diff --git a/scenes/entities/item.gd b/scenes/entities/item.gd
index e54cdce..0ae136d 100644
--- a/scenes/entities/item.gd
+++ b/scenes/entities/item.gd
@@ -176,20 +176,193 @@ static func from_dict(d: Dictionary) -> Dictionary:
 
 # ── render ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+## Procedural shape per item type. All shapes draw inside a -6..+6 box so the
+## quality border (half=6) wraps the result. Returns true if the type was
+## handled; false sends the caller to the hue-hashed fallback.
+##
+## Shape language is loose silhouette + a category-appropriate colour: bread =
+## brown loaf, grain = wheat-amber stalks, vegetable = green disc, meal = bowl,
+## etc. Better than rendering 18 different magenta-pink squares; later art pass
+## can lift these to atlas crops where the bundle has a fitting icon.
+func _draw_item_shape(t: StringName) -> bool:
+	var dark := Color(0.10, 0.07, 0.05, 0.85)  # shared outline
+	match t:
+		TYPE_BREAD:
+			# Two stacked brown loaves with a slash on the upper crust.
+			var crust := Color(0.62, 0.40, 0.18)
+			var glaze := Color(0.82, 0.58, 0.30)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-6.0, -1.0, 12.0, 5.0), crust)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -5.0, 10.0, 4.0), glaze)
+			draw_line(Vector2(-3.0, -4.0), Vector2(0.0, -2.0), dark, 1.0)
+			draw_line(Vector2(0.0, -4.0), Vector2(3.0, -2.0), dark, 1.0)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-6.0, -5.0, 12.0, 9.0), dark, false, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_GRAIN:
+			# Three vertical wheat stalks tied in the middle.
+			var stalk := Color(0.85, 0.70, 0.20)
+			var tie   := Color(0.55, 0.35, 0.10)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-4.0, -6.0, 1.5, 12.0), stalk)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-0.75, -6.0, 1.5, 12.0), stalk)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(2.5, -6.0, 1.5, 12.0), stalk)
+			# Grain heads (small dots near top).
+			draw_circle(Vector2(-3.2, -5.0), 1.2, Color(0.95, 0.78, 0.25))
+			draw_circle(Vector2(0.0, -5.5), 1.2, Color(0.95, 0.78, 0.25))
+			draw_circle(Vector2(3.2, -5.0), 1.2, Color(0.95, 0.78, 0.25))
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, 0.0, 10.0, 2.0), tie)
+			return true
+		TYPE_FLOUR:
+			# Cream-white sack with a darker drawstring at the neck.
+			var sack := Color(0.93, 0.90, 0.78)
+			var shadow := Color(0.78, 0.74, 0.60)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -3.0, 10.0, 8.0), sack)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(3.0, -3.0, 2.0, 8.0), shadow)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-4.0, -5.0, 8.0, 2.0), Color(0.45, 0.30, 0.10))  # drawstring band
+			draw_circle(Vector2(0.0, -5.5), 1.0, sack)  # gathered top puff
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -6.0, 10.0, 11.0), dark, false, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_VEGETABLE:
+			# Green-leafed root vegetable (think turnip).
+			var leaf := Color(0.25, 0.65, 0.20)
+			var root := Color(0.92, 0.88, 0.70)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(0.0, 1.0), 5.0, root)
+			draw_arc(Vector2(0.0, 1.0), 5.0, 0.0, TAU, 16, dark, 1.0)
+			# Leaves
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-3.0, -5.0, 2.0, 3.0), leaf)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-1.0, -6.0, 2.0, 4.0), leaf)
+			draw_rect(Rect2( 1.0, -5.0, 2.0, 3.0), leaf)
+			return true
+		TYPE_MEAL:
+			# Wooden bowl with a steamy meal heap.
+			var bowl := Color(0.50, 0.30, 0.12)
+			var bowl_rim := Color(0.30, 0.18, 0.08)
+			var food := Color(0.85, 0.55, 0.20)
+			# Bowl as a half-disc.
