diff --git a/src/app.html b/src/app.html
index 6992664..f7a25a2 100755
--- a/src/app.html
+++ b/src/app.html
@@ -5,23 +5,6 @@
 		<link rel="icon" href="%sveltekit.assets%/favicon.png" />
 		<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width initial-scale=1" />
 		%sveltekit.head%
-		<noscript>
-			<style>
-				.scene-background {
-					display: none !important;
-				}
-				.site-shell.blog-reading {
-					--scene-rail-width: 0px;
-				}
-				.site-shell .site-content {
-					animation: none !important;
-					transition: none !important;
-				}
-				.programmer-reveal {
-					pointer-events: none;
-				}
-			</style>
-		</noscript>
 	</head>
 	<body data-sveltekit-preload-data="hover">
 		<div style="display: contents">%sveltekit.body%</div>
diff --git a/src/lib/background/controller.ts b/src/lib/background/controller.ts
index 6011b49..8dcc6f8 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/controller.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/controller.ts
@@ -1,67 +1,64 @@
-import { FluidField } from './fluid.ts';
-import { createRenderer } from './renderer.ts';
-import { SolidScene } from './scene.ts';
+import {
+	simulationSize,
+	type BackgroundCommand,
+	type BackgroundEnvironment,
+	type BackgroundEvent,
+	type BackgroundSize
+} from './messages.ts';
 import type { Obstacle } from './types.ts';
 
 const clamp = (value: number, min: number, max: number) => Math.max(min, Math.min(max, value));
 
 const PROTECTED_CONTENT = 'a, button, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, p, pre, blockquote, table, img';
 
-const FRAME_CPU_BUDGET_MS = 50;
-const PERFORMANCE_WARMUP_MS = 1000;
-const PERFORMANCE_WINDOW_MS = 2000;
-const PERFORMANCE_MIN_FRAMES = 8;
+type StaticBackground = {
+	readonly canvas: HTMLCanvasElement;
+	update(size: BackgroundSize, obstacles: Obstacle[], dark: boolean): void;
+	destroy(): void;
+};
+type PointerCommand = Extract<BackgroundCommand, { type: 'pointer' }>;
 
 export class BackgroundController {
-	private readonly fluid = new FluidField();
-	private readonly scene = new SolidScene();
-	private readonly renderer;
-	private readonly softwareFallback: boolean;
-	private performanceFallback = false;
-	private sampledFrames = 0;
-	private sampledCpuTime = 0;
-	private sampleWindowStart = 0;
-	private initialCheckComplete = false;
-
-	private get still(): boolean {
-		return this.softwareFallback || this.performanceFallback || this.reducedMotion.matches;
-	}
 	private readonly listeners = new AbortController();
 	private readonly observer: ResizeObserver;
 	private readonly contentObserver: ResizeObserver;
 	private readonly mutations: MutationObserver;
-	private protectedElements: Element[] = [];
 	private readonly darkMode = window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)');
 	private readonly reducedMotion = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)');
-	private staticComposition = false;
-	private obstacles: Obstacle[] | null = null;
-	private animation = 0;
-	private lastTime = 0;
-	private time = 0;
-	private cssWidth = 0;
-	private cssHeight = 0;
-	private dpr = 1;
+	private environment: BackgroundEnvironment = {
+		dark: this.darkMode.matches,
+		reduced: this.reducedMotion.matches,
+		visible: !document.hidden
+	};
+	private protectedElements: Element[] = [];
+	private obstacles: Obstacle[] = [];
+	private size: BackgroundSize = { width: 0, height: 0, dpr: 1 };
+	private grid = { width: 0, height: 0 };
+	private worker: Worker | null = null;
+	private bitmapContext: ImageBitmapRenderingContext | null = null;
+	private drawingContext: CanvasRenderingContext2D | null = null;
+	private bitmap: ImageBitmap | null = null;
+	private fallback: StaticBackground | null = null;
+	private fallbackRequested = false;
+	private fallbackTask: number | null = null;
+	private fallbackTaskIsIdle = false;
+	private workerInteractive = false;
+	private interactive = false;
+	private cursor: 'default' | 'grab' | 'grabbing' = 'default';
 	private pointerId: number | null = null;
 	private pointerX = 0;
 	private pointerY = 0;
-	private previousX = 0;
-	private previousY = 0;
-	private hasPrevious = false;
+	private pendingMove: PointerCommand | null = null;
+	private moveAnimation = 0;
+	private initialCheckComplete = false;
 	private disposed = false;
 
