diff --git a/firmware/CMakeLists.txt b/firmware/CMakeLists.txt
index cfa680f8..0097ec59 100644
--- a/firmware/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/firmware/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ endif()
 
 add_subdirectory(application)
 add_subdirectory(baseband)
+add_subdirectory(standalone)
 add_subdirectory(test)
 
 # NOTE: Dependencies break if the .bin files aren't included in DEPENDS. WTF, CMake?
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ add_custom_target(
 	program-external-apps
 	WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}
 	COMMAND ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/tools/copy_external_apps.sh
-	DEPENDS program
+	DEPENDS program standalone_apps
 )
 
 add_custom_command(
@@ -100,8 +101,9 @@ add_custom_command(
 	COMMAND cp ${FIRMWARE_FILENAME} firmware_tar/FIRMWARE/portapack-mayhem_${VERSION_NOHASH}.bin
 	COMMAND mkdir -p firmware_tar/APPS
 	COMMAND cp application/*.ppma firmware_tar/APPS
+	COMMAND cp standalone/*/*.ppmp firmware_tar/APPS
 	COMMAND cd firmware_tar && tar -cvaf ../${PPFW_FILENAME} *
-	DEPENDS firmware ${FIRMWARE_FILENAME}
+	DEPENDS firmware ${FIRMWARE_FILENAME} standalone_apps
 	# Dont use VERBATIM here as it prevents usage of globbing (*)
 	# There shouldnt be any funny business in the filenames above :)
 )
diff --git a/firmware/application/CMakeLists.txt b/firmware/application/CMakeLists.txt
index 2aef23ea..117a9bbf 100644
--- a/firmware/application/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/firmware/application/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -325,6 +325,7 @@ set(CPPSRC
 	# apps/ui_spectrum_painter.cpp
 	apps/ui_ss_viewer.cpp
 	apps/ui_sstvtx.cpp
+	apps/ui_standalone_view.cpp
 	apps/ui_subghzd.cpp
 	# apps/ui_test.cpp
 	apps/ui_text_editor.cpp
diff --git a/firmware/application/apps/ui_standalone_view.cpp b/firmware/application/apps/ui_standalone_view.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cbab847c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/application/apps/ui_standalone_view.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2024 Bernd Herzog
+ *
+ * This file is part of PortaPack.
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; see the file COPYING.  If not, write to
+ * the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street,
+ * Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
+ */
+
+#include "ui_standalone_view.hpp"
+#include "irq_controls.hpp"
+
+namespace ui {
+
+void create_thread(int32_t (*fn)(void*), void* arg, size_t stack_size, int priority) {
+    // TODO: collect memory on terminate, once this is used
+    chThdCreateFromHeap(NULL, stack_size, priority, fn, arg);
+}
+
+void fill_rectangle(int x, int y, int width, int height, uint16_t color) {
+    ui::Painter painter;
+    painter.fill_rectangle({x, y, width, height}, ui::Color(color));
+}
+
+void* alloc(size_t size) {
+    void* p = chHeapAlloc(0x0, size);
+    if (p == nullptr)
+        chDbgPanic("Out of Memory");
+    return p;
+}
+
+uint64_t get_switches_state_ulong() {
+    return get_switches_state().to_ulong();
+}
+
+standalone_application_api_t api = {
+    /* .malloc = */ &alloc,
+    /* .calloc = */ &calloc,
+    /* .realloc = */ &realloc,
+    /* .free = */ &chHeapFree,
+    /* .create_thread = */ &create_thread,
+    /* .fill_rectangle = */ &fill_rectangle,
+    /* .swizzled_switches = */ &swizzled_switches,
+    /* .get_switches_state = */ &get_switches_state_ulong,
+};
+
+StandaloneView::StandaloneView(NavigationView& nav, std::unique_ptr<uint8_t[]> app_image)
+    : nav_(nav), _app_image(std::move(app_image)) {
+    get_application_information()->initialize(api);
+    add_children({&dummy});
+}
+
+void StandaloneView::focus() {
+    dummy.focus();
+}
+
+void StandaloneView::paint(Painter& painter) {
+    (void)painter;
+}
+
+void StandaloneView::frame_sync() {
+    // skip first refresh
+    if (!initialized) {
+        initialized = true;
+    } else {
+        get_application_information()->on_event(1);
+    }
+}
+
+}  // namespace ui
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/ui_pacman.hpp b/firmware/application/apps/ui_standalone_view.hpp
similarity index 63%
rename from firmware/application/external/pacman/ui_pacman.hpp
rename to firmware/application/apps/ui_standalone_view.hpp
index 8d56f075..012d7f07 100644
--- a/firmware/application/external/pacman/ui_pacman.hpp
+++ b/firmware/application/apps/ui_standalone_view.hpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (C) 2023 Bernd Herzog
+ * Copyright (C) 2024 Bernd Herzog
  *
  * This file is part of PortaPack.
  *
@@ -19,22 +19,24 @@
  * Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
  */
 
