1, 0);
 
   //store rest of framebuffer information
 
@@ -187,9 +192,35 @@ static uint64_t initfs_length;
   set_irq_handler(0x0c, &on_mouse_irq);
   enable_interrupts();
 
-  //halt repeatedly
+  //set up syscalls
 
-  while (1)
-    __asm__ ("hlt");
+  init_syscalls();
+  register_syscall(SYSCALL_END_THREAD, (void *)&syscall_end_thread);
+  register_syscall(SYSCALL_MAP_FRAMEBUFFER, (void *)&syscall_map_framebuffer);
+
+  //load hello and start it
+
+  init_scheduler();
+
+  const uint8_t *hello_start;
+  uint64_t hello_length;
+  look_up_initfs_file("apps/hello.elf", &hello_start, &hello_length);
+
+  struct process *hello = heap_alloc(sizeof(struct process));
+  uint64_t hello_entry;
+  create_process(hello);
+  load_elf(hello, &hello_entry, hello_start, hello_length);
+
+  struct thread *hello_thread = heap_alloc(sizeof(struct thread));
+  create_thread(hello, hello_thread);
+
+  create_user_task(
+    hello->p4_physical_base,
+    hello_entry,
+    (uint64_t)hello_thread->stack_top);
+
+  running_thread = hello_thread;
+
+  resume_next_continuation();
 
 }
diff --git a/kernel/src/framebuffer.c b/src/kernel/framebuffer.c
similarity index 70%
rename from kernel/src/framebuffer.c
rename to src/kernel/framebuffer.c
index e261248..a9e545d 100644
--- a/kernel/src/framebuffer.c
+++ b/src/kernel/framebuffer.c
@@ -1,22 +1,23 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/framebuffer.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/framebuffer.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include <framebuffer.h>
+#include "framebuffer.h"
 
+uint64_t fb_physical_base;
 uint8_t *fb_base;
 int fb_width;
 int fb_height;
diff --git a/kernel/include/framebuffer.h b/src/kernel/framebuffer.h
similarity index 72%
rename from kernel/include/framebuffer.h
rename to src/kernel/framebuffer.h
index dc26553..71bdb57 100644
--- a/kernel/include/framebuffer.h
+++ b/src/kernel/framebuffer.h
@@ -1,22 +1,25 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/include/framebuffer.h
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/framebuffer.h
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
+#pragma once
+
 #include <stdint.h>
 
+extern uint64_t fb_physical_base;
 extern uint8_t *fb_base;
 extern int fb_width;
 extern int fb_height;
diff --git a/src/kernel/heap.c b/src/kernel/heap.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a9c1f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/heap.c
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/heap.c
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include "paging.h"
+#include "heap.h"
+
+struct dealloc_record {
+  //0 for unused
+  uint64_t length;
+  void *start;
+};
+
+struct dealloc_record_page {
+  struct dealloc_record records[255];
+  struct dealloc_record_page *prev_page;
+};
+
+static struct dealloc_record_page *last_page;
+
+static void *map_pages(uint64_t page_count) {
+
+  void *vma = find_free_kernel_region(page_count * 4096);
+
+  for (uint64_t i = 0; i < page_count; ++i) {
+    uint64_t pma = take_free_physical_page();
+    map_in_kernel_page_table(pma, vma + i * 4096, 1, 0);
+  }
+
+  return vma;
+
+}
+
+static struct dealloc_record *get_unused_record() {
+
+  for (struct dealloc_record_page *page = last_page;
+       page != 0; page = page->prev_page)
+    for (int i = 0; i < 255; ++i)
+      if (page->records[i].length == 0)
+        return &page->records[i];
+
+  struct dealloc_record_page *page = map_pages(1);
+  page->prev_page = last_page;
+  last_page = page;
+
+  page->records[0].start = (void *)page + 4096 - 8;
+  page->records[0].length = 8;
+
+  for (int i = 2; i < 255; ++i)
+    page->records[i].length = 0;
+
+  return &page->records[1];
+
+}
+
+void *heap_alloc(uint64_t length) {
+
+  for (struct dealloc_record_page *page = last_page;
+       page != 0; page = page->prev_page)
+    for (int i = 0; i < 255; ++i)
+      if (page->records[i].length == length) {
+        page->records[i].length = 0;
+        return page->records[i].start;
+      }
+
+  for (struct dealloc_record_page *page = last_page;
+       page != 0; page = page->prev_page)
+    for (int i = 0; i < 255; ++i)
+      if (page->records[i].length > length) {
+        page->records[i].length -= length;
+        return page->records[i].start + page->records[i].length;
+      }
+
+  uint64_t pages = (length - 1) / 4096 + 1;
+  void *vma = map_pages(pages);
+
+  if (pages * 4096 != length) {
+    struct dealloc_record *record = get_unused_record();
+    record->start = vma + length;
+    record->length = pages * 4096 - length;
+  }
+
+  return vma;
+
+}
+
+void heap_dealloc(void *start, uint64_t length) {
+  struct dealloc_record *record = get_unused_record();
+  record->start = start;
+  record->length = length;
+}
diff --git a/src/kernel/heap.h b/src/kernel/heap.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a999f49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/heap.h
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/heap.h
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+void *heap_alloc(uint64_t length);
+void heap_dealloc(void *start, uint64_t length);
diff --git a/kernel/src/initfs.c b/src/kernel/initfs.c
similarity index 88%
rename from kernel/src/initfs.c
rename to src/kernel/initfs.c
index a176b3e..9cf3fed 100644
--- a/kernel/src/initfs.c
+++ b/src/kernel/initfs.c
@@ -1,21 +1,21 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/initfs.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/initfs.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include <initfs.h>
+#include "initfs.h"
 
