diff --git a/src/nostalgia/core/gba/gfx.cpp b/src/nostalgia/core/gba/gfx.cpp
index ede41c26..78e1351c 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/core/gba/gfx.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/core/gba/gfx.cpp
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ void setBgStatus(Context*, unsigned bg, bool status) noexcept {
 
 // Do NOT rely on Context in the GBA version of this function.
 ox::Error initConsole(Context *ctx) noexcept {
-	constexpr auto TilesheetAddr = "/TileSheets/Charset.ng";
-	constexpr auto PaletteAddr = "/Palettes/Charset.npal";
+	constexpr ox::FileAddress TilesheetAddr("/TileSheets/Charset.ng");
+	constexpr ox::FileAddress PaletteAddr("/Palettes/Charset.npal");
 	setBgStatus(ctx, 0b0001);
 	if (!ctx) {
 		ctx = new (ox_alloca(sizeof(Context))) Context();
@@ -174,14 +174,13 @@ ox::Error loadBgTileSheet(Context *ctx,
 }
 
 ox::Error loadSpriteTileSheet(Context *ctx,
-                              unsigned cbb,
                               const ox::FileAddress &tilesheetAddr,
                               const ox::FileAddress &paletteAddr) noexcept {
 	oxRequire(tsStat, ctx->rom->stat(tilesheetAddr));
 	oxRequire(ts, ctx->rom->directAccess(tilesheetAddr));
 	GbaTileMapTarget target;
-	target.pal.palette = &MEM_SPRITE_PALETTE[cbb];
-	target.tileMap = &reinterpret_cast<uint16_t*>(MEM_SPRITE_TILES)[cbb * 512];
+	target.pal.palette = MEM_SPRITE_PALETTE;
+	target.tileMap = MEM_SPRITE_TILES;
 	oxReturnError(ox::readMC(ts, tsStat.size, &target));
 	// load external palette if available
 	if (paletteAddr) {
@@ -261,7 +260,7 @@ void setSprite(Context*,
                unsigned flipX) noexcept {
 	oxAssert(g_spriteUpdates < config::GbaSpriteBufferLen, "Sprite update buffer overflow");
 	GbaSpriteAttrUpdate oa;
-	oa.attr0 = static_cast<uint16_t>(y & ox::onMask<uint8_t>(7))
+	oa.attr0 = static_cast<uint16_t>(y & ox::onMask<uint8_t>(0b111))
 	         | (static_cast<uint16_t>(1) << 10) // enable alpha
 	         | (static_cast<uint16_t>(spriteShape) << 14);
 	oa.attr1 = (static_cast<uint16_t>(x) & ox::onMask<uint8_t>(8))
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/core/gba/media.cpp b/src/nostalgia/core/gba/media.cpp
index 9b252bfd..4fd0a14d 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/core/gba/media.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/core/gba/media.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,14 @@ ox::Result<char*> loadRom(const char*) noexcept {
 void unloadRom(char*) noexcept {
 }
 
+ox::Result<std::size_t> getPreloadAddr(Context *ctx, ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
+	oxRequire(stat, ctx->rom->stat(path));
+	oxRequire(buff, ctx->rom->directAccess(path));
+	PreloadPtr p;
+	oxReturnError(ox::readMC(buff, stat.size, &p));
+	return p.preloadAddr + ctx->preloadSectionOffset;
+}
+
 ox::Result<std::size_t> getPreloadAddr(Context *ctx, const ox::FileAddress &file) noexcept {
 	oxRequire(stat, ctx->rom->stat(file));
 	oxRequire(buff, ctx->rom->directAccess(file));
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/core/gfx.hpp b/src/nostalgia/core/gfx.hpp
index 8bc1e478..3fd36e35 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/core/gfx.hpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/core/gfx.hpp
@@ -515,7 +515,6 @@ ox::Error loadBgTileSheet(Context *ctx, unsigned cbb, const ox::FileAddress &til
                           const ox::FileAddress &palette = nullptr) noexcept;
 
 ox::Error loadSpriteTileSheet(Context *ctx,
-                              unsigned section,
                               const ox::FileAddress &tilesheetAddr,
                               const ox::FileAddress &paletteAddr) noexcept;
 
