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+# Runtime Implementation Plan
+
+This document translates the current "internal/system variables" discussion into
+an implementation plan across `route-engine`, `routevn-creator-model`, and
+`routevn-creator-client`.
+
+It is intentionally technical and migration-oriented.
+
+## Goal
+
+Replace hidden engine-owned variable ids with a first-class runtime surface.
+
+That means:
+
+- `route-engine` should stop hardcoding ids like `_autoForwardTime` or `loadPage`
+- engine-owned state should no longer live in `resources.variables`
+- authored content should read engine state through `runtime.*`
+- engine-owned mutations should happen through explicit actions, not
+  `updateVariable`
+- project-level config/default overrides are deferred from the first
+  implementation pass
+
+## Non-Goals
+
+Out of scope for this migration:
+
+- turning all engine state into generic mutable data
+- adding a generic `updateRuntime` action
+- adding project-level runtime/config default overrides in v1
+- keeping long-term dual support for old internal-variable authoring
+- exposing every `state.global` property to authored templates/conditions
+- solving every future runtime feature in this pass
+
+## Agreed Design
+
+### 1. `runtime` is a public authored API, not a variable bag
+
+Authoring should read:
+
+- `${runtime.dialogueTextSpeed}`
+- `${runtime.autoMode}`
+- `runtime.skipMode == true`
+
+Authoring should not rely on:
+
+- `${variables._dialogueTextSpeed}`
+- `${variables._autoForwardTime}`
+- `variables.loadPage`
+- `state.*`
+- `state.global.*`
+
+Implementation rule:
+
+- `state.global` and `state.contexts[]` remain internal engine storage
+- `runtime.*` is the only public authored read surface for engine-owned state
+- authored templates, layout conditions, and similar view-facing expressions
+  must not receive direct access to `state` or `state.global`
+- `selectSystemState()` may continue to exist for debugging/tooling, but it is
+  not part of the authored/view contract
+
+### 2. Project config is deferred from v1
+
+The first implementation pass does not add a new `projectData.config` shape.
+
+V1 uses engine-defined defaults only.
+
+Possible future direction:
+
+- add a top-level `projectData.config`
+- allow selected runtime defaults to be overridden there
+
+But this is intentionally not part of the first coding pass.
+
+### 3. Keep `state.global` as engine storage
+
+This migration does not require replacing `state.global`.
+
+Global/session/device-like runtime state stays in `state.global`.
+Context-scoped runtime state moves into `state.contexts[].runtime`.
+
+The public `runtime.*` API is produced by a selector that reads from those
+storage locations.
+
+### 4. Exposed runtime is defined by a source-only registry
+
+Use a canonical registry in `route-engine`, for example:
+
+```js
+export const RUNTIME_FIELDS = Object.freeze({
+  dialogueTextSpeed: { source: "global.dialogueTextSpeed" },
+  autoForwardDelay: { source: "global.autoForwardDelay" },
+  skipUnseenText: { source: "global.skipUnseenText" },
+  autoMode: { source: "global.autoMode" },
+  skipMode: { source: "global.skipMode" },
+  dialogueUIHidden: { source: "global.dialogueUIHidden" },
+  isLineCompleted: { source: "global.isLineCompleted" },
+  saveLoadPagination: { source: "context.runtime.saveLoadPagination" },
+  menuPage: { source: "context.runtime.menuPage" },
+  menuEntryPoint: { source: "context.runtime.menuEntryPoint" },
+  soundVolume: { source: "global.soundVolume" },
+  musicVolume: { source: "global.musicVolume" },
+  muteAll: { source: "global.muteAll" },
+  skipTransitionsAndAnimations: {
+    source: "global.skipTransitionsAndAnimations",
+  },
+});
+```
+
+Important:
+
+- the registry defines exposure only
+- it does not define defaults
+- it does not define type
+- it does not define scope metadata
+
+Defaults stay in engine initialization.
+Type validation stays in engine/model code.
+
+### 5. No generic `updateRuntime`
+
+Engine-owned runtime state is mutated through explicit actions.
+
+Examples:
+
+- `setDialogueTextSpeed`
+- `setAutoForwardDelay`
+- `setSkipUnseenText`
+- `setSoundVolume`
+- `setMusicVolume`
+- `setMuteAll`
+- `setSaveLoadPagination`
+- `setMenuPage`
+- `setMenuEntryPoint`
+
+Existing explicit actions remain explicit:
+
+- `toggleAutoMode`
+- `toggleSkipMode`
+- `toggleDialogueUI`
+- `markLineCompleted`
+
+This is intentionally less flexible than `updateVariable`, but more precise and
+robust for engine-owned state.
+
+## Current State Problems
+
+Today the contract is split and drifting:
+
+### In `route-engine`
+
+Engine code reads variable ids directly:
+
+- `_skipUnseenText`
+- `_autoForwardTime`
+- `_skipTransitionsAndAnimations`
+- `loadPage`
+- `_muteAll`
+- `_soundVolume`
+- `_musicVolume`
+- `_textSpeed`
+
+### In `creator-model`
+
+The "system variable" catalog currently contains:
+
+- `_skipUnseenText`
+- `_dialogueTextSpeed`
+- `_currentSaveLoadPagination`
+- `_currentMenuPage`
+- `_menuEntryPoint`
+
+### In `creator-client`
+
+The client merges that catalog into projected variables and uses it for:
+
+- variable pickers
+- layout conditions
+- preview/runtime shims
+- a dedicated `System Variables` page
+
+This creates several inconsistencies:
+
+- engine and client/model do not agree on the same ids
+- `_dialogueTextSpeed` and `_textSpeed` are both used for the same concept
+- `loadPage` and `_currentSaveLoadPagination` overlap
+- save/load pagination is modeled as a variable in the editor, but the engine
+  hardcodes `loadPage`
+- slider bindings to system variables are actually coupling authored UI to
+  hidden engine variable ids
+
+## Target Runtime Surface
+
+The first migration pass should cover all currently known engine-owned internal
+values.