 	constructor(
-		private readonly canvas: HTMLCanvasElement,
+		private canvas: HTMLCanvasElement,
 		private readonly frame: HTMLElement,
 		private readonly onPerformanceReady: () => void
 	) {
-		const result = createRenderer(canvas);
-		this.renderer = result.renderer;
-		this.softwareFallback = !result.animated;
-		canvas = this.canvas = result.canvas;
-		if (this.softwareFallback) {
-			canvas.style.pointerEvents = 'none';
-			canvas.style.touchAction = 'auto';
-		}
+		this.updateInteractivity();
 		this.observer = new ResizeObserver(this.resize);
 		this.observer.observe(frame);
 		this.contentObserver = new ResizeObserver(this.measureObstacles);
@@ -74,9 +71,9 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 		canvas.addEventListener('lostpointercapture', this.endDrag, options);
 		canvas.addEventListener('pointerleave', this.pointerLeave, options);
 		window.addEventListener('resize', this.resize, options);
-		document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', this.syncPlayback, options);
-		this.reducedMotion.addEventListener('change', this.syncPlayback, options);
-		this.darkMode.addEventListener('change', this.draw, options);
+		document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', this.syncEnvironment, options);
+		this.reducedMotion.addEventListener('change', this.syncEnvironment, options);
+		this.darkMode.addEventListener('change', this.syncEnvironment, options);
 		const content = frame.parentElement;
 		if (content) {
 			this.mutations.observe(content, { childList: true, subtree: true, characterData: true });
@@ -92,7 +89,198 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 			if (!this.disposed) this.measureObstacles();
 		});
 		this.resize();
-		this.syncPlayback();
+		this.startWorker();
+	}
+
+	private startWorker(): void {
+		if (typeof Worker === 'undefined' || typeof OffscreenCanvas === 'undefined') {
+			this.useStaticBackground();
+			return;
+		}
+		try {
+			this.bitmapContext = this.canvas.getContext('bitmaprenderer');
+		} catch {
+			this.bitmapContext = null;
+		}
+		if (!this.bitmapContext) {
+			try {
+				this.drawingContext = this.canvas.getContext('2d');
+			} catch {
+				this.drawingContext = null;
+			}
+		}
+		if (!this.bitmapContext && !this.drawingContext) {
+			this.useStaticBackground();
+			return;
+		}
+		try {
+			const worker = new Worker(new URL('./worker.ts', import.meta.url), { type: 'module' });
+			this.worker = worker;
+			worker.onmessage = (event: MessageEvent<BackgroundEvent>) => this.receive(worker, event.data);
+			worker.onerror = (event) => {
+				event.preventDefault();
+				if (this.worker === worker) this.useStaticBackground();
+			};
+			worker.onmessageerror = () => {
+				if (this.worker === worker) this.useStaticBackground();
+			};
+			this.post({
+				type: 'initialize',
+				size: this.size,
+				environment: this.environment,
+				obstacles: this.obstacles
+			});
+		} catch {
+			this.useStaticBackground();
+		}
+	}
+
+	private post(command: BackgroundCommand): void {
+		if (this.disposed || !this.worker) return;
+		try {
+			this.worker.postMessage(command);
+		} catch {
+			this.useStaticBackground();
+		}
+	}
+
+	private receive(worker: Worker, message: BackgroundEvent): void {
+		if (this.disposed || worker !== this.worker) {
+			this.discardBitmap(message);
+			return;
+		}
+		if (!message || typeof message !== 'object') {
+			this.useStaticBackground();
+			return;
+		}
+		switch (message.type) {
+			case 'frame': {
+				if (typeof ImageBitmap === 'undefined' || !(message.bitmap instanceof ImageBitmap)) {
+					this.useStaticBackground();
+					return;
+				}
+				const bitmap = (this.bitmap = message.bitmap);
+				let failed = false;
+				try {
+					if (Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2) !== this.size.dpr) this.resize();
+					if (
+						this.worker === worker &&
+						bitmap.width === this.canvas.width &&
+						bitmap.height === this.canvas.height
+					) {
+						if (this.bitmapContext) this.bitmapContext.transferFromImageBitmap(bitmap);
+						else if (this.drawingContext) {
+							this.drawingContext.imageSmoothingEnabled = false;
+							this.drawingContext.clearRect(0, 0, this.canvas.width, this.canvas.height);
+							this.drawingContext.drawImage(bitmap, 0, 0);
+						}
+					}
+				} catch {
+					failed = true;
+				} finally {
+					bitmap.close();
+					this.bitmap = null;
+					if (this.worker === worker) this.post({ type: 'frame-consumed' });
+				}
+				if (failed) this.useStaticBackground();
+				return;
+			}
+			case 'ready':
+				this.finishInitialCheck();
+				return;
+			case 'state':
+				if (
+					typeof message.interactive !== 'boolean' ||
+					(message.cursor !== 'default' &&
+						message.cursor !== 'grab' &&
+						message.cursor !== 'grabbing')
+				) {
+					this.useStaticBackground();
+					return;
+				}
+				this.workerInteractive = message.interactive;
+				this.cursor = message.cursor;
+				this.updateInteractivity();
+				return;
+			case 'error':
+				this.useStaticBackground();
+				return;
+			default:
+				this.discardBitmap(message);
+				this.useStaticBackground();
+		}
+	}
+
+	private discardBitmap(message: unknown): void {
+		if (!message || typeof message !== 'object' || !('bitmap' in message)) return;
+		if (typeof ImageBitmap !== 'undefined' && message.bitmap instanceof ImageBitmap) {
+			message.bitmap.close();
+		}
+	}
+
+	private stopWorker(): void {
+		const worker = this.worker;
+		this.worker = null;
+		if (!worker) return;
+		worker.onmessage = null;
+		worker.onerror = null;
+		worker.onmessageerror = null;
+		try {
+			worker.postMessage({ type: 'destroy' } satisfies BackgroundCommand);
+		} catch {
+			// Termination also releases resources if the worker is already unavailable.
+		}
+		worker.terminate();
+	}
+
+	private scheduleStaticSetup(setup: () => void): void {
+		const run = () => {
+			this.fallbackTask = null;
+			if (!this.disposed) setup();
+		};
+		this.fallbackTaskIsIdle = typeof window.requestIdleCallback === 'function';
+		this.fallbackTask = this.fallbackTaskIsIdle
+			? window.requestIdleCallback(run, { timeout: 1000 })
+			: window.setTimeout(run, 0);
+	}
+
+	private useStaticBackground(): void {
+		if (this.disposed || this.fallbackRequested) return;
+		this.fallbackRequested = true;
+		this.endDrag();
+		this.stopWorker();
+		this.workerInteractive = false;
+		this.bitmap?.close();
+		this.bitmap = null;
+		this.bitmapContext = null;
+		this.drawingContext = null;
+		const canvas = this.canvas.cloneNode(false) as HTMLCanvasElement;
+		this.canvas.replaceWith(canvas);
+		this.canvas = canvas;
+		this.updateInteractivity();
+		this.scheduleStaticSetup(() => {
+			void import('./static.ts')
+				.then(({ createStaticBackground }) => {
+					if (this.disposed) return;
+					this.scheduleStaticSetup(() => {
+						let background: StaticBackground | null = null;
+						try {
+							background = createStaticBackground(this.canvas);
+							this.canvas = background.canvas;
+							this.updateInteractivity();
+							background.update(this.size, this.obstacles, this.darkMode.matches);
+							this.fallback = background;
+							this.finishInitialCheck();
+						} catch (error) {
+							background?.destroy();
+							console.warn('Could not initialize the static background', error);
+						}
+					});
+				})
+				.catch((error: unknown) => {
+					if (!this.disposed) console.warn('Could not load the static background', error);
+				});
+		});
 	}
 