 static const uint8_t *initfs_start;
 static uint64_t initfs_length;
diff --git a/kernel/include/initfs.h b/src/kernel/initfs.h
similarity index 96%
rename from kernel/include/initfs.h
rename to src/kernel/initfs.h
index 3a1a4d3..e03f7fa 100644
--- a/kernel/include/initfs.h
+++ b/src/kernel/initfs.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/include/initfs.h
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/initfs.h
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
diff --git a/kernel/src/interrupts.asm b/src/kernel/interrupts.asm
similarity index 92%
rename from kernel/src/interrupts.asm
rename to src/kernel/interrupts.asm
index 4740556..8ea354e 100644
--- a/kernel/src/interrupts.asm
+++ b/src/kernel/interrupts.asm
@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
- ; Calcite, kernel/src/interrupts.asm
+ ; Calcite, src/kernel/interrupts.asm
  ; Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  ;
  ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- ; your option) any later version.
+ ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ ; (at your option) any later version.
  ;
  ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  ; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- ; more details.
+ ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ ; for more details.
  ;
- ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- ; this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ ; with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 
 bits 64
diff --git a/kernel/src/interrupts.c b/src/kernel/interrupts.c
similarity index 91%
rename from kernel/src/interrupts.c
rename to src/kernel/interrupts.c
index 94575aa..9792863 100644
--- a/kernel/src/interrupts.c
+++ b/src/kernel/interrupts.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/interrupts.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/interrupts.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 //  https://osdev.wiki/wiki/Interrupt_Descriptor_Table
 //  https://osdev.wiki/wiki/Task_State_Segment
 
-#include <interrupts.h>
-#include <panic.h>
+#include "interrupts.h"
+#include "panic.h"
 
 struct [[gnu::packed]] exception_parameter {
   uint64_t r15;
@@ -212,6 +212,18 @@ void enable_interrupts() {
   tss_entry->base_24 = (tss_base >> 24) & 0xff;
   tss_entry->base_32 = tss_base >> 32;
 
+  struct gdt_entry *user_data_entry = &the_gdt[3];
+  user_data_entry->access_byte =
+    GDT_AB_CODE_DATA_ACCESSED | GDT_AB_DATA_WRITABLE |
+    GDT_AB_TYPE_DATA | GDT_AB_DPL_THREE | GDT_AB_PRESENT;
+  user_data_entry->flags = GDT_FLAG_LONG;
+
+  struct gdt_entry *user_code_entry = &the_gdt[4];
+  user_code_entry->access_byte =
+    GDT_AB_CODE_DATA_ACCESSED | GDT_AB_TYPE_CODE |
+    GDT_AB_DPL_THREE | GDT_AB_PRESENT;
+  user_code_entry->flags = GDT_FLAG_LONG;
+
   struct gdt_entry *kernel_code_entry = &the_gdt[5];
   kernel_code_entry->access_byte =
     GDT_AB_CODE_DATA_ACCESSED | GDT_AB_TYPE_CODE |
diff --git a/kernel/include/interrupts.h b/src/kernel/interrupts.h
similarity index 95%
rename from kernel/include/interrupts.h
rename to src/kernel/interrupts.h
index d5b075e..b10bce4 100644
--- a/kernel/include/interrupts.h
+++ b/src/kernel/interrupts.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/include/interrupts.h
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/interrupts.h
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
diff --git a/kernel/link.ld b/src/kernel/link.ld
similarity index 100%
rename from kernel/link.ld
rename to src/kernel/link.ld
diff --git a/kernel/src/paging.asm b/src/kernel/paging.asm
similarity index 80%
rename from kernel/src/paging.asm
rename to src/kernel/paging.asm
index b22f94e..1539875 100644
--- a/kernel/src/paging.asm
+++ b/src/kernel/paging.asm
@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
- ; Calcite, kernel/src/paging.asm
+ ; Calcite, src/kernel/paging.asm
  ; Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  ;
  ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- ; your option) any later version.
+ ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ ; (at your option) any later version.
  ;
  ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  ; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- ; more details.
+ ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ ; for more details.
  ;
- ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- ; this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ ; with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 
 bits 64
@@ -25,6 +25,12 @@ init_stack_length equ 16384
 
 section .text
 
+;referenced in paging.c
+extern invlpg
+invlpg:
+  invlpg byte [rdi]
+  ret
+
 extern switch_to_kernel_page_tables
 switch_to_kernel_page_tables:
 
diff --git a/kernel/src/paging.c b/src/kernel/paging.c
similarity index 72%
rename from kernel/src/paging.c
rename to src/kernel/paging.c
index f03bff4..ec664df 100644
--- a/kernel/src/paging.c
+++ b/src/kernel/paging.c
@@ -1,22 +1,22 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/paging.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/paging.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include <paging.h>
-#include <panic.h>
+#include "paging.h"
+#include "panic.h"
 
 #define MAX_PHYSICAL_GB 64ULL
 
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ static uint8_t physical_map[MAX_PHYSICAL_GB << 15];
 //referenced from paging.asm
 uint64_t kernel_p4_physical_address;
 