+
+### Canonical runtime ids
+
+| Canonical runtime id | Replaces old ids / concepts |
+| --- | --- |
+| `dialogueTextSpeed` | `_dialogueTextSpeed`, `_textSpeed` |
+| `autoForwardDelay` | `_autoForwardTime` |
+| `skipUnseenText` | `_skipUnseenText` |
+| `skipTransitionsAndAnimations` | `_skipTransitionsAndAnimations` |
+| `soundVolume` | `_soundVolume` |
+| `musicVolume` | `_musicVolume` |
+| `muteAll` | `_muteAll` |
+| `saveLoadPagination` | `_currentSaveLoadPagination`, `loadPage` |
+| `menuPage` | `_currentMenuPage` |
+| `menuEntryPoint` | `_menuEntryPoint` |
+| `autoMode` | current `state.global.autoMode` |
+| `skipMode` | current `state.global.skipMode` |
+| `dialogueUIHidden` | current `state.global.dialogueUIHidden` |
+| `isLineCompleted` | current `state.global.isLineCompleted` |
+
+Notes:
+
+- `saveLoadPagination` is the canonical pagination runtime field
+- `pageNumber` is intentionally rejected as too generic
+- `dialogueTextSpeed` is the canonical text-speed field
+
+### Frozen v1 runtime ids
+
+The first implementation pass includes all currently known engine-owned
+runtime/system values:
+
+- `dialogueTextSpeed`
+- `autoForwardDelay`
+- `skipUnseenText`
+- `skipTransitionsAndAnimations`
+- `soundVolume`
+- `musicVolume`
+- `muteAll`
+- `saveLoadPagination`
+- `menuPage`
+- `menuEntryPoint`
+- `autoMode`
+- `skipMode`
+- `dialogueUIHidden`
+- `isLineCompleted`
+
+### Frozen v1 action surface
+
+Writable runtime values use explicit actions with payload shape:
+
+```yaml
+setDialogueTextSpeed:
+  value: 50
+
+setAutoForwardDelay:
+  value: 1000
+
+setSkipUnseenText:
+  value: false
+
+setSkipTransitionsAndAnimations:
+  value: false
+
+setSoundVolume:
+  value: 500
+
+setMusicVolume:
+  value: 500
+
+setMuteAll:
+  value: true
+
+setSaveLoadPagination:
+  value: 0
+
+incrementSaveLoadPagination: {}
+decrementSaveLoadPagination: {}
+
+setMenuPage:
+  value: options
+
+setMenuEntryPoint:
+  value: title
+```
+
+Existing explicit actions remain:
+
+- `toggleAutoMode`
+- `toggleSkipMode`
+- `toggleDialogueUI`
+- `markLineCompleted`
+
+### Frozen v1 migration decisions
+
+- `menuPage` and `menuEntryPoint` are included immediately in v1
+- save/load pagination drops `paginationVariableId` immediately in current
+  authoring; no new-schema transitional support is kept for that field
+
+## Route-Engine Plan
+
+### Phase 1: Add runtime contract files
+
+Add a small internal runtime module, for example:
+
+- `src/runtimeFields.js`
+
+It should export:
+
+- `RUNTIME_FIELDS`
+- helpers to resolve a runtime field by source path
+- helper to build the exposed `runtime` object
+
+### Phase 2: Move engine-owned defaults out of variables
+
+Initialize engine-owned defaults directly in state creation.
+
+Global/runtime-like defaults belong in `state.global`, for example:
+
+- `dialogueTextSpeed`
+- `autoForwardDelay`
+- `skipUnseenText`
+- `skipTransitionsAndAnimations`
+- `soundVolume`
+- `musicVolume`
+- `muteAll`
+- `autoMode`
+- `skipMode`
+- `dialogueUIHidden`
+- `isLineCompleted`
+
+Context-scoped defaults belong in `createDefaultContextState`, for example:
+
+- `context.runtime.saveLoadPagination`
+- `context.runtime.menuPage`
+- `context.runtime.menuEntryPoint`
+
+Implementation points:
+
+- `src/stores/system.store.js`
+- `src/util.js`
+- `src/schemas/systemState/systemState.yaml`
+
+### Phase 3: Defer project config/default overrides
+
+Do not add project-level runtime/config overrides in v1.
+
+During engine init:
+
+- use engine hardcoded defaults
+- then merge loaded persisted values / loaded save-slot values on top
+
+Any future `projectData.config` work should be a follow-up once the runtime API
+surface is stable.
+
+### Phase 4: Add `selectRuntime`
+
+Add a selector that returns the exposed flat runtime API by reading
+`RUNTIME_FIELDS`.
+
+For example:
+
+- global sources read from `state.global`
+- context sources read from the active context
+
+This selector becomes the authored runtime read surface.
+
+Use it in:
+
+- `RouteEngine.handleActions()` template context
+- render/template construction
+- any future public runtime inspection API
+
+Plumbing points:
+
+- `src/stores/system.store.js`
+- `src/RouteEngine.js`
+- `src/util.js`
+- `src/stores/constructRenderState.js`
+
+### Phase 5: Replace hardcoded variable reads
+
+Remove direct reads from `state.global.variables.*` and merged `allVariables.*`
+for engine-owned behavior.
+
+Replace with explicit state fields plus `selectRuntime()` where relevant.
+
+Known call sites to migrate:
+
+- `_autoForwardTime` in `startAutoMode`, `nextLine`, `markLineCompleted`
+- `_skipUnseenText` checks in skip behavior
+- `loadPage` in `selectSaveSlotPage`
+- `_skipTransitionsAndAnimations` in render-state construction
+- `_muteAll`, `_soundVolume`, `_musicVolume`, `_textSpeed` in template data and
+  audio/render helpers
+
+Also unify naming:
+
+- `_dialogueTextSpeed` and `_textSpeed` -> `dialogueTextSpeed`
+- `_currentSaveLoadPagination` and `loadPage` -> `saveLoadPagination`
+
+### Phase 6: Keep explicit mutation actions
+
+Do not add `updateRuntime`.