 	private resize = () => {
@@ -101,39 +289,16 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 		const width = Math.max(1, Math.round(bounds.width));
 		const height = Math.max(1, Math.round(bounds.height));
 		const dpr = Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2);
-		if (width === this.cssWidth && height === this.cssHeight && dpr === this.dpr) return;
-		this.resetPerformanceSampling();
-		this.cssWidth = width;
-		this.cssHeight = height;
-		this.dpr = dpr;
+		if (width === this.size.width && height === this.size.height && dpr === this.size.dpr) return;
+		this.endDrag();
+		this.size = { width, height, dpr };
 		this.canvas.width = Math.round(width * dpr);
 		this.canvas.height = Math.round(height * dpr);
-		this.endDrag();
-
 		// Higher-resolution pixels retain crisp, non-AA edges on the smaller models.
-		const simulationScale = 320 / Math.max(width, height);
-		const simulationWidth = Math.max(3, Math.round(width * simulationScale));
-		const simulationHeight = Math.max(3, Math.round(height * simulationScale));
-		const resetStatic = this.still && !this.staticComposition;
-		if (this.still) this.time = 0;
-		this.staticComposition = this.still;
-		if (
-			resetStatic ||
-			simulationWidth !== this.fluid.width ||
-			simulationHeight !== this.fluid.height
-		) {
-			this.fluid.resize(simulationWidth, simulationHeight, this.time);
-			this.scene.resize(simulationWidth, simulationHeight, this.time);
-		}
-		this.obstacles = null;
-		this.renderer.resize(simulationWidth, simulationHeight);
-		this.measureObstacles();
-	};
-
-	private draw = () => {
-		if (!this.disposed) {
-			this.renderer.render(this.fluid, this.scene, this.time, this.dpr, this.darkMode.matches);
-		}
+		this.grid = simulationSize(this.size);
+		this.obstacles = this.collectObstacles();
+		this.post({ type: 'resize', size: this.size, obstacles: this.obstacles });
+		this.fallback?.update(this.size, this.obstacles, this.darkMode.matches);
 	};
 
 	private observeContent = () => {
@@ -148,15 +313,15 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 		}
 		this.measureObstacles();
 	};
-	private measureObstacles = () => {
-		if (this.disposed || !this.fluid.width || !this.fluid.height) return;
-		const content = this.frame.parentElement;
-		if (!content) return;
+
+	private collectObstacles(): Obstacle[] {
+		if (!this.grid.width || !this.grid.height || !this.frame.parentElement) return [];
 		const frame = this.frame.getBoundingClientRect();
 		const obstacles: Obstacle[] = [];
-		const cellScale = Math.min(frame.width / this.fluid.width, frame.height / this.fluid.height);
-		const offsetX = (frame.width - this.fluid.width * cellScale) / 2;
-		const offsetY = (frame.height - this.fluid.height * cellScale) / 2;
+		const cellScale = Math.min(frame.width / this.grid.width, frame.height / this.grid.height);
+		if (!cellScale) return obstacles;
+		const offsetX = (frame.width - this.grid.width * cellScale) / 2;
+		const offsetY = (frame.height - this.grid.height * cellScale) / 2;
 		const clearance = 8;
 		for (const element of this.protectedElements) {
 			if (element.parentElement?.closest(PROTECTED_CONTENT)) continue;
@@ -177,21 +342,26 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 			obstacles.push({
 				minX: Math.max(0, (rect.left - frame.left - clearance - offsetX) / cellScale),
 				maxX: Math.min(
-					this.fluid.width,
+					this.grid.width,
 					(rect.right - frame.left + clearance - offsetX) / cellScale
 				),
 				minY: Math.max(0, (frame.bottom - rect.bottom - clearance - offsetY) / cellScale),
 				maxY: Math.min(
-					this.fluid.height,
+					this.grid.height,
 					(frame.bottom - rect.top + clearance - offsetY) / cellScale
 				)
 			});
 		}
+		return obstacles;
+	}
+
+	private measureObstacles = () => {
+		if (this.disposed || !this.grid.width || !this.grid.height) return;
+		const obstacles = this.collectObstacles();
 		if (
-			this.still &&
-			this.obstacles?.length === obstacles.length &&
+			this.obstacles.length === obstacles.length &&
 			obstacles.every((obstacle, i) => {
-				const previous = this.obstacles![i];
+				const previous = this.obstacles[i];
 				return (
 					obstacle.minX === previous.minX &&
 					obstacle.maxX === previous.maxX &&
@@ -202,163 +372,145 @@ export class BackgroundController {
 		)
 			return;
 		this.obstacles = obstacles;
-		this.scene.setObstacles(obstacles);
-		if (this.still) this.scene.renderPreset();
-		else this.scene.update(0, this.time);
-		this.draw();
+		this.post({ type: 'obstacles', obstacles });
+		this.fallback?.update(this.size, obstacles, this.darkMode.matches);
 	};
 
-	private resetPerformanceSampling(): void {
-		this.sampledFrames = 0;
-		this.sampledCpuTime = 0;
-		this.sampleWindowStart = performance.now() + PERFORMANCE_WARMUP_MS;
-	}
-
 	private finishInitialCheck(): void {
-		if (this.initialCheckComplete) return;
+		if (this.disposed || this.initialCheckComplete) return;
 		this.initialCheckComplete = true;
 		this.onPerformanceReady();
 	}
 
-	private syncPlayback = () => {
-		cancelAnimationFrame(this.animation);
-		this.animation = 0;
-		this.lastTime = 0;
-		this.resetPerformanceSampling();
+	private updateInteractivity(): void {
+		const interactive =
+			!this.disposed &&
+			this.worker !== null &&
+			this.workerInteractive &&
+			!this.reducedMotion.matches &&
+			!document.hidden;
+		if (!interactive && this.interactive) this.endDrag();
+		this.interactive = interactive;
+		this.canvas.style.pointerEvents = interactive ? '' : 'none';
+		this.canvas.style.touchAction = interactive ? 'none' : 'auto';
+		this.canvas.style.cursor = interactive ? this.cursor : 'default';
+	}
+
+	private syncEnvironment = () => {
 		if (this.disposed) return;
-		if (this.still) {
-			this.endDrag();
-			if (!this.staticComposition) {
-				this.staticComposition = true;
-				this.time = 0;
-				this.fluid.resize(this.fluid.width, this.fluid.height, this.time);
-				this.scene.renderPreset();
-				this.draw();
-			}
-			this.finishInitialCheck();
-			return;
-		}
-		this.staticComposition = false;
-		if (document.hidden) {
-			this.endDrag();
-			return;
-		}
-		this.animation = requestAnimationFrame(this.tick);
+		const environment: BackgroundEnvironment = {
+			dark: this.darkMode.matches,
+			reduced: this.reducedMotion.matches,
+			visible: !document.hidden
+		};
+		const darkChanged = environment.dark !== this.environment.dark;
+		this.environment = environment;
+		this.updateInteractivity();
+		this.post({ type: 'environment', environment });
+		if (darkChanged) this.fallback?.update(this.size, this.obstacles, environment.dark);
 	};
 
