diff --git a/configs/index.json b/configs/index.json
index 92e74f4..b8c30dd 100644
--- a/configs/index.json
+++ b/configs/index.json
@@ -1,8 +1,13 @@
 {
   "brand": "LASER EVERYTHING",
-  "grid": { "gap": 12, "fit": "stretch" },
-  "reveal": { "durationMs": 2600, "revertDelayMs": 700 },
-
+  "grid": {
+    "gap": 12,
+    "fit": "stretch"
+  },
+  "reveal": {
+    "durationMs": 2600,
+    "revertDelayMs": 700
+  },
   "hint": {
     "enabled": true,
     "rows": 24,
@@ -11,12 +16,13 @@
     "opacity": 0.02,
     "angleDeg": -12,
     "rowGapPx": 8,
-    "spacing": "\u00A0",
+    "spacing": "\u00a0",
     "planeScale": 3,
     "offsetAmpPct": 35,
     "featherPct": 0
   },
-
+  "layout": { "respectConfigOrder": false
+  },
   "tiles": [
     {
       "title": "Training",
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index bc04798..18cdb73 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -17,10 +17,8 @@
 <script>
 /* ======================================================
    Deterministic tiles + “wrapping paper” hints (SVG-free)
-   Hint rows are long text lines on a huge plane; tile clips.
    Config default: /configs/index.json (override with ?config=name)
    ====================================================== */
-
 (async () => {
   /* ---------- tiny seeded RNG (deterministic) ---------- */
   function xmur3(str){
@@ -56,26 +54,25 @@
     return u.pathname + u.search;
   }
 
-  // Default config (simple & clear). Your JSON can override any/all.
+  // Default config (your JSON can override any/all).
   let cfg = {
     brand: "LASER EVERYTHING",
     grid: { gap: 12, fit: "stretch" },                // fit: 'stretch' | 'fitCells'
     reveal: { durationMs: 2600, revertDelayMs: 700 },
-
     hint: {
       enabled: true,
-      rows: 5,                      // number of rows
-      textCase: "upper",            // 'upper' | 'lower' | 'none'
-      fontPx: 16,                   // base size in px
+      rows: 5,
+      textCase: "upper",
+      fontPx: 16,
       opacity: 0.12,
-      angleDeg: -12,                // rotation of the hint plane
-      rowGapPx: 8,                  // vertical gap between rows
-      spacing: "\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0",// between repeats (use NBSP or your string)
-      planeScale: 3,                // plane size vs tile (3 = 300% both axes)
-      offsetAmpPct: 35,             // max per-row horizontal offset (% of tile width)
-      featherPct: 0                 // 0..10 soft mask on extreme left/right (optional)
+      angleDeg: -12,
+      rowGapPx: 8,
+      spacing: "\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0",
+      planeScale: 3,
+      offsetAmpPct: 35,
+      featherPct: 0
     },
-
+    layout: { respectConfigOrder: false },            // <— override knob
     tiles: []
   };
 
@@ -88,7 +85,7 @@
 
   /* ---------- apply brand + CSS vars ---------- */
   if (cfg.brand) document.querySelector('.brand').textContent = cfg.brand;
-  if (cfg.grid?.gap != null) document.documentElement.style.setProperty('--gap', (cfg.grid.gap|0)+'px');
+  if (cfg.grid?.gap != null)    document.documentElement.style.setProperty('--gap', (cfg.grid.gap|0)+'px');
   if (cfg.reveal?.durationMs != null) document.documentElement.style.setProperty('--reveal-ms', (cfg.reveal.durationMs|0)+'ms');
 
   // Hint CSS vars
@@ -98,7 +95,8 @@
   root.style.setProperty('--hint-angle', (H.angleDeg!=null ? H.angleDeg : -12) + 'deg');
   root.style.setProperty('--hint-size', (H.fontPx!=null ? (H.fontPx|0)+'px' : '16px'));
   root.style.setProperty('--hint-row-gap', (H.rowGapPx!=null ? (H.rowGapPx|0)+'px' : '8px'));
-  root.style.setProperty('--hint-plane', (H.planeScale!=null ? +H.planeScale : 3));
+  root.style.setProperty('--hint-plane',   String(H.planeScale!=null ? +H.planeScale : 3));
+  root.style.setProperty('--hint-feather', (H.featherPct!=null ? +H.featherPct : 0) + '%');
 
   const grid = document.getElementById('grid');
 
@@ -118,14 +116,16 @@
   }
 
   /* ---------- build tiles ---------- */
-  const frag = document.createDocumentFragment();
   const tiles = [];
+  const frag = document.createDocumentFragment();
 