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/core/media.hpp b/src/nostalgia/core/media.hpp
index a95cbf5c..523e6bfa 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/core/media.hpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/core/media.hpp
@@ -26,9 +26,10 @@ oxModelBegin(PreloadPtr)
 oxModelEnd()
 
 ox::Result<std::size_t> getPreloadAddr(Context *ctx, const ox::FileAddress &file) noexcept;
+ox::Result<std::size_t> getPreloadAddr(Context *ctx, ox::CRStringView file) noexcept;
 
 template<typename T>
-ox::Result<AssetRef<T>> readObj(Context *ctx, const ox::FileAddress &file,
+ox::Result<AssetRef<T>> readObj([[maybe_unused]] Context *ctx, [[maybe_unused]] ox::CRStringView path,
                                 [[maybe_unused]] bool forceLoad = false) noexcept {
 #ifndef OX_BARE_METAL
 	constexpr auto readConvert = [](const ox::Buffer &buff) -> ox::Result<T> {
@@ -41,21 +42,36 @@ ox::Result<AssetRef<T>> readObj(Context *ctx, const ox::FileAddress &file,
 		}
 		return std::move(obj);
 	};
-	oxRequire(path, file.getPath());
 	if (forceLoad) {
-		oxRequire(buff, ctx->rom->read(file));
+		oxRequire(buff, ctx->rom->read(path));
 		oxRequire(obj, readConvert(buff));
 		oxRequire(cached, ctx->assetManager.setAsset(path, obj));
 		return std::move(cached);
 	} else {
 		auto [cached, err] = ctx->assetManager.getAsset<T>(path);
 		if (err) {
-			oxRequire(buff, ctx->rom->read(file));
+			oxRequire(buff, ctx->rom->read(path));
 			oxRequire(obj, readConvert(buff));
 			oxReturnError(ctx->assetManager.setAsset(path, obj).moveTo(&cached));
 		}
 		return std::move(cached);
 	}
+#else
+	if constexpr(ox::preloadable<T>::value) {
+		oxRequire(addr, getPreloadAddr(ctx, path));
+		return AssetRef<T>(reinterpret_cast<const T*>(addr));
+	} else {
+		return OxError(1);
+	}
+#endif
+}
+
+template<typename T>
+ox::Result<AssetRef<T>> readObj(Context *ctx, const ox::FileAddress &file,
+                                [[maybe_unused]] bool forceLoad = false) noexcept {
+#ifndef OX_BARE_METAL
+	oxRequire(path, file.getPath());
+	return readObj<T>(ctx, ox::StringView(path), forceLoad);
 #else
 	if constexpr(ox::preloadable<T>::value) {
 		oxRequire(addr, getPreloadAddr(ctx, file));
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/core/studio/paletteeditor-imgui.cpp b/src/nostalgia/core/studio/paletteeditor-imgui.cpp
index 3d50b4c3..dbf15833 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/core/studio/paletteeditor-imgui.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/core/studio/paletteeditor-imgui.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ ox::Result<PaletteEditorImGui*> PaletteEditorImGui::make(Context *ctx, const ox:
 	out->m_itemPath = path;
 	const auto lastSlash = std::find(out->m_itemPath.rbegin(), out->m_itemPath.rend(), '/').offset();
 	out->m_itemName = out->m_itemPath.substr(lastSlash + 1);
-	oxRequire(pal, core::readObj<Palette>(out->m_ctx, out->m_itemPath));
+	oxRequire(pal, core::readObj<Palette>(out->m_ctx, ox::FileAddress(out->m_itemPath.c_str())));
 	out->m_pal = *pal;
 	return out.release();
 }
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/core/studio/tilesheeteditormodel.cpp b/src/nostalgia/core/studio/tilesheeteditormodel.cpp
index cd42d185..11a37a88 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/core/studio/tilesheeteditormodel.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/core/studio/tilesheeteditormodel.cpp
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ class PaletteChangeCommand: public TileSheetCommand {
 			m_idx = idx;
 			m_img = img;
 			m_oldPalette = m_img->defaultPalette;
-			m_newPalette = newPalette;
+			m_newPalette = ox::FileAddress(newPalette);
 		}
 