-#ifndef __UI_PACMAN_H__
-#define __UI_PACMAN_H__
+#ifndef __UI_STANDALONE_VIEW_H__
+#define __UI_STANDALONE_VIEW_H__
 
 #include "ui_navigation.hpp"
 #include "event_m0.hpp"
 #include "message.hpp"
+#include "standalone_app.hpp"
 
-namespace ui::external_app::pacman {
+namespace ui {
 
-class PacmanView : public View {
+class StandaloneView : public View {
    public:
-    PacmanView(NavigationView& nav);
+    StandaloneView(NavigationView& nav, std::unique_ptr<uint8_t[]> app_image);
+    virtual ~StandaloneView() override { get_application_information()->shutdown(); }
 
     void focus() override;
 
-    std::string title() const override { return "Pac-Man"; };
+    std::string title() const override { return (const char*)get_application_information()->app_name; };
 
     void paint(Painter& painter) override;
     void frame_sync();
@@ -42,6 +44,10 @@ class PacmanView : public View {
    private:
     bool initialized = false;
     NavigationView& nav_;
+    std::unique_ptr<uint8_t[]> _app_image;
+    standalone_application_information_t* get_application_information() const {
+        return reinterpret_cast<standalone_application_information_t*>(_app_image.get());
+    }
 
     Button dummy{
         {240, 0, 0, 0},
@@ -54,6 +60,6 @@ class PacmanView : public View {
         }};
 };
 
-}  // namespace ui::external_app::pacman
+}  // namespace ui
 
-#endif /*__UI_PACMAN_H__*/
+#endif /*__UI_STANDALONE_VIEW_H__*/
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/external.cmake b/firmware/application/external/external.cmake
index 67a14091..baba494f 100644
--- a/firmware/application/external/external.cmake
+++ b/firmware/application/external/external.cmake
@@ -1,9 +1,5 @@
 set(EXTCPPSRC
 
-	#pacman
-	external/pacman/main.cpp
-	external/pacman/ui_pacman.cpp
-
 	#tetris
 	external/tetris/main.cpp
 	external/tetris/ui_tetris.cpp
@@ -87,7 +83,6 @@ set(EXTCPPSRC
 )
 
 set(EXTAPPLIST
-	pacman
 	afsk_rx
 	calculator
 	font_viewer
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/external.ld b/firmware/application/external/external.ld
index d64c54a6..aab54bda 100644
--- a/firmware/application/external/external.ld
+++ b/firmware/application/external/external.ld
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ MEMORY
      * Also need to consider processor memory map - reading 0xADxxxxxx generates a fault which may be better than unexpected behavior.
      * External app address ranges below must match those in python file "external_app_info.py".
      */
-    ram_external_app_pacman     (rwx) : org = 0xADB00000, len = 32k
     ram_external_app_afsk_rx    (rwx) : org = 0xADB10000, len = 32k
     ram_external_app_calculator (rwx) : org = 0xADB20000, len = 32k
     ram_external_app_font_viewer(rwx) : org = 0xADB30000, len = 32k
@@ -47,12 +46,6 @@ MEMORY
 
 SECTIONS
 {
-    .external_app_pacman : ALIGN(4) SUBALIGN(4)
-    {
-        KEEP(*(.external_app.app_pacman.application_information));
-        *(*ui*external_app*pacman*);
-    } > ram_external_app_pacman
-
     .external_app_afsk_rx : ALIGN(4) SUBALIGN(4)
     {
         KEEP(*(.external_app.app_afsk_rx.application_information));
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/ui_pacman.cpp b/firmware/application/external/pacman/ui_pacman.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 8436ac21..00000000
--- a/firmware/application/external/pacman/ui_pacman.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,65 +0,0 @@
-#include "ui_pacman.hpp"
-#include "irq_controls.hpp"
-
-namespace ui::external_app::pacman {
-
-#pragma GCC diagnostic push
-// external code, so ignore warnings
-#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wunused-variable"
-#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wunused-parameter"
-#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wunused-but-set-variable"
-#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wreturn-type"
-#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Weffc++"
-#include "playfield.hpp"
-#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
-
-PacmanView::PacmanView(NavigationView& nav)
-    : nav_(nav) {
-    add_children({&dummy});
-}
-
-void PacmanView::focus() {
-    dummy.focus();
-}
-
-void PacmanView::paint(Painter& painter) {
-    (void)painter;
-    static Playfield _game;
-    static bool wait_for_button_release{false};
-
-    if (!initialized) {
-        initialized = true;
-        _game.Init();
-    }
-
-    auto switches_raw = swizzled_switches() & ((1 << (int)Switch::Right) | (1 << (int)Switch::Left) | (1 << (int)Switch::Down) | (1 << (int)Switch::Up) | (1 << (int)Switch::Sel) | (1 << (int)Switch::Dfu));
-    auto switches_debounced = get_switches_state().to_ulong();
-
-    // For the Select (Start/Pause) button, wait for release to avoid repeat
-    uint8_t buttons_to_wait_for = (1 << (int)Switch::Sel);
-    if (wait_for_button_release) {
-        if ((switches_debounced & buttons_to_wait_for) == 0)
-            wait_for_button_release = false;
-        switches_debounced &= ~buttons_to_wait_for;
-    } else {
-        if (switches_debounced & buttons_to_wait_for)
-            wait_for_button_release = true;
-    }
-
-    // For the directional buttons, use the raw inputs for fastest response time
-    but_RIGHT = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Right)) != 0;
-    but_LEFT = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Left)) != 0;
-    but_DOWN = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Down)) != 0;
-    but_UP = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Up)) != 0;
-
-    // For the pause button, use the debounced input to avoid glitches, and OR in the value to make sure that we don't clear it before it's seen
-    but_A |= (switches_debounced & (1 << (int)Switch::Sel)) != 0;
-
-    _game.Step();
-}
-
-void PacmanView::frame_sync() {
-    set_dirty();
-}
-
-}  // namespace ui::external_app::pacman
diff --git a/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.cpp b/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.cpp
index 48cb7ab7..f3c2cf10 100644
--- a/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.cpp
+++ b/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 #include "sd_card.hpp"
 #include "file_path.hpp"
+#include "ui_standalone_view.hpp"
 
