crates/console/prometeu-drivers/src/asset.rs

@@ -1212,7 +1212,7 @@ impl AssetManager {
             &buffer[packed_pixel_bytes..packed_pixel_bytes + GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_BYTES_V1];
 
         let mut palettes =
-            [[Color::BLACK; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]; GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1];
+            vec![[Color::BLACK; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]; GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1];
         for (p, pal) in palettes.iter_mut().enumerate() {
             for (c, slot) in pal.iter_mut().enumerate() {
                 let offset = (p * 16 + c) * 4;
@@ -1247,7 +1247,7 @@ impl AssetManager {
             .map_err(|_| "Buffer too small for GLYPHBANK".to_string())?;
 
         let mut palettes =
-            [[Color::BLACK; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]; GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1];
+            vec![[Color::BLACK; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]; GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1];
         for (p, pal) in palettes.iter_mut().enumerate() {
             for (c, slot) in pal.iter_mut().enumerate() {
                 let offset = (p * 16 + c) * 4;

crates/console/prometeu-drivers/src/frame_composer.rs

@@ -557,8 +557,9 @@ mod tests {
 
     fn make_glyph_bank(tile_size: TileSize, palette_id: u8, color: Color) -> GlyphBank {
         let size = tile_size as usize;
-        let mut bank = GlyphBank::new(tile_size, size, size);
+        let mut bank =
-        bank.palettes[palette_id as usize][1] = color;
+            GlyphBank::with_palette_count(tile_size, size, size, palette_id as usize + 1);
+        bank.palette_mut(palette_id).unwrap()[1] = color;
         for pixel in &mut bank.pixel_indices {
             *pixel = 1;
         }

crates/console/prometeu-drivers/src/gfx.rs

@@ -812,7 +812,10 @@ impl Gfx {
                 let fetch_x = if tile.entry.flip_x() { size - 1 - local_x } else { local_x };
                 let fetch_y = if tile.entry.flip_y() { size - 1 - local_y } else { local_y };
                 let px_index = tile.bank.get_pixel_index(tile.entry.glyph_id, fetch_x, fetch_y);
-                let color = tile.bank.resolve_color(tile.entry.palette_id, px_index);
+                let color = tile
+                    .bank
+                    .resolve_color(tile.entry.palette_id, px_index)
+                    .unwrap_or(Color::TRANSPARENT);
                 if color.alpha() == 0 {
                     continue;
                 }
@@ -862,7 +865,9 @@ impl Gfx {
                 let fetch_y = if sprite.flip_y { size - 1 - local_y } else { local_y };
 
                 let px_index = bank.get_pixel_index(sprite.glyph.glyph_id, fetch_x, fetch_y);
-                let color = bank.resolve_color(sprite.glyph.palette_id, px_index);
+                let color = bank
+                    .resolve_color(sprite.glyph.palette_id, px_index)
+                    .unwrap_or(Color::TRANSPARENT);
                 if color.alpha() == 0 {
                     continue;
                 }
@@ -1010,9 +1015,14 @@ mod tests {
 
     fn make_glyph_bank(tile_size: TileSize, palette_colors: &[(u8, u8, Color)]) -> GlyphBank {
         let size = tile_size as usize;
-        let mut bank = GlyphBank::new(tile_size, size, size);
+        let palette_count = palette_colors
+            .iter()
+            .map(|(palette_id, _, _)| *palette_id as usize + 1)
+            .max()
+            .unwrap_or(1);
+        let mut bank = GlyphBank::with_palette_count(tile_size, size, size, palette_count);
         for (palette_id, color_index, color) in palette_colors {
-            bank.palettes[*palette_id as usize][*color_index as usize] = *color;
+            bank.palette_mut(*palette_id).unwrap()[*color_index as usize] = *color;
         }
         bank
     }

crates/console/prometeu-drivers/src/hardware.rs

@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     fn make_glyph_bank() -> GlyphBank {
         let mut bank = GlyphBank::new(TileSize::Size8, 8, 8);
-        bank.palettes[0][1] = Color::RED;
+        bank.palette_mut(0).unwrap()[1] = Color::RED;
         for pixel in &mut bank.pixel_indices {
             *pixel = 1;
         }

crates/console/prometeu-drivers/src/memory_banks.rs

@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     fn make_glyph_bank() -> GlyphBank {
         let mut bank = GlyphBank::new(TileSize::Size8, 8, 8);
-        bank.palettes[0][1] = Color::WHITE;
+        bank.palette_mut(0).unwrap()[1] = Color::WHITE;
         bank
     }
 