 		void redo() noexcept final {
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ class PaletteChangeCommand: public TileSheetCommand {
 TileSheetEditorModel::TileSheetEditorModel(Context *ctx, ox::String path) {
 	m_ctx = ctx;
 	m_path = std::move(path);
-	oxRequireT(img, readObj<TileSheet>(ctx, m_path.c_str()));
+	oxRequireT(img, readObj<TileSheet>(ctx, m_path));
 	m_img = *img;
 	if (m_img.defaultPalette) {
 		oxThrowError(readObj<Palette>(ctx, m_img.defaultPalette).moveTo(&m_pal));
@@ -709,7 +709,7 @@ ox::Error TileSheetEditorModel::markUpdatedCmdId(const studio::UndoCommand *cmd)
 	m_updated = true;
 	const auto cmdId = cmd->commandId();
 	if (static_cast<CommandId>(cmdId) == CommandId::PaletteChange) {
-		oxReturnError(readObj<Palette>(m_ctx, m_img.defaultPalette.getPath().value).moveTo(&m_pal));
+		oxReturnError(readObj<Palette>(m_ctx, ox::StringView(m_img.defaultPalette.getPath().value)).moveTo(&m_pal));
 	}
 	auto tsCmd = dynamic_cast<const TileSheetCommand*>(cmd);
 	auto idx = m_img.validateSubSheetIdx(tsCmd->subsheetIdx());
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/core/userland/gfx.cpp b/src/nostalgia/core/userland/gfx.cpp
index 84ca2600..ed715a0a 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/core/userland/gfx.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/core/userland/gfx.cpp
@@ -10,20 +10,13 @@
 namespace nostalgia::core {
 
 ox::Error initConsole(Context *ctx) noexcept {
-	constexpr auto TilesheetAddr = "/TileSheets/Charset.ng";
-	constexpr auto PaletteAddr = "/Palettes/Charset.npal";
+	constexpr ox::FileAddress TilesheetAddr("/TileSheets/Charset.ng");
+	constexpr ox::FileAddress PaletteAddr("/Palettes/Charset.npal");
 	setBgStatus(ctx, 0b0001);
 	setBgCbb(ctx, 0, 0);
 	return loadBgTileSheet(ctx, 0, TilesheetAddr, PaletteAddr);
 }
 
-ox::Error loadSpriteTileSheet(Context*,
-                              unsigned,
-                              const ox::FileAddress&,
-                              const ox::FileAddress&) noexcept {
-	return OxError(0);
-}
-
 ox::Error loadBgTileSheet(Context *ctx,
                           unsigned cbb,
                           const ox::FileAddress &tilesheetPath,
@@ -53,6 +46,12 @@ ox::Error loadBgTileSheet(Context *ctx,
 	return OxError(0);
 }
 
+ox::Error loadSpriteTileSheet(Context*,
+                              const ox::FileAddress&,
+                              const ox::FileAddress&) noexcept {
+	return OxError(0);
+}
+
 void puts(Context *ctx, int column, int row, const char *str) noexcept {
 	for (int i = 0; str[i]; ++i) {
 		setTile(ctx, 0, column + i, row, static_cast<uint8_t>(charMap[static_cast<uint8_t>(str[i])]));
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/player/app.cpp b/src/nostalgia/player/app.cpp
index a9965870..3adda211 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/player/app.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/player/app.cpp
@@ -42,15 +42,15 @@ static void keyEventHandler(core::Context *ctx, core::Key key, bool down) noexce
 }
 