 namespace ui {
 
@@ -10,8 +11,10 @@ namespace ui {
 // iterates over all ppma-s, and if it is runnable on the current system, it'll call the callback, and pass info.
 /* static */ void ExternalItemsMenuLoader::load_all_external_items_callback(std::function<void(AppInfoConsole&)> callback) {
     if (!callback) return;
+
     if (sd_card::status() != sd_card::Status::Mounted)
         return;
+
     for (const auto& entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(apps_dir, u"*.ppma")) {
         auto filePath = apps_dir / entry.path();
         File app;
@@ -43,6 +46,37 @@ namespace ui {
             .appLocation = application_information.menu_location};
         callback(info);
     }
+
+    for (const auto& entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(apps_dir, u"*.ppmp")) {
+        auto filePath = apps_dir / entry.path();
+        File app;
+
+        auto openError = app.open(filePath);
+        if (openError)
+            continue;
+
+        standalone_application_information_t application_information = {};
+
+        auto readResult = app.read(&application_information, sizeof(standalone_application_information_t));
+        if (!readResult)
+            continue;
+
+        if (application_information.header_version < CURRENT_STANDALONE_APPLICATION_API_VERSION)
+            continue;
+
+        // here the app is startable and good.
+        std::string appshortname = filePath.filename().string();
+        if (appshortname.size() >= 5 && appshortname.substr(appshortname.size() - 5) == ".ppmp") {
+            // Remove the ".ppmp" suffix
+            appshortname = appshortname.substr(0, appshortname.size() - 5);
+        }
+        AppInfoConsole info{
+            .appCallName = appshortname.c_str(),
+            .appFriendlyName = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&application_information.app_name[0]),
+            .appLocation = application_information.menu_location};
+
+        callback(info);
+    }
 }
 
 /* static */ std::vector<GridItem> ExternalItemsMenuLoader::load_external_items(app_location_t app_location, NavigationView& nav) {
@@ -103,6 +137,44 @@ namespace ui {
         external_apps.push_back(gridItem);
     }
 
+    for (const auto& entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(apps_dir, u"*.ppmp")) {
+        auto filePath = apps_dir / entry.path();
+        File app;
+
+        auto openError = app.open(filePath);
+        if (openError)
+            continue;
+
+        standalone_application_information_t application_information = {};
+
+        auto readResult = app.read(&application_information, sizeof(standalone_application_information_t));
+        if (!readResult)
+            continue;
+
+        if (application_information.menu_location != app_location)
+            continue;
+
+        if (application_information.header_version > CURRENT_STANDALONE_APPLICATION_API_VERSION)
+            continue;
+
+        GridItem gridItem = {};
+        gridItem.text = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&application_information.app_name[0]);
+
+        gridItem.color = Color((uint16_t)application_information.icon_color);
+
+        auto dyn_bmp = DynamicBitmap<16, 16>{application_information.bitmap_data};
+        gridItem.bitmap = dyn_bmp.bitmap();
+        bitmaps.push_back(std::move(dyn_bmp));
+
+        gridItem.on_select = [&nav, app_location, filePath]() {
+            if (!run_standalone_app(nav, filePath)) {
+                nav.display_modal("Error", "The .ppmp file in your " + apps_dir.string() + "\nfolder can't be read. Please\nupdate your SD Card content.");
+            }
+        };
+
+        external_apps.push_back(gridItem);
+    }
+
     return external_apps;
 }
 