   (cfg.tiles||[]).forEach((t,i)=>{
     const a = document.createElement('a');
     a.className='tile';
     a.href = t.href || '#';
     a.setAttribute('aria-label', t.title || ('Tile ' + (i+1)));
+
+    /* Use config color everywhere (prod aesthetic) */
     if (t.color) a.style.setProperty('--color', t.color);
 
     if (t.image){
@@ -136,10 +136,10 @@
       a.style.backgroundPosition=t.bgPos||'center';
     }
 
-    // Wipe cover
+    // Cover (wipe)
     const cover = document.createElement('div'); cover.className='cover'; a.appendChild(cover);
 
-    // ===== Hint layer (novel approach) =====
+    // Hint layer (above cover; visible when hidden)
     if ((cfg.hint?.enabled!==false) && (t.hintTitle || t.title)){
       const hintLayer = document.createElement('div');
       hintLayer.className = 'hint-layer';
@@ -149,35 +149,28 @@
 
       const stack = document.createElement('div');
       stack.className = 'hint-stack';
-      stack.style.setProperty('--plane-scale', String(cfg.hint?.planeScale ?? 3));
       hintLayer.appendChild(stack);
 
-      // Prepare deterministic RNG per tile
       const seed = 'row|' + (t.title || ('tile'+i));
       const rnd  = rngFrom(seed);
 
-      // Compose very long content (no measuring).
       const baseTitle = titleForHint(t.hintTitle || t.title || '');
       const spacing   = (cfg.hint?.spacing ?? '\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0');
       const chunk     = (baseTitle + spacing);
-      const repeats   = 240; // big enough that it ALWAYS bleeds past edges
+      const repeats   = 240;
       const lineText  = chunk.repeat(repeats);
 
-      // Build rows, centered in the big plane, with deterministic offsets.
       const rows = Math.max(1, cfg.hint?.rows|0 || 3);
       for (let r=0; r<rows; r++){
         const row = document.createElement('div');
         row.className = 'hint-row';
         row.textContent = lineText;
 
-        // offset (px) = (random[-1..1] * amp% * tileWidth)
-        // we read tile width later (in layout), so set a data attribute now:
         const offs = (rnd()*2 - 1) * ((cfg.hint?.offsetAmpPct ?? 35)/100);
-        row.dataset.offsetScale = String(offs); // fraction of tile width
+        row.dataset.offsetScale = String(offs);
 
         stack.appendChild(row);
       }
-
       a.appendChild(hintLayer);
     }
 
@@ -200,24 +193,36 @@
     const d=document.createElement('p'); d.className='desc'; d.textContent=((t.description??t.desc)??''); if(!d.textContent.trim()) d.style.display='none'; wrap.appendChild(d);
     textL.appendChild(wrap); a.appendChild(textL);
 
-    // Sizing
+    // Sizing (raw spans from config)
     const span = parseSpan(t.size || 1);
     a.dataset.w = String(Math.max(1, Math.min(6, span.w)));
     a.dataset.h = String(Math.max(1, Math.min(6, span.h)));
 
-    frag.appendChild(a);
     tiles.push(a);
   });
 
-  grid.textContent = '';
-  grid.appendChild(frag);
+  /* ----- ORDER: largest-first by default; allow override to keep JSON order ----- */
+  const respectOrder = !!(cfg.layout && cfg.layout.respectConfigOrder);
+  const ordered = respectOrder ? tiles.slice()
+    : tiles.slice().sort((a,b)=>{
+        const area = (+b.dataset.w * +b.dataset.h) - (+a.dataset.w * +a.dataset.h);
+        if (area) return area;
+        const ta = a.querySelector('.title')?.textContent || '';
+        const tb = b.querySelector('.title')?.textContent || '';
+        return ta.localeCompare(tb);
+      });
 
-  /* ---------- layout (header-aware, deterministic wipe) ---------- */
+  const frag2 = document.createDocumentFragment();
+  ordered.forEach(n => frag2.appendChild(n));
+  grid.textContent = '';
+  grid.appendChild(frag2);
+
+  /* ---------- layout (header-aware) ---------- */
   function layout(){
-    const W = innerWidth;
-    const H = innerHeight;
-    const V = visualViewport;
-    const vh = (V && V.height) ? V.height : H;
+    const W  = innerWidth;
+    const H  = innerHeight;
+    const VV = visualViewport;
+    const vh = (VV && VV.height) ? VV.height : H;
 
     const header = document.getElementById('siteHeader');
     const HH = Math.max(0, vh - (header ? header.getBoundingClientRect().height : 0));
@@ -225,7 +230,7 @@
     const gap = parseFloat(getComputedStyle(document.documentElement).getPropertyValue('--gap')) || 0;
     const fit = (cfg.grid?.fit || 'stretch').toLowerCase();
 