-	private tick = (now: number) => {
-		if (this.disposed) return;
-		if (document.hidden || this.still) {
-			this.syncPlayback();
-			return;
-		}
-		const started = performance.now();
-		if (Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2) !== this.dpr) this.resize();
-		const elapsed = this.lastTime ? Math.min((now - this.lastTime) / 16.6667, 1.7) : 1;
-		this.lastTime = now;
-		this.time += elapsed / 60;
-		this.scene.update(elapsed, this.time);
-		this.fluid.step(elapsed, this.time, this.scene);
-		this.draw();
-		const cpuTime = performance.now() - started;
-		if (started >= this.sampleWindowStart) {
-			this.sampledCpuTime += cpuTime;
-			this.sampledFrames++;
-			if (
-				started - this.sampleWindowStart >= PERFORMANCE_WINDOW_MS &&
-				this.sampledFrames >= PERFORMANCE_MIN_FRAMES
-			) {
-				if (this.sampledCpuTime / this.sampledFrames > FRAME_CPU_BUDGET_MS) {
-					this.performanceFallback = true;
-					this.canvas.style.pointerEvents = 'none';
-					this.canvas.style.touchAction = 'auto';
-					this.syncPlayback();
-					return;
-				}
-				this.sampledFrames = 0;
-				this.sampledCpuTime = 0;
-				this.sampleWindowStart = started;
-				this.finishInitialCheck();
-			}
-		}
-		this.animation = requestAnimationFrame(this.tick);
-	};
-
-	private pointerPosition(event: PointerEvent) {
+	private pointerPosition(event: PointerEvent): void {
 		const bounds = this.canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
-		const cellScale = Math.min(bounds.width / this.fluid.width, bounds.height / this.fluid.height);
-		const offsetX = (bounds.width - this.fluid.width * cellScale) / 2;
-		const offsetY = (bounds.height - this.fluid.height * cellScale) / 2;
-		this.pointerX = clamp((event.clientX - bounds.left - offsetX) / cellScale, 0, this.fluid.width);
+		const cellScale = Math.min(bounds.width / this.grid.width, bounds.height / this.grid.height);
+		const offsetX = (bounds.width - this.grid.width * cellScale) / 2;
+		const offsetY = (bounds.height - this.grid.height * cellScale) / 2;
+		this.pointerX = clamp((event.clientX - bounds.left - offsetX) / cellScale, 0, this.grid.width);
 		this.pointerY = clamp(
 			(bounds.bottom - event.clientY - offsetY) / cellScale,
 			0,
-			this.fluid.height
+			this.grid.height
 		);
 	}
 
-	private interact(event: PointerEvent) {
-		const x = clamp(this.pointerX, 1, this.fluid.width - 2);
-		const y = clamp(this.pointerY, 1, this.fluid.height - 2);
-		if (this.hasPrevious) {
-			this.fluid.interact(x, y, x - this.previousX, y - this.previousY, event.buttons !== 0);
-		}
-		this.previousX = x;
-		this.previousY = y;
-		this.hasPrevious = true;
-	}
+	private flushPointerMove = () => {
+		if (this.moveAnimation) cancelAnimationFrame(this.moveAnimation);
+		this.moveAnimation = 0;
+		const command = this.pendingMove;
+		this.pendingMove = null;
+		if (command) this.post(command);
+	};
 
 	private pointerMove = (event: PointerEvent) => {
-		if (this.still) return;
-		if (this.scene.drag.body) {
-			if (event.pointerId === this.pointerId) {
-				this.pointerPosition(event);
-				this.scene.moveDrag(this.pointerX, this.pointerY);
-			}
+		if (!this.interactive || (this.pointerId !== null && event.pointerId !== this.pointerId))
 			return;
-		}
 		this.pointerPosition(event);
-		this.canvas.style.cursor = this.scene.pickBody(this.pointerX, this.pointerY)
-			? 'grab'
-			: 'default';
-		this.interact(event);
+		this.pendingMove = {
+			type: 'pointer',
+			action: 'move',
+			x: this.pointerX,
+			y: this.pointerY,
+			pressed: event.buttons !== 0
+		};
+		if (!this.moveAnimation) this.moveAnimation = requestAnimationFrame(this.flushPointerMove);
 	};
 
 	private pointerDown = (event: PointerEvent) => {
-		if (this.still || !event.isPrimary || event.button !== 0 || this.pointerId !== null) return;
+		if (!this.interactive || !event.isPrimary || event.button !== 0 || this.pointerId !== null)
+			return;
+		this.flushPointerMove();
 		this.pointerPosition(event);
 		this.pointerId = event.pointerId;
 		this.canvas.setPointerCapture(event.pointerId);
-		this.hasPrevious = false;
-		if (this.scene.beginDrag(this.pointerX, this.pointerY)) {
-			this.canvas.style.cursor = 'grabbing';
-		} else {
-			this.interact(event);
-		}
+		this.post({
+			type: 'pointer',
+			action: 'down',
+			x: this.pointerX,
+			y: this.pointerY,
+			pressed: event.buttons !== 0
+		});
 	};
 
 	private endDrag = (event?: PointerEvent) => {
 		if (event && this.pointerId !== null && event.pointerId !== this.pointerId) return;
+		this.flushPointerMove();
 		const id = this.pointerId;
 		this.pointerId = null;
-		this.scene.endDrag();
-		this.hasPrevious = false;
+		if (id !== null) {
+			this.post({
+				type: 'pointer',
+				action: 'up',
+				x: this.pointerX,
+				y: this.pointerY,
+				pressed: false
+			});
+		}
+		this.cursor = 'default';
 		this.canvas.style.cursor = 'default';
 		if (id !== null && this.canvas.hasPointerCapture(id)) this.canvas.releasePointerCapture(id);
 	};
 
-	private pointerLeave = () => {
-		if (!this.scene.drag.body) this.hasPrevious = false;
+	private pointerLeave = (event: PointerEvent) => {
+		if (!this.interactive) return;
+		this.flushPointerMove();
+		this.post({
+			type: 'pointer',
+			action: 'leave',
+			x: this.pointerX,
+			y: this.pointerY,
+			pressed: event.buttons !== 0
+		});
 	};
 