+
+Instead:
+
+- keep existing explicit actions for engine modes
+- add explicit set/toggle/increment/decrement actions where needed for writable
+  runtime values
+
+This requires:
+
+- `src/schemas/systemActions.yaml`
+- `src/stores/system.store.js`
+- docs updates in `docs/RouteEngine.md`
+
+The first implementation pass includes:
+
+- `setDialogueTextSpeed`
+- `setAutoForwardDelay`
+- `setSkipUnseenText`
+- `setSkipTransitionsAndAnimations`
+- `setSoundVolume`
+- `setMusicVolume`
+- `setMuteAll`
+- `setSaveLoadPagination`
+- `incrementSaveLoadPagination`
+- `decrementSaveLoadPagination`
+- `setMenuPage`
+- `setMenuEntryPoint`
+
+Existing actions stay:
+
+- `toggleAutoMode`
+- `toggleSkipMode`
+- `toggleDialogueUI`
+
+### Phase 7: Save/load, rollback, and persistence
+
+Global runtime values that outlive a story session must stop depending on
+variable persistence.
+
+Required changes:
+
+- persist device/account-like runtime values separately from variables
+- include context runtime values in save slots
+- restore context runtime on `loadSlot`
+- decide rollback behavior for context runtime
+
+Recommended rule:
+
+- context runtime should follow the same restore path as context variables
+- global runtime should not be rolled back unless there is an explicit feature
+  requirement
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/stores/system.store.js`
+- `src/schemas/systemState/systemState.yaml`
+- save/load docs/specs
+
+### Phase 8: Templating and layout runtime access
+
+Templates and authored conditions must be able to read `runtime.*`.
+
+Work:
+
+- add `runtime` to template context
+- keep `variables` for project variables only
+- migrate built-in template uses such as text reveal speed to
+  `${runtime.dialogueTextSpeed}`
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/RouteEngine.js`
+- `src/util.js`
+- `src/stores/constructRenderState.js`
+
+Important distinction:
+
+- `runtime.*` is the public authored read surface
+- the engine may still keep other internal-only state in `state.global`
+- only ids listed in `RUNTIME_FIELDS` are exposed
+- `state` and `state.global` must not be exposed to authored view/template
+  contexts
+
+## Creator-Model Plan
+
+### Phase 1: Bump schema version
+
+This is a large authoring-contract change.
+
+The model should move to a new schema line:
+
+- `SCHEMA_VERSION = 3`
+
+### Phase 2: Defer project config/state schema changes
+
+Do not add `state.project.config` in v1.
+
+Schema 3 is still justified by the runtime migration because:
+
+- old internal-variable references are removed from current-schema authoring
+- `runtime.*` becomes a first-class authored read surface
+- old schema-1/schema-2 authored content needs destructive rewrite
+
+### Phase 3: Remove system variable support from variable validation
+
+Remove the current special-case system variable path:
+
+- delete `src/systemVariables.js`
+- stop exporting `SYSTEM_VARIABLE_GROUPS`
+- remove `isSystemVariableId`
+- stop accepting system variable ids inside `isVariableReferenceTarget`
+
+After this migration:
+
+- `variables` means authored project variables only
+- engine runtime is no longer represented as variables
+
+### Phase 4: Add `runtime.*` condition target support
+
+Current model condition parsing accepts:
+
+- `variables.foo`
+- `variables["foo"]`
+- special top-level runtime flags like `autoMode`
+
+Target model should accept:
+
+- `runtime.dialogueTextSpeed`
+- `runtime.autoMode`
+- `runtime.saveLoadPagination`
+
+Recommended migration:
+
+- add `runtime.<id>` parsing/validation
+- keep the old special targets only as schema-1/schema-2 migration input
+- remove them from current-schema authoring once client/editor is migrated
+
+### Phase 5: One-time schema-1/schema-2 overwrite
+
+This migration is intentionally destructive for older schemas.
+
+Compatibility adapters for schema 1 and schema 2 should rewrite old
+internal-variable usage into the new runtime contract.
+
+At minimum, rewrite:
+
+1. Layout/control `variableId` bindings to system variables
+
+- `_dialogueTextSpeed` -> remove `variableId`, set `initialValue` to
+  `${runtime.dialogueTextSpeed}`, and replace auto-generated `updateVariable`
+  change action with `setDialogueTextSpeed`
+
+2. Save/load pagination bindings
+
+- `paginationVariableId: _currentSaveLoadPagination`
+- `paginationVariableId: loadPage`
+
+Rewrite to the new runtime-backed save/load pagination model and remove the old
+variable binding field immediately in the current schema.
+
+3. Layout condition targets
+
+- `variables._skipUnseenText` -> `runtime.skipUnseenText`
+- `variables._dialogueTextSpeed` -> `runtime.dialogueTextSpeed`
+- and equivalent bracket syntax
+
+4. Opaque authored action payloads where known system variable operations appear
+
+- `updateVariable` operations targeting known internal ids must be split into
+  explicit runtime actions
+- mixed payloads must keep project-variable operations under `updateVariable`
+  and move runtime mutations to explicit action keys
+
+Known legacy ids to rewrite with one shared mapping:
+
+- `_dialogueTextSpeed` and `_textSpeed` -> `dialogueTextSpeed`
+- `_autoForwardTime` -> `autoForwardDelay`
+- `_skipUnseenText` -> `skipUnseenText`
+- `_skipTransitionsAndAnimations` -> `skipTransitionsAndAnimations`
+- `_soundVolume` -> `soundVolume`
+- `_musicVolume` -> `musicVolume`
+- `_muteAll` -> `muteAll`
+- `_currentSaveLoadPagination` and `loadPage` -> `saveLoadPagination`
+- `_currentMenuPage` -> `menuPage`
+- `_menuEntryPoint` -> `menuEntryPoint`
+
+This rewrite logic should be implemented once and reused by:
+
+- creator-model compatibility adapters
+- any client/repository migration path that rewrites persisted project state
+
+### Phase 6: Update fixtures and direct coverage
+
+Required model work:
+
+- regenerate compat fixtures for schema 3
+- keep schema-1 and schema-2 archives
+- update upgrade adapters to rewrite to schema 3
+- update direct coverage that currently expects `_dialogueTextSpeed`
+  to be a valid variable reference
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/model.js`
+- `src/index.js`
+- `scripts/generate-compat-fixtures.js`
+- `tests/support/compatFixtures.js`
+- `tests/model-api.test.js`
+- `tests/command-direct-coverage.test.js`
+- `tests/compat/schema-*`
+
+## Creator-Client Plan
+
+### Phase 1: Stop projecting system variables into `resources.variables`
+
+Remove the synthetic merge:
+
+- project variables remain in `resources.variables`
+- runtime values are read from `runtime.*` in preview/runtime contexts
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/internal/systemVariables.js` should be removed
+- `src/internal/project/projection.js`
+
+### Phase 2: Replace the System Variables page
+
+`System Variables` is no longer the right concept.