-    const S = tiles.reduce((s, el)=> s + (+el.dataset.w * +el.dataset.h), 0) || 1;
+    const S = ordered.reduce((s, el)=> s + (+el.dataset.w * +el.dataset.h), 0) || 1;
     const A = W / (HH || 1);
     let cols = Math.max(1, Math.round(Math.sqrt(S * A)));
     let rows = Math.max(1, Math.ceil(S / cols));
@@ -235,11 +240,13 @@
       Math.floor((HH - gap*(r+1)) / r)
     ));
 
-    let best = { cols, rows, unit: unitFor(cols, rows) };
+    let best = { cols, rows, unit: unitFor(cols, rows), holes: Math.max(0, cols*rows - S) };
     for (let c=Math.max(1, cols-3); c<=cols+3; c++){
       const r = Math.max(1, Math.ceil(S / c));
       const u = unitFor(c, r);
-      if (u > best.unit || (u === best.unit && r < best.rows)) best = { cols:c, rows:r, unit:u };
+      const h = Math.max(0, c*r - S);
+      const better = (u > best.unit) || (u === best.unit && h < best.holes) || (u === best.unit && h === best.holes && r < best.rows);
+      if (better) best = { cols:c, rows:r, unit:u, holes:h };
     }
 
     grid.style.gap = gap + 'px';
@@ -255,11 +262,15 @@
       grid.style.gridAutoRows = `${best.unit}px`;
     }
 
-    tiles.forEach(n=>{
-      n.style.gridColumn = `span ${n.dataset.w}`;
-      n.style.gridRow    = `span ${n.dataset.h}`;
+    ordered.forEach(n=>{
+      /* Phone-only span clamp to keep everything on one page */
+      const isPhone = innerWidth <= 520;
+      const w = Math.min(+n.dataset.w, isPhone ? 2 : +n.dataset.w);
+      const h = Math.min(+n.dataset.h, isPhone ? 2 : +n.dataset.h);
+      n.style.gridColumn = `span ${w}`;
+      n.style.gridRow    = `span ${h}`;
 
-      // Resolve deterministic wipe dir (seeded by title)
+      /* Deterministic wipe dir (prod = 140%) */
       const title = n.querySelector('.title')?.textContent || '';
       const R = rngFrom('wipe|'+title);
       const dirs = [[1,0],[-1,0],[0,-1],[0,1],[1,-1],[-1,-1],[-1,1],[1,1]];
@@ -267,12 +278,11 @@
       n.style.setProperty('--dx', (dx*140)+'%');
       n.style.setProperty('--dy', (dy*140)+'%');
 
-      // Update row pixel offsets based on current tile width
+      /* Recompute hint row offsets using current tile width */
       const tw = n.getBoundingClientRect().width;
       n.querySelectorAll('.hint-row').forEach(row=>{
-        const scale = parseFloat(row.dataset.offsetScale || '0'); // [-1..1] * amp%
-        const px = scale * tw; // px offset
-        row.style.setProperty('--row-offset-px', px + 'px');
+        const scale = parseFloat(row.dataset.offsetScale || '0');
+        row.style.setProperty('--row-offset-px', (scale * tw) + 'px');
       });
     });
   }
@@ -282,7 +292,7 @@
   if (visualViewport){ visualViewport.addEventListener('resize', resched); visualViewport.addEventListener('scroll', resched); }
 
   // JS-assisted reveal class only
-  tiles.forEach(tile=>{
+  ordered.forEach(tile=>{
     tile.addEventListener('mouseenter',()=>tile.classList.add('js-reveal'));
     tile.addEventListener('mouseleave',()=>tile.classList.remove('js-reveal'));
     tile.addEventListener('focusin',  ()=>tile.classList.add('js-reveal'));
diff --git a/styles.css b/styles.css
index ac9b163..c458064 100644
--- a/styles.css
+++ b/styles.css
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ body{
     font:16px/1.45 system-ui,-apple-system,Segoe UI,Roboto,Ubuntu,Cantarell,Noto Sans,Arial;
     overflow:hidden; /* tiles view */
 }
+/* make sure <a> tiles never pick UA link blue */
 a{ color:inherit; text-decoration:none }
 