 ox::Error run(ox::UniquePtr<ox::FileSystem> fs) noexcept {
+	oxTraceInitHook();
 	oxRequireM(ctx, core::init(std::move(fs)));
-	constexpr auto TileSheetAddr = "/TileSheets/Charset.ng";
-	constexpr auto PaletteAddr = "/Palettes/Charset.npal";
+	constexpr ox::FileAddress TileSheetAddr("/TileSheets/Charset.ng");
+	constexpr ox::FileAddress PaletteAddr("/Palettes/Charset.npal");
 	oxRequire(tsStat, ctx->rom->stat(PaletteAddr));
-	oxReturnError(core::loadSpriteTileSheet(ctx.get(), 0, TileSheetAddr, PaletteAddr));
+	oxReturnError(core::loadSpriteTileSheet(ctx.get(), TileSheetAddr, PaletteAddr));
 	oxReturnError(core::initConsole(ctx.get()));
 	core::puts(ctx.get(), 10, 9, "DOPENESS!!!");
 	core::setUpdateHandler(ctx.get(), updateHandler);
 	core::setKeyEventHandler(ctx.get(), keyEventHandler);
 	return core::run(ctx.get());
-}
-
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.cpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.cpp
index f61a3784..afba887e 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
  * Copyright 2016 - 2022 Gary Talent (gary@drinkingtea.net). All rights reserved.
  */
 
+#include <algorithm>
+
 #include <ox/std/string.hpp>
 
 #include "editor.hpp"
@@ -93,6 +95,11 @@ ox::Error BaseEditor::saveItem() noexcept {
 	return OxError(0);
 }
 
+ox::StringView BaseEditor::pathToItemName(ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
+	const auto lastSlash = std::find(path.rbegin(), path.rend(), '/').offset();
+	return path.substr(lastSlash + 1);
+}
+
 Editor::Editor() noexcept {
 	m_undoStack.changeTriggered.connect(this, &Editor::markUnsavedChanges);
 }
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.hpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.hpp
index b8a9f024..85cb0ea0 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.hpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/editor.hpp
@@ -100,10 +100,7 @@ class NOSTALGIASTUDIO_EXPORT BaseEditor: public Widget {
 			return nullptr;
 		}
 
-		static constexpr auto pathToItemName(ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
-			const auto lastSlash = std::find(path.rbegin(), path.rend(), '/').offset();
-			return path.substr(lastSlash + 1);
-		}
+		static ox::StringView pathToItemName(ox::CRStringView path) noexcept;
 
 	// signals
 	public:
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.cpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.cpp
index f1a8f1e4..5ae887fa 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.cpp
@@ -26,21 +26,21 @@ ox::FileSystem *Project::romFs() noexcept {
 	return m_fs;
 }
 
-ox::Error Project::mkdir(const ox::String &path) const noexcept {
-	oxReturnError(m_fs->mkdir(path.c_str(), true));
+ox::Error Project::mkdir(ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept {
+	oxReturnError(m_fs->mkdir(path, true));
 	fileUpdated.emit(path);
 	return OxError(0);
 }
 
-ox::Result<ox::FileStat> Project::stat(const ox::String &path) const noexcept {
-	return m_fs->stat(path.c_str());
+ox::Result<ox::FileStat> Project::stat(ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept {
+	return m_fs->stat(path);
 }
 
-bool Project::exists(const ox::String &path) const noexcept {
-	return m_fs->stat(path.c_str()).error == 0;
+bool Project::exists(ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept {
+	return m_fs->stat(path).error == 0;
 }
 
-const ox::Vector<ox::String> &Project::fileList(const char *ext) noexcept {
+const ox::Vector<ox::String> &Project::fileList(ox::CRStringView ext) noexcept {
 	return m_fileExtFileMap[ext];
 }
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ void Project::buildFileIndex() noexcept {
 	}
 }
 
-void Project::indexFile(const ox::String &path) noexcept {
+void Project::indexFile(ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
 	const auto [ext, err] = fileExt(path);
 	if (err) {
 		return;
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ void Project::indexFile(const ox::String &path) noexcept {
 	m_fileExtFileMap[ext].emplace_back(path);
 }
 