+
+Replace it with a `Runtime` page or equivalent read-only runtime-reference page
+that
+shows:
+
+- exposed runtime ids
+- descriptions
+
+This page should be driven from the runtime contract, not from variables.
+
+Affected files:
+
+- `src/pages/systemVariables/*` -> rename/rework
+- `src/pages/resourceTypes/resourceTypes.store.js`
+- route wiring in `src/pages/app/*`
+
+### Phase 3: Remove system variables from variable pickers
+
+`updateVariable` and variable-binding UIs should show authored variables only.
+
+System/runtime ids should disappear from:
+
+- `commandLineUpdateVariable`
+- layout editor variable selectors
+- visibility/pagination variable pickers
+- preview variable editors
+
+Files include:
+
+- `src/components/commandLineUpdateVariable/*`
+- `src/components/layoutEditPanel/*`
+- `src/components/layoutEditorPreview/*`
+- `src/internal/project/projection.js`
+
+### Phase 4: Add explicit runtime action authoring
+
+Because runtime changes are explicit actions now, the action editor must expose
+them directly.
+
+Work:
+
+- add new action modes/previews in `systemActions`
+- add dedicated forms for runtime actions where needed
+- update any convenience UIs that previously depended on system-variable-based
+  `updateVariable`
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/components/systemActions/*`
+- `src/components/commandLineActions/*`
+- any new dedicated runtime-action components
+
+### Phase 5: Migrate slider/runtime bindings
+
+Current slider convenience binds through:
+
+- `variableId`
+- auto-generated `updateVariable`
+- `${variables.<id>}` initial value
+
+Target behavior:
+
+- `variableId` remains for project variables only
+- runtime-backed sliders use explicit actions plus `${runtime.<id>}` initial
+  value
+
+This should be handled in:
+
+- layout/control editor helpers
+- compatibility rewrite path for old schema content
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/internal/layoutEditorElementRegistry.js`
+- `src/internal/project/layout.js`
+
+### Phase 6: Move built-in client preview/runtime shims to `runtime`
+
+Current client preview logic injects fake system variables like
+`_dialogueTextSpeed`.
+
+Replace that with a preview/runtime object:
+
+- scene preview text speed override
+- layout preview variables
+- save/load pagination preview
+- any system-variable-only preview shims
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/pages/sceneEditor/sceneEditor.store.js`
+- `src/components/layoutEditorPreview/support/*`
+- `src/internal/layoutConditions.js`
+
+### Phase 7: Save/load pagination editor cleanup
+
+The current save/load layout editor asks for `paginationVariableId`, but the
+engine does not actually honor arbitrary pagination variables as a true runtime
+contract.
+
+Target model:
+
+- paginated save/load uses `runtime.saveLoadPagination`
+- layout config no longer points at an arbitrary variable id
+- pagination controls use explicit runtime actions
+
+This is an intentional simplification and tightening of the contract.
+
+Files:
+
+- `src/components/layoutEditPanel/support/layoutEditPanelPagination.js`
+- `src/components/layoutEditorPreview/support/layoutEditorPreviewSaveLoad.js`
+- corresponding model validation and migration logic
+
+## Migration Rules
+
+### Runtime defaults
+
+After migration:
+
+- engine defaults remain canonical
+- no project-level override layer exists in v1
+
+### Old internal-variable references
+
+They should not remain valid authoring in the new schema.
+
+Compatibility strategy:
+
+- rewrite old schema content once
+- save back only the new runtime-based form
+
+### Temporary engine fallback
+
+Avoid shipping long-term dual-read behavior in engine logic.
+
+Short-lived branch-local fallback from old internal variables may help while
+migrating tests, but final steady-state should read the new runtime state only.
+
+## Testing Plan
+
+### Route-engine
+
+Required coverage:
+
+- unit/system tests for new explicit runtime actions
+- selector tests for `selectRuntime`
+- render-state tests proving runtime-backed text/audio/save-load behavior
+- save/load tests for context runtime restore
+- rollback tests for context runtime replay/restore rules
+- VT coverage for:
+  - dialogue text speed
+  - save/load pagination
+  - sound/music volume
+  - mute-all behavior
+
+### Creator-model
+
+Required coverage:
+
+- schema-3 state validation
+- rejection of old system variable references in current schema
+- compatibility upgrades from schema 1 and 2
+- direct coverage for rewritten slider/layout/action cases
+
+### Creator-client
+
+Required coverage:
+
+- action editor support for new runtime actions
+- layout preview reads from `runtime.*`
+- save/load pagination editor/preview no longer depends on variables
+
+## Rollout Order
+
+Recommended order:
+
+1. Land the runtime contract and selector in `route-engine`
+2. Land explicit runtime actions and state/persistence changes in `route-engine`
+3. Land schema-3 and destructive schema-1/schema-2 rewrites in
+   `routevn-creator-model`
+4. Update `routevn-creator-client` projection, action editors, and preview UI
+5. Remove the old system variable page and synthetic variable merging
+6. Delete remaining legacy internal-variable references and fallback helpers
+
+## Open Constraints To Preserve During Implementation
+
+- `variables` must remain fully generic and project-owned
+- runtime must stay outside `resources`
+- runtime exposure must come from a source-only registry
+- no generic `updateRuntime`
+- no project-level config/default override layer in v1
+- explicit actions remain the only mutation path for engine-owned runtime state
+- the public authored surface must be a flat `runtime.*` API regardless of
+  whether the underlying value lives in `state.global` or the active context
+- `state` and `state.global` are internal only and must not be exposed to the
+  authored view layer
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 4e0d7f10..1406c13e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "route-engine-js",
-  "version": "0.8.0",
+  "version": "1.0.0-rc1",
   "description": "A lightweight Visual Novel engine built in JavaScript for creating interactive narrative games with branching storylines",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/spec/RouteEngine.actionTemplates.test.js b/spec/RouteEngine.actionTemplates.test.js
index d3ef90cd..34080a07 100644
--- a/spec/RouteEngine.actionTemplates.test.js
+++ b/spec/RouteEngine.actionTemplates.test.js
@@ -83,6 +83,31 @@ describe("RouteEngine action templating", () => {
     expect(engine.selectSystemState().contexts[0].variables.score).toBe(7);
   });
 
+  it("resolves ${runtime.*} bindings from engine runtime state", () => {
+    const engine = createRouteEngine({
+      handlePendingEffects: () => {},
+    });
+
+    engine.init({
+      initialState: {
+        global: {