 /* ===== Header ===== */
@@ -54,23 +55,35 @@ a{ color:inherit; text-decoration:none }
 /* ===== Tiles ===== */
 .tile{
     position:relative; display:block; overflow:hidden;
+
+    /* Prod aesthetic: bright config color is the actual tile bg */
     background:var(--color,#1f2937);
+
+    /* subtle frame */
     border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.08);
+
     transition:opacity .55s ease, transform .55s ease;
 }
+
+/* Cover sits ABOVE text (to hide it until reveal) and BELOW hint+icon */
 .cover{
     position:absolute; inset:0; z-index:2; background:#242424;
     transform:translate(0,0);
     transition:transform var(--reveal-ms) cubic-bezier(.22,.8,.18,1);
     pointer-events:none; will-change:transform;
 }
+
+/* Layer stack matches prod look:
+ *   1 = text, 2 = cover, 3 = hint (visible when hidden), 4 = icon (visible when hidden) */
 .layer,.cover{
     position:absolute; inset:0; display:grid; place-items:center; justify-items:center;
     text-align:center; padding:clamp(12px,3vh,28px);
     transition:opacity .55s ease, transform .55s ease; pointer-events:none;
 }
 .text-layer{ z-index:1; opacity:0; transform:translateY(8px) }
+.hint-layer{ z-index:3; opacity:var(--hint-opacity); }
 .icon-layer{ z-index:4; opacity:1 }
+
 .icon{ width:clamp(36px,9vh,110px); height:auto; object-fit:contain }
 .icon.icon-text{ width:auto; font-size:clamp(24px,10vh,120px); line-height:1 }
 .kicker{ font-weight:900; letter-spacing:.22em; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:12px; opacity:.95; margin:0 0 .25em }
@@ -78,27 +91,32 @@ a{ color:inherit; text-decoration:none }
 .desc{ margin:.45em 0 0; opacity:.92; font-size:14px; max-width:min(72ch,90%) }
 .text-layer>div{ display:flex; flex-direction:column; align-items:center }
 
-/* Reveal states */
+/* Reveal: slide the cover off; fade icon out; fade text in; hide hint */
 .tile:hover .cover,
 .tile:focus-visible .cover,
 .tile.js-reveal .cover{ transform:translate(var(--dx),var(--dy)) }
+
 .tile:hover .icon-layer,
 .tile:focus-visible .icon-layer,
 .tile.js-reveal .icon-layer{ opacity:0; transform:scale(.965) }
+
 .tile:hover .text-layer,
 .tile:focus-visible .text-layer,
 .tile.js-reveal .text-layer{ opacity:1; transform:none }
 
+/* Hide hint during reveal for the flip */
+.tile:hover .hint-layer,
+.tile:focus-visible .hint-layer,
+.tile.js-reveal .hint-layer{ opacity:0 }
+
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){
     .tile,.cover,.layer{ transition:none }
 }
 
-/* ===== Hint layer (novel approach) =====
- *   A huge “plane” rotated & centered. Rows are long lines of text.
- *   The tile clips the plane, so text can be sliced mid-word at edges. */
+/* ===== Hint layer geometry (unchanged from prod) ===== */
 .hint-layer{
-    position:absolute; inset:0; z-index:3; pointer-events:none;
-    display:block; opacity:var(--hint-opacity);
+    position:absolute; inset:0; pointer-events:none;
+    display:block;
     /* optional soft fade at extreme sides */
     -webkit-mask-image:linear-gradient(to right,
                                        rgba(0,0,0,0) var(--hint-feather),
@@ -122,19 +140,13 @@ a{ color:inherit; text-decoration:none }
 }
 .hint-row{
     position:relative; display:block;
-    /* make the line VERY long; no measuring required */
     white-space:nowrap; letter-spacing:.22em; line-height:1;
     font-weight:900; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:var(--hint-size);
     transform:translateX(var(--row-offset-px, 0px));
-    /* the content string itself is repeated in JS so it actually fills */
 }
+.hint-line{ opacity:1 } /* keep lines solid */
 
-/* Hide hint during reveal for the “flip” effect */
-.tile:hover .hint-layer,
-.tile:focus-visible .hint-layer,
-.tile.js-reveal .hint-layer{ opacity:0 }
-
-/* ===== Static pages (unchanged from prior work) ===== */
+/* ===== Static pages (from prod) ===== */
 body.page{
     min-height:100vh; margin:0; color:var(--fg); background:var(--bg);
     overflow-y:auto; overflow-x:hidden;
@@ -189,5 +201,4 @@ body.page{
     .title{ font-size:clamp(16px,5.2vw,22px) }
     .desc{ font-size:13px }
     .icon{ width:clamp(28px,11vh,90px) }
-    .back-btn,.btn{ padding:.55rem .85rem }
 }