+uint64_t kernel_p3_physical_address;
+
 alignas(4096) static uint64_t kernel_p4[512];
 alignas(4096) static uint64_t kernel_p3[512];
 alignas(4096) static uint64_t kernel_p2[512];
@@ -55,6 +57,7 @@ void init_paging(uint64_t kernel_physical_base, void *kernel_virtual_base) {
     (uint64_t)kernel_virtual_base - kernel_physical_base;
 
   kernel_p4_physical_address = (uint64_t)kernel_p4 - kernel_load_offset;
+  kernel_p3_physical_address = (uint64_t)kernel_p3 - kernel_load_offset;
 
   kernel_p4[511] = ((uint64_t)kernel_p3 - kernel_load_offset) | 0x3;
   for (int i = 0; i < 511; ++i)
@@ -98,6 +101,9 @@ void mark_physical_memory_free(uint64_t base, uint64_t length) {
 
 }
 
+//defined in paging.asm
+void invlpg(void *address);
+
 void map_in_kernel_page_table(
     uint64_t physical_base, void *virtual_base,
     int writable, int executable) {
@@ -112,6 +118,39 @@ void map_in_kernel_page_table(
     physical_base | (writable ? 0x3 : 0x1) |
     (executable ? 0 : 0x8000000000000000);
 
+  invlpg(virtual_base);
+
+}
+
+void unmap_kernel_page(void *virtual_base) {
+
+  uint64_t virtual_base_u64 = (uint64_t)virtual_base;
+  assert(virtual_base_u64 >= 0xffffffffc0000000);
+
+  uint64_t p1s_index = (virtual_base_u64 - 0xffffffffc0000000) >> 12;
+  assert(kernel_p1s[p1s_index] != 0);
+
+  kernel_p1s[p1s_index] = 0;
+
+  invlpg(virtual_base);
+
+}
+
+void unmap_and_free_kernel_page(void *virtual_base) {
+
+  uint64_t virtual_base_u64 = (uint64_t)virtual_base;
+  assert(virtual_base_u64 >= 0xffffffffc0000000);
+
+  uint64_t p1s_index = (virtual_base_u64 - 0xffffffffc0000000) >> 12;
+  assert(kernel_p1s[p1s_index] != 0);
+
+  uint64_t pma = kernel_p1s[p1s_index] & 0x7ffffffffffff000;
+  mark_physical_memory_free(pma, 4096);
+
+  kernel_p1s[p1s_index] = 0;
+
+  invlpg(virtual_base);
+
 }
 
 void *find_free_kernel_region(uint64_t length) {
@@ -127,9 +166,7 @@ void *find_free_kernel_region(uint64_t length) {
     if (run_length == length)
       return (void *)(run_start * 4096 + 0xffffffffc0000000);
     if (next == 512 * 512)
-      //die. TODO: handle this nicer.
-      while (1)
-        __asm__ ("hlt");
+      panic("out of kernel virtual memory");
     if (kernel_p1s[next] == 0)
       ++run_length;
     else {
@@ -140,3 +177,13 @@ void *find_free_kernel_region(uint64_t length) {
   }
 
 }
+
+uint64_t take_free_physical_page() {
+  for (uint64_t i = 0; i < (MAX_PHYSICAL_GB << 15); ++i)
+    for (int j = 0; j < 8; ++j)
+      if (physical_map[i] & (1 << j)) {
+        physical_map[i] &= ~(1 << j);
+        return (i << 15) + (j << 12);
+      }
+  panic("out of physical memory");
+}
diff --git a/kernel/include/paging.h b/src/kernel/paging.h
similarity index 72%
rename from kernel/include/paging.h
rename to src/kernel/paging.h
index 9f93ebe..a572f6b 100644
--- a/kernel/include/paging.h
+++ b/src/kernel/paging.h
@@ -1,24 +1,26 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/include/paging.h
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/paging.h
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
 #pragma once
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 
+extern uint64_t kernel_p3_physical_address;
+
 //kernel physical and virtual bases are passed so that we can compute the
 //physical addresses of the kernel's statically allocated paging structures.
 void init_paging(uint64_t kernel_physical_base, void *kernel_virtual_base);
@@ -31,9 +33,18 @@ void mark_physical_memory_free(uint64_t base, uint64_t length);
 void map_in_kernel_page_table(
   uint64_t physical_base, void *virtual_base, int writable, int executable);
 
+//unmaps one page. base should be page-aligned and within kernel range.
+void unmap_kernel_page(void *virtual_base);
+
+//unmaps one page, and frees the corresponding physical page.
+//base should be page-aligned and within kernel range.
+void unmap_and_free_kernel_page(void *virtual_base);
+
 //returns a region of contiguous pages in kernel virtual memory where nothing
 //is mapped. length should be page-aligned.
 void *find_free_kernel_region(uint64_t length);
 