+          runtime: {
+            dialogueTextSpeed: 73,
+          },
+        },
+        projectData: createMinimalProjectData(),
+      },
+    });
+
+    engine.handleActions({
+      setDialogueTextSpeed: {
+        value: "${runtime.dialogueTextSpeed}",
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(engine.selectRuntime().dialogueTextSpeed).toBe(73);
+  });
+
   it("resolves ${variables.*} bindings for authored line actions without event context", () => {
     let engine;
     const handlePendingEffects = (pendingEffects) => {
diff --git a/spec/RouteEngine.runtime.test.js b/spec/RouteEngine.runtime.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f1519cb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/RouteEngine.runtime.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,320 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import createRouteEngine from "../src/RouteEngine.js";
+import { createSystemStore } from "../src/stores/system.store.js";
+
+const createProjectData = (variables = {}, storyOverride = {}) => ({
+  screen: {
+    width: 1920,
+    height: 1080,
+    backgroundColor: "#000000",
+  },
+  resources: {
+    layouts: {},
+    sounds: {},
+    images: {},
+    videos: {},
+    sprites: {},
+    spritesheets: {},
+    characters: {},
+    variables,
+    transforms: {},
+    sectionTransitions: {},
+    animations: {},
+    fonts: {},
+    colors: {},
+    textStyles: {},
+    controls: {},
+  },
+  story: {
+    initialSceneId: "scene1",
+    scenes: {
+      scene1: {
+        initialSectionId: "section1",
+        sections: {
+          section1: {
+            lines: [{ id: "line1", actions: {} }],
+          },
+        },
+      },
+    },
+    ...storyOverride,
+  },
+});
+
+describe("RouteEngine runtime", () => {
+  it("uses runtime defaults and keeps variables storage separate", () => {
+    const store = createSystemStore({
+      projectData: createProjectData(),
+    });
+
+    const runtime = store.selectRuntime();
+    const state = store.selectSystemState();
+
+    expect(runtime.dialogueTextSpeed).toBe(50);
+    expect(runtime.autoForwardDelay).toBe(1000);
+    expect(runtime.muteAll).toBe(false);
+    expect(runtime.saveLoadPagination).toBe(1);
+    expect(state.global.dialogueTextSpeed).toBe(50);
+    expect(state.global.autoForwardDelay).toBe(1000);
+    expect(state.global.muteAll).toBe(false);
+    expect(state.global.variables).toEqual({});
+    expect(state.contexts[0].runtime).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("updates runtime through explicit actions and queues runtime persistence", () => {
+    const store = createSystemStore({
+      projectData: createProjectData(),
+    });
+
+    store.setDialogueTextSpeed({ value: 84 });
+
+    expect(store.selectRuntime().dialogueTextSpeed).toBe(84);
+    expect(store.selectPendingEffects()).toEqual([
+      {
+        name: "saveGlobalRuntime",
+        payload: {
+          globalRuntime: {
+            dialogueTextSpeed: 84,
+            autoForwardDelay: 1000,
+            skipUnseenText: false,
+            skipTransitionsAndAnimations: false,
+            soundVolume: 500,
+            musicVolume: 500,
+            muteAll: false,
+          },
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        name: "render",
+      },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("does not route updateVariable operations into runtime values", () => {
+    const store = createSystemStore({
+      projectData: createProjectData({
+        dialogueTextSpeed: {
+          type: "number",
+          scope: "device",
+          default: 50,
+        },
+        saveLoadPagination: {
+          type: "number",
+          scope: "context",
+          default: 1,
+        },
+      }),
+    });
+
+    store.updateVariable({
+      id: "regularVariables",
+      operations: [
+        {
+          variableId: "dialogueTextSpeed",
+          op: "set",
+          value: 92,
+        },
+        {
+          variableId: "saveLoadPagination",
+          op: "set",
+          value: 4,
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+
+    expect(store.selectRuntime()).toMatchObject({
+      dialogueTextSpeed: 50,
+      saveLoadPagination: 1,
+    });
+    expect(store.selectAllVariables()).toMatchObject({
+      dialogueTextSpeed: 92,
+      saveLoadPagination: 4,
+    });
+    expect(store.selectSystemState().global.variables).toEqual({
+      dialogueTextSpeed: 92,
+    });
+    expect(store.selectSystemState().contexts[0].variables).toEqual({
+      saveLoadPagination: 4,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("rejects undeclared internal-style variable ids", () => {
+    const store = createSystemStore({
+      projectData: createProjectData(),
+    });
+
+    expect(() =>
+      store.updateVariable({
+        id: "undeclaredInternalVariable",
+        operations: [
+          {
+            variableId: "_internalRuntimeValue",
+            op: "set",
+            value: 92,
+          },
+        ],
+      }),
+    ).toThrowError(
+      "Variable scope is required for variable: _internalRuntimeValue",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("renders runtime values into authored layout templates", () => {
+    const engine = createRouteEngine({
+      handlePendingEffects: () => {},
+    });
+
+    engine.init({
+      initialState: {
+        global: {
+          runtime: {
+            dialogueTextSpeed: 77,
+          },
+        },
+        projectData: createProjectData(
+          {},
+          {
+            scenes: {
+              scene1: {
+                initialSectionId: "section1",
+                sections: {
+                  section1: {
+                    lines: [
+                      {
+                        id: "line1",
+                        actions: {
+                          layout: {
+                            resourceId: "runtimeHud",
+                          },
+                        },
+                      },
+                    ],
+                  },
+                },
+              },
+            },
+          },
+        ),
+      },
+    });
+
+    const projectData = engine.selectSystemState().projectData;
+    projectData.resources.layouts.runtimeHud = {
+      elements: [
+        {
+          id: "runtime-text",
+          type: "text",
+          content: "${runtime.dialogueTextSpeed}",
+        },
+      ],
+    };
+
+    engine.handleAction("updateProjectData", {
+      projectData,
+    });
+
+    const renderState = engine.selectRenderState();
+    const storyContainer = renderState.elements.find(
+      (element) => element.id === "story",
+    );
+    const runtimeText = storyContainer.children.find(
+      (element) => element.id === "layout-runtimeHud",
+    );
+
+    expect(runtimeText.children[0].content).toBe(77);
+  });
+