-ox::Error Project::writeBuff(const ox::String &path, const ox::Buffer &buff) noexcept {
-	const auto newFile = m_fs->stat(path.c_str()).error != 0;
-	oxReturnError(m_fs->write(path.c_str(), buff.data(), buff.size()));
+ox::Error Project::writeBuff(const ox::StringView &path, const ox::Buffer &buff) noexcept {
+	const auto newFile = m_fs->stat(path).error != 0;
+	oxReturnError(m_fs->write(path, buff.data(), buff.size(), ox::FileType::NormalFile));
 	if (newFile) {
 		fileAdded.emit(path);
 		indexFile(path);
@@ -80,17 +80,17 @@ ox::Error Project::writeBuff(const ox::String &path, const ox::Buffer &buff) noe
 }
 
 ox::Result<ox::Buffer> Project::loadBuff(const ox::String &path) const noexcept {
-	return m_fs->read(path.c_str());
+	return m_fs->read(path);
 }
 
-ox::Error Project::lsProcDir(ox::Vector<ox::String> *paths, const ox::String &path) const noexcept {
-	oxRequire(files, m_fs->ls(path.c_str()));
+ox::Error Project::lsProcDir(ox::Vector<ox::String> *paths, ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept {
+	oxRequire(files, m_fs->ls(path));
 	for (const auto &name : files) {
-		const auto fullPath = path + "/" + name.c_str();
-		oxRequire(stat, m_fs->stat(fullPath.c_str()));
+		auto fullPath = ox::sfmt("{}/{}", path, name);
+		oxRequire(stat, m_fs->stat(ox::StringView(fullPath)));
 		switch (stat.fileType) {
 			case ox::FileType::NormalFile:
-				paths->push_back(fullPath);
+				paths->emplace_back(std::move(fullPath));
 				break;
 			case ox::FileType::Directory:
 				oxReturnError(lsProcDir(paths, fullPath));
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ ox::Error Project::lsProcDir(ox::Vector<ox::String> *paths, const ox::String &pa
 	return OxError(0);
 }
 
-ox::Result<ox::Vector<ox::String>> Project::listFiles(const ox::String &path) const noexcept {
+ox::Result<ox::Vector<ox::String>> Project::listFiles(ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept {
 	ox::Vector<ox::String> paths;
 	oxReturnError(lsProcDir(&paths, path));
 	return paths;
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.hpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.hpp
index 4af1cc39..26d2d969 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.hpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/lib/project.hpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ enum class ProjectEvent {
 };
 
 [[nodiscard]]
-constexpr ox::Result<ox::String> fileExt(const ox::String &path) noexcept {
+constexpr ox::Result<ox::StringView> fileExt(ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
 	const auto extStart = ox::find(path.crbegin(), path.crend(), '.').offset();
 	if (!extStart) {
 		return OxError(1, "Cannot open a file without valid extension.");
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class NOSTALGIASTUDIO_EXPORT Project {
 		[[nodiscard]]
 		ox::FileSystem *romFs() noexcept;
 
-		ox::Error mkdir(const ox::String &path) const noexcept;
+		ox::Error mkdir(ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept;
 
 		/**
 		 * Writes a MetalClaw object to the project at the given path.
@@ -63,40 +63,40 @@ class NOSTALGIASTUDIO_EXPORT Project {
 		template<typename T>
 		ox::Result<T> loadObj(const ox::String &path) const noexcept;
 
-		ox::Result<ox::FileStat> stat(const ox::String &path) const noexcept;
+		ox::Result<ox::FileStat> stat(ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept;
 
 		[[nodiscard]]
-		bool exists(const ox::String& path) const noexcept;
+		bool exists(ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept;
 
 		template<typename Functor>
 		ox::Error subscribe(ProjectEvent e, ox::SignalHandler *tgt, Functor &&slot) const noexcept;
 
 		[[nodiscard]]
-		const ox::Vector<ox::String> &fileList(const char *ng) noexcept;
+		const ox::Vector<ox::String> &fileList(ox::CRStringView ext) noexcept;
 
 	private:
 		void buildFileIndex() noexcept;
 
-		void indexFile(const ox::String &path) noexcept;
+		void indexFile(ox::CRStringView path) noexcept;
 