-	destroy() {
+	destroy(): void {
+		if (this.disposed) return;
 		this.disposed = true;
-		cancelAnimationFrame(this.animation);
 		this.listeners.abort();
 		this.observer.disconnect();
 		this.contentObserver.disconnect();
 		this.mutations.disconnect();
 		this.endDrag();
-		this.renderer.destroy();
+		this.stopWorker();
+		this.bitmap?.close();
+		this.bitmap = null;
+		if (this.fallbackTask !== null) {
+			if (this.fallbackTaskIsIdle) window.cancelIdleCallback(this.fallbackTask);
+			else window.clearTimeout(this.fallbackTask);
+			this.fallbackTask = null;
+		}
+		this.fallback?.destroy();
+		this.fallback = null;
+		this.bitmapContext = null;
+		this.drawingContext = null;
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/background/engine.ts b/src/lib/background/engine.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca58dac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/background/engine.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,421 @@
+import { FluidField } from './fluid.ts';
+import {
+	simulationSize,
+	type BackgroundCommand,
+	type BackgroundEnvironment,
+	type BackgroundEvent,
+	type BackgroundSize
+} from './messages.ts';
+import { createRenderer } from './renderer.ts';
+import { SolidScene } from './scene.ts';
+import type { Obstacle, Renderer } from './types.ts';
+
+const clamp = (value: number, min: number, max: number) => Math.max(min, Math.min(max, value));
+
+const FRAME_INTERVAL_MS = 16.6667;
+const FRAME_CPU_BUDGET_MS = 50;
+const PERFORMANCE_WARMUP_MS = 1000;
+const PERFORMANCE_WINDOW_MS = 2000;
+const PERFORMANCE_MIN_FRAMES = 8;
+
+type Emit = (event: BackgroundEvent, transfer?: Transferable[]) => void;
+type ResizeCommand = Extract<BackgroundCommand, { type: 'resize' }>;
+type PointerCommand = Extract<BackgroundCommand, { type: 'pointer' }>;
+type Cursor = Extract<BackgroundEvent, { type: 'state' }>['cursor'];
+type WorkerTimers = {
+	setTimeout(callback: () => void, delay: number): number;
+	clearTimeout(timer: number): void;
+};
+
+const timers = globalThis as unknown as WorkerTimers;
+
+export class BackgroundEngine {
+	private readonly fluid = new FluidField();
+	private readonly scene = new SolidScene();
+	private canvas: OffscreenCanvas | null = null;
+	private renderer: Renderer | null = null;
+	private size: BackgroundSize = { width: 0, height: 0, dpr: 1 };
+	private environment: BackgroundEnvironment = { dark: false, reduced: false, visible: false };
+	private softwareFallback = false;
+	private performanceFallback = false;
+	private staticComposition = false;
+	private obstacles: Obstacle[] | null = null;
+	private initialized = false;
+	private disposed = false;
+	private timer: number | null = null;
+	private lastTime = 0;
+	private time = 0;
+	private sampledFrames = 0;
+	private sampledCpuTime = 0;
+	private sampleWindowStart = 0;
+	private initialCheckComplete = false;
+	private pendingFrame = false;
+	private pendingResize: ResizeCommand | null = null;
+	private pendingObstacles: Obstacle[] | null = null;
+	private dirty = false;
+	private pointerDown = false;
+	private previousX = 0;
+	private previousY = 0;
+	private hasPrevious = false;
+	private cursor: Cursor = 'default';
+	private sentInteractive: boolean | null = null;
+	private sentCursor: Cursor = 'default';
+
+	constructor(private readonly emit: Emit) {}
+
+	private get still(): boolean {
+		return this.softwareFallback || this.performanceFallback || this.environment.reduced;
+	}
+
+	private get interactive(): boolean {
+		return this.initialized && !this.disposed && !this.still && this.environment.visible;
+	}
+
+	handle(command: BackgroundCommand): void {
+		if (this.disposed) return;
+		try {
+			if (command.type === 'destroy') {
+				this.dispose();
+				return;
+			}
+			if (command.type === 'initialize') {
+				if (this.initialized) throw new Error('Background worker is already initialized');
+				this.initialize(command);
+				return;
+			}
+			if (!this.initialized) throw new Error('Background worker has not been initialized');
+			switch (command.type) {
+				case 'resize':
+					this.endDrag();
+					if (this.pendingFrame) {
+						// Only the latest size and its content geometry matter after presentation.
+						this.pendingResize = command;
+						this.pendingObstacles = null;
+					} else {
+						this.resize(command.size, command.obstacles);
+						this.present();
+						this.schedule();
+					}
+					break;
+				case 'obstacles':
+					if (this.pendingResize) this.pendingResize.obstacles = command.obstacles;
+					else if (this.pendingFrame) this.pendingObstacles = command.obstacles;
+					else {
+						this.updateObstacles(command.obstacles);
+						this.present();
+						this.schedule();
+					}
+					break;
+				case 'environment':
+					this.updateEnvironment(command.environment);
+					break;
+				case 'pointer':
+					this.pointer(command);
+					break;
+				case 'frame-consumed':
+					if (!this.pendingFrame) break;
+					this.pendingFrame = false;
+					if (this.pendingResize) {
+						const resize = this.pendingResize;
+						this.pendingResize = null;
+						this.resize(resize.size, resize.obstacles);
+					} else if (this.pendingObstacles) {
+						const obstacles = this.pendingObstacles;
+						this.pendingObstacles = null;
+						this.updateObstacles(obstacles);
+					}
+					this.present();
+					this.schedule();
+					break;
+				default:
+					throw new Error('Unknown background worker command');
+			}
+		} catch (error) {
+			this.fail(error);
+		}
+	}
+
+	private initialize(command: Extract<BackgroundCommand, { type: 'initialize' }>): void {
+		this.environment = command.environment;
+		const result = createRenderer(new OffscreenCanvas(1, 1));
+		this.canvas = result.canvas;
+		this.renderer = result.renderer;
+		this.softwareFallback = !result.animated;
+		this.initialized = true;
+		this.staticComposition = this.still;
+		this.resize(command.size, command.obstacles);
+		this.syncPlayback();
+	}
+
+	private resize(size: BackgroundSize, obstacles: Obstacle[]): void {
+		if (!this.canvas || !this.renderer) return;
+		const changed =
+			size.width !== this.size.width ||
+			size.height !== this.size.height ||
+			size.dpr !== this.size.dpr;
+		const dimensions = simulationSize(size);
+		const resized =
+			dimensions.width !== this.fluid.width || dimensions.height !== this.fluid.height;
+		if (changed) {
+			this.resetPerformanceSampling();
+			this.size = size;
+			this.canvas.width = Math.max(1, Math.round(size.width * size.dpr));
+			this.canvas.height = Math.max(1, Math.round(size.height * size.dpr));
+			// Higher-resolution pixels retain crisp, non-AA edges on the smaller models.
+			if (resized) {
+				this.fluid.resize(dimensions.width, dimensions.height, this.time);
+				// SolidScene rescales existing positions and velocities without resetting poses.
+				this.scene.resize(dimensions.width, dimensions.height, this.time);
+			}
+			this.renderer.resize(dimensions.width, dimensions.height);
+			this.dirty = true;
+		}
+		const contentChanged = this.setObstacles(obstacles);
+		if (resized || contentChanged) {
+			if (this.still) this.scene.renderPreset();
+			else this.scene.update(0, this.time);
+			this.dirty = true;
+		}
+	}
+
+	private setObstacles(obstacles: Obstacle[]): boolean {
+		if (
+			this.obstacles?.length === obstacles.length &&
+			obstacles.every((obstacle, i) => {
+				const previous = this.obstacles![i];
+				return (
+					obstacle.minX === previous.minX &&
+					obstacle.maxX === previous.maxX &&
+					obstacle.minY === previous.minY &&
+					obstacle.maxY === previous.maxY
+				);
+			})
+		)
+			return false;
+		this.obstacles = obstacles;
+		this.scene.setObstacles(obstacles);
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	private updateObstacles(obstacles: Obstacle[]): void {
+		if (!this.setObstacles(obstacles)) return;
+		if (this.still) this.scene.renderPreset();
+		else this.scene.update(0, this.time);
+		this.dirty = true;
