diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1a03e7d..36f4f5d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 Sound is terrain. A sampling instrument where material is cut in a quarry, laid as stones in a nave, and played by a hand or an agent through the same verbs.
 
-This repository is **P1 complete**: the Rust engine, the wire, the descent, the quarry, a project that survives restarts, recording, manual faces and trim, an undo stack that comes back with the project, and a native Tauri window that hosts the engine itself. A found or recorded sound is cut into sixteen faces by hand or by analysis, laid on a vein and heard in the loop; every project edit is autosaved and reversible. The next phase is the arrangement and the agent. The visual demo in [`reference/demo`](reference/demo) remains a design reference, not the codebase. The roadmap is in [`docs/PLAN.md`](docs/PLAN.md).
+This repository is **P2 in progress**: the engine, the wire, the descent, the quarry, a persistent project, recording, manual faces, undo across restarts, a native host — and an **8-bar arrangement of four sections**. A found or recorded sound is cut into sixteen faces, laid on a vein, arranged across A–D, and heard as an eight-bar loop; the render and the agent are the remaining P2 slices. The visual demo in [`reference/demo`](reference/demo) remains a design reference, not the codebase. The roadmap is in [`docs/PLAN.md`](docs/PLAN.md).
 
 ![The quarry](preview-p1-quarry.png)
 
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ This repository is **P1 complete**: the Rust engine, the wire, the descent, the
 
 ![P1d · a cut and trimmed core](preview-p1d-faces.png)
 
+![P2 · eight bars, four sections](preview-p2-arrangement.png)
+
 ## What is real
 
 - **Rust engine.** `cpal` output at 48 kHz, five veins, a sixteen-step phrase, a fixed voice pool, per-vein levels and gains, a bar clock. Procedural voices for empty pattern rows; real sample voices for rows with a face. No Web Audio.
@@ -29,6 +31,7 @@ This repository is **P1 complete**: the Rust engine, the wire, the descent, the
 - **Session + journal.** Validation, revisions, a journal for project edits (tempo, gains, pattern faces and steps); play, stop and strikes are performance, not history.
 - **Surface.** A Svelte 5 descent whose terrain, eye, city, road, stones and playhead react to the five levels and the master; a real wire log; engine facts; cilia; a master signal trace; vein gains; transport; keyboard.
 - **Native host.** The Tauri app starts the same host inside its own process: engine, session, SQLite project, assets and loopback wire. The built window is self-contained; the browser path uses the standalone daemon. One process owns `127.0.0.1:4317` at a time.
+- **Arrangement.** Four 2-bar sections (A–D) make an 8-bar loop. The engine plays the sections in order; the descent draws all eight bars with section seams and letters; the quarry edits the active section, selects, copies and clears. The sections, the active section and their edits are persisted and undoable; the pattern rows and faces stay per section.
 - **Verification.** Rust unit tests, a live wire test, a material import test, a browser quarry test and the P0 regression smoke, plus `svelte-check` and a production build.
 
 The Tauri 2 app is **built and running with its own engine**: the native window loads the embedded surface and the host starts the engine, session, project and wire in the app process. It is built with Tauri 2.12.5 / CLI 2.12.4 against WebKitGTK 2.54.2, GTK 3.24.52 and dbus 1.16.2. The binary is `app/src-tauri/target/release/zhila-app` (14 MB); installers are a later step.
@@ -101,13 +104,19 @@ npm --prefix ui run quarry-smoke      # daemon + Vite: import, assign, play, scr
 npm --prefix ui run project-smoke     # daemon + Vite: project, undo, import, screenshots
 npm --prefix ui run record-smoke      # daemon + Vite: fake microphone take, faces, seal
 npm --prefix ui run faces-smoke       # daemon + Vite: drag a seam, trim, save, screenshot
+npm --prefix ui run arrangement-smoke # daemon + Vite: sections, edit B, 8-bar descent
 cd app && ./node_modules/.bin/tauri build --no-bundle   # native app with the embedded host
 npm --prefix ui run restored-smoke    # after restarting the daemon on the saved project
 ```
 
 `npm --prefix ui run smoke` writes `preview-p0*.png`; `quarry-smoke` writes `preview-p1-*.png`.
 
-## P1 limits (next, not hidden)
+## P2 limits (in progress, not hidden)
+
+- The arrangement is exactly four 2-bar sections; no section length, reorder, insert or per-section mute yet.
+- Render and the agent are the next P2 slices; they are not in this commit.
+
+## P1 limits (kept honest)
 
 - Recording is mono, 16-bit, requested 48 kHz, up to 30 s, no monitoring and no input device choice. WebKitGTK/Tauri microphone permission is untested; the browser path is verified with Chromium's fake capture.
 - Face editing is seventeen contiguous cuts: no zoom, fades or per-face loop points. The trim is the outer pair of cuts; the source bytes are untouched.
@@ -120,4 +129,4 @@ npm --prefix ui run restored-smoke    # after restarting the daemon on the saved
 - No agent/MCP in this phase.
 - The Tauri shell now builds and runs; the engine is still the separate daemon (embedding is next).
 
-P1 is complete at the "first playing loop" milestone: material, sampler, project, recording, cutting, history and the native host. The next phase is P2: the arrangement across bars, render to WAV, and the agent on the same verbs. The plan is in [`docs/PLAN.md`](docs/PLAN.md); the phase notes are in [`docs/P1.md`](docs/P1.md).
+P2 is the arrangement, the offline WAV render and the in-app agent. P2a (the arrangement) is in this tree; P2b and P2c follow. The plan is in [`docs/PLAN.md`](docs/PLAN.md); the phase notes are in [`docs/P2.md`](docs/P2.md). The plan is in [`docs/PLAN.md`](docs/PLAN.md); the phase notes are in [`docs/P1.md`](docs/P1.md).
diff --git a/crates/zhila-core/src/lib.rs b/crates/zhila-core/src/lib.rs
index c91eae1..5eaab2c 100644
--- a/crates/zhila-core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/zhila-core/src/lib.rs
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ pub struct AudioCore {
 /// Immutable material view shared with the audio thread.
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct MaterialSnapshot {
-    pub pattern: Pattern,
+    pub sections: Vec<Pattern>,
     pub cores: Vec<AudioCore>,
 }
 
@@ -137,7 +137,8 @@ pub struct ProjectData {
     pub revision: u64,
     pub bpm: f32,
     pub gains: [f32; VEIN_COUNT],
-    pub pattern: Pattern,
+    pub sections: Vec<Pattern>,
+    pub active_section: u8,
     pub cores: Vec<Core>,
     pub journal: Vec<JournalEntry>,
     pub seq: u64,
@@ -155,11 +156,13 @@ pub struct CoreEdit {
 pub struct ProjectEdit {
     pub bpm: f32,
     pub gains: [f32; VEIN_COUNT],
-    pub pattern: Pattern,
+    pub sections: Vec<Pattern>,
+    pub active_section: u8,
     pub cores: Vec<CoreEdit>,
 }
 
 const MAX_HISTORY: usize = 64;
+pub const ARRANGEMENT_SECTIONS: usize = 4;
 
 /// The audio engine as seen by the session. Implementations must be real-time
 /// safe on the audio thread and non-blocking on these methods.