crates/console/prometeu-hal/src/cartridge_loader.rs

@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::asset::{AssetCodec, AssetEntry, BankType, PreloadEntry};
     use crate::cartridge::{ASSETS_PA_MAGIC, ASSETS_PA_SCHEMA_VERSION, AssetsPackPrelude};
-    use crate::glyph_bank::GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1;
+    use crate::glyph_bank::GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1;
     use serde_json::json;
     use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
     use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
@@ -369,14 +369,14 @@ mod tests {
             bank_type: BankType::GLYPH,
             offset,
             size,
-            decoded_size: 16 * 16 + (GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 as u64 * 16 * 4),
+            decoded_size: 16 * 16 + (GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 as u64 * 16 * 4),
             codec: AssetCodec::None,
             metadata: json!({
                 "tile_size": 16,
                 "width": 16,
                 "height": 16,
-                "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
+                "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
-                "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
+                "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
             }),
         }
     }
@@ -452,14 +452,14 @@ mod tests {
                 bank_type: BankType::GLYPH,
                 offset: 4,
                 size: 4,
-                decoded_size: 16 * 16 + (GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 as u64 * 16 * 4),
+                decoded_size: 16 * 16 + (GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 as u64 * 16 * 4),
                 codec: AssetCodec::None,
                 metadata: json!({
                     "tile_size": 16,
                     "width": 16,
                     "height": 16,
-                    "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
+                    "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
-                    "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
+                    "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
                 }),
             },
         ];
@@ -519,8 +519,8 @@ mod tests {
                     "tile_size": 16,
                     "width": 16,
                     "height": 16,
-                    "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
+                    "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
-                    "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
+                    "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
                 }
             }],
             "preload": []
@@ -561,8 +561,8 @@ mod tests {
                     "tile_size": 16,
                     "width": 16,
                     "height": 16,
-                    "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
+                    "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
-                    "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
+                    "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
                 }
             }],
             "preload": []

crates/console/prometeu-hal/src/glyph_bank.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::color::Color;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-pub const GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1: usize = 64;
+pub const GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1: usize = 64;
 pub const GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE: usize = 16;
 
 /// Standard sizes for square tiles.
@@ -35,22 +35,59 @@ pub struct GlyphBank {
     /// Palette indices are ordinary indices; transparency is resolved through
     /// the RGBA alpha channel of the palette entry.
     pub pixel_indices: Vec<u8>,
-    /// Runtime-facing v1 palette table: 64 palettes of 16 RGBA8888 colors each.
+    /// Runtime-facing v1 palette table.
-    pub palettes: [[Color; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]; GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1],
+    ///
+    /// Palette identity is the direct index in this vector. A resident glyph
+    /// bank carries exactly the palettes materialized from its payload.
+    pub palettes: Vec<[Color; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]>,
 }
 
 impl GlyphBank {
-    /// Creates an empty glyph bank with the specified dimensions.
+    /// Creates an empty glyph bank with one palette.
     pub fn new(tile_size: TileSize, width: usize, height: usize) -> Self {
+        Self::with_palette_count(tile_size, width, height, 1)
+    }
+
+    /// Creates an empty glyph bank with the specified resident palette count.
+    pub fn with_palette_count(
+        tile_size: TileSize,
+        width: usize,
+        height: usize,
+        palette_count: usize,
+    ) -> Self {
+        assert!(
+            (1..=GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1).contains(&palette_count),
+            "glyph bank palette_count must be in 1..={}",
+            GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
+        );
+
         Self {
             tile_size,
             width,
             height,
             pixel_indices: vec![0; width * height],
-            palettes: [[Color::BLACK; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]; GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1],
+            palettes: vec![[Color::BLACK; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]; palette_count],
         }
     }
 
+    /// Returns the number of resident palettes.
+    pub fn palette_count(&self) -> usize {
+        self.palettes.len()
+    }
+
+    /// Returns true when the palette id is valid for this resident bank.
+    pub fn contains_palette(&self, palette_id: u8) -> bool {
+        (palette_id as usize) < self.palette_count()
+    }
+
+    /// Returns a mutable palette slot when the palette exists.
+    pub fn palette_mut(
+        &mut self,
+        palette_id: u8,
+    ) -> Option<&mut [Color; GLYPH_BANK_COLORS_PER_PALETTE]> {
+        self.palettes.get_mut(palette_id as usize)
+    }
+
     /// Resolves a global tile ID and local pixel coordinates to a palette index.
     /// tile_id: the tile index in the bank
     /// local_x, local_y: the pixel position inside the tile (0 to tile_size-1)
@@ -71,11 +108,48 @@ impl GlyphBank {
     }
 