-		ox::Error writeBuff(const ox::String &path, const ox::Buffer &buff) noexcept;
+		ox::Error writeBuff(const ox::StringView &path, const ox::Buffer &buff) noexcept;
 
 		ox::Result<ox::Buffer> loadBuff(const ox::String &path) const noexcept;
 
-		ox::Error lsProcDir(ox::Vector<ox::String> *paths, const ox::String &path) const noexcept;
+		ox::Error lsProcDir(ox::Vector<ox::String> *paths, ox::CRStringView path) const noexcept;
 
-		ox::Result<ox::Vector<ox::String>> listFiles(const ox::String &path = "") const noexcept;
+		ox::Result<ox::Vector<ox::String>> listFiles(ox::CRStringView path = "") const noexcept;
 
 	// signals
 	public:
 		ox::Signal<ox::Error(ProjectEvent, const ox::String&)> fileEvent;
-		ox::Signal<ox::Error(const ox::String&)> fileAdded;
+		ox::Signal<ox::Error(ox::CRStringView)> fileAdded;
 		// FileRecognized is triggered for all matching files upon a new
 		// subscription to a section of the project and upon the addition of a
 		// file.
-		ox::Signal<ox::Error(const ox::String&)> fileRecognized;
-		ox::Signal<ox::Error(const ox::String&)> fileDeleted;
-		ox::Signal<ox::Error(const ox::String&)> fileUpdated;
+		ox::Signal<ox::Error(ox::StringView)> fileRecognized;
+		ox::Signal<ox::Error(ox::StringView)> fileDeleted;
+		ox::Signal<ox::Error(ox::StringView)> fileUpdated;
 
 };
 
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.cpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.cpp
index a5307054..c3fd7008 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.cpp
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@
 namespace nostalgia {
 
 static ox::Result<ox::UniquePtr<ProjectTreeModel>>
-buildProjectTreeModel(ProjectExplorer *explorer, const ox::String &name, const ox::String &path, ProjectTreeModel *parent) noexcept {
+buildProjectTreeModel(ProjectExplorer *explorer, ox::CRStringView name, ox::CRStringView path, ProjectTreeModel *parent) noexcept {
 	const auto fs = explorer->romFs();
-	oxRequire(stat, fs->stat(path.c_str()));
+	oxRequire(stat, fs->stat(path));
 	auto out = ox::make_unique<ProjectTreeModel>(explorer, name, parent);
 	if (stat.fileType == ox::FileType::Directory) {
 		oxRequireM(children, fs->ls(path));
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ void ProjectExplorer::setModel(ox::UniquePtr<ProjectTreeModel> model) noexcept {
 	m_treeModel = std::move(model);
 }
 
-ox::Error ProjectExplorer::refreshProjectTreeModel(const ox::String&) noexcept {
+ox::Error ProjectExplorer::refreshProjectTreeModel(ox::CRStringView) noexcept {
 	oxRequireM(model, buildProjectTreeModel(this, "Project", "/", nullptr));
 	setModel(std::move(model));
 	return OxError(0);
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.hpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.hpp
index ff45029e..522f54aa 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.hpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/projectexplorer.hpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class ProjectExplorer: public studio::Widget {
 
 		void setModel(ox::UniquePtr<ProjectTreeModel> model) noexcept;
 
-		ox::Error refreshProjectTreeModel(const ox::String& = {}) noexcept;
+		ox::Error refreshProjectTreeModel(ox::CRStringView = {}) noexcept;
 
 		[[nodiscard]]
 		constexpr ox::FileSystem *romFs() noexcept {
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.cpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.cpp
index 6a7bfa5d..36335f89 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.cpp
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
 
 namespace nostalgia {
 
-ProjectTreeModel::ProjectTreeModel(ProjectExplorer *explorer, const ox::String &name,
+ProjectTreeModel::ProjectTreeModel(ProjectExplorer *explorer, ox::String name,
                                    ProjectTreeModel *parent) noexcept {
 	m_explorer = explorer;
-	m_name = name;
+	m_name = std::move(name);
 	m_parent = parent;
 }
 