+uint64_t take_free_physical_page();
+
 //implemented in paging.asm. the continuation should be noreturn.
 [[noreturn]] void switch_to_kernel_page_tables(void (*continuation)());
diff --git a/kernel/src/panic.c b/src/kernel/panic.c
similarity index 96%
rename from kernel/src/panic.c
rename to src/kernel/panic.c
index ad9f0e6..74844dd 100644
--- a/kernel/src/panic.c
+++ b/src/kernel/panic.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/panic.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/panic.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
diff --git a/kernel/include/panic.h b/src/kernel/panic.h
similarity index 95%
rename from kernel/include/panic.h
rename to src/kernel/panic.h
index 8555ab3..473415b 100644
--- a/kernel/include/panic.h
+++ b/src/kernel/panic.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/include/panic.h
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/panic.h
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
  * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
+#pragma once
+
 [[noreturn]] void panic_core(
   const char *file, const char *function, int line, const char *message);
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/process.c b/src/kernel/process.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c149cdd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/process.c
@@ -0,0 +1,357 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/process.c
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include "framebuffer.h"
+#include "scheduler.h"
+#include "process.h"
+#include "utility.h"
+#include "paging.h"
+#include "panic.h"
+#include "heap.h"
+
+void create_process(struct process *process_out) {
+
+  process_out->p4_physical_base = take_free_physical_page();
+  process_out->p4_virtual_base = find_free_kernel_region(4096);
+  map_in_kernel_page_table(
+    process_out->p4_physical_base, process_out->p4_virtual_base, 1, 0);
+
+  process_out->p3_physical_base = take_free_physical_page();
+  process_out->p3_virtual_base = find_free_kernel_region(4096);
+  map_in_kernel_page_table(
+    process_out->p3_physical_base, process_out->p3_virtual_base, 1, 0);
+
+  process_out->p4_virtual_base[0] = process_out->p3_physical_base | 0x7;
+  process_out->p4_virtual_base[511] = kernel_p3_physical_address | 0x3;
+  for (int i = 1; i < 511; ++i)
+    process_out->p4_virtual_base[i] = 0;
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < 512; ++i) {
+    process_out->p3_virtual_base[i] = 0;
+    process_out->p2_virtual_bases[i] = 0;
+    process_out->p1_virtual_bases[i] = 0;
+  }
+
+process_out->n_threads = 0;
+
+}
+
+void map_page_for_process(
+  struct process *process, uint64_t physical_base,
+  void *virtual_base, int writable, int executable) {
+
+  assert(physical_base % 4096 == 0)
+
+  uint64_t vma = (uint64_t)virtual_base;
+  assert(vma % 4096 == 0)
+  assert(vma != 0)
+  assert(vma < 0x0000008000000000)
+
+  int p1i = (vma >> 12) & 0x1ff;
+  int p2i = (vma >> 21) & 0x1ff;
+  int p3i = (vma >> 30) & 0x1ff;
+
+  if (process->p3_virtual_base[p3i] == 0) {
+    uint64_t p2_pma = take_free_physical_page();
+    uint64_t *p2_vma = find_free_kernel_region(4096);
+    map_in_kernel_page_table(p2_pma, p2_vma, 1, 0);
+    process->p3_virtual_base[p3i] = p2_pma | 0x7;
+    process->p2_virtual_bases[p3i] = p2_vma;
+    process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i] = heap_alloc(4096);
+    for (int i = 0; i < 512; ++i) {
+      p2_vma[i] = 0;
+      process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][i] = 0;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (process->p2_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i] == 0) {
+    uint64_t p1_pma = take_free_physical_page();
+    uint64_t *p1_vma = find_free_kernel_region(4096);
+    map_in_kernel_page_table(p1_pma, p1_vma, 1, 0);
+    process->p2_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i] = p1_pma | 0x7;
+    process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i] = p1_vma;
+    for (int i = 0; i < 512; ++i)
+      p1_vma[i] = 0;
+  }
+
+  assert(process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i] == 0)
+
+  process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i] =
+    physical_base | 0x5 | (writable ? 0x2 : 0x0) |
+    (executable ? 0 : 0x8000000000000000);
+
+}
+
+void unmap_page_for_process(
+  struct process *process, void *virtual_base) {
+
+  uint64_t vma = (uint64_t)virtual_base;
+  assert(vma % 4096 == 0)
+  assert(vma != 0)
+  assert(vma < 0x0000008000000000)
+
+  int p1i = (vma >> 12) & 0x1ff;
+  int p2i = (vma >> 21) & 0x1ff;
+  int p3i = (vma >> 30) & 0x1ff;
+
+  assert(
+    process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i] &&
+    process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i] &&
+    process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i])
+
+  process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i] = 0;
+
+}
+
+int is_mapped_writable(struct process *process, void *start, uint64_t length) {
+
+  uint64_t vma_start = (uint64_t)start;
+  uint64_t vma_end = vma_start + length;
+  vma_start = (vma_start / 4096) * 4096;