+	}
+
+	private updateEnvironment(environment: BackgroundEnvironment): void {
+		const playbackChanged =
+			environment.reduced !== this.environment.reduced ||
+			environment.visible !== this.environment.visible;
+		if (environment.dark !== this.environment.dark) this.dirty = true;
+		this.environment = environment;
+		if (playbackChanged) this.syncPlayback();
+		else {
+			this.present();
+			this.schedule();
+		}
+	}
+
+	private syncPlayback(): void {
+		this.cancelTimer();
+		this.lastTime = 0;
+		this.resetPerformanceSampling();
+		if (this.still) {
+			this.endDrag();
+			if (!this.staticComposition) {
+				this.staticComposition = true;
+				this.time = 0;
+				this.fluid.resize(this.fluid.width, this.fluid.height, this.time);
+				this.scene.renderPreset();
+				this.dirty = true;
+			}
+		} else {
+			this.staticComposition = false;
+			if (!this.environment.visible) this.endDrag();
+		}
+		this.publishState();
+		this.present();
+		this.schedule();
+	}
+
+	private present(): void {
+		if (
+			this.disposed ||
+			!this.dirty ||
+			this.pendingFrame ||
+			!this.environment.visible ||
+			!this.canvas ||
+			!this.renderer
+		)
+			return;
+		this.cancelTimer();
+		// Transferring a bitmap clears the canvas, so every presentation renders anew.
+		this.renderer.render(this.fluid, this.scene, this.time, this.size.dpr, this.environment.dark);
+		const bitmap = this.canvas.transferToImageBitmap();
+		try {
+			this.pendingFrame = true;
+			this.emit({ type: 'frame', bitmap }, [bitmap]);
+			this.dirty = false;
+		} catch (error) {
+			this.pendingFrame = false;
+			bitmap.close();
+			throw error;
+		}
+		if (this.still) this.finishInitialCheck();
+	}
+
+	private schedule(): void {
+		if (!this.interactive || this.pendingFrame || this.timer !== null) return;
+		const delay = this.lastTime
+			? Math.max(0, FRAME_INTERVAL_MS - (performance.now() - this.lastTime))
+			: 0;
+		this.timer = timers.setTimeout(this.tick, delay);
+	}
+
+	private cancelTimer(): void {
+		if (this.timer === null) return;
+		timers.clearTimeout(this.timer);
+		this.timer = null;
+	}
+
+	private tick = (): void => {
+		this.timer = null;
+		if (!this.interactive || this.pendingFrame) return;
+		try {
+			const started = performance.now();
+			const elapsed = this.lastTime
+				? Math.min((started - this.lastTime) / FRAME_INTERVAL_MS, 1.7)
+				: 1;
+			this.lastTime = started;
+			this.time += elapsed / 60;
+			this.scene.update(elapsed, this.time);
+			this.fluid.step(elapsed, this.time, this.scene);
+			this.dirty = true;
+			this.present();
+			const cpuTime = performance.now() - started;
+			if (started >= this.sampleWindowStart) {
+				this.sampledCpuTime += cpuTime;
+				this.sampledFrames++;
+				if (
+					started - this.sampleWindowStart >= PERFORMANCE_WINDOW_MS &&
+					this.sampledFrames >= PERFORMANCE_MIN_FRAMES
+				) {
+					if (this.sampledCpuTime / this.sampledFrames > FRAME_CPU_BUDGET_MS) {
+						this.performanceFallback = true;
+						this.syncPlayback();
+						return;
+					}
+					this.sampledFrames = 0;
+					this.sampledCpuTime = 0;
+					this.sampleWindowStart = started;
+					this.finishInitialCheck();
+				}
+			}
+			this.schedule();
+		} catch (error) {
+			this.fail(error);
+		}
+	};
+
+	private resetPerformanceSampling(): void {
+		this.sampledFrames = 0;
+		this.sampledCpuTime = 0;
+		this.sampleWindowStart = performance.now() + PERFORMANCE_WARMUP_MS;
+	}
+
+	private finishInitialCheck(): void {
+		if (this.initialCheckComplete || this.dirty) return;
+		this.initialCheckComplete = true;
+		this.emit({ type: 'ready' });
+	}
+
+	private pointer(command: PointerCommand): void {
+		if (!this.interactive || this.pendingResize) return;
+		const x = clamp(command.x, 0, this.fluid.width);
+		const y = clamp(command.y, 0, this.fluid.height);
+		switch (command.action) {
+			case 'move':
+				if (this.scene.drag.body) {
+					this.scene.moveDrag(x, y);
+					return;
+				}
+				this.cursor = this.scene.pickBody(x, y) ? 'grab' : 'default';
+				this.publishState();
+				this.interact(x, y, command.pressed);
+				break;
+			case 'down':
+				if (this.pointerDown) return;
+				this.pointerDown = true;
+				this.hasPrevious = false;
+				if (this.scene.beginDrag(x, y)) this.cursor = 'grabbing';
+				else {
+					this.cursor = 'default';
+					this.interact(x, y, command.pressed);
+				}
+				this.publishState();
+				break;
+			case 'up':
+				this.endDrag();
+				break;
+			case 'leave':
+				if (!this.scene.drag.body) this.hasPrevious = false;
+				break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	private interact(pointerX: number, pointerY: number, pressed: boolean): void {
+		const x = clamp(pointerX, 1, this.fluid.width - 2);
+		const y = clamp(pointerY, 1, this.fluid.height - 2);
+		if (this.hasPrevious)
+			this.fluid.interact(x, y, x - this.previousX, y - this.previousY, pressed);
+		this.previousX = x;
+		this.previousY = y;
+		this.hasPrevious = true;
+	}
+
+	private endDrag(): void {
+		this.pointerDown = false;
+		this.scene.endDrag();
+		this.hasPrevious = false;
+		this.cursor = 'default';
+		this.publishState();
+	}
+
+	private publishState(): void {
+		const interactive = this.interactive;
+		const cursor = interactive ? this.cursor : 'default';
+		if (interactive === this.sentInteractive && cursor === this.sentCursor) return;
+		this.sentInteractive = interactive;
+		this.sentCursor = cursor;
+		this.emit({ type: 'state', interactive, cursor });
+	}
+
+	fail(error: unknown): void {
+		if (this.disposed) return;
+		try {
+			this.dispose();
+		} finally {
+			this.emit({
+				type: 'error',
+				message: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Background worker failed'
+			});
+		}
+	}
+
+	private dispose(): void {
+		this.disposed = true;
+		this.cancelTimer();
+		this.pendingFrame = false;
+		this.pendingResize = null;
+		this.pendingObstacles = null;
+		this.dirty = false;
+		this.endDrag();
+		try {
+			this.renderer?.destroy();
+		} finally {
+			this.renderer = null;
+			this.canvas = null;
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/background/messages.ts b/src/lib/background/messages.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cc4c96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/background/messages.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+import type { Obstacle } from './types.ts';
+
+export type BackgroundSize = { width: number; height: number; dpr: number };
+export type BackgroundEnvironment = { dark: boolean; reduced: boolean; visible: boolean };
+
+export function simulationSize({ width, height }: BackgroundSize): {
+	width: number;
+	height: number;
+} {
+	const scale = 320 / Math.max(width, height);
+	return {
+		width: Math.max(3, Math.round(width * scale)),
+		height: Math.max(3, Math.round(height * scale))
+	};
+}
+
+export type BackgroundCommand =
+	| {
+			type: 'initialize';
+			size: BackgroundSize;
+			environment: BackgroundEnvironment;
+			obstacles: Obstacle[];
+	  }
+	| { type: 'resize'; size: BackgroundSize; obstacles: Obstacle[] }
+	| { type: 'obstacles'; obstacles: Obstacle[] }
+	| { type: 'environment'; environment: BackgroundEnvironment }
+	| {
+			type: 'pointer';
+			action: 'move' | 'down' | 'up' | 'leave';
+			x: number;
+			y: number;
+			pressed: boolean;
+	  }
+	| { type: 'frame-consumed' }
+	| { type: 'destroy' };
+
+export type BackgroundEvent =
+	| { type: 'frame'; bitmap: ImageBitmap }
+	| { type: 'ready' }
+	| { type: 'state'; interactive: boolean; cursor: 'default' | 'grab' | 'grabbing' }
+	| { type: 'error'; message: string };
diff --git a/src/lib/background/renderer.ts b/src/lib/background/renderer.ts
index ccc1ec9..7f59f68 100644
--- a/src/lib/background/renderer.ts
+++ b/src/lib/background/renderer.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,23 @@
 import { FRAGMENT_SHADER, VERTEX_SHADER } from './shaders.ts';
 import { SETTINGS, type Lamp, type Renderer } from './types.ts';
 