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ ProjectTreeModel::ProjectTreeModel(ProjectTreeModel &&other) noexcept {
 
 void ProjectTreeModel::draw(core::Context *ctx) noexcept {
 	constexpr auto dirFlags = ImGuiTreeNodeFlags_OpenOnArrow | ImGuiTreeNodeFlags_OpenOnDoubleClick;
-	if (m_children.size()) {
+	if (!m_children.empty()) {
 		if (ImGui::TreeNodeEx(m_name.c_str(), dirFlags)) {
 			for (auto &child : m_children) {
 				child->draw(ctx);
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.hpp b/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.hpp
index cc629282..1d45aab5 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.hpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/studio/projecttreemodel.hpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class ProjectTreeModel {
 		ox::String m_name;
 		ox::Vector<ox::UniquePtr<ProjectTreeModel>> m_children;
 	public:
-		explicit ProjectTreeModel(class ProjectExplorer *explorer, const ox::String &name,
+		explicit ProjectTreeModel(class ProjectExplorer *explorer, ox::String name,
 		                          ProjectTreeModel *parent = nullptr) noexcept;
 
 		ProjectTreeModel(ProjectTreeModel &&other) noexcept;
diff --git a/src/nostalgia/tools/pack/pack.cpp b/src/nostalgia/tools/pack/pack.cpp
index 0944d688..2533b9b0 100644
--- a/src/nostalgia/tools/pack/pack.cpp
+++ b/src/nostalgia/tools/pack/pack.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ static ox::Error pathToInode(ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::ModelObject *obj) noexcep
 		case ox::FileAddressType::None:
 			return {};
 	}
-	oxRequire(s, dest->stat(path.c_str()));
+	oxRequire(s, dest->stat(ox::StringView(path)));
 	oxReturnError(o["type"].set(static_cast<int8_t>(ox::FileAddressType::Inode)));
 	return data.set(2, s.inode);
 }
@@ -58,12 +58,12 @@ static ox::Error transformObj(ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::ModelObject *obj) noexce
 	return {};
 }
 
-static ox::Error doTransformations(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRString filePath) noexcept {
-	if (filePath.endsWith(".ng") || filePath.endsWith(".npal")) {
+static ox::Error doTransformations(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRStringView filePath) noexcept {
+	if (endsWith(filePath, ".ng") || endsWith(filePath, ".npal")) {
 		// load file
-		oxRequire(s, dest->stat(filePath.c_str()));
+		oxRequire(s, dest->stat(filePath));
 		oxRequireM(buff, dest->read(s.inode));
-		if (filePath.endsWith(".ng")) {
+		if (endsWith(filePath, ".ng")) {
 			oxReturnError(core::convertBuffToBuff<core::CompactTileSheet>(buff, ox::ClawFormat::Metal).moveTo(&buff));
 		}
 		oxRequireM(obj, ox::readClaw(ts, buff));
@@ -78,15 +78,15 @@ static ox::Error doTransformations(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox
 
 // claw file transformations are broken out because path to inode
 // transformations need to be done after the copy to the new FS is complete
-static ox::Error transformClaw(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRString path) noexcept {
+static ox::Error transformClaw(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
 	// copy
 	oxTracef("pack::transformClaw", "path: {}", path);
 	oxRequire(fileList, dest->ls(path));
 	for (const auto &name : fileList) {
-		const auto filePath = path + name;
-		oxRequire(stat, dest->stat(filePath.c_str()));
+		const auto filePath = ox::sfmt("{}{}", path, name);
+		oxRequire(stat, dest->stat(filePath));
 		if (stat.fileType == ox::FileType::Directory) {
-			const auto dir = path + name + '/';
+			const auto dir = ox::sfmt("{}{}/", path, name);
 			oxReturnError(transformClaw(ts, dest, dir));
 		} else {
 			oxReturnError(doTransformations(ts, dest, filePath));
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ static ox::Error transformClaw(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CR
 	return {};
 }
 