+  vma_end = ((vma_end - 1) / 4096 + 1) * 4096;
+
+  for (uint64_t vma = vma_start; vma < vma_end; vma += 4096) {
+
+    if (vma == 0 || vma >= 0x0000008000000000)
+      return 0;
+
+    int p1i = (vma >> 12) & 0x1ff;
+    int p2i = (vma >> 21) & 0x1ff;
+    int p3i = (vma >> 30) & 0x1ff;
+
+    if (!process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i] ||
+        !process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i] ||
+        !process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i] ||
+        !(process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i] & 0x2))
+      return 0;
+
+  }
+
+  return 1;
+
+}
+
+void *find_free_process_region(
+  struct process *process, uint64_t page_count) {
+
+  uint64_t start = 512 * 512 * 4096;
+  uint64_t length = 0;
+
+  while (1) {
+
+    if (length >= page_count * 4096)
+      break;
+
+    uint64_t vma = start + length;
+    if (vma >= 0x0000008000000000)
+      goto no_mem;
+
+    int p1i = (vma >> 12) & 0x1ff;
+    int p2i = (vma >> 21) & 0x1ff;
+    int p3i = (vma >> 30) & 0x1ff;
+
+    if (p2i == 0 && p1i == 0 && process->p2_virtual_bases[p3i] == 0) {
+      length += 512 * 512 * 4096;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (p1i == 0 && process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i] == 0) {
+      length += 512 * 4096;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i] == 0) {
+      length += 4096;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    start = start + length + 4096;
+    length = 0;
+
+  }
+
+  return (void *)start;
+
+no_mem:
+  panic("process out of virtual memory")
+
+}
+
+void load_elf(
+  struct process *process, uint64_t *entry_out,
+  const void *elf_start, uint64_t elf_length) {
+
+  if (elf_length < 58)
+    panic("malformed elf")
+
+  *entry_out = *(uint64_t *)(elf_start + 24);
+
+  uint64_t phead_start = *(uint64_t *)(elf_start + 32);
+  uint16_t phead_entry_size = *(uint16_t *)(elf_start + 54);
+  uint16_t phead_entry_count = *(uint16_t *)(elf_start + 56);
+
+  if (elf_length < phead_start + phead_entry_count * phead_entry_size)
+    panic("malformed elf")
+
+  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < phead_entry_count; ++i) {
+
+    uint64_t *entry =
+      (uint64_t *)(elf_start + phead_start + i * phead_entry_size);
+
+    if ((entry[0] & 0xffffffff) != 1)
+      continue;
+
+    int executable = (entry[0] >> 32) & 0x1;
+    int writable = (entry[0] >> 33) & 0x1;
+
+    uint64_t file_start = entry[1];
+    void *virtual_start = (void *)entry[2];
+    uint64_t file_length = entry[4];
+    uint64_t virtual_length = ((entry[5] - 1) / 4096 + 1) * 4096;
+
+    if (elf_length < file_start + file_length)
+      panic("malformed elf")
+    if (file_length > virtual_length)
+      panic("malformed elf")
+
+    if ((uint64_t)virtual_start % 4096 != 0 || virtual_length % 4096 != 0)
+      panic("unaligned elf")
+
+    for (uint64_t i = 0; i < virtual_length; i += 4096) {
+
+      uint64_t pma = take_free_physical_page();
+      map_page_for_process(
+        process, pma, virtual_start + i, writable, executable);
+
+      void *kvma = find_free_kernel_region(4096);
+      map_in_kernel_page_table(pma, kvma, 1, 0);
+
+      if (i + 4096 <= file_length)
+        memcpy(kvma, elf_start + file_start + i, 4096);
+      else if (i >= file_length)
+        memzero(kvma, 4096);
+      else {
+        memcpy(kvma, elf_start + file_start + i, file_length & 0xfff);
+        memzero(kvma + (file_length & 0xfff), 4096 - (file_length & 0xfff));
+      }
+
+      unmap_kernel_page(kvma);
+
+    }
+
+  }
+
+}
+
+void destroy_process(struct process *process) {
+  for (int p3i = 0; p3i < 512; ++p3i)
+    if (process->p3_virtual_base[p3i]) {
+      for (int p2i = 0; p2i < 512; ++p2i)
+        if (process->p2_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i]) {
+          for (int p1i = 0; p1i < 512; ++p1i)
+            mark_physical_memory_free(
+              process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i][p1i] & 0x7ffffffffffff000,
+              4096);
+          unmap_and_free_kernel_page(process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i][p2i]);
+        }
+      unmap_and_free_kernel_page(process->p2_virtual_bases[p3i]);
+      heap_dealloc(process->p1_virtual_bases[p3i], 4096);
+    }
+  unmap_and_free_kernel_page(process->p3_virtual_base);
+  unmap_and_free_kernel_page(process->p4_virtual_base);
+  heap_dealloc(process, sizeof(struct process));
+}
+
+#define INITIAL_STACK_SIZE (16 << 20)
+
+void create_thread(struct process *process, struct thread *thread_out) {
+
+  //TODO: allocate stack as needed on page faults, have guard pages, etc.
+
+  void *stack_bottom_vma =
+    find_free_process_region(process, INITIAL_STACK_SIZE / 4096);
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < INITIAL_STACK_SIZE / 4096; ++i) {
+
+    uint64_t pma = take_free_physical_page();
+    map_page_for_process(process, pma, stack_bottom_vma + i * 4096, 1, 0);
+
+    void *kvma = find_free_kernel_region(4096);
+    map_in_kernel_page_table(pma, kvma, 1, 0);
+    memzero(kvma, 4096);
+    unmap_kernel_page(kvma);
+
+  }
+
+  thread_out->process = process;