@@ -187,4 +259,39 @@ namespace ui {
     return true;
 }
 
+/* static */ bool ExternalItemsMenuLoader::run_standalone_app(ui::NavigationView& nav, std::filesystem::path filePath) {
+    File app;
+
+    auto openError = app.open(filePath);
+    if (openError)
+        return false;
+
+    auto app_image = std::make_unique<uint8_t[]>(app.size());
+
+    // read file in 512 byte chunks
+    for (size_t file_read_index = 0; file_read_index < app.size(); file_read_index += std::filesystem::max_file_block_size) {
+        auto bytes_to_read = std::filesystem::max_file_block_size;
+        if (file_read_index + std::filesystem::max_file_block_size > app.size())
+            bytes_to_read = app.size() - file_read_index;
+
+        auto readResult = app.read(&app_image[file_read_index], bytes_to_read);
+        if (!readResult)
+            return false;
+
+        if (readResult.value() < std::filesystem::max_file_block_size)
+            break;
+    }
+
+    for (size_t file_read_index = 0; file_read_index < app.size() / 4; file_read_index++) {
+        uint32_t* ptr = reinterpret_cast<uint32_t*>(&app_image[file_read_index * 4]);
+
+        if (*ptr >= 0xADB10000 && *ptr < (0xADB10000 + 64 * 1024)) {
+            *ptr = *ptr - 0xADB10000 + (uint32_t)app_image.get();
+        }
+    }
+
+    nav.push<StandaloneView>(std::move(app_image));
+    return true;
+}
+
 }  // namespace ui
diff --git a/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.hpp b/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.hpp
index 0c3b04c8..74745d17 100644
--- a/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.hpp
+++ b/firmware/application/ui_external_items_menu_loader.hpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include "ui.hpp"
 #include "ui_navigation.hpp"
 #include "external_app.hpp"
+#include "standalone_app.hpp"
 
 #include "file.hpp"
 
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ class ExternalItemsMenuLoader {
     static std::vector<GridItem> load_external_items(app_location_t, NavigationView&);
     ExternalItemsMenuLoader() = delete;
     static bool run_external_app(ui::NavigationView&, std::filesystem::path);
+    static bool run_standalone_app(ui::NavigationView&, std::filesystem::path);
     static void load_all_external_items_callback(std::function<void(AppInfoConsole&)> callback);
 
    private:
diff --git a/firmware/common/external_app.hpp b/firmware/common/external_app.hpp
index d1d8e771..c257671b 100644
--- a/firmware/common/external_app.hpp
+++ b/firmware/common/external_app.hpp
@@ -25,20 +25,13 @@
 #include "ch.h"
 #include "ui_navigation.hpp"
 #include "spi_image.hpp"
+#include "standalone_app.hpp"
 
 #define CURRENT_HEADER_VERSION 0x00000002
 #define MIN_HEADER_VERSION_FOR_CHECKSUM 0x00000002
 
 typedef void (*externalAppEntry_t)(ui::NavigationView& nav);
 