     /// Maps a 4-bit index to a real RGBA8888 Color using the specified palette.
-    pub fn resolve_color(&self, palette_id: u8, pixel_index: u8) -> Color {
+    pub fn resolve_color(&self, palette_id: u8, pixel_index: u8) -> Option<Color> {
         self.palettes
             .get(palette_id as usize)
             .and_then(|palette| palette.get(pixel_index as usize))
             .copied()
-            .unwrap_or(Color::TRANSPARENT)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn new_glyph_bank_uses_single_resident_palette() {
+        let bank = GlyphBank::new(TileSize::Size8, 8, 8);
+
+        assert_eq!(bank.palette_count(), 1);
+        assert!(bank.contains_palette(0));
+        assert!(!bank.contains_palette(1));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn glyph_bank_can_materialize_v1_max_palette_count() {
+        let bank =
+            GlyphBank::with_palette_count(TileSize::Size8, 8, 8, GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1);
+
+        assert_eq!(bank.palette_count(), GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1);
+        assert!(bank.contains_palette((GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 - 1) as u8));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn invalid_palette_lookup_is_distinct_from_transparent_color() {
+        let mut bank = GlyphBank::new(TileSize::Size8, 8, 8);
+        bank.palette_mut(0).unwrap()[1] = Color::TRANSPARENT;
+
+        assert_eq!(bank.resolve_color(0, 1), Some(Color::TRANSPARENT));
+        assert_eq!(bank.resolve_color(1, 1), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    #[should_panic(expected = "glyph bank palette_count must be in 1..=64")]
+    fn glyph_bank_rejects_zero_resident_palettes() {
+        let _ = GlyphBank::with_palette_count(TileSize::Size8, 8, 8, 0);
     }
 }

crates/console/prometeu-system/src/services/vm_runtime/tests.rs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use prometeu_hal::asset::{
 use prometeu_hal::cartridge::{AssetsPayloadSource, Cartridge};
 use prometeu_hal::color::Color;
 use prometeu_hal::glyph::Glyph;
-use prometeu_hal::glyph_bank::{GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1, GlyphBank, TileSize};
+use prometeu_hal::glyph_bank::{GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1, GlyphBank, TileSize};
 use prometeu_hal::scene_bank::SceneBank;
 use prometeu_hal::scene_layer::{ParallaxFactor, SceneLayer};
 use prometeu_hal::syscalls::caps;
@@ -113,11 +113,12 @@ fn serialized_single_function_module_with_consts(
 }
 
 fn test_glyph_payload_size(width: usize, height: usize) -> usize {
-    (width * height).div_ceil(2) + (GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * std::mem::size_of::<u32>())
+    (width * height).div_ceil(2)
+        + (GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * std::mem::size_of::<u32>())
 }
 
 fn test_glyph_decoded_size(width: usize, height: usize) -> usize {
-    width * height + (GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * std::mem::size_of::<u32>())
+    width * height + (GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * std::mem::size_of::<u32>())
 }
 
 fn test_glyph_asset_entry(asset_name: &str, data_len: usize) -> AssetEntry {
@@ -133,23 +134,26 @@ fn test_glyph_asset_entry(asset_name: &str, data_len: usize) -> AssetEntry {
             "tile_size": 16,
             "width": 16,
             "height": 16,
-            "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
+            "palette_count": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1,
-            "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
+            "palette_authored": GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1
         }),
     }
 }
 
 fn test_glyph_asset_data() -> Vec<u8> {
     let mut data =
-        vec![0x11u8; test_glyph_payload_size(16, 16) - (GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * 4)];
+        vec![
-    data.extend_from_slice(&[0u8; GLYPH_BANK_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * 4]);
+            0x11u8;
+            test_glyph_payload_size(16, 16) - (GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * 4)
+        ];
+    data.extend_from_slice(&[0u8; GLYPH_BANK_MAX_PALETTE_COUNT_V1 * 16 * 4]);
     data
 }
 
 fn runtime_test_glyph_bank(tile_size: TileSize, palette_id: u8, color: Color) -> GlyphBank {
     let size = tile_size as usize;
-    let mut bank = GlyphBank::new(tile_size, size, size);
+    let mut bank = GlyphBank::with_palette_count(tile_size, size, size, palette_id as usize + 1);
-    bank.palettes[palette_id as usize][1] = color;
+    bank.palette_mut(palette_id).unwrap()[1] = color;
     for pixel in &mut bank.pixel_indices {
         *pixel = 1;
     }