+  thread_out->stack_bottom = stack_bottom_vma;
+  thread_out->stack_top = stack_bottom_vma + INITIAL_STACK_SIZE;
+
+  ++process->n_threads;
+
+}
+
+struct thread *running_thread = 0;
+
+[[noreturn]] void syscall_end_thread() {
+
+  assert(running_thread != 0)
+  assert(running_thread->process->n_threads >= 1)
+
+  if (running_thread->process->n_threads == 1)
+    destroy_process(running_thread->process);
+
+  else {
+
+    --running_thread->process->n_threads;
+
+    for (void *p = running_thread->stack_bottom;
+         p < running_thread->stack_top; p += 4096)
+      unmap_page_for_process(running_thread->process, p);
+
+  }
+
+  heap_dealloc(running_thread, sizeof(struct thread));
+
+  running_thread = 0;
+  resume_next_continuation();
+
+}
+
+void syscall_map_framebuffer(struct syscall_framebuffer_info *info_out) {
+
+  if (!is_mapped_writable(
+         running_thread->process, info_out,
+         sizeof(struct syscall_framebuffer_info)))
+    panic("bad syscall");
+
+  uint64_t pages_needed = (fb_pitch * fb_height - 1) / 4096 + 1;
+
+  void *base = find_free_process_region(running_thread->process, pages_needed);
+
+  for (uint64_t i = 0; i < pages_needed; ++i)
+    map_page_for_process(
+      running_thread->process,
+      fb_physical_base + i * 4096,
+      base + i * 4096, 1, 0);
+
+  info_out->fb_base = base;
+  info_out->fb_pitch = fb_pitch;
+  info_out->fb_height = fb_height;
+  info_out->fb_width = fb_width;
+
+}
diff --git a/src/kernel/process.h b/src/kernel/process.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a623429
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/process.h
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/process.h
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+struct process {
+
+  uint64_t p4_physical_base;
+  uint64_t *p4_virtual_base;
+  uint64_t p3_physical_base;
+  uint64_t *p3_virtual_base;
+
+  int n_threads;
+
+  //0 for missing levels. just bottom p3 of address space.
+  uint64_t *p2_virtual_bases[512];
+  uint64_t **p1_virtual_bases[512];
+
+};
+
+struct thread {
+
+  struct process *process;
+
+  //both page-aligned
+  void *stack_bottom;
+  void *stack_top;
+
+};
+
+extern struct thread *running_thread;
+
+void create_process(struct process *process_out);
+void create_thread(struct process *process, struct thread *thread_out);
+
+//physical and virtual bases must be page-aligned.
+//virtual base must be in bottom p3 and not zero.
+void map_page_for_process(
+  struct process *process, uint64_t physical_base,
+  void *virtual_base, int writable, int executable);
+
+//virtual base must be page-aligned, in bottom p3, and not zero.
+void unmap_page_for_process(
+  struct process *process, void *virtual_base);
+
+//finds a free memory region in the bottom p3
+//of the address space, and not the bottom p2.
+void *find_free_process_region(
+  struct process *process, uint64_t page_count);
+
+//loaded sections are copied to new pages. once storage drivers are written,
+//this should probably just take a file handle so it can load and parse the
+//header and then load sections directly into user pages.
+void load_elf(
+  struct process *process, uint64_t *entry_out,
+  const void *elf_start, uint64_t elf_length);
+
+void destroy_process(struct process *process);
+
+//returs 1 if [start, start + length) is writable by process, otherwise 0.
+int is_mapped_writable(struct process *process, void *start, uint64_t length);
+
+[[noreturn]] void syscall_end_thread();
+
+struct syscall_framebuffer_info {
+  uint8_t *fb_base;
+  int fb_width;
+  int fb_height;
+  int fb_pitch;
+};
+
+void syscall_map_framebuffer(struct syscall_framebuffer_info *info_out);
diff --git a/kernel/src/ps2.asm b/src/kernel/ps2.asm
similarity index 85%
rename from kernel/src/ps2.asm
rename to src/kernel/ps2.asm
index b91ec81..21b0aad 100644
--- a/kernel/src/ps2.asm
+++ b/src/kernel/ps2.asm
@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
- ; Calcite, kernel/src/ps2.asm
+ ; Calcite, src/kernel/ps2.asm
  ; Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  ;
  ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- ; your option) any later version.
+ ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ ; (at your option) any later version.
  ;
  ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  ; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- ; more details.
+ ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ ; for more details.
  ;
- ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- ; this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ ; with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 
 bits 64
diff --git a/kernel/src/ps2.c b/src/kernel/ps2.c
similarity index 88%
rename from kernel/src/ps2.c
rename to src/kernel/ps2.c
index 6da5884..54506af 100644
--- a/kernel/src/ps2.c
+++ b/src/kernel/ps2.c
@@ -1,23 +1,23 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/ps2.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/ps2.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include <framebuffer.h>
-#include <panic.h>
-#include <ps2.h>
+#include "framebuffer.h"
+#include "panic.h"
+#include "ps2.h"
 