@@ -191,6 +194,8 @@ pub enum CoreError {
     UnknownFace,
     #[error("face boundaries must be sixteen ordered cuts inside the core")]
     InvalidFaces,
+    #[error("section must be 0..3")]
+    InvalidSection,
     #[error("this command only exists on the binary import path")]
     UnsupportedCommand,
 }
@@ -229,7 +234,8 @@ pub struct Session {
     bpm: f32,
     playing: bool,
     gains: [f32; VEIN_COUNT],
-    pattern: Pattern,
+    sections: Vec<Pattern>,
+    active_section: u8,
     cores: Vec<Core>,
     journal: Vec<JournalEntry>,
     project_name: String,
@@ -250,7 +256,8 @@ impl Session {
             bpm: 128.0,
             playing: false,
             gains: INITIAL_GAINS,
-            pattern,
+            sections: vec![pattern; ARRANGEMENT_SECTIONS],
+            active_section: 0,
             cores: Vec::new(),
             journal: Vec::new(),
             project_name: "descent-04".into(),
@@ -269,7 +276,8 @@ impl Session {
             bpm: data.bpm,
             playing: false,
             gains: data.gains,
-            pattern: data.pattern,
+            sections: data.sections,
+            active_section: data.active_section,
             cores: data.cores,
             journal: data.journal,
             project_name: data.name,
@@ -315,7 +323,11 @@ impl Session {
     }
 
     fn sanitize_faces(&mut self) {
-        for row in &mut self.pattern.rows {
+        for row in self
+            .sections
+            .iter_mut()
+            .flat_map(|section| &mut section.rows)
+        {
             let Some(face) = &row.face else { continue };
             let exists = self.cores.iter().any(|core| {
                 core.summary.id == face.core
@@ -334,7 +346,8 @@ impl Session {
         ProjectEdit {
             bpm: self.bpm,
             gains: self.gains,
-            pattern: self.pattern.clone(),
+            sections: self.sections.clone(),
+            active_section: self.active_section,
             cores: self
                 .cores
                 .iter()
@@ -357,7 +370,8 @@ impl Session {
     fn apply_edit(&mut self, edit: ProjectEdit) {
         self.bpm = edit.bpm;
         self.gains = edit.gains;
-        self.pattern = edit.pattern;
+        self.sections = edit.sections;
+        self.active_section = edit.active_section;
         for core_edit in &edit.cores {
             if let Some(core) = self
                 .cores
@@ -381,7 +395,15 @@ impl Session {
     }
 
     pub fn pattern(&self) -> &Pattern {
-        &self.pattern
+        &self.sections[self.active_section as usize]
+    }
+
+    pub fn sections(&self) -> &[Pattern] {
+        &self.sections
+    }
+
+    pub fn active_section(&self) -> u8 {
+        self.active_section
     }
 
     pub fn journal(&self) -> &[JournalEntry] {
@@ -399,7 +421,7 @@ impl Session {
                 playing: self.playing,
                 bpm: self.bpm,
                 bar: meter.bar,
-                loop_bars: LOOP_BARS,
+                loop_bars: self.sections.len().max(1) as f32 * LOOP_BARS,
             },
             veins: VeinId::ALL
                 .iter()
@@ -410,7 +432,9 @@ impl Session {
                     gain: self.gains[index],
                 })
                 .collect(),
-            pattern: self.pattern.clone(),
+            pattern: self.pattern().clone(),
+            arrangement: self.sections.clone(),
+            active_section: self.active_section,
             cores: self.cores.iter().map(|core| core.summary.clone()).collect(),
             audio: self.engine.info(),
             journal_len: self.journal.len(),
@@ -560,6 +584,9 @@ impl Session {
             Command::SetCoreFaces { core, boundaries } => {
                 self.set_core_faces(&core, &boundaries, actor)
             }
+            Command::SelectSection { index } => self.select_section(index, actor),
+            Command::ClearSection { index } => self.clear_section(index, actor),
+            Command::CopySection { from, to } => self.copy_section(from, to, actor),
             Command::Undo => {
                 let Some(edit) = self.history.pop() else {
                     return Ok((
@@ -616,7 +643,7 @@ impl Session {
 
     pub fn material_snapshot(&self) -> MaterialSnapshot {
         MaterialSnapshot {
-            pattern: self.pattern.clone(),
+            sections: self.sections.clone(),
             cores: self
                 .cores
                 .iter()
@@ -631,6 +658,109 @@ impl Session {
     }
 
     /// Called by the daemon after the binary import and the analysis.
+    pub fn select_section(
+        &mut self,
+        index: u8,
+        actor: Actor,
+    ) -> Result<(CommandResult, Vec<Event>), CoreError> {
+        if index as usize >= self.sections.len() {
+            return Err(CoreError::InvalidSection);
+        }
+        if index == self.active_section {
+            return Ok((
+                CommandResult::State {
+                    state: self.snapshot(),
+                },
+                Vec::new(),
+            ));
+        }
+        self.active_section = index;
+        self.revision += 1;
+        self.record(actor, Command::SelectSection { index });
+        Ok((
+            CommandResult::State {
+                state: self.snapshot(),
+            },
+            vec![Event::Arrangement {
+                sections: self.sections.clone(),
+                active: index,
+            }],
+        ))
+    }
+
+    pub fn clear_section(
+        &mut self,
+        index: u8,
+        actor: Actor,
+    ) -> Result<(CommandResult, Vec<Event>), CoreError> {
+        if index as usize >= self.sections.len() {
+            return Err(CoreError::InvalidSection);
+        }
+        if self.sections[index as usize]
+            .rows
+            .iter()
+            .all(|row| row.velocities.iter().all(|velocity| *velocity == 0) && row.face.is_none())
+        {
+            return Ok((
+                CommandResult::State {
+                    state: self.snapshot(),
+                },
+                Vec::new(),
+            ));
+        }
+        self.push_history();
+        for row in &mut self.sections[index as usize].rows {
+            row.velocities.fill(0);
+            row.face = None;
+        }
+        self.revision += 1;
+        self.record(actor, Command::ClearSection { index });
+        self.sync_material();
+        Ok((
+            CommandResult::State {
+                state: self.snapshot(),
+            },
+            vec![Event::Arrangement {
+                sections: self.sections.clone(),
+                active: self.active_section,
+            }],
+        ))
+    }
+
+    pub fn copy_section(
+        &mut self,
+        from: u8,
+        to: u8,
+        actor: Actor,
+    ) -> Result<(CommandResult, Vec<Event>), CoreError> {
+        if from as usize >= self.sections.len() || to as usize >= self.sections.len() {
+            return Err(CoreError::InvalidSection);
+        }
+        if from == to || self.sections[from as usize] == self.sections[to as usize] {
+            return Ok((
+                CommandResult::State {
+                    state: self.snapshot(),
+                },
+                Vec::new(),
+            ));
+        }
+        self.push_history();
+        let source = self.sections[from as usize].clone();
+        self.sections[to as usize] = source;
+        self.revision += 1;
+        self.record(actor, Command::CopySection { from, to });
+        self.sync_material();
+        Ok((
+            CommandResult::State {
+                state: self.snapshot(),
+            },
+            vec![Event::Arrangement {
+                sections: self.sections.clone(),
+                active: self.active_section,
+            }],
+        ))
+    }
+
     pub fn set_core_faces(
         &mut self,
         core_id: &str,
@@ -703,15 +833,15 @@ impl Session {
         velocity: u8,
         actor: Actor,
     ) -> Result<(CommandResult, Vec<Event>), CoreError> {
-        if row as usize >= self.pattern.rows.len() {
+        let section = self.active_section as usize;
+        if row as usize >= self.sections[section].rows.len() {
             return Err(CoreError::InvalidRow);
         }
         if step as usize >= LOOP_STEPS {
             return Err(CoreError::InvalidStep);
         }
         let velocity = velocity.min(127);
-        let unchanged = self
-            .pattern
+        let unchanged = self.sections[section]
             .rows
             .get(row as usize)
             .is_some_and(|row| row.velocities[step as usize] == velocity);
@@ -724,7 +854,7 @@ impl Session {
             ));
         }
         self.push_history();
-        let Some(row_ref) = self.pattern.rows.get_mut(row as usize) else {
+        let Some(row_ref) = self.sections[section].rows.get_mut(row as usize) else {
             return Err(CoreError::InvalidRow);
         };
         row_ref.velocities[step as usize] = velocity;
@@ -757,7 +887,8 @@ impl Session {
         face: u8,