-enum app_location_t : uint32_t {
-    UTILITIES = 0,
-    RX,
-    TX,
-    DEBUG,
-    HOME
-};
-
 struct application_information_t {
     uint8_t* memory_location;
     externalAppEntry_t externalAppEntry;
diff --git a/firmware/common/standalone_app.hpp b/firmware/common/standalone_app.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5a34f8b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/common/standalone_app.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2024 Bernd Herzog
+ *
+ * This file is part of PortaPack.
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; see the file COPYING.  If not, write to
+ * the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street,
+ * Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __UI_STANDALONE_APP_H__
+#define __UI_STANDALONE_APP_H__
+
+#include <cerrno>
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <stddef.h>
+
+#define CURRENT_STANDALONE_APPLICATION_API_VERSION 1
+
+struct standalone_application_api_t {
+    void* (*malloc)(size_t size);
+    void* (*calloc)(size_t num, size_t size);
+    void* (*realloc)(void* p, size_t size);
+    void (*free)(void* p);
+    void (*create_thread)(int32_t (*fn)(void*), void* arg, size_t stack_size, int priority);
+    void (*fill_rectangle)(int x, int y, int width, int height, uint16_t color);
+    uint8_t (*swizzled_switches)();
+    uint64_t (*get_switches_state)();
+
+    // HOW TO extend this interface:
+    // to keep everything backward compatible: add new fields at the end
+    // and increment CURRENT_STANDALONE_APPLICATION_API_VERSION
+};
+
+enum app_location_t : uint32_t {
+    UTILITIES = 0,
+    RX,
+    TX,
+    DEBUG,
+    HOME
+};
+
+struct standalone_application_information_t {
+    uint32_t header_version;
+
+    uint8_t app_name[16];
+    uint8_t bitmap_data[32];
+    uint32_t icon_color;
+    app_location_t menu_location;
+
+    /// @brief gets called once at application start
+    void (*initialize)(const standalone_application_api_t& api);
+
+    /// @brief gets called when an event occurs
+    /// @param events bitfield of events
+    /// @note events are defined in firmware/application/event_m0.hpp
+    void (*on_event)(const uint32_t& events);
+
+    /// @brief gets called once at application shutdown
+    void (*shutdown)();
+};
+
+#endif /*__UI_STANDALONE_APP_H__*/
diff --git a/firmware/standalone/CMakeLists.txt b/firmware/standalone/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fa3c53df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/standalone/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20)
+
+project(standalone_apps)
+
+add_subdirectory(pacman)
+
+add_custom_target(
+	standalone_apps
+	DEPENDS pacman_app
+)
+
diff --git a/firmware/standalone/pacman/CMakeLists.txt b/firmware/standalone/pacman/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..92ffabf1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/standalone/pacman/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,233 @@
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2024 Bernd Herzog
+#
+# This file is part of PortaPack.
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+# any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program; see the file COPYING.  If not, write to
+# the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street,
+# Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
+#
+
+##############################################################################
+# Build global options
+# NOTE: Can be overridden externally.
+#
+
+enable_language(C CXX ASM)
+
+include(CheckCXXCompilerFlag)
+
+project(pacman_app)
+
+# Compiler options here.
+set(USE_OPT "-Os -g --specs=nano.specs")
+
+# C specific options here (added to USE_OPT).
+set(USE_COPT "-std=gnu99")
+
+# C++ specific options here (added to USE_OPT).
+check_cxx_compiler_flag("-std=c++20" cpp20_supported)
+if(cpp20_supported)
+	set(USE_CPPOPT "-std=c++20")
+else()
+	set(USE_CPPOPT "-std=c++17")
+endif()
+set(USE_CPPOPT "${USE_CPPOPT} -fno-rtti -fno-exceptions -Weffc++ -Wuninitialized -fno-use-cxa-atexit")
+
+# Enable this if you want the linker to remove unused code and data
+set(USE_LINK_GC yes)
+
+# Linker extra options here.
+set(USE_LDOPT)
+
+# Enable this if you want link time optimizations (LTO) - this flag affects chibios only
+set(USE_LTO no)
+
+# If enabled, this option allows to compile the application in THUMB mode.
+set(USE_THUMB yes)
+
+# Enable this if you want to see the full log while compiling.
+set(USE_VERBOSE_COMPILE no)
+
+#
+# Build global options
+##############################################################################
+
+##############################################################################
+# Architecture or project specific options
+#
+
+# Enables the use of FPU on Cortex-M4 (no, softfp, hard).
+set(USE_FPU no)
+
+#
+# Architecture or project specific options
+##############################################################################
+
+##############################################################################
+# Project, sources and paths
+#
+
+# Define linker script file here