+type BackgroundCanvas = HTMLCanvasElement | OffscreenCanvas;
+
+export function createRenderer(canvas: OffscreenCanvas): {
+	canvas: OffscreenCanvas;
+	renderer: Renderer;
+	animated: boolean;
+};
+
 export function createRenderer(canvas: HTMLCanvasElement): {
 	canvas: HTMLCanvasElement;
 	renderer: Renderer;
 	animated: boolean;
+};
+export function createRenderer(canvas: BackgroundCanvas): {
+	canvas: BackgroundCanvas;
+	renderer: Renderer;
+	animated: boolean;
 } {
 	try {
 		const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl2', {
@@ -14,16 +27,22 @@ export function createRenderer(canvas: HTMLCanvasElement): {
 			depth: false,
 			stencil: false,
 			preserveDrawingBuffer: true
-		});
+		}) as WebGL2RenderingContext | null;
 		if (gl) return { canvas, renderer: createWebGLRenderer(canvas, gl), animated: true };
 	} catch {
 		// A failed WebGL canvas needs replacing before it can acquire a 2D context
-		const replacement = canvas.cloneNode(false) as HTMLCanvasElement;
-		canvas.replaceWith(replacement);
-		canvas = replacement;
+		if (typeof OffscreenCanvas !== 'undefined' && canvas instanceof OffscreenCanvas) {
+			canvas = new OffscreenCanvas(canvas.width, canvas.height);
+		} else {
+			const source = canvas as HTMLCanvasElement;
+			const replacement = source.cloneNode(false) as HTMLCanvasElement;
+			source.replaceWith(replacement);
+			canvas = replacement;
+		}
 	}
 