+			draw_circle(Vector2(0.0, 1.0), 6.0, bowl)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-6.0, -5.0, 12.0, 6.0), Color(0, 0, 0, 0))  # cover top half (no-op, rely on z)
+			draw_arc(Vector2(0.0, 1.0), 6.0, 0.0, PI, 16, bowl_rim, 1.0)
+			draw_line(Vector2(-6.0, 1.0), Vector2(6.0, 1.0), bowl_rim, 1.0)
+			# Food mound on top.
+			draw_circle(Vector2(0.0, 0.0), 3.5, food)
+			# Two steam wisps.
+			draw_line(Vector2(-2.0, -5.0), Vector2(-1.0, -3.0), Color(0.9, 0.9, 0.9, 0.7), 1.0)
+			draw_line(Vector2(2.0, -5.0), Vector2(1.0, -3.0), Color(0.9, 0.9, 0.9, 0.7), 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_MEAT:
+			# Raw red steak with a pale fat marbling line.
+			var meat := Color(0.78, 0.20, 0.20)
+			var fat  := Color(0.95, 0.85, 0.70)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -3.0, 10.0, 7.0), meat)
+			draw_line(Vector2(-5.0, 0.0), Vector2(5.0, 0.5), fat, 1.0)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -3.0, 10.0, 7.0), dark, false, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_CLOTH:
+			# Folded cloth bolt — light blue with horizontal pleats.
+			var cloth := Color(0.50, 0.65, 0.85)
+			var pleat := Color(0.32, 0.42, 0.58)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -4.0, 10.0, 8.0), cloth)
+			draw_line(Vector2(-5.0, -1.5), Vector2(5.0, -1.5), pleat, 1.0)
+			draw_line(Vector2(-5.0, 1.5), Vector2(5.0, 1.5), pleat, 1.0)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -4.0, 10.0, 8.0), dark, false, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_MEDICINE:
+			# White phial with a red cross — medieval-ish but reads instantly.
+			var phial := Color(0.95, 0.95, 0.95)
+			var cross := Color(0.80, 0.15, 0.15)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-4.0, -5.0, 8.0, 10.0), phial)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-1.0, -3.0, 2.0, 6.0), cross)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-3.0, -1.0, 6.0, 2.0), cross)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-4.0, -5.0, 8.0, 10.0), dark, false, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_TOOL:
+			# Brown-handled hammer.
+			var handle := Color(0.50, 0.30, 0.12)
+			var head   := Color(0.45, 0.45, 0.48)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-1.0, -2.0, 2.0, 8.0), handle)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -5.0, 10.0, 4.0), head)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-5.0, -5.0, 10.0, 4.0), dark, false, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_WEAPON:
+			# Sword: triangular blade + brown grip + crossguard.
+			var blade := Color(0.78, 0.80, 0.85)
+			var guard := Color(0.45, 0.30, 0.10)
+			# Blade (pointing up)
+			var pts: PackedVector2Array = PackedVector2Array([Vector2(0.0, -6.0), Vector2(2.5, 1.0), Vector2(-2.5, 1.0)])
+			draw_colored_polygon(pts, blade)
+			# Crossguard
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-4.0, 1.0, 8.0, 2.0), guard)
+			# Grip
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-1.0, 3.0, 2.0, 3.0), guard)
+			return true
+		TYPE_ARMOR:
+			# Helmet silhouette — rounded grey dome with a nose-guard slit.
+			var steel := Color(0.65, 0.65, 0.70)
+			var visor := Color(0.20, 0.20, 0.25)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(0.0, 0.0), 5.5, steel)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-1.0, -2.0, 2.0, 4.0), visor)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-6.0, 4.0, 12.0, 2.0), steel)
+			draw_arc(Vector2(0.0, 0.0), 5.5, 0.0, TAU, 16, dark, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_STONE_BLOCK:
+			# Cleaned-up stone brick: pale grey rect with a chiseled corner.