+set(LDSCRIPT ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/external.ld)
+
+
+# C sources that can be compiled in ARM or THUMB mode depending on the global
+# setting.
+FILE(GLOB_RECURSE Sources_C ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/*.c)
+set(CSRC
+	${Sources_C}
+)
+
+# C++ sources that can be compiled in ARM or THUMB mode depending on the global
+# setting.
+FILE(GLOB_RECURSE Sources_CPP ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/*.cpp)
+set(CPPSRC
+	${Sources_CPP}
+)
+
+# C sources to be compiled in ARM mode regardless of the global setting.
+# NOTE: Mixing ARM and THUMB mode enables the -mthumb-interwork compiler
+#       option that results in lower performance and larger code size.
+set(ACSRC)
+
+# C++ sources to be compiled in ARM mode regardless of the global setting.
+# NOTE: Mixing ARM and THUMB mode enables the -mthumb-interwork compiler
+#       option that results in lower performance and larger code size.
+set(ACPPSRC)
+
+# C sources to be compiled in THUMB mode regardless of the global setting.
+# NOTE: Mixing ARM and THUMB mode enables the -mthumb-interwork compiler
+#       option that results in lower performance and larger code size.
+set(TCSRC)
+
+# C sources to be compiled in THUMB mode regardless of the global setting.
+# NOTE: Mixing ARM and THUMB mode enables the -mthumb-interwork compiler
+#       option that results in lower performance and larger code size.
+set(TCPPSRC)
+
+# List ASM source files here
+set(ASMSRC)
+
+set(INCDIR 
+	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}
+	${COMMON}
+	${COMMON}/../application
+	${COMMON}/../application/hw
+)
+
+#
+# Project, sources and paths
+##############################################################################
+
+##############################################################################
+# Compiler settings
+#
+
+# TODO: Entertain using MCU=cortex-m0.small-multiply for LPC43xx M0 core.
+# However, on GCC-ARM-Embedded 4.9 2015q2, it seems to produce non-functional
+# binaries.
+set(MCU cortex-m0)
+
+# ARM-specific options here
+set(AOPT)
+
+# THUMB-specific options here
+set(TOPT "-mthumb -DTHUMB")
+
+# Define C warning options here
+set(CWARN "-Wall -Wextra -Wstrict-prototypes")
+
+# Define C++ warning options here
+set(CPPWARN "-Wall -Wextra -Wno-psabi")
+
+#
+# Compiler settings
+##############################################################################
+
+##############################################################################
+# Start of default section
+#
+
+# List all default C defines here, like -D_DEBUG=1
+# TODO: Switch -DCRT0_INIT_DATA depending on load from RAM or SPIFI?
+# NOTE: _RANDOM_TCC to kill a GCC 4.9.3 error with std::max argument types
+set(DDEFS "-DLPC43XX -DLPC43XX_M0 -D__NEWLIB__ -DHACKRF_ONE -DTOOLCHAIN_GCC -DTOOLCHAIN_GCC_ARM -D_RANDOM_TCC=0")
+
+# List all default ASM defines here, like -D_DEBUG=1
+set(DADEFS)
+
+# List all default directories to look for include files here
+set(DINCDIR)
+
+# List the default directory to look for the libraries here
+set(DLIBDIR)
+
+# List all default libraries here
+set(DLIBS)
+
+#
+# End of default section
+##############################################################################
+
+##############################################################################
+# Start of user section
+#
+
+# List all user C define here, like -D_DEBUG=1
+set(UDEFS)
+
+# Define ASM defines here
+set(UADEFS)
+
+# List all user directories here
+set(UINCDIR)
+
+# List the user directory to look for the libraries here
+set(ULIBDIR)
+
+# List all user libraries here
+set(ULIBS)
+
+#
+# End of user defines
+##############################################################################
+
+set(RULESPATH ${CHIBIOS}/os/ports/GCC/ARMCMx)
+include(${RULESPATH}/rules.cmake)
+
+##############################################################################
+
+
+add_executable(${PROJECT_NAME}.elf ${CSRC} ${CPPSRC} ${ASMSRC})
+set_target_properties(${PROJECT_NAME}.elf PROPERTIES LINK_DEPENDS ${LDSCRIPT})
+add_definitions(${DEFS})
+include_directories(. ${INCDIR})
+link_directories(${LLIBDIR})
+target_link_libraries(${PROJECT_NAME}.elf -Wl,-Map=${PROJECT_NAME}.map)
+
+# redirect std lib memory allocations
+target_link_libraries(${PROJECT_NAME}.elf "-Wl,-wrap,_malloc_r")
+target_link_libraries(${PROJECT_NAME}.elf "-Wl,-wrap,_free_r")
+
+add_custom_command(
+	OUTPUT ${PROJECT_NAME}.ppmp
+	COMMAND ${CMAKE_OBJCOPY} -v -O binary ${PROJECT_NAME}.elf ${PROJECT_NAME}.ppmp
+	DEPENDS ${PROJECT_NAME}.elf
+)
+
+add_custom_target(
+	${PROJECT_NAME}
+	DEPENDS ${PROJECT_NAME}.ppmp
+)
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/DrawIndexedMap.h b/firmware/standalone/pacman/DrawIndexedMap.h
similarity index 86%
rename from firmware/application/external/pacman/DrawIndexedMap.h
rename to firmware/standalone/pacman/DrawIndexedMap.h
index 09d35713..04ce83bc 100644
--- a/firmware/application/external/pacman/DrawIndexedMap.h
+++ b/firmware/standalone/pacman/DrawIndexedMap.h
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 /*  MIT license, all text above must be included in any redistribution.       */
 