-	const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
+	const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d') as
+		CanvasRenderingContext2D | OffscreenCanvasRenderingContext2D | null;
 	if (!ctx) throw new Error('Neither WebGL2 nor Canvas 2D is available for the background');
 	return { canvas, renderer: createCanvasRenderer(canvas, ctx), animated: false };
 }
@@ -44,7 +63,7 @@ function compileShader(gl: WebGL2RenderingContext, type: number, source: string)
 	}
 }
 
-function createWebGLRenderer(canvas: HTMLCanvasElement, gl: WebGL2RenderingContext): Renderer {
+function createWebGLRenderer(canvas: BackgroundCanvas, gl: WebGL2RenderingContext): Renderer {
 	let vertex: WebGLShader | null = null;
 	let fragment: WebGLShader | null = null;
 	let program: WebGLProgram | null = null;
@@ -190,7 +209,10 @@ function hazeAt(x: number, y: number, lamp: Lamp, time: number): number {
 	return (0.12 * Math.exp(-distance2 / 0.5) + 0.04 * Math.exp(-distance2 / 0.04)) * wisps;
 }
 
-function createCanvasRenderer(canvas: HTMLCanvasElement, ctx: CanvasRenderingContext2D): Renderer {
+function createCanvasRenderer(
+	canvas: BackgroundCanvas,
+	ctx: CanvasRenderingContext2D | OffscreenCanvasRenderingContext2D
+): Renderer {
 	let width = 0;
 	let height = 0;
 	let destroyed = false;
diff --git a/src/lib/background/static.ts b/src/lib/background/static.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..418c297
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/background/static.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { FluidField } from './fluid.ts';
+import { simulationSize, type BackgroundSize } from './messages.ts';
+import { createRenderer } from './renderer.ts';
+import { SolidScene } from './scene.ts';
+import type { Obstacle } from './types.ts';
+
+export function createStaticBackground(canvas: HTMLCanvasElement) {
+	const result = createRenderer(canvas);
+	const fluid = new FluidField();
+	const scene = new SolidScene();
+	let pixelWidth = 0;
+	let pixelHeight = 0;
+
+	return {
+		canvas: result.canvas,
+		update(size: BackgroundSize, obstacles: Obstacle[], dark: boolean): void {
+			const nextWidth = Math.round(size.width * size.dpr);
+			const nextHeight = Math.round(size.height * size.dpr);
+			if (pixelWidth !== nextWidth || pixelHeight !== nextHeight) {
+				pixelWidth = nextWidth;
+				pixelHeight = nextHeight;
+				result.canvas.width = pixelWidth;
+				result.canvas.height = pixelHeight;
+			}
+			const grid = simulationSize(size);
+			if (grid.width !== fluid.width || grid.height !== fluid.height) {
+				fluid.resize(grid.width, grid.height, 0);
+				scene.resize(grid.width, grid.height, 0);
+			}
+			scene.setObstacles(obstacles);
+			scene.renderPreset();
+			result.renderer.resize(grid.width, grid.height);
+			result.renderer.render(fluid, scene, 0, size.dpr, dark);
+		},
+		destroy(): void {
+			result.renderer.destroy();
+		}
+	};
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/background/worker.ts b/src/lib/background/worker.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f09c736
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/background/worker.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import { BackgroundEngine } from './engine.ts';
+import type { BackgroundCommand, BackgroundEvent } from './messages.ts';
+
+type BackgroundWorkerScope = {
+	postMessage(event: BackgroundEvent, transfer: Transferable[]): void;
+	onmessage: ((event: MessageEvent<BackgroundCommand>) => void) | null;
+	onmessageerror: (() => void) | null;
+	close(): void;
+};
+
+// Keep the normal DOM library for the app instead of also loading conflicting worker globals.
+const scope = globalThis as unknown as BackgroundWorkerScope;
+const emit = (event: BackgroundEvent, transfer: Transferable[] = []) =>
+	scope.postMessage(event, transfer);
+let engine: BackgroundEngine | null = null;
+
+scope.onmessage = (event) => {
+	try {
+		engine ??= new BackgroundEngine(emit);
+		engine.handle(event.data);
+		if (event.data?.type === 'destroy') scope.close();
+	} catch (error) {
+		if (engine) engine.fail(error);
+		else {
+			emit({
+				type: 'error',
+				message: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Background worker failed'
+			});
+		}
+		scope.close();
+	}
+};
+
+scope.onmessageerror = () => {
+	const error = new Error('Unable to read a background worker command');
+	if (engine) engine.fail(error);
+	else emit({ type: 'error', message: error.message });
+	scope.close();
+};
diff --git a/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index aba395d..153fc07 100755
--- a/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 	import 'uno.css';
 	import '#lib/style.css';
 	import { page } from '$app/state';
-	import type { Snippet } from 'svelte';
+	import { onMount, type Snippet } from 'svelte';
 	import { MediaQuery } from 'svelte/reactivity';
 	import SceneBackground from '#lib/background/SceneBackground.svelte';
 	import '@unocss/reset/tailwind.css';
@@ -12,10 +12,19 @@
 	let { children }: { children: Snippet } = $props();
 	let readingBlog = $derived(page.url.pathname.startsWith('/blog/'));
 	const mobile = new MediaQuery('(max-width: 720px)', false);
+	let enhanced = $state(false);
+
+	onMount(() => {
+		enhanced = true;
+	});
 </script>
 
-<main class="site-shell dark:bg-black bg-gray-300 overflow-hidden" class:blog-reading={readingBlog}>
-	{#if !readingBlog || !mobile.current}
+<main
+	class="site-shell dark:bg-black bg-gray-300 overflow-hidden"
+	class:blog-reading={readingBlog}
+	class:enhanced
+>
+	{#if enhanced && (!readingBlog || !mobile.current)}
 		<SceneBackground reading={readingBlog} />
 	{/if}
 	<div class="site-content">
@@ -30,6 +39,10 @@
 		min-height: 100vh;
 	}
 
+	.site-shell:not(.enhanced) :global(.programmer-reveal) {
+		pointer-events: none;
+	}
+
 	.site-shell:has(
 		:global(.programmer-reveal:is([data-phase='swapping'], [data-phase='isolated']))
 	) {
@@ -58,11 +71,11 @@
 	}
 
 	@media (min-width: 721px) and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
-		.site-content {
+		.enhanced .site-content {
 			transition: padding-inline-end 650ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
 		}
 
-		.blog-reading .site-content {
+		.enhanced.blog-reading .site-content {
 			animation: reading-enter 850ms ease both;
 		}
 
@@ -79,8 +92,14 @@
 		}
 	}
 
+	@media (min-width: 721px) {
+		.enhanced.blog-reading {
+			--scene-rail-width: max(12rem, 23vw, calc(100vw - 72rem));
+		}
+	}
+
 	.blog-reading {
-		--scene-rail-width: max(12rem, 23vw, calc(100vw - 72rem));
+		--scene-rail-width: 0px;
 	}
 
 	.blog-reading .site-content {