 //defined in ps2.asm
 //returns -1 if no byte available
diff --git a/kernel/include/ps2.h b/src/kernel/ps2.h
similarity index 95%
rename from kernel/include/ps2.h
rename to src/kernel/ps2.h
index 53364fb..235caf2 100644
--- a/kernel/include/ps2.h
+++ b/src/kernel/ps2.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/include/ps2.h
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/ps2.h
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
diff --git a/src/kernel/scheduler.asm b/src/kernel/scheduler.asm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec2d14d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/scheduler.asm
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+ ; Calcite, src/kernel/scheduler.c
+ ; Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ ;
+ ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ ; (at your option) any later version.
+ ;
+ ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ ; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ ; for more details.
+ ;
+ ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ ; with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+
+bits 64
+
+;referenced in scheduler.c
+global user_task_start
+user_task_start:
+
+  mov cr3, rbx
+  mov rcx, rbp
+  mov r11, 0x200
+
+  xor rax, rax
+  xor rbx, rbx
+  xor rdx, rdx
+  xor rdi, rdi
+  xor rsi, rsi
+  xor rbp, rbp
+  xor r8, r8
+  xor r9, r9
+  xor r10, r10
+  xor r12, r12
+  xor r13, r13
+  xor r14, r14
+  xor r15, r15
+
+  o64 sysret
+
+;referenced in scheduler.c
+global resume_continuation
+resume_continuation:
+
+  mov rax, qword [rdi]
+  mov rbx, qword [rdi + 8]
+  mov rbp, qword [rdi + 16]
+  mov rsp, qword [rdi + 24]
+  mov r12, qword [rdi + 32]
+  mov r13, qword [rdi + 40]
+  mov r14, qword [rdi + 48]
+  mov r15, qword [rdi + 56]
+
+  jmp rax
diff --git a/src/kernel/scheduler.c b/src/kernel/scheduler.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f3d4595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/scheduler.c
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/scheduler.c
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include "scheduler.h"
+#include "utility.h"
+#include "heap.h"
+
+struct continuation_info {
+  uint64_t rip;
+  uint64_t rbx;
+  uint64_t rbp;
+  uint64_t rsp;
+  uint64_t r12;
+  uint64_t r13;
+  uint64_t r14;
+  uint64_t r15;
+};
+
+static struct continuation_info **ready_continuations = 0;
+static int rc_buffer_length = 0;
+static int rc_read_ptr = 0;
+static int rc_count = 0;
+
+#define INITIAL_RC_BUFFER_LENGTH 128
+
+void init_scheduler() {
+  ready_continuations = heap_alloc(INITIAL_RC_BUFFER_LENGTH * sizeof(void *));
+  rc_buffer_length = INITIAL_RC_BUFFER_LENGTH;
+  for (int i = 0; i < INITIAL_RC_BUFFER_LENGTH; ++i)
+    ready_continuations[i] = 0;
+}
+
+static void queue_continuation(struct continuation_info *info) {
+
+  if (rc_count == rc_buffer_length) {
+
+    struct continuation_info **new_rc_buffer =
+      heap_alloc(2 * rc_buffer_length * sizeof(void *));
+
+    memcpy(
+      new_rc_buffer,
+      ready_continuations + rc_read_ptr,
+      (rc_buffer_length - rc_read_ptr) * sizeof(void *));
+
+    memcpy(
+      new_rc_buffer + rc_buffer_length - rc_read_ptr,
+      ready_continuations,
+      rc_read_ptr * sizeof(void *));
+
+    heap_dealloc(ready_continuations, rc_buffer_length * sizeof(void *));
+
+    new_rc_buffer[rc_buffer_length] = info;
+    for (int i = rc_buffer_length + 1; i < 2 * rc_buffer_length; ++i)
+      new_rc_buffer[i] = 0;
+
+    ready_continuations = new_rc_buffer;
+    rc_buffer_length *= 2;
+    rc_read_ptr = 0;
+    ++rc_count;
+
+  }
+
+  else {
+    ready_continuations[(rc_read_ptr + rc_count) % rc_buffer_length] = info;
+    ++rc_count;
+  }
+
+}
+
+//defined in scheduler.asm
+void user_task_start();
+
+void create_user_task(
+  uint64_t cr3, uint64_t rip, uint64_t rsp) {
+
+  struct continuation_info *info =
+    heap_alloc(sizeof(struct continuation_info));
+
+  info->rip = (uint64_t)&user_task_start;
+  info->rsp = (uint64_t)rsp;
+  info->rbx = cr3;
+  info->rbp = rip;
+
+  queue_continuation(info);
+
+}
+
+//defined in scheduler.asm
+[[noreturn]] void resume_continuation(struct continuation_info *info);
+
+[[noreturn]] void resume_next_continuation() {
+
+  while (rc_count == 0)
+    __asm__ ("hlt");
+
+  struct continuation_info *info = ready_continuations[rc_read_ptr];
+
+  ready_continuations[rc_read_ptr] = 0;
+  rc_read_ptr = (rc_read_ptr + 1) % rc_buffer_length;
+  --rc_count;
+
+  resume_continuation(info);
+
+}
diff --git a/src/kernel/scheduler.h b/src/kernel/scheduler.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf503f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/scheduler.h
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/scheduler.h
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+void init_scheduler();
+
+void create_user_task(
+  uint64_t cr3, uint64_t rip, uint64_t rsp);
+
+[[noreturn]] void resume_next_continuation();
diff --git a/src/kernel/syscalls.asm b/src/kernel/syscalls.asm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de55a1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/syscalls.asm
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+ ; Calcite, src/kernel/syscalls.asm
+ ; Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ ;
+ ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ ; (at your option) any later version.
+ ;
+ ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ ; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ ; for more details.
+ ;
+ ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ ; with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+
+bits 64
+
+extern syscall_entry_c
+
+section .bss
+
+;this should have guard pages blah blah blah
+  resb 16 << 20
+syscall_stack_top:
+
+section .text
+
+;system call number is in rax.
+;system call arguments are in rdi, rsi, rdx.
+;system call returns a value in rax.
+syscall_entry:
+  mov qword [syscall_stack_top - 8], rsp
+  mov rsp, syscall_stack_top - 8
+  push r11
+  push rcx
+
+  mov rcx, rax
+  call syscall_entry_c
+
+  pop rcx
+  pop r11
+  pop rsp
+  o64 sysret
+
+global init_syscalls
+init_syscalls:
+
+  mov ecx, 0xc0000080
+  rdmsr
+  or al, 0x01
+  wrmsr
+
+  mov edx, 0x00130028
+  xor eax, eax
+  mov ecx, 0xc0000081
+  wrmsr
+
+  mov rdx, syscall_entry
+  mov eax, edx
+  shr rdx, 32
+  mov ecx, 0xc0000082
+  wrmsr
+
+  xor edx, edx
+  xor eax, eax
+  mov ecx, 0xc0000084
+  wrmsr
+
+  ret
diff --git a/src/kernel/syscalls.c b/src/kernel/syscalls.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18e6124
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/syscalls.c
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/syscalls.c
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include "syscalls.h"
+#include "panic.h"
+
+#define MAX_SYSCALL_NUMBER 99
+
+static uint64_t (*syscall_handlers[MAX_SYSCALL_NUMBER])(
+  uint64_t, uint64_t, uint64_t);
+
+void register_syscall(
+  int number,
+  uint64_t (*handler)(uint64_t, uint64_t, uint64_t)) {
+
+  assert(number >= 0 && number <= MAX_SYSCALL_NUMBER)
+  assert(syscall_handlers[number] == 0)
+
+  syscall_handlers[number] = handler;
+
+}
+
+//referenced in syscalls.asm
+uint64_t syscall_entry_c(
+  uint64_t arg1, uint64_t arg2, uint64_t arg3, uint64_t number) {
+
+  if (number > MAX_SYSCALL_NUMBER || syscall_handlers[number] == 0)
+    panic("TODO: bad syscall");
+
+  return (*syscall_handlers[number])(arg1, arg2, arg3);
+
+}
diff --git a/src/kernel/syscalls.h b/src/kernel/syscalls.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3171a7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/syscalls.h
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/syscalls.h
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <kernel-public/syscall-numbers.h>
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+void init_syscalls();
+
+void register_syscall(
+  int number,
+  uint64_t (*handler)(uint64_t arg1, uint64_t arg2, uint64_t arg3));
diff --git a/src/kernel/utility.asm b/src/kernel/utility.asm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4922388
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/kernel/utility.asm
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+ ; Calcite, src/kernel/utility.asm
+ ; Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ ;
+ ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ ; (at your option) any later version.
+ ;
+ ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ ; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ ; for more details.
+ ;
+ ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ ; with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+
+bits 64
+
+section .text
+
+;global memcpy
+;memcpy:
+;  mov rcx, rdx
+;  rep movsb
+;  ret
+
+;global memzero
+;memzero:
+;  xor al, al
+;  mov rcx, rsi
+;  rep stosb
+;  ret
diff --git a/kernel/src/utility.c b/src/kernel/utility.c
similarity index 59%
rename from kernel/src/utility.c
rename to src/kernel/utility.c
index a46a357..742ac5d 100644
--- a/kernel/src/utility.c
+++ b/src/kernel/utility.c
@@ -1,21 +1,21 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/src/utility.c
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/utility.c
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at
- * your option) any later version.
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
  *
  * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
  * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
- * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
- * more details.
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
  *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
- * this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include <utility.h>
+#include "utility.h"
 