         actor: Actor,
     ) -> Result<(CommandResult, Vec<Event>), CoreError> {
-        if row as usize >= self.pattern.rows.len() {
+        let section = self.active_section as usize;
+        if row as usize >= self.sections[section].rows.len() {
             return Err(CoreError::InvalidRow);
         }
         self.find_face(core, face)?;
@@ -765,8 +896,7 @@ impl Session {
             core: core.to_string(),
             face,
         };
-        let unchanged = self
-            .pattern
+        let unchanged = self.sections[section]
             .rows
             .get(row as usize)
             .and_then(|row| row.face.as_ref())
@@ -780,7 +910,7 @@ impl Session {
             ));
         }
         self.push_history();
-        let Some(row_ref) = self.pattern.rows.get_mut(row as usize) else {
+        let Some(row_ref) = self.sections[section].rows.get_mut(row as usize) else {
             return Err(CoreError::InvalidRow);
         };
         row_ref.face = Some(reference);
@@ -1119,7 +1249,7 @@ mod tests {
         let (session, _) = session();
         let state = session.snapshot();
         assert_eq!(state.transport.bar, 2.25);
-        assert_eq!(state.transport.loop_bars, LOOP_BARS);
+        assert_eq!(state.transport.loop_bars, 8.0);
         assert_eq!(state.veins.len(), VEIN_COUNT);
         assert_eq!(state.pattern.rows.len(), VEIN_COUNT);
         assert_eq!(state.audio.device, "test");
@@ -1233,7 +1363,8 @@ mod tests {
                 revision: 7,
                 bpm: 120.0,
                 gains: [0.5; VEIN_COUNT],
-                pattern: default_pattern(),
+                sections: vec![default_pattern(); ARRANGEMENT_SECTIONS],
+                active_section: 0,
                 cores: vec![test_core()],
                 journal: Vec::new(),
                 seq: 0,
@@ -1251,6 +1382,50 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!state.can_undo);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn arrangement_sections_are_independent() {
+        let (mut session, engine) = session();
+        engine.clear();
+        let state = session.snapshot();
+        assert_eq!(state.arrangement.len(), ARRANGEMENT_SECTIONS);
+        assert_eq!(state.active_section, 0);
+        assert_eq!(state.transport.loop_bars, 8.0);
+
+        session
+            .apply(Command::SelectSection { index: 1 }, Actor::Hand)
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(session.active_section(), 1);
+        session.set_pattern_step(0, 0, 0, Actor::Hand).unwrap();
+        let state = session.snapshot();
+        assert_eq!(state.pattern.rows[0].velocities[0], 0);
+        assert_eq!(state.arrangement[0].rows[0].velocities[0], 112);
+        assert_eq!(state.arrangement[1].rows[0].velocities[0], 0);
+
+        session
+            .apply(Command::CopySection { from: 0, to: 2 }, Actor::Hand)
+            .unwrap();
+        let state = session.snapshot();
+        assert_eq!(state.arrangement[2], state.arrangement[0]);
+        session
+            .apply(Command::ClearSection { index: 2 }, Actor::Hand)
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            session.snapshot().arrangement[2].rows.iter().all(|row| row
+                .velocities
+                .iter()
+                .all(|velocity| *velocity == 0)
+                && row.face.is_none())
+        );
+        session.apply(Command::Undo, Actor::Hand).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            session.snapshot().arrangement[2],
+            session.snapshot().arrangement[0]
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(session.material_snapshot().sections.len(), 4);
+        assert!(engine.calls().iter().any(|call| call.contains("material")));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn manual_faces_are_validated_and_undoable() {
         let (mut session, _) = session();
diff --git a/crates/zhila-daemon/src/lib.rs b/crates/zhila-daemon/src/lib.rs
index 8d9cd71..a3147f8 100644
--- a/crates/zhila-daemon/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/zhila-daemon/src/lib.rs
@@ -203,7 +203,8 @@ async fn save_now(shared: &Shared) {
         revision: state.revision,
         bpm: session.bpm(),
         gains: &gains,
-        pattern: session.pattern(),
+        sections: session.sections(),
+        active_section: session.active_section(),
         cores: &state.cores,
         journal: session.journal(),
         history: session.history(),
@@ -565,6 +566,7 @@ fn error_code(error: &CoreError) -> ErrorCode {
         | CoreError::InvalidStep
         | CoreError::UnknownFace
         | CoreError::InvalidFaces
+        | CoreError::InvalidSection
         | CoreError::UnsupportedCommand => ErrorCode::BadRequest,
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/zhila-engine/src/lib.rs b/crates/zhila-engine/src/lib.rs
index 025b103..772cfe4 100644
--- a/crates/zhila-engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/zhila-engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -353,9 +353,9 @@ impl AudioState {
                     return;
                 };
                 let vein_index = material
-                    .pattern
-                    .rows
+                    .sections
                     .iter()
+                    .flat_map(|section| &section.rows)
                     .find(|row| {
                         row.face.as_ref().is_some_and(|reference| {
                             reference.core == core && reference.face == face
@@ -374,6 +374,8 @@ impl AudioState {
                 }
             }
             AudioCommand::SetMaterial(material) => {
+                let total = material.sections.len().max(1) * LOOP_STEPS;
+                self.step %= total;
                 self.material = Some(material);
             }
         }
@@ -436,19 +438,24 @@ impl AudioState {
 
     fn trigger_step(&mut self) {
         let step = self.step;
-        let (plan, count) = {
+        let (plan, count, section_count) = {
             let material = self.material.as_ref().cloned();
-            let pattern = material
-                .as_ref()
-                .map(|material| &material.pattern)
-                .unwrap_or(&self.fallback);
+            let (sections, section_count) = match material.as_ref() {
+                Some(material) if !material.sections.is_empty() => {
+                    (material.sections.as_slice(), material.sections.len())
+                }
+                _ => (std::slice::from_ref(&self.fallback), 4),
+            };
+            let section = (step / LOOP_STEPS) % section_count;
+            let pattern = sections.get(section).unwrap_or(&self.fallback);
+            let pattern_step = step % LOOP_STEPS;
             let mut plan: [StepTrigger; 8] = [(0, 0, None); 8];
             let mut count = 0;
             for row in &pattern.rows {
                 if count >= plan.len() {
                     break;
                 }
-                let velocity = row.velocities.get(step).copied().unwrap_or(0);
+                let velocity = row.velocities.get(pattern_step).copied().unwrap_or(0);
                 if velocity == 0 {
                     continue;
                 }
@@ -464,7 +471,7 @@ impl AudioState {
                 plan[count] = (row.vein.index(), velocity, face);
                 count += 1;
             }
-            (plan, count)
+            (plan, count, section_count)
         };
         for (vein_index, velocity, face) in plan.into_iter().take(count) {
             if let Some((core_index, face_index)) = face {
@@ -474,7 +481,7 @@ impl AudioState {
             }
         }
         self.bar = step as f32 / STEPS_PER_BAR as f32 + 1.0;
-        self.step = (step + 1) % LOOP_STEPS;
+        self.step = (step + 1) % (section_count * LOOP_STEPS);
     }
 
     fn render<T>(&mut self, data: &mut [T], levels: &Levels)
diff --git a/crates/zhila-project/src/lib.rs b/crates/zhila-project/src/lib.rs
index 061ee7f..f1222c5 100644
--- a/crates/zhila-project/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/zhila-project/src/lib.rs
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ pub struct ProjectSnapshot<'a> {
     pub revision: u64,
     pub bpm: f32,
     pub gains: &'a [f32; VEIN_COUNT],
-    pub pattern: &'a Pattern,
+    pub sections: &'a [Pattern],
+    pub active_section: u8,
     pub cores: &'a [CoreSummary],
     pub journal: &'a [JournalEntry],
     pub history: &'a [ProjectEdit],
@@ -70,6 +71,8 @@ impl ProjectStore {
                bpm REAL NOT NULL,
                gains TEXT NOT NULL,
                pattern TEXT NOT NULL,
+               arrangement TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]',
+               active_section INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
                history TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]',
                redo TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]',
                saved_at INTEGER NOT NULL
@@ -91,15 +94,21 @@ impl ProjectStore {