discussion/index.ndjson

@@ -44,4 +44,4 @@
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0033","status":"done","ticket":"system-os-service-ownership-and-module-layout","title":"Agenda - SystemOS Service Ownership and Module Layout","created_at":"2026-05-14","updated_at":"2026-05-15","tags":["runtime","os","services","module-layout","vm","window-manager","logging"],"agendas":[],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0042","file":"discussion/lessons/DSC-0033-system-os-service-ownership-and-module-layout/LSN-0042-systemos-service-ownership-boundary.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-05-15","updated_at":"2026-05-15"}]}
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0036","status":"done","ticket":"prometeu-hub-ui-direction","title":"Agenda - Prometeu Hub UI Direction","created_at":"2026-05-15","updated_at":"2026-05-22","tags":["hub","ui","shell","system-apps","lifecycle","design-system"],"agendas":[],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0045","file":"discussion/lessons/DSC-0036-prometeu-hub-ui-direction/LSN-0045-hub-ui-slices-should-prove-os-boundaries.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-05-22","updated_at":"2026-05-22"}]}
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0037","status":"done","ticket":"rgba8888-framebuffer-and-pixel-format-direction","title":"Agenda - RGBA8888 Framebuffer and Pixel Format Direction","created_at":"2026-05-22","updated_at":"2026-05-23","tags":["gfx","framebuffer","rgb565","rgba8888","renderer","assets","host","backend"],"agendas":[],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0046","file":"discussion/lessons/DSC-0037-rgba8888-framebuffer-and-pixel-format-direction/LSN-0046-pixel-format-contracts-must-move-as-one-surface.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-05-23","updated_at":"2026-05-23"}]}
-{"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0046","status":"in_progress","ticket":"runtime-owned-variable-glyph-bank-palette-protocol","title":"Runtime-Owned Variable Glyph Bank Palette Protocol","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","tags":["runtime","gfx","assets","glyph-bank","palette-serialization","protocol"],"agendas":[{"id":"AGD-0049","file":"AGD-0049-runtime-owned-variable-glyph-bank-palette-protocol.md","status":"accepted","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14"}],"decisions":[{"id":"DEC-0041","file":"DEC-0041-variable-glyph-bank-palette-protocol.md","status":"accepted","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_agenda":"AGD-0049"}],"plans":[{"id":"PLN-0167","file":"PLN-0167-spec-contract-update-for-variable-glyph-palettes.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0168","file":"PLN-0168-glyphbank-variable-palette-resident-model.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0169","file":"PLN-0169-asset-decode-validation-for-variable-glyph-palettes.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0170","file":"PLN-0170-composer-palette-reference-failure-semantics.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0171","file":"PLN-0171-variable-glyph-palette-tests-fixtures-and-residue-scan.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0172","file":"PLN-0172-runtime-spec-handoff-to-packer-and-studio.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]}],"lessons":[]}
+{"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0046","status":"in_progress","ticket":"runtime-owned-variable-glyph-bank-palette-protocol","title":"Runtime-Owned Variable Glyph Bank Palette Protocol","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","tags":["runtime","gfx","assets","glyph-bank","palette-serialization","protocol"],"agendas":[{"id":"AGD-0049","file":"AGD-0049-runtime-owned-variable-glyph-bank-palette-protocol.md","status":"accepted","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14"}],"decisions":[{"id":"DEC-0041","file":"DEC-0041-variable-glyph-bank-palette-protocol.md","status":"accepted","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_agenda":"AGD-0049"}],"plans":[{"id":"PLN-0167","file":"PLN-0167-spec-contract-update-for-variable-glyph-palettes.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0168","file":"PLN-0168-glyphbank-variable-palette-resident-model.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0169","file":"PLN-0169-asset-decode-validation-for-variable-glyph-palettes.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0170","file":"PLN-0170-composer-palette-reference-failure-semantics.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0171","file":"PLN-0171-variable-glyph-palette-tests-fixtures-and-residue-scan.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]},{"id":"PLN-0172","file":"PLN-0172-runtime-spec-handoff-to-packer-and-studio.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-07-14","updated_at":"2026-07-14","ref_decisions":["DEC-0041"]}],"lessons":[]}

discussion/workflow/plans/PLN-0168-glyphbank-variable-palette-resident-model.md

@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 id: PLN-0168
 ticket: runtime-owned-variable-glyph-bank-palette-protocol
 title: GlyphBank Variable Palette Resident Model
-status: open
+status: done
+completed: 2026-07-14
 created: 2026-07-14
 ref_decisions: [DEC-0041]
 tags: [runtime, gfx, assets, glyph-bank, hal]