+  it("does not expose duplicate top-level runtime fields to authored layouts", () => {
+    const engine = createRouteEngine({
+      handlePendingEffects: () => {},
+    });
+
+    engine.init({
+      initialState: {
+        global: {
+          runtime: {
+            dialogueTextSpeed: 77,
+          },
+        },
+        projectData: createProjectData(
+          {},
+          {
+            scenes: {
+              scene1: {
+                initialSectionId: "section1",
+                sections: {
+                  section1: {
+                    lines: [
+                      {
+                        id: "line1",
+                        actions: {
+                          layout: {
+                            resourceId: "runtimeHud",
+                          },
+                        },
+                      },
+                    ],
+                  },
+                },
+              },
+            },
+          },
+        ),
+      },
+    });
+
+    const projectData = engine.selectSystemState().projectData;
+    projectData.resources.layouts.runtimeHud = {
+      elements: [
+        {
+          id: "runtime-text",
+          type: "text",
+          content: "${textSpeed}",
+        },
+      ],
+    };
+
+    engine.handleAction("updateProjectData", {
+      projectData,
+    });
+
+    const renderState = engine.selectRenderState();
+    const storyContainer = renderState.elements.find(
+      (element) => element.id === "story",
+    );
+    const runtimeText = storyContainer.children.find(
+      (element) => element.id === "layout-runtimeHud",
+    );
+
+    expect(runtimeText.children[0].content).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("filters unknown persisted runtime keys during initialization", () => {
+    const store = createSystemStore({
+      global: {
+        runtime: {
+          dialogueTextSpeed: 90,
+          legacyRuntimeKey: 123,
+        },
+      },
+      projectData: createProjectData(),
+    });
+
+    const state = store.selectSystemState();
+    expect(state.global.dialogueTextSpeed).toBe(90);
+    expect(state.global.legacyRuntimeKey).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("rejects invalid persisted runtime value types during initialization", () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createSystemStore({
+        global: {
+          runtime: {
+            dialogueTextSpeed: "fast",
+          },
+        },
+        projectData: createProjectData(),
+      }),
+    ).toThrowError("dialogueTextSpeed requires a finite numeric value");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/spec/indexedDbPersistence.test.js b/spec/indexedDbPersistence.test.js
index e3d37ce4..98c5e01d 100644
--- a/spec/indexedDbPersistence.test.js
+++ b/spec/indexedDbPersistence.test.js
@@ -257,12 +257,14 @@ describe("indexedDbPersistence", () => {
         textSpeed: 42,
       },
       globalAccountVariables: {},
+      globalRuntime: {},
     });
 
     expect(await betaPersistence.load()).toEqual({
       saveSlots: {},
       globalDeviceVariables: {},
       globalAccountVariables: {},
+      globalRuntime: {},
     });
   });
 
@@ -301,6 +303,7 @@ describe("indexedDbPersistence", () => {
       saveSlots: {},
       globalDeviceVariables: {},
       globalAccountVariables: {},
+      globalRuntime: {},
     });
 
     expect(await betaPersistence.load()).toEqual({
@@ -309,6 +312,7 @@ describe("indexedDbPersistence", () => {
       globalAccountVariables: {
         routeUnlocked: true,
       },
+      globalRuntime: {},
     });
   });
 
@@ -372,6 +376,7 @@ describe("indexedDbPersistence", () => {
       globalAccountVariables: {
         unlockedChapter: 3,
       },
+      globalRuntime: {},
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/spec/system/actions/markLineCompleted.spec.yaml b/spec/system/actions/markLineCompleted.spec.yaml
index bd94bb07..974a8b19 100644
--- a/spec/system/actions/markLineCompleted.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/actions/markLineCompleted.spec.yaml
@@ -68,8 +68,7 @@ in:
       global:
         isLineCompleted: false
         autoMode: true
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
         nextLineConfig:
           manual:
             enabled: true
@@ -80,8 +79,7 @@ out:
   global:
     isLineCompleted: true
     autoMode: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     nextLineConfig:
       manual:
         enabled: true
@@ -93,14 +91,13 @@ out:
           delay: 1000
       - name: render
 ---
-case: mark line as completed with auto mode and custom _autoForwardTime
+case: mark line as completed with auto mode and custom autoForwardDelay
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         isLineCompleted: false
         autoMode: true
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 2000
+        autoForwardDelay: 2000
         nextLineConfig:
           manual:
             enabled: true
@@ -111,8 +108,7 @@ out:
   global:
     isLineCompleted: true
     autoMode: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 2000
+    autoForwardDelay: 2000
     nextLineConfig:
       manual:
         enabled: true
@@ -124,13 +120,12 @@ out:
           delay: 2000
       - name: render
 ---
-case: mark line as completed with auto mode and default _autoForwardTime (not set)
+case: mark line as completed with auto mode and default autoForwardDelay (not set)
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         isLineCompleted: false
         autoMode: true
-        variables: {}
         nextLineConfig:
           manual:
             enabled: true
@@ -141,7 +136,6 @@ out:
   global:
     isLineCompleted: true
     autoMode: true
-    variables: {}
     nextLineConfig:
       manual:
         enabled: true
@@ -224,8 +218,7 @@ in:
       global:
         isLineCompleted: false
         autoMode: true
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
         nextLineConfig:
           manual:
             enabled: true
@@ -270,8 +263,7 @@ out:
   global:
     isLineCompleted: true
     autoMode: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     nextLineConfig:
       manual:
         enabled: true
diff --git a/spec/system/actions/nextLine.spec.yaml b/spec/system/actions/nextLine.spec.yaml
index 95558d3b..f7cc1e0e 100644
--- a/spec/system/actions/nextLine.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/actions/nextLine.spec.yaml
@@ -976,13 +976,12 @@ out:
           sectionId: "section1"
           lineId: "1"
 ---
-case: skip mode stops at unviewed line when _skipUnseenText is undefined
+case: skip mode stops at unviewed line when skipUnseenText is undefined
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         isLineCompleted: true
         skipMode: true
-        variables: {}
         nextLineConfig:
           manual:
             enabled: true
@@ -1012,7 +1011,6 @@ out:
   global:
     isLineCompleted: true
     skipMode: false
-    variables: {}
     nextLineConfig:
       manual:
         enabled: true
@@ -1041,14 +1039,13 @@ out:
           sectionId: "section1"
           lineId: "1"
 ---
-case: skip mode stops at unviewed line when _skipUnseenText is false
+case: skip mode stops at unviewed line when skipUnseenText is false
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         isLineCompleted: true
         skipMode: true
-        variables:
-          _skipUnseenText: false
+        skipUnseenText: false
         nextLineConfig:
           manual:
             enabled: true
@@ -1078,8 +1075,7 @@ out:
   global:
     isLineCompleted: true
     skipMode: false
-    variables:
-      _skipUnseenText: false
+    skipUnseenText: false
     nextLineConfig:
       manual:
         enabled: true
@@ -1108,14 +1104,13 @@ out:
           sectionId: "section1"
           lineId: "1"
 ---
-case: skip mode continues when _skipUnseenText is true (skip all)
+case: skip mode continues when skipUnseenText is true (skip all)
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         isLineCompleted: true
         skipMode: true
-        variables:
-          _skipUnseenText: true
+        skipUnseenText: true
         nextLineConfig:
           manual:
             enabled: true
@@ -1147,8 +1142,7 @@ out:
   global:
     isLineCompleted: false
     skipMode: true
-    variables:
-      _skipUnseenText: true
+    skipUnseenText: true
     nextLineConfig:
       manual:
         enabled: true
diff --git a/spec/system/actions/nextLineFromSystem.spec.yaml b/spec/system/actions/nextLineFromSystem.spec.yaml
index 9aedc90f..360337ac 100644
--- a/spec/system/actions/nextLineFromSystem.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/actions/nextLineFromSystem.spec.yaml
@@ -197,8 +197,7 @@ in:
         isLineCompleted: true
         autoMode: true
         skipMode: true
-        variables:
-          _skipUnseenText: true
+        skipUnseenText: true
         viewedRegistry:
           sections: []
         nextLineConfig:
@@ -231,8 +230,7 @@ out:
     isLineCompleted: false
     autoMode: false
     skipMode: false
-    variables:
-      _skipUnseenText: true
+    skipUnseenText: true
     viewedRegistry:
       sections:
         - sectionId: "section1"
diff --git a/spec/system/actions/startAutoMode.spec.yaml b/spec/system/actions/startAutoMode.spec.yaml
index a6ac1c61..b08695aa 100644
--- a/spec/system/actions/startAutoMode.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/actions/startAutoMode.spec.yaml
@@ -12,14 +12,12 @@ in:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: false
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: false
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: render
@@ -31,14 +29,12 @@ in:
         autoMode: true
         isLineCompleted: false
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: false
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: render
@@ -50,14 +46,12 @@ in:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: startAutoNextTimer
@@ -65,21 +59,19 @@ out:
           delay: 1000
       - name: render
 ---
-case: start auto mode with custom _autoForwardTime
+case: start auto mode with custom autoForwardDelay
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 2500
+        autoForwardDelay: 2500
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 2500
+    autoForwardDelay: 2500
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: startAutoNextTimer
@@ -87,19 +79,17 @@ out:
           delay: 2500
       - name: render
 ---
-case: start auto mode with default _autoForwardTime (not set)
+case: start auto mode with default autoForwardDelay (not set)
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables: {}
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables: {}
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: startAutoNextTimer
@@ -114,8 +104,7 @@ in:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
       projectData:
         story:
           scenes:
@@ -156,6 +145,5 @@ out:
   global:
     autoMode: false
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects: []
diff --git a/spec/system/actions/toggleAutoMode.spec.yaml b/spec/system/actions/toggleAutoMode.spec.yaml
index 8a437315..f31980ba 100644
--- a/spec/system/actions/toggleAutoMode.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/actions/toggleAutoMode.spec.yaml
@@ -12,14 +12,12 @@ in:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: false
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: false
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: render
@@ -31,14 +29,12 @@ in:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: startAutoNextTimer
@@ -53,14 +49,12 @@ in:
         autoMode: true
         isLineCompleted: false
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: false
     isLineCompleted: false
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: render
@@ -73,13 +67,11 @@ in:
         skipMode: true
         isLineCompleted: false
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     skipMode: false
     isLineCompleted: false
     pendingEffects:
@@ -95,13 +87,11 @@ in:
         skipMode: true
         isLineCompleted: false
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: false
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     skipMode: true
     isLineCompleted: false
     pendingEffects:
@@ -117,14 +107,12 @@ in:
         pendingEffects:
           - name: existingEffect
             data: test
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: false
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: existingEffect
         data: test
@@ -140,35 +128,31 @@ in:
         pendingEffects:
           - name: existingEffect
             data: test
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: false
     isLineCompleted: false
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects:
       - name: existingEffect
         data: test
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: render
 ---
-case: toggle auto mode with custom _autoForwardTime
+case: toggle auto mode with custom autoForwardDelay
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 2500
+        autoForwardDelay: 2500
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 2500
+    autoForwardDelay: 2500
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: startAutoNextTimer
@@ -176,19 +160,17 @@ out:
           delay: 2500
       - name: render
 ---
-case: toggle auto mode with default _autoForwardTime (not set)
+case: toggle auto mode with default autoForwardDelay (not set)
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables: {}
 out:
   global:
     autoMode: true
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables: {}
     pendingEffects:
       - name: clearAutoNextTimer
       - name: startAutoNextTimer
@@ -203,8 +185,7 @@ in:
         autoMode: false
         isLineCompleted: true
         pendingEffects: []
-        variables:
-          _autoForwardTime: 1000
+        autoForwardDelay: 1000
       projectData:
         story:
           scenes:
@@ -245,6 +226,5 @@ out:
   global:
     autoMode: false
     isLineCompleted: true
-    variables:
-      _autoForwardTime: 1000
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
     pendingEffects: []
diff --git a/spec/system/createInitialState.spec.yaml b/spec/system/createInitialState.spec.yaml
index 2c68f48d..25220964 100644
--- a/spec/system/createInitialState.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/createInitialState.spec.yaml
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ out:
     autoMode: false
     skipMode: false
     dialogueUIHidden: false
+    dialogueTextSpeed: 50
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
+    skipUnseenText: false
+    skipTransitionsAndAnimations: false
+    soundVolume: 500
+    musicVolume: 500
+    muteAll: false
     confirmDialog: null
     viewedRegistry:
       sections: []
@@ -112,6 +119,13 @@ out:
     autoMode: false
     skipMode: false
     dialogueUIHidden: false
+    dialogueTextSpeed: 50
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
+    skipUnseenText: false
+    skipTransitionsAndAnimations: false
+    soundVolume: 500
+    musicVolume: 500
+    muteAll: false
     confirmDialog: null
     viewedRegistry:
       sections: []
@@ -211,6 +225,13 @@ out:
     autoMode: false
     skipMode: false
     dialogueUIHidden: false
+    dialogueTextSpeed: 50
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
+    skipUnseenText: false
+    skipTransitionsAndAnimations: false
+    soundVolume: 500
+    musicVolume: 500
+    muteAll: false
     confirmDialog: null
     viewedRegistry:
       sections: []
@@ -304,6 +325,13 @@ out:
     autoMode: false
     skipMode: false
     dialogueUIHidden: false
+    dialogueTextSpeed: 50
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
+    skipUnseenText: false
+    skipTransitionsAndAnimations: false
+    soundVolume: 500
+    musicVolume: 500
+    muteAll: false
     confirmDialog: null
     viewedRegistry:
       sections: []
@@ -394,6 +422,13 @@ out:
     autoMode: false
     skipMode: false
     dialogueUIHidden: false
+    dialogueTextSpeed: 50
+    autoForwardDelay: 1000
+    skipUnseenText: false
+    skipTransitionsAndAnimations: false
+    soundVolume: 500
+    musicVolume: 500
+    muteAll: false
     confirmDialog: null
     viewedRegistry:
       sections: []
diff --git a/spec/system/renderState/addBgm.spec.yaml b/spec/system/renderState/addBgm.spec.yaml
index 35376d97..b45dc742 100644
--- a/spec/system/renderState/addBgm.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/renderState/addBgm.spec.yaml
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ in:
       sounds:
         backgroundMusic:
           fileId: "bgm.mp3"
-    variables:
-      _musicVolume: 700
+    runtime:
+      musicVolume: 700
 out:
   elements:
     - id: "story"
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ in:
       sounds:
         customMusic:
           fileId: "custom.mp3"
-    variables:
-      _musicVolume: 300
+    runtime:
+      musicVolume: 300
 out:
   elements:
     - id: "story"
@@ -215,4 +215,4 @@ out:
       y: 0
       children: []
   animations: []
-  audio: []
\ No newline at end of file
+  audio: []
diff --git a/spec/system/renderState/addConfirmDialog.spec.yaml b/spec/system/renderState/addConfirmDialog.spec.yaml
index dbf5c68e..d441fe0f 100644
--- a/spec/system/renderState/addConfirmDialog.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/renderState/addConfirmDialog.spec.yaml
@@ -159,14 +159,15 @@ in:
       layouts:
         saveOverwriteConfirmLayout:
           elements:
-            - id: confirm-slot-${saveSlots[0].slotId}-${isLineCompleted}
+            - id: confirm-slot-${saveSlots[0].slotId}-${runtime.isLineCompleted}
               type: text
               content: Slot ${saveSlots[0].slotId}
       colors: {}
     variables: {}
-    autoMode: false
-    skipMode: false
-    isLineCompleted: true
+    runtime:
+      autoMode: false
+      skipMode: false
+      isLineCompleted: true
     saveSlots:
       - slotId: 3
         savedAt: 1700000000000
diff --git a/spec/system/renderState/addLayout.spec.yaml b/spec/system/renderState/addLayout.spec.yaml
index bcf683f4..10865aa7 100644
--- a/spec/system/renderState/addLayout.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/renderState/addLayout.spec.yaml
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ in:
               width: 300
               height: 120
               colorId:
-                $if autoMode: "activeColor"
+                $if runtime.autoMode: "activeColor"
                 $else: "idleColor"
               hover:
                 colorId: "hoverColor"
@@ -262,8 +262,9 @@ in:
         clickColor:
           hex: "#404040"
     variables: {}
-    autoMode: true
-    skipMode: false
+    runtime:
+      autoMode: true
+      skipMode: false
 out:
   elements:
     - id: "story"
@@ -373,7 +374,7 @@ in:
               type: "text"
               content: "Styled"
               textStyleId:
-                $if autoMode: "active"
+                $if runtime.autoMode: "active"
                 $else: "idle"
       textStyles:
         idle:
@@ -399,8 +400,9 @@ in:
         activeColor:
           hex: "#FF0000"
     variables: {}
-    autoMode: true
-    skipMode: false
+    runtime:
+      autoMode: true
+      skipMode: false
 out:
   elements:
     - id: "story"
@@ -444,7 +446,7 @@ in:
             - id: "layout-image"
               type: "sprite"
               imageId:
-                $if autoMode: "activePreview"
+                $if runtime.autoMode: "activePreview"
                 $else: "idlePreview"
               hoverImageId: "hoverPreview"
               clickImageId: "clickPreview"
@@ -466,8 +468,9 @@ in:
           width: 400
           height: 225
     variables: {}
-    autoMode: true
-    skipMode: false
+    runtime:
+      autoMode: true
+      skipMode: false
 out:
   elements:
     - id: "story"
diff --git a/spec/system/selectors/selectCurrentPageSlots.spec.yaml b/spec/system/selectors/selectCurrentPageSlots.spec.yaml
index 151e8c69..376a4640 100644
--- a/spec/system/selectors/selectCurrentPageSlots.spec.yaml
+++ b/spec/system/selectors/selectCurrentPageSlots.spec.yaml
@@ -10,11 +10,10 @@ case: default 6 slots per page, page 1
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 1
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 1
 out:
   saveSlots:
     - slotId: 1
@@ -28,11 +27,10 @@ case: default 6 slots per page, page 2
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 2
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 2
 out:
   saveSlots:
     - slotId: 7
@