-static ox::Error verifyFile(ox::FileSystem *fs, ox::CRString path, const ox::Buffer &expected) noexcept {
+static ox::Error verifyFile(ox::FileSystem *fs, ox::CRStringView path, const ox::Buffer &expected) noexcept {
 	ox::Buffer buff(expected.size());
-	oxReturnError(fs->read(path.c_str(), buff.data(), buff.size()));
+	oxReturnError(fs->read(path, buff.data(), buff.size()));
 	return OxError(buff == expected ? 0 : 1);
 }
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ struct VerificationPair {
 	}
 };
 
-static ox::Error copy(ox::FileSystem *src, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRString path) noexcept {
+static ox::Error copy(ox::FileSystem *src, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
 	oxOutf("copying directory: {}\n", path);
 	ox::Vector<VerificationPair> verificationPairs;
 	// copy
@@ -121,16 +121,16 @@ static ox::Error copy(ox::FileSystem *src, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRString pa
 			continue;
 		}
 		oxOutf("reading {}\n", currentFile);
-		oxRequire(stat, src->stat(currentFile.c_str()));
+		oxRequire(stat, src->stat(ox::StringView(currentFile)));
 		if (stat.fileType == ox::FileType::Directory) {
 			oxReturnError(dest->mkdir(currentFile.c_str(), true));
 			oxReturnError(copy(src, dest, currentFile + '/'));
 		} else {
 			// load file
-			oxRequireM(buff, src->read(currentFile.c_str()));
+			oxRequireM(buff, src->read(currentFile));
 			// write file to dest
 			oxOutf("writing {}\n", currentFile);
-			oxReturnError(dest->write(currentFile.c_str(), buff.data(), buff.size()));
+			oxReturnError(dest->write(currentFile, buff.data(), buff.size()));
 			oxReturnError(verifyFile(dest, currentFile, buff));
 			verificationPairs.emplace_back(std::move(currentFile), std::move(buff));
 		}
@@ -143,9 +143,9 @@ static ox::Error copy(ox::FileSystem *src, ox::FileSystem *dest, ox::CRString pa
 }
 
 // transformations need to be done after the copy to the new FS is complete
-static ox::Error preloadObj(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *romFs, GbaPreloader *pl, ox::CRString path) noexcept {
+static ox::Error preloadObj(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *romFs, GbaPreloader *pl, ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
 	// load file
-	oxRequireM(buff, romFs->read(path.c_str()));
+	oxRequireM(buff, romFs->read(path));
 	oxRequireM(obj, ox::readClaw(ts, buff));
 	if (obj.type()->preloadable) {
 		// preload
@@ -159,21 +159,21 @@ static ox::Error preloadObj(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *romFs, GbaPrelo
 		// strip the Claw header (it is not needed after preloading) and write back out to dest fs
 		oxReturnError(ox::writeMC(&obj).moveTo(&buff));
 	}
-	oxReturnError(romFs->write(path.c_str(), buff.data(), buff.size()));
+	oxReturnError(romFs->write(path, buff.data(), buff.size()));
 	return {};
 }
 
 // claw file transformations are broken out because path to inode
 // transformations need to be done after the copy to the new FS is complete
-static ox::Error preloadDir(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *romFs, GbaPreloader *pl, ox::CRString path) noexcept {
+static ox::Error preloadDir(core::TypeStore *ts, ox::FileSystem *romFs, GbaPreloader *pl, ox::CRStringView path) noexcept {
 	// copy
 	oxTracef("pack::preload", "path: {}", path);
 	oxRequire(fileList, romFs->ls(path));
 	for (const auto &name : fileList) {
-		const auto filePath = path + name;
-		oxRequire(stat, romFs->stat(filePath.c_str()));
+		const auto filePath = ox::sfmt("{}{}", path, name);
+		oxRequire(stat, romFs->stat(ox::StringView(filePath)));
 		if (stat.fileType == ox::FileType::Directory) {
-			const auto dir = path + name + '/';
+			const auto dir = ox::sfmt("{}{}/", path, name);
 			oxReturnError(preloadDir(ts, romFs, pl, dir));
 		} else {
 			oxReturnError(preloadObj(ts, romFs, pl, filePath));