 // #include "ili9328.h"
+#include "standalone_app.hpp"
 
 typedef uint16_t ushort;
 
@@ -46,16 +47,15 @@ uint16_t _paletteW[] =
 };
 
 void drawIndexedmap(uint8_t* indexmap, int16_t x, uint16_t y) {
-    ui::Painter painter;
-
     byte i = 0;
-    word color = (word)_paletteW[indexmap[0]];
+    uint16_t color = (uint16_t)_paletteW[indexmap[0]];
     for (byte tmpY = 0; tmpY < 8; tmpY++) {
         byte width = 1;
         for (byte tmpX = 0; tmpX < 8; tmpX++) {
-            word next_color = (word)_paletteW[indexmap[++i]];
+            uint16_t next_color = (uint16_t)_paletteW[indexmap[++i]];
             if ((color != next_color && width >= 1) || tmpX == 7) {
-                painter.draw_hline({x + tmpX - width + 1, y + tmpY}, width, ui::Color(color));
+                _api->fill_rectangle(x + tmpX - width + 1, y + tmpY, width, 1, color);
+                // painter.draw_hline({x + tmpX - width + 1, y + tmpY}, width, ui::Color(color));
 
                 color = next_color;
                 width = 0;
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/PacmanTiles.h b/firmware/standalone/pacman/PacmanTiles.h
similarity index 100%
rename from firmware/application/external/pacman/PacmanTiles.h
rename to firmware/standalone/pacman/PacmanTiles.h
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/crntsc.h b/firmware/standalone/pacman/crntsc.h
similarity index 100%
rename from firmware/application/external/pacman/crntsc.h
rename to firmware/standalone/pacman/crntsc.h
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/crpal.h b/firmware/standalone/pacman/crpal.h
similarity index 100%
rename from firmware/application/external/pacman/crpal.h
rename to firmware/standalone/pacman/crpal.h
diff --git a/firmware/standalone/pacman/external.ld b/firmware/standalone/pacman/external.ld
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4048f938
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/standalone/pacman/external.ld
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+/*
+    Copyright (C) 2024 Bernd Herzog
+
+    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+    you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+    You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+        http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+    WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+    limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+MEMORY
+{
+    ram : org = 0xADB10000, len = 64k   /* DO NOT CHANGE the address. We make the image relocateable on load. It needs to be 0xADB10000 */
+}
+
+__ram_start__           = ORIGIN(ram);
+__ram_size__            = LENGTH(ram);
+__ram_end__             = __ram_start__ + __ram_size__;
+
+SECTIONS
+{
+    . = 0;
+    _text = .;
+    startup : ALIGN(16) SUBALIGN(16)
+    {
+        KEEP(*(.standalone_application_information));
+    } > ram
+
+    constructors : ALIGN(4) SUBALIGN(4)
+    {
+        PROVIDE(__init_array_start = .);
+        KEEP(*(SORT(.init_array.*)))
+        KEEP(*(.init_array))
+        PROVIDE(__init_array_end = .);
+    } > ram
+
+    destructors : ALIGN(4) SUBALIGN(4)
+    {
+        PROVIDE(__fini_array_start = .);
+        KEEP(*(.fini_array))
+        KEEP(*(SORT(.fini_array.*)))
+        PROVIDE(__fini_array_end = .);
+    } > ram
+
+    .text : ALIGN(16) SUBALIGN(16)
+    {
+        *(.text.startup.*)
+        *(.text)
+        *(.text.*)
+        *(.rodata)
+        *(.rodata.*)
+        *(.glue_7t)
+        *(.glue_7)
+        *(.gcc*)
+    } > ram
+
+    .ARM.extab :
+    {
+        *(.ARM.extab* .gnu.linkonce.armextab.*)
+    } > ram
+
+    .ARM.exidx : {
+        PROVIDE(__exidx_start = .);
+        *(.ARM.exidx* .gnu.linkonce.armexidx.*)
+        PROVIDE(__exidx_end = .);
+     } > ram
+
+    .eh_frame_hdr :
+    {
+        *(.eh_frame_hdr)
+    } > ram
+
+    .eh_frame : ONLY_IF_RO
+    {
+        *(.eh_frame)
+    } > ram
+    
+    .textalign : ONLY_IF_RO
+    {
+        . = ALIGN(8);
+    } > ram
+
+    .bss ALIGN(4) : ALIGN(4)
+    {
+        . = ALIGN(4);
+        PROVIDE(_bss_start = .);
+        *(.bss)
+        *(.bss.*)
+        *(COMMON)
+        . = ALIGN(4);
+        PROVIDE(_bss_end = .);
+    } > ram
+
+    . = ALIGN(4);
+    _etext = .;
+    _textdata = _etext;
+
+    .data ALIGN(4) : AT (_textdata)
+    {
+        . = ALIGN(4);
+        PROVIDE(_data = .);
+        *(.data)
+        *(.data.*)
+        *(.ramtext)
+        . = ALIGN(4);
+        PROVIDE(_edata = .);
+    } > ram
+}
+
+PROVIDE(end = .);
+_end = .;
+
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/main.cpp b/firmware/standalone/pacman/main.cpp
similarity index 53%
rename from firmware/application/external/pacman/main.cpp
rename to firmware/standalone/pacman/main.cpp
index 65717260..4ef787f7 100644
--- a/firmware/application/external/pacman/main.cpp
+++ b/firmware/standalone/pacman/main.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (C) 2023 Bernd Herzog
+ * Copyright (C) 2024 Bernd Herzog
  *
  * This file is part of PortaPack.
  *
@@ -19,24 +19,15 @@
  * Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
  */
 
-#include "ui.hpp"
-#include "ui_pacman.hpp"
-#include "ui_navigation.hpp"
-#include "external_app.hpp"
+#include "standalone_app.hpp"
+#include "pacman.hpp"
+#include <memory>
 
-namespace ui::external_app::pacman {
-void initialize_app(ui::NavigationView& nav) {
-    nav.push<PacmanView>();
-}
-}  // namespace ui::external_app::pacman
+const standalone_application_api_t* _api;
 
 extern "C" {
-
-__attribute__((section(".external_app.app_pacman.application_information"), used)) application_information_t _application_information_pacman = {
-    /*.memory_location = */ (uint8_t*)0x00000000,  // will be filled at compile time
-    /*.externalAppEntry = */ ui::external_app::pacman::initialize_app,
-    /*.header_version = */ CURRENT_HEADER_VERSION,
-    /*.app_version = */ VERSION_MD5,
+__attribute__((section(".standalone_application_information"), used)) standalone_application_information_t _standalone_application_information = {
+    /*.header_version = */ CURRENT_STANDALONE_APPLICATION_API_VERSION,
 
     /*.app_name = */ "Pac-Man",
     /*.bitmap_data = */ {
@@ -73,10 +64,38 @@ __attribute__((section(".external_app.app_pacman.application_information"), used
         0x00,
         0x00,
     },
-    /*.icon_color = */ ui::Color::yellow().v,
+    /*.icon_color = 16 bit: 5R 6G 5B*/ 0x0000FFE0,
     /*.menu_location = */ app_location_t::UTILITIES,
 