+			var stone := Color(0.62, 0.60, 0.58)
+			var stone_hi := Color(0.78, 0.76, 0.72)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-6.0, -4.0, 12.0, 8.0), stone)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-6.0, -4.0, 12.0, 2.0), stone_hi)
+			draw_line(Vector2(-6.0, 0.0), Vector2(6.0, 0.0), Color(0.42, 0.40, 0.38), 1.0)
+			draw_rect(Rect2(-6.0, -4.0, 12.0, 8.0), dark, false, 1.0)
+			return true
+		TYPE_COPPER_ORE:
+			# Copper chunks — warm brown with bright highlights.
+			var copper := Color(0.65, 0.35, 0.18)
+			var hi := Color(0.92, 0.55, 0.20)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(-2.0, 1.0), 3.5, copper)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(2.0, -1.0), 2.8, copper)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(-2.0, 1.0), 1.5, hi)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(2.0, -1.0), 1.0, hi)
+			return true
+		TYPE_SILVER:
+			# Silver nugget — cool grey with a white highlight.
+			var silver := Color(0.78, 0.80, 0.85)
+			var hi := Color(0.98, 0.98, 1.00)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(-2.0, 1.0), 3.5, silver)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(2.0, -1.0), 2.8, silver)
+			draw_circle(Vector2(-2.0, 0.5), 1.2, hi)
+			return true
+		TYPE_ASH:
+			# Grey pile with faint smoke wisps.
+			var ash := Color(0.55, 0.55, 0.55)
+			var ash_hi := Color(0.78, 0.78, 0.78)
+			# Heap (low triangle)
+			var pts: PackedVector2Array = PackedVector2Array([Vector2(-6.0, 4.0), Vector2(6.0, 4.0), Vector2(0.0, -2.0)])
+			draw_colored_polygon(pts, ash)
+			draw_line(Vector2(-3.0, 1.0), Vector2(3.0, 1.0), ash_hi, 1.0)
+			# Smoke wisps
+			draw_line(Vector2(-1.0, -3.0), Vector2(0.0, -5.0), Color(0.85, 0.85, 0.85, 0.6), 1.0)
+			draw_line(Vector2(1.5, -3.0), Vector2(2.5, -5.0), Color(0.85, 0.85, 0.85, 0.6), 1.0)
+			return true
+		_:
+			return false
+
+
 func _draw() -> void:
-	# Two render paths: types in _ITEM_SPRITES are painted by the Sprite2D child
-	# (built in setup()) — _draw() then only adds the quality border + stack
-	# count badge on top. Other types still use the procedural hue square so
-	# stockpile filtering remains visually unique while we expand the sprite set.
+	# Three render paths:
+	#   1. Atlas sprite (_ITEM_SPRITES): a Sprite2D child paints the icon;
+	#      _draw() adds quality border + stack badge on top.
+	#   2. Procedural shape (_draw_item_shape returns true): bread/grain/
+	#      vegetable/meal/flour/meat/cloth/medicine/etc. get a recognisable
+	#      silhouette in their category colour.
+	#   3. Unknown fallback: hue-hashed coloured square. Should be unreachable
+	#      once every ALL_TYPES entry is handled above — kept for safety.
 	var has_sprite: bool = _ITEM_SPRITES.has(item_type)
 	var half: int = 6 if not has_sprite else 8  # border hugs the 16×16 sprite
 	var square := Rect2(Vector2(-half, -half), Vector2(half * 2, half * 2))
 
 	if not has_sprite:
-		var hue := float(item_type.hash() % 360) / 360.0
-		var fill := Color.from_hsv(hue, 0.6, 0.85)
-		draw_rect(square, fill)
-		draw_rect(square, Color(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.75), false, 1.0)
+		if not _draw_item_shape(item_type):
+			var hue := float(item_type.hash() % 360) / 360.0
+			var fill := Color.from_hsv(hue, 0.6, 0.85)
+			draw_rect(square, fill)
+			draw_rect(square, Color(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.75), false, 1.0)
 
 	# Quality border — drawn over the dark outline (or sprite), colour per quality tier.
 	# NORMAL has no extra border.