                command TEXT NOT NULL
              );",
         )?;
-        let _ = conn.execute("ALTER TABLE cores ADD COLUMN faces TEXT", []);
-        let _ = conn.execute(
-            "ALTER TABLE project ADD COLUMN history TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'",
-            [],
-        );
-        let _ = conn.execute(
-            "ALTER TABLE project ADD COLUMN redo TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'",
-            [],
-        );
+        ensure_column(&conn, "cores", "faces", "TEXT")?;
+        ensure_column(&conn, "project", "history", "TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'")?;
+        ensure_column(&conn, "project", "redo", "TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'")?;
+        ensure_column(
+            &conn,
+            "project",
+            "arrangement",
+            "TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '[]'",
+        )?;
+        ensure_column(
+            &conn,
+            "project",
+            "active_section",
+            "INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0",
+        )?;
         conn.execute(
             "INSERT INTO meta (key, value) VALUES ('schema', ?1)
              ON CONFLICT(key) DO UPDATE SET value = excluded.value",
@@ -120,7 +129,7 @@ impl ProjectStore {
         let row = self
             .conn
             .query_row(
-                "SELECT name, revision, bpm, gains, pattern, history, redo FROM project WHERE id = 1",
+                "SELECT name, revision, bpm, gains, pattern, arrangement, active_section, history, redo FROM project WHERE id = 1",
                 [],
                 |row| {
                     Ok((
@@ -130,12 +139,24 @@ impl ProjectStore {
                         row.get::<_, String>(3)?,
                         row.get::<_, String>(4)?,
                         row.get::<_, String>(5)?,
-                        row.get::<_, String>(6)?,
+                        row.get::<_, i64>(6)?,
+                        row.get::<_, String>(7)?,
+                        row.get::<_, String>(8)?,
                     ))
                 },
             )
             .optional()?;
-        let Some((name, revision, bpm, gains_json, pattern_json, history_json, redo_json)) = row
+        let Some((
+            name,
+            revision,
+            bpm,
+            gains_json,
+            pattern_json,
+            arrangement_json,
+            active_section,
+            history_json,
+            redo_json,
+        )) = row
         else {
             return Ok(None);
         };
@@ -145,7 +166,13 @@ impl ProjectStore {
         for (slot, value) in gains.iter_mut().zip(gains_value.iter()) {
             *slot = *value;
         }
-        let mut pattern: Pattern = serde_json::from_str(&pattern_json)?;
+        let pattern: Pattern = serde_json::from_str(&pattern_json)?;
+        let mut sections: Vec<Pattern> =
+            serde_json::from_str(&arrangement_json).unwrap_or_default();
+        if sections.is_empty() {
+            sections = vec![pattern; 4];
+        }
+        let active_section = (active_section.max(0) as usize).min(sections.len() - 1) as u8;
         let mut warnings = Vec::new();
         let history: Vec<ProjectEdit> =
             serde_json::from_str(&history_json).unwrap_or_else(|error| {
@@ -210,7 +237,7 @@ impl ProjectStore {
             }
         }
 
-        for row in &mut pattern.rows {
+        for row in sections.iter_mut().flat_map(|section| &mut section.rows) {
             let missing = row.face.as_ref().and_then(|face| {
                 let valid = cores.iter().any(|core| {
                     core.summary.id == face.core
@@ -274,7 +301,8 @@ impl ProjectStore {
                 revision: revision as u64,
                 bpm: bpm as f32,
                 gains,
-                pattern,
+                sections,
+                active_section,
                 cores,
                 journal,
                 seq,
@@ -287,20 +315,30 @@ impl ProjectStore {
 
     pub fn save(&mut self, snapshot: &ProjectSnapshot<'_>) -> Result<(), ProjectError> {
         let gains = serde_json::to_string(snapshot.gains)?;
-        let pattern = serde_json::to_string(snapshot.pattern)?;
+        let active = snapshot
+            .sections
+            .get(snapshot.active_section as usize)
+            .or_else(|| snapshot.sections.first())
+            .cloned()
+            .unwrap_or_else(zhila_core::default_pattern);
+        let pattern = serde_json::to_string(&active)?;
+        let arrangement = serde_json::to_string(snapshot.sections)?;
+        let active_section = snapshot.active_section as i64;
         let history = serde_json::to_string(snapshot.history)?;
         let redo = serde_json::to_string(snapshot.redo)?;
         let saved_at = now_ms();
         let tx = self.conn.transaction()?;
         tx.execute(
-            "INSERT INTO project (id, name, revision, bpm, gains, pattern, history, redo, saved_at)
-             VALUES (1, ?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6, ?7, ?8)
+            "INSERT INTO project (id, name, revision, bpm, gains, pattern, arrangement, active_section, history, redo, saved_at)
+             VALUES (1, ?1, ?2, ?3, ?4, ?5, ?6, ?7, ?8, ?9, ?10)
              ON CONFLICT(id) DO UPDATE SET
                name = excluded.name,
                revision = excluded.revision,
                bpm = excluded.bpm,
                gains = excluded.gains,
                pattern = excluded.pattern,
+               arrangement = excluded.arrangement,
+               active_section = excluded.active_section,
                history = excluded.history,
                redo = excluded.redo,
                saved_at = excluded.saved_at",
@@ -310,6 +348,8 @@ impl ProjectStore {
                 snapshot.bpm as f64,
                 gains,
                 pattern,
+                arrangement,
+                active_section,
                 history,
                 redo,
                 saved_at as i64
@@ -445,6 +485,28 @@ impl ProjectStore {
     }
 }
 
+fn ensure_column(
+    conn: &Connection,
+    table: &str,
+    column: &str,
+    definition: &str,
+) -> Result<(), ProjectError> {
+    let exists = conn
+        .query_row(
+            "SELECT 1 FROM pragma_table_info(?1) WHERE name = ?2",
+            params![table, column],
+            |_| Ok(true),
+        )
+        .optional()?;
+    if exists.is_none() {
+        conn.execute(
+            &format!("ALTER TABLE {table} ADD COLUMN {column} {definition}"),
+            [],
+        )?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 fn now_ms() -> u64 {
     std::time::SystemTime::now()
         .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
@@ -519,7 +581,8 @@ mod tests {
         let history = vec![ProjectEdit {
             bpm: 120.0,
             gains,
-            pattern: pattern.clone(),
+            sections: vec![pattern.clone()],
+            active_section: 0,
             cores: vec![CoreEdit {
                 core: core.summary.id.clone(),
                 boundaries: core.face_boundaries(),
@@ -534,7 +597,8 @@ mod tests {
                 revision: 4,
                 bpm: 132.0,
                 gains: &gains,
-                pattern: &pattern,
+                sections: std::slice::from_ref(&pattern),
+                active_section: 0,
                 cores: std::slice::from_ref(&core.summary),
                 journal: &journal,
                 history: &history,
@@ -553,10 +617,11 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(loaded.data.cores[0].summary.id, core.summary.id);
         assert_eq!(loaded.data.cores[0].faces.len(), 16);
         assert!((loaded.data.cores[0].summary.faces[7].end_sec - expected_edge).abs() < 1e-4);
-        assert_eq!(loaded.data.pattern.rows.len(), 5);
-        assert_eq!(loaded.data.pattern.rows[0].velocities[0], 96);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.data.sections.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.data.sections[0].rows.len(), 5);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.data.sections[0].rows[0].velocities[0], 96);
         assert_eq!(
-            loaded.data.pattern.rows[0].face.as_ref().unwrap().core,
+            loaded.data.sections[0].rows[0].face.as_ref().unwrap().core,
             core.summary.id
         );
         assert_eq!(loaded.data.journal.len(), 1);
diff --git a/crates/zhila-protocol/src/lib.rs b/crates/zhila-protocol/src/lib.rs
index 3e2e2c0..5a0b0c0 100644
--- a/crates/zhila-protocol/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/zhila-protocol/src/lib.rs
@@ -208,6 +208,16 @@ pub enum Command {
         core: String,
         boundaries: Vec<f32>,
     },
+    SelectSection {
+        index: u8,
+    },
+    ClearSection {
+        index: u8,
+    },
+    CopySection {
+        from: u8,
+        to: u8,
+    },
     Undo,
     Redo,
     /// Journal-only: a core was imported through the binary path.
@@ -263,6 +273,10 @@ pub enum Event {
     CoreFaces {
         core: CoreSummary,
     },
+    Arrangement {
+        sections: Vec<Pattern>,
+        active: u8,
+    },
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -305,6 +319,8 @@ pub struct State {
     pub transport: TransportState,
     pub veins: Vec<VeinState>,
     pub pattern: Pattern,
+    pub arrangement: Vec<Pattern>,
+    pub active_section: u8,
     pub cores: Vec<CoreSummary>,
     pub audio: AudioInfo,
     pub journal_len: usize,
diff --git a/docs/P2.md b/docs/P2.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..beba27c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/P2.md
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# P2 · arrangement, render, agent
+
+P2 turns the loop into a thing that can be played, rendered and performed with an agent. It is delivered in three slices.
+
+## P2a · the arrangement
+
+Four 2-bar sections (A–D) form an 8-bar loop. Each section is a full `Pattern` (5 rows × 16 steps, with per-row faces). The engine walks 64 steps, picks the section and the pattern step, and triggers the section's rows; the bar clock runs 1–8. The state carries `arrangement: [Pattern; 4]`, `active_section`, and `pattern` = the active section for the editors.
+
+Commands: `select_section { index }`, `clear_section { index }`, `copy_section { from, to }`, event `arrangement { sections, active }`. Pattern edits apply to the active section. Select is persisted but not undoable; clear/copy push history. Sections, the active index and their history are stored in SQLite (`arrangement`, `active_section` columns, migrated with `ensure_column`) and restored on load.
+
+Surface: the quarry gets a section strip (A–D with note counts, copy →, clear); the pattern grid edits the active section. The descent draws the 64-step road, bar labels 01–08, section seams and letters A–D, with the active section emphasized; the playhead follows the 8-bar clock.
+
+Verification:
+
+- `cargo test -p zhila-core arrangement`: sections independent, select/copy/clear, undo, material carries four sections, loop_bars = 8.
+- `node scripts/persistence-smoke.mjs`: imports, edits section B, copies A→C, cuts, restarts, verifies the arrangement, active B, B's step 0 = 0, C = A, and undo/redo.
+- `npm --prefix ui run arrangement-smoke`: four sections, select B, edit a step, switch to the nave, play, screenshot `preview-p2-arrangement.png`.
+
+Limits: exactly four sections of two bars; no insert/reorder/length; select is not undoable; no per-section mute.
+
+## P2b · render (next)
+
+Offline render of the 8-bar arrangement to a WAV inside the project, with a command and a surface control.
+
+## P2c · agent (next)
+
+An in-app LLM agent on the same verbs, with state/sound context and approval for project edits.
diff --git a/docs/PLAN.md b/docs/PLAN.md
index af1fb86..d967ea5 100644
--- a/docs/PLAN.md
+++ b/docs/PLAN.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # ZHILA — план проекта
 
 Черновик v1.1 · 1 ноября 2026
-Статус: **P1 полностью выполнен** (P0, P1a–P1f; см. `P0.md`, `P1.md`). Демо `reference/demo/` — референс, не кодовая база. Следующая фаза — аранжировка, рендер и агент.
+Статус: **P2 в работе** (P0, P1a–P1f, P2a; см. `P0.md`, `P1.md`, `P2.md`). Демо `reference/demo/` — референс, не кодовая база. Осталось: рендер WAV и агент.
 
 **Зафиксировано 1 ноября:** descent — основной вид; камень = паттерн; климат — на жилу (концепт погоды остаётся); платформа v1 — Linux; UI — Svelte 5. Журнал — §9.
 
diff --git a/docs/PROTOCOL.md b/docs/PROTOCOL.md
index afb2769..03db42e 100644
--- a/docs/PROTOCOL.md
+++ b/docs/PROTOCOL.md
@@ -168,3 +168,7 @@ No new wire messages. The daemon now persists the session's bounded `history` an
 ## P1f note
 
 The Tauri app starts the same host in-process, so the wire contract is unchanged. The embedded surface connects to `ws://127.0.0.1:4317` with the same hello, token and origin rules; the daemon remains the browser-development host.
+
+## P2a additions
+
+`State` adds `arrangement: Pattern[]` (four sections in this phase) and `active_section: u8`; `State.pattern` is the active section. Commands `select_section { index }`, `clear_section { index }`, `copy_section { from, to }`; event `arrangement { sections, active }`. Pattern step/face commands edit the active section. The project row stores `arrangement` and `active_section`; old projects with only `pattern` are migrated to four copies of it.
diff --git a/preview-p2-arrangement.png b/preview-p2-arrangement.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a13c0fc
Binary files /dev/null and b/preview-p2-arrangement.png differ
diff --git a/scripts/persistence-smoke.mjs b/scripts/persistence-smoke.mjs
index 323da18..c6e73e5 100644
--- a/scripts/persistence-smoke.mjs
+++ b/scripts/persistence-smoke.mjs
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ try {
   if (!assigned) throw new Error('redo did not restore the face');
   await client.command(23, { type: 'set_pattern_step', row: 0, step: 0, velocity: 96 });
   await client.command(24, { type: 'set_tempo', bpm: 132 });
+  await client.command(28, { type: 'select_section', index: 1 });
+  await client.command(29, { type: 'set_pattern_step', row: 0, step: 0, velocity: 0 });
+  await client.command(30, { type: 'copy_section', from: 0, to: 2 });
   const sortedFaces = [...core.faces].sort((a, b) => a.index - b.index);
   const boundaries = sortedFaces.map((face) => face.start_sec);
   boundaries.push(sortedFaces[sortedFaces.length - 1].end_sec);
@@ -98,7 +101,7 @@ try {
   await start();
   client = await connect();
   const second = client.snapshot;
-  const restored = second.pattern.rows[0];
+  const restored = second.arrangement[0].rows[0];
   if (second.cores.length !== 1) throw new Error('core did not survive the restart');
   if (second.cores[0].name !== 'clicks-01') throw new Error('core name changed');
   if (!restored.face || restored.face.face !== assigned.face) throw new Error('pattern face did not survive');
@@ -107,6 +110,11 @@ try {
   const loadedEdge = second.cores[0].faces[7].end_sec;
   if (Math.abs(loadedEdge - cutEdge) > 0.002) throw new Error('manual face did not survive');
   if (second.project_name !== first.project_name) throw new Error('project name changed');
+  if (second.arrangement.length !== 4) throw new Error('arrangement did not survive');
+  if (second.active_section !== 1) throw new Error('active section did not survive');
+  if (second.arrangement[1].rows[0].velocities[0] !== 0) throw new Error('section B edit did not survive');
+  if (JSON.stringify(second.arrangement[2]) !== JSON.stringify(second.arrangement[0]))
+    throw new Error('copied section did not survive');
   if (!second.can_undo) throw new Error('undo history did not survive');
   await client.command(26, { type: 'undo' });
   const undoneEdge = client.snapshot.cores[0].faces[7].end_sec;
@@ -124,6 +132,7 @@ try {
     step: restored.velocities[0],
     bpm: second.transport.bpm,
     cut: { before: beforeCut, after: loadedEdge },
+    sections: { count: second.arrangement.length, active: second.active_section, bNotes: second.arrangement[1].rows[0].velocities[0] },
     history: { restored: second.can_undo, undone: undoneEdge, redone: redoneEdge },
     journal: second.journal_len,
     db: existsSync(join(project, 'project.db'))
diff --git a/ui/package.json b/ui/package.json
index 8ac2eee..25379c2 100644
--- a/ui/package.json
+++ b/ui/package.json
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
     "project-smoke": "node scripts/project-smoke.mjs",
     "record-smoke": "node scripts/record-smoke.mjs",
     "faces-smoke": "node scripts/faces-smoke.mjs",
+    "arrangement-smoke": "node scripts/arrangement-smoke.mjs",
     "restored-smoke": "node scripts/restored-smoke.mjs"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/ui/scripts/arrangement-smoke.mjs b/ui/scripts/arrangement-smoke.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72133a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/scripts/arrangement-smoke.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import { chromium } from 'playwright-core';
+const chrome = process.env.CHROME_PATH ?? '/home/emil/.cache/ms-playwright/chromium-1248/chrome-linux64/chrome';
+const browser = await chromium.launch({ executablePath: chrome, args: ['--no-sandbox', '--autoplay-policy=no-user-gesture-required'] });
+const page = await browser.newPage({ viewport: { width: 1600, height: 1000 }, deviceScaleFactor: 1 });
+const errors = [];
+page.on('pageerror', (error) => errors.push(`pageerror: ${error.message}`));
+page.on('console', (message) => { if (message.type() === 'error') errors.push(`console: ${message.text()}`); });
+await page.goto('http://127.0.0.1:5173/', { waitUntil: 'load' });
+await page.waitForTimeout(2200);
+await page.locator('.room', { hasText: 'quarry' }).click();
+await page.waitForTimeout(600);
+const sectionCount = await page.locator('.section').count();
+const notesBefore = await page.locator('.section-notes').allTextContents();
+await page.locator('.section').nth(1).click();
+await page.waitForTimeout(350);
+const active = await page.locator('.section.is-on .section-letter').textContent();
+await page.locator('.pattern .step').first().click();
+await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+const notesAfter = await page.locator('.section-notes').allTextContents();
+await page.locator('.room', { hasText: 'nave' }).click();
+await page.waitForTimeout(600);
+if (!(await page.locator('.play.is-playing').count())) await page.locator('.play').click();
+await page.waitForTimeout(1800);
+await page.screenshot({ path: '../preview-p2-arrangement.png' });
+const report = await page.evaluate(() => ({
+  sections: document.querySelectorAll('.section').length,
+  active: document.querySelector('.section.is-on .section-letter')?.textContent,
+  notes: [...document.querySelectorAll('.section-notes')].map((el) => el.textContent?.trim()),
+  wire: [...document.querySelectorAll('.wire-label')].map((el) => el.textContent).slice(-6),
+  bar: document.querySelector('.clock-bar')?.textContent ?? document.querySelector('.transport')?.textContent?.slice(0, 40),
+  master: document.querySelector('.master-db')?.textContent
+}));
+console.log(JSON.stringify({ sectionCount, notesBefore, active, notesAfter, report, errors }, null, 2));
+const failures = [];
+if (sectionCount !== 4) failures.push('expected four sections');
+if (active !== 'B') failures.push('section B was not selected');
+if (notesAfter[0] === notesBefore[0] && notesAfter[1] === notesBefore[1]) failures.push('section notes did not change');
+if (!report.wire.some((label) => label?.startsWith('step'))) failures.push('no step command on the wire');
+if (errors.length) failures.push('console errors');
+await browser.close();
+if (failures.length) { console.error('ARRANGEMENT SMOKE FAILED: ' + failures.join('; ')); process.exit(1); }
+console.log('arrangement smoke passed');
diff --git a/ui/src/App.svelte b/ui/src/App.svelte
index 0008db6..cd0f171 100644
--- a/ui/src/App.svelte
+++ b/ui/src/App.svelte
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
     }
     if (!snapshotLogged) {
       snapshotLogged = true;
-      addEntry('info', 'snapshot', `${next.project_name} · ${next.veins.length} veins · ${next.pattern.steps} steps · ${cores.length} cores · rev ${next.revision}`);
+      addEntry('info', 'snapshot', `${next.project_name} · ${next.veins.length} veins · ${next.arrangement.length} sections · ${cores.length} cores · rev ${next.revision}`);
     }
   }
 
@@ -105,6 +105,10 @@
     } else if (event.kind === 'core_faces') {
       const index = project.cores.findIndex((core) => core.id === event.core.id);
       if (index >= 0) project.cores[index] = event.core;
+    } else if (event.kind === 'arrangement') {
+      project.arrangement = event.sections;
+      project.active_section = event.active;
+      project.pattern = event.sections[event.active] ?? project.pattern;
     }
   }
 
@@ -200,6 +204,18 @@
     void run({ type: 'set_core_faces', core, boundaries });
   }
 
+  function selectSection(index: number) {
+    void run({ type: 'select_section', index });
+  }
+
+  function clearSection(index: number) {
+    void run({ type: 'clear_section', index });
+  }
+
+  function copySection(from: number, to: number) {
+    void run({ type: 'copy_section', from, to });
+  }
+
   function undo() {
     if (project?.can_undo) void run({ type: 'undo' });
   }
@@ -334,6 +350,11 @@
         onstrikeface={strikeFace}
         onstep={toggleStep}
         onfaces={setCoreFaces}
+        sections={project?.arrangement ?? []}
+        activeSection={project?.active_section ?? 0}
+        onselectsection={selectSection}
+        onclearsection={clearSection}
+        oncopysection={copySection}
       />
     {/if}
     <Wire {entries} {status} onreconnect={reconnect} />
diff --git a/ui/src/app.css b/ui/src/app.css
index fac0c5f..bd39f17 100644
--- a/ui/src/app.css
+++ b/ui/src/app.css
@@ -1486,6 +1486,74 @@ button.room {
   color: var(--ash-2);
 }
 
+.sections {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 3px;
+  margin-top: 12px;
+  padding: 10px 0 7px;
+  border-top: 1px solid rgba(155, 133, 121, 0.12);
+}
+
+.sections-label {
+  margin-right: auto;
+  font-size: 8px;
+  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+  color: var(--ash-2);
+}
+
+.section {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 5px;
+  padding: 3px 7px 4px;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(155, 133, 121, 0.18);
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--ash-2);
+  transition: border-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease;
+}
+
+.section:hover,
+.section.is-on {
+  color: var(--bone);
+}
+
+.section.is-on {
+  border-color: var(--ember);
+  background: rgba(232, 64, 42, 0.05);
+}
+
+.section-letter {
+  font-family: var(--font-display);
+  font-size: 15px;
+  font-style: italic;
+  line-height: 1;
+}
+
+.section-notes {
+  font-size: 8px;
+  color: var(--ash-2);
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+}
+
+.section-action {
+  padding: 4px 6px;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(155, 133, 121, 0.2);
+  font-size: 8px;
+  color: var(--ash);
+}
+
+.section-action:hover:not(:disabled) {
+  border-color: var(--ember);
+  color: var(--ember);
+}
+
+.section-action:disabled {
+  opacity: 0.3;
+  cursor: default;
+}
+
 .pattern-head {
   display: flex;
   justify-content: space-between;
@@ -1497,6 +1565,12 @@ button.room {
   color: var(--ash-2);
 }
 
+.sections + .pattern-head {
+  margin-top: 0;
+  padding-top: 2px;
+  border-top: 0;
+}
+
 .pattern {
   display: grid;
   grid-template-columns: 94px minmax(0, 1fr);
diff --git a/ui/src/components/Quarry.svelte b/ui/src/components/Quarry.svelte
index 473baf9..4b2172f 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/Quarry.svelte
+++ b/ui/src/components/Quarry.svelte
@@ -19,7 +19,12 @@
     onassign,
     onstrikeface,
     onstep,
-    onfaces
+    onfaces,
+    sections,
+    activeSection,
+    onselectsection,
+    onclearsection,
+    oncopysection
   }: {
     cores: CoreSummary[];
     pattern: Pattern | null;
@@ -35,6 +40,11 @@
     onstrikeface: (core: string, face: number) => void;
     onstep: (row: number, step: number, on: boolean) => void;
     onfaces: (core: string, boundaries: number[]) => void;
+    sections: Pattern[];
+    activeSection: number;
+    onselectsection: (index: number) => void;
+    onclearsection: (index: number) => void;
+    oncopysection: (from: number, to: number) => void;
   } = $props();
 
   let fileInput: HTMLInputElement | null = null;
@@ -412,8 +422,36 @@
           <span class="assign-note">select a face, then lay it on the chosen vein</span>
         </div>
 
+        <div class="sections" role="group" aria-label="arrangement sections">
+          <span class="sections-label">arrangement · 8 bars</span>
+          {#each sections as section, index}
+            <button
+              class="section"
+              class:is-on={index === activeSection}
+              onclick={() => onselectsection(index)}
+              aria-pressed={index === activeSection}
+              title={`section ${String.fromCharCode(65 + index)}`}
+            >
+              <span class="section-letter">{String.fromCharCode(65 + index)}</span>
+              <span class="section-notes">
+                {section.rows.reduce(
+                  (total, row) => total + row.velocities.filter((value) => value > 0).length,
+                  0
+                )}
+              </span>
+            </button>
+          {/each}
+          <button
+            class="section-action"
+            onclick={() => oncopysection(activeSection, (activeSection + 1) % sections.length)}
+            disabled={sections.length < 2}
+          >copy →</button>
+          <button class="section-action" onclick={() => onclearsection(activeSection)}
+            >clear</button
+          >
+        </div>
         <div class="pattern-head">
-          <span>pattern</span>
+          <span>pattern · section {String.fromCharCode(65 + activeSection)}</span>
           <span>{pattern?.steps ?? 16} steps · two bars</span>
         </div>
         <div class="pattern">
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/descent.ts b/ui/src/lib/descent.ts
index 9747bbc..14f3e82 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/descent.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/descent.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ export class Descent {
   private phaseStart = 0;
   private wasPlaying = false;
   private displayStep = 0;
+  private arrangementSteps = LOOP_STEPS;
   private bpm = 128;
   private raf = 0;
   private last = 0;
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ export class Descent {
       this.bpm = state.transport.bpm;
       if (!state.transport.playing) this.wasPlaying = false;
     }
+    this.arrangementSteps = Math.max(1, state?.arrangement?.length ?? 4) * LOOP_STEPS;
     this.meter = meter;
     this.selected = selected;
   }
@@ -338,12 +340,13 @@ export class Descent {
         this.phaseStart = now;
         this.wasPlaying = true;
       }
-      let step = (((now - this.phaseStart) / 1000) * stepsPerSecond) % LOOP_STEPS;
-      const meterStep = (((this.meter.bar - 1) * STEPS_PER_BAR) % LOOP_STEPS + LOOP_STEPS) % LOOP_STEPS;
-      let diff = (step - meterStep + LOOP_STEPS * 1.5) % LOOP_STEPS - LOOP_STEPS / 2;
+      const total = this.arrangementSteps;
+      let step = (((now - this.phaseStart) / 1000) * stepsPerSecond) % total;
+      const meterStep = (((this.meter.bar - 1) * STEPS_PER_BAR) % total + total) % total;
+      let diff = (step - meterStep + total * 1.5) % total - total / 2;
       if (Math.abs(diff) > 2.4) {
         this.phaseStart += (diff / stepsPerSecond) * 1000;
-        step = (((now - this.phaseStart) / 1000) * stepsPerSecond) % LOOP_STEPS;
+        step = (((now - this.phaseStart) / 1000) * stepsPerSecond) % total;
       }
       this.displayStep = step;
     } else {
@@ -450,7 +453,7 @@ export class Descent {
     const { ctx, w } = this;
     const { cx, bottom, horizon, bhw, thw } = this.road;
     const levels = this.smooth.veins;
-    const active = Math.floor(this.displayStep) % LOOP_STEPS;
+    const active = Math.floor(this.displayStep) % this.arrangementSteps;
 
     const roadFill = ctx.createLinearGradient(0, bottom, 0, horizon);
     roadFill.addColorStop(0, 'rgba(24,10,7,0.66)');
@@ -484,13 +487,16 @@ export class Descent {
     }
     ctx.restore();
 
-    for (let step = 0; step <= LOOP_STEPS; step += 1) {
-      const point = this.roadPoint(step / LOOP_STEPS);
+    for (let step = 0; step <= this.arrangementSteps; step += 1) {
+      const point = this.roadPoint(step / this.arrangementSteps);
+      const sectionLine = step % LOOP_STEPS === 0;
       const barLine = step % STEPS_PER_BAR === 0;
-      ctx.strokeStyle = barLine
-        ? `rgba(190,160,140,${0.18 + master * 0.12})`
-        : `rgba(155,133,121,${0.07 + master * 0.05})`;
-      ctx.lineWidth = barLine ? 1 : 0.65;
+      ctx.strokeStyle = sectionLine
+        ? `rgba(232,64,42,${0.18 + master * 0.14})`
+        : barLine
+          ? `rgba(190,160,140,${0.18 + master * 0.12})`
+          : `rgba(155,133,121,${0.07 + master * 0.05})`;
+      ctx.lineWidth = sectionLine ? 1.15 : barLine ? 1 : 0.65;
       ctx.beginPath();
       ctx.moveTo(cx - point.half, point.y);
       ctx.lineTo(cx + point.half, point.y);
@@ -498,7 +504,7 @@ export class Descent {
     }
 
     if (this.displayStep > 0) {
-      const z = this.displayStep / LOOP_STEPS;
+      const z = this.displayStep / this.arrangementSteps;
       const point = this.roadPoint(z);
       ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(232,64,42,${0.04 + master * 0.08})`;
       ctx.beginPath();
@@ -541,12 +547,12 @@ export class Descent {
       }
     }
 
-    const pattern = this.state?.pattern;
-    if (pattern) {
-      this.drawPattern(pattern, active, now);
+    const sections = this.state?.arrangement ?? (this.state?.pattern ? [this.state.pattern] : []);
+    if (sections.length) {
+      this.drawArrangement(sections, active, now);
     }
 
-    const play = this.roadPoint(this.displayStep / LOOP_STEPS);
+    const play = this.roadPoint(this.displayStep / this.arrangementSteps);
     const playing = this.state?.transport.playing ?? false;
     const playAlpha = playing ? 0.5 + master * 0.45 : 0.18;
     ctx.save();
@@ -568,28 +574,44 @@ export class Descent {
     ctx.lineTo(cx + play.half, play.y + 2);
     ctx.stroke();
 
-    this.drawBarLabels(ctx, cx, bhw);
+    this.drawBarLabels(ctx);
   }
 
-  private drawPattern(pattern: Pattern, active: number, now: number): void {
+  private drawArrangement(sections: Pattern[], active: number, now: number): void {
     const { ctx } = this;
     const cx = this.road.cx;
+    const total = Math.max(1, sections.length) * LOOP_STEPS;
     const playing = this.state?.transport.playing ?? false;
-    for (const row of pattern.rows) {
-      const lane = VEINS.indexOf(row.vein);
-      if (lane < 0) continue;
-      for (let step = 0; step < row.velocities.length; step += 1) {
-        const velocity = row.velocities[step];
-        if (!velocity) continue;
-        const z = (step + 0.5) / LOOP_STEPS;
-        const point = this.roadPoint(z);
-        const laneCenter = (lane + 0.5) / 5;
-        const x = cx + (laneCenter - 0.5) * 2 * point.half;
-        const isActive = playing && step === active;
-        const size = (3.3 + (1 - z) * 10.6) * (0.62 + (velocity / 127) * 0.6);
-        this.drawStone(x, point.y, size, lane, velocity, isActive, z, now, step);
+    const activeSection = this.state?.active_section ?? 0;
+    sections.forEach((pattern, sectionIndex) => {
+      for (const row of pattern.rows) {
+        const lane = VEINS.indexOf(row.vein);
+        if (lane < 0) continue;
+        for (let step = 0; step < row.velocities.length; step += 1) {
+          const velocity = row.velocities[step];
+          if (!velocity) continue;
+          const global = sectionIndex * LOOP_STEPS + step;
+          const z = (global + 0.5) / total;
+          const point = this.roadPoint(z);
+          const laneCenter = (lane + 0.5) / 5;
+          const x = cx + (laneCenter - 0.5) * 2 * point.half;
+          const isActive = playing && global === active;
+          const emphasis = sectionIndex === activeSection ? 1.08 : 0.9;
+          const size = (3.3 + (1 - z) * 10.6) * (0.62 + (velocity / 127) * 0.6) * emphasis;
+          this.drawStone(x, point.y, size, lane, velocity, isActive, z, now, global);
+        }
       }
-    }
+    });
+    ctx.save();
+    ctx.font = '9px "JetBrains Mono", monospace';
+    ctx.textAlign = 'left';
+    sections.forEach((_, index) => {
+      const point = this.roadPoint((index * LOOP_STEPS) / total);
+      ctx.fillStyle =
+        index === activeSection ? 'rgba(232,64,42,0.9)' : 'rgba(190,160,140,0.38)';
+      ctx.fillText(String.fromCharCode(65 + index), cx + point.half + 8, point.y + 3);
+    });
+    ctx.restore();
   }
 
   private drawStone(x: number, y: number, size: number, lane: number, velocity: number, active: boolean, z: number, now: number, step: number): void {
@@ -639,15 +661,17 @@ export class Descent {
     ctx.restore();
   }
 
-  private drawBarLabels(ctx: CanvasRenderingContext2D, cx: number, bhw: number): void {
+  private drawBarLabels(ctx: CanvasRenderingContext2D): void {
     ctx.save();
+    const cx = this.road.cx;
     ctx.font = '10px "JetBrains Mono", monospace';
-    ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(190,160,140,0.78)';
+    ctx.fillStyle = 'rgba(190,160,140,0.62)';
     ctx.textAlign = 'right';
-    const first = this.roadPoint(0.0);
-    ctx.fillText('01', cx - bhw - 10, first.y - 2);
-    const second = this.roadPoint(0.5);
-    ctx.fillText('02', cx - second.half - 10, second.y - 2);
+    const bars = Math.max(1, Math.round(this.arrangementSteps / STEPS_PER_BAR));
+    for (let bar = 0; bar < bars; bar += 1) {
+      const point = this.roadPoint((bar * STEPS_PER_BAR) / this.arrangementSteps);
+      ctx.fillText(String(bar + 1).padStart(2, '0'), cx - point.half - 9, point.y - 2);
+    }
     ctx.restore();
   }
 }
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/format.ts b/ui/src/lib/format.ts
index e32ff00..77480b5 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/format.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/format.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ export function commandLabel(command: Command): string {
     case 'set_pattern_step': return `step ${command.row + 1}:${command.step + 1} at ${command.velocity}`;
     case 'set_pattern_face': return `${command.core} f${command.face + 1} on row ${command.row + 1}`;
     case 'set_core_faces': return `cut ${command.core}`;
+    case 'select_section': return `section ${String.fromCharCode(65 + command.index)}`;
+    case 'clear_section': return `clear section ${String.fromCharCode(65 + command.index)}`;
+    case 'copy_section': return `copy ${String.fromCharCode(65 + command.from)} → ${String.fromCharCode(65 + command.to)}`;
     case 'undo': return 'undo';
     case 'redo': return 'redo';
     case 'get_snapshot': return 'snapshot';
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/types.ts b/ui/src/lib/types.ts
index f6809fd..6b9ab98 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/types.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/types.ts
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ export interface State {
   transport: TransportState;
   veins: VeinState[];
   pattern: Pattern;
+  arrangement: Pattern[];
+  active_section: number;
   cores: CoreSummary[];
   audio: AudioInfo;
   journal_len: number;
@@ -81,7 +83,8 @@ export type Event =
   | { kind: 'pattern_face'; row: number; core: string; face: number }
   | { kind: 'face_struck'; core: string; face: number; velocity: number }
   | { kind: 'history'; can_undo: boolean; can_redo: boolean }
-  | { kind: 'core_faces'; core: CoreSummary };
+  | { kind: 'core_faces'; core: CoreSummary }
+  | { kind: 'arrangement'; sections: Pattern[]; active: number };
 
 export type Command =
   | { type: 'get_snapshot' }
@@ -94,6 +97,9 @@ export type Command =
   | { type: 'set_pattern_step'; row: number; step: number; velocity: number }
   | { type: 'set_pattern_face'; row: number; core: string; face: number }
   | { type: 'set_core_faces'; core: string; boundaries: number[] }
+  | { type: 'select_section'; index: number }
+  | { type: 'clear_section'; index: number }
+  | { type: 'copy_section'; from: number; to: number }
   | { type: 'undo' }
   | { type: 'redo' };