 int strequ(const char *str1, const char *str2) {
   while (1) {
@@ -27,3 +27,13 @@ int strequ(const char *str1, const char *str2) {
     ++str2;
   }
 }
+
+void memcpy(void *to, const void *from, uint64_t bytes) {
+  for (uint64_t i = 0; i < bytes; ++i)
+    *(uint8_t *)(to + i) = *(const uint8_t *)(from + i);
+}
+
+void memzero(void *start, uint64_t bytes) {
+  for (uint64_t i = 0; i < bytes; ++i)
+    *(uint8_t *)(start + i) = 0;
+}
diff --git a/kernel/include/utility.h b/src/kernel/utility.h
similarity index 83%
rename from kernel/include/utility.h
rename to src/kernel/utility.h
index 19d3995..cc679a6 100644
--- a/kernel/include/utility.h
+++ b/src/kernel/utility.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Calcite, kernel/include/utility.h
+/* Calcite, src/kernel/utility.h
  * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -17,5 +17,10 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <stdint.h>
+
 //returns 1 if equal, 0 if not.
 int strequ(const char *str1, const char *str2);
+
+void memcpy(void *to, const void *from, uint64_t bytes);
+void memzero(void *start, uint64_t bytes);
diff --git a/src/user-apps/hello/hello.c b/src/user-apps/hello/hello.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..20ea16a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/user-apps/hello/hello.c
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/* Calcite, src/user-apps/hello/hello.c
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include <calcite/calcite.h>
+
+[[noreturn]]
+void _start() {
+
+  struct framebuffer_info fb_info;
+  map_framebuffer(&fb_info);
+
+  for (int y = 0; y < fb_info.fb_height; ++y)
+    for (int x = 0; x < fb_info.fb_width; ++x) {
+      uint8_t *pixel = fb_info.fb_base + y * fb_info.fb_pitch + x * 4;
+      pixel[0] = x * 256 / fb_info.fb_width;
+      pixel[1] = y * 256 / fb_info.fb_height;
+    }
+
+  end_thread();
+
+}
diff --git a/src/user-apps/hello/libraries.txt b/src/user-apps/hello/libraries.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8503661
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/user-apps/hello/libraries.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+calcite
diff --git a/src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.asm b/src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.asm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ded113
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.asm
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+ ; Calcite, src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.asm
+ ; Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ ;
+ ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ ; (at your option) any later version.
+ ;
+ ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ ; WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ ; or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ ; for more details.
+ ;
+ ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ ; with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+
+bits 64
+
+section .text
+
+;referenced in syscalls.c
+global do_syscall
+do_syscall:
+  mov rax, rcx
+  syscall
+  ret
diff --git a/src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.c b/src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1584ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.c
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+/* Calcite, src/user-libs/calcite/syscalls.c
+ * Copyright 2025 Benji Dial
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include <kernel-public/syscall-numbers.h>
+#include <calcite/calcite.h>
+
+//defined in syscalls.asm
+uint64_t do_syscall
+  (uint64_t arg1, uint64_t arg2, uint64_t arg3, uint64_t number);
+
+[[noreturn]] void end_thread() {
+  do_syscall(0, 0, 0, SYSCALL_END_THREAD);
+  __builtin_unreachable();
+}
+
+void map_framebuffer(struct framebuffer_info *info_out) {
+  do_syscall((uint64_t)info_out, 0, 0, SYSCALL_MAP_FRAMEBUFFER);
+}