-    /*.m4_app_tag = portapack::spi_flash::image_tag_none */ {0, 0, 0, 0},
-    /*.m4_app_offset = */ 0x00000000,  // will be filled at compile time
+    /*.initialize_app = */ initialize,
+    /*.on_event = */ on_event,
+    /*.shutdown = */ shutdown,
 };
 }
+
+/* Implementing abort() eliminates requirement for _getpid(), _kill(), _exit(). */
+extern "C" void abort() {
+    while (true);
+}
+
+// replace memory allocations to use heap from chibios
+extern "C" void* malloc(size_t size) {
+    return _api->malloc(size);
+}
+extern "C" void* calloc(size_t num, size_t size) {
+    return _api->calloc(num, size);
+}
+extern "C" void* realloc(void* p, size_t size) {
+    return _api->realloc(p, size);
+}
+extern "C" void free(void* p) {
+    _api->free(p);
+}
+
+// redirect std lib memory allocations (sprintf, etc.)
+extern "C" void* __wrap__malloc_r(size_t size) {
+    return _api->malloc(size);
+}
+extern "C" void __wrap__free_r(void* p) {
+    _api->free(p);
+}
diff --git a/firmware/standalone/pacman/pacman.cpp b/firmware/standalone/pacman/pacman.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b0c23c27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/standalone/pacman/pacman.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2024 Bernd Herzog
+ *
+ * This file is part of PortaPack.
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; see the file COPYING.  If not, write to
+ * the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street,
+ * Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
+ */
+
+#include <memory>
+#include "pacman.hpp"
+#include "irq_controls.hpp"
+
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+// external code, so ignore warnings
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wunused-variable"
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wunused-parameter"
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wunused-but-set-variable"
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wreturn-type"
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Weffc++"
+#include "playfield.hpp"
+#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
+
+std::unique_ptr<Playfield> _playfield;
+
+void initialize(const standalone_application_api_t& api) {
+    _api = &api;
+}
+
+void on_event(const uint32_t& events) {
+    static bool wait_for_button_release{false};
+
+    if (!_playfield) {
+        _playfield = std::make_unique<Playfield>();
+        _playfield->Init();
+    }
+
+    if (events & 1) {
+        auto switches_raw = _api->swizzled_switches() & ((1 << (int)Switch::Right) | (1 << (int)Switch::Left) | (1 << (int)Switch::Down) | (1 << (int)Switch::Up) | (1 << (int)Switch::Sel) | (1 << (int)Switch::Dfu));
+        auto switches_debounced = _api->get_switches_state();
+
+        // For the Select (Start/Pause) button, wait for release to avoid repeat
+        uint8_t buttons_to_wait_for = (1 << (int)Switch::Sel);
+        if (wait_for_button_release) {
+            if ((switches_debounced & buttons_to_wait_for) == 0)
+                wait_for_button_release = false;
+            switches_debounced &= ~buttons_to_wait_for;
+        } else {
+            if (switches_debounced & buttons_to_wait_for)
+                wait_for_button_release = true;
+        }
+
+        // For the directional buttons, use the raw inputs for fastest response time
+        but_RIGHT = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Right)) != 0;
+        but_LEFT = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Left)) != 0;
+        but_DOWN = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Down)) != 0;
+        but_UP = (switches_raw & (1 << (int)Switch::Up)) != 0;
+
+        // For the pause button, use the debounced input to avoid glitches, and OR in the value to make sure that we don't clear it before it's seen
+        but_A |= (switches_debounced & (1 << (int)Switch::Sel)) != 0;
+
+        _playfield->Step();
+    }
+}
+
+void shutdown() {
+    _playfield.reset();
+}
diff --git a/firmware/standalone/pacman/pacman.hpp b/firmware/standalone/pacman/pacman.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..95ce09fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/firmware/standalone/pacman/pacman.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2023 Bernd Herzog
+ *
+ * This file is part of PortaPack.
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; see the file COPYING.  If not, write to
+ * the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street,
+ * Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PACMAN_H__
+#define __PACMAN_H__
+
+#include "standalone_app.hpp"
+
+void initialize(const standalone_application_api_t& api);
+void on_event(const uint32_t& events);
+void shutdown();
+
+extern const standalone_application_api_t* _api;
+
+#endif /*__PACMAN_H__*/
diff --git a/firmware/application/external/pacman/playfield.hpp b/firmware/standalone/pacman/playfield.hpp
similarity index 99%
rename from firmware/application/external/pacman/playfield.hpp
rename to firmware/standalone/pacman/playfield.hpp
index d0b4f171..a643ec5b 100644
--- a/firmware/application/external/pacman/playfield.hpp
+++ b/firmware/standalone/pacman/playfield.hpp
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 
+#include <cstring>
+
 /******************************************************************************/
 /*   MAIN GAME VARIABLES                                                      */
 /******************************************************************************/
diff --git a/firmware/tools/copy_external_apps.sh b/firmware/tools/copy_external_apps.sh
index bd807c66..e8578021 100755
--- a/firmware/tools/copy_external_apps.sh
+++ b/firmware/tools/copy_external_apps.sh
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ do
             echo "Copying external applications to" $mountpoint
             mkdir -p $mountpoint/APPS
             cp application/*.ppma $mountpoint/APPS
+            cp standalone/*/*.ppmp $mountpoint/APPS
 
             echo "Unmounting" $mountpoint
             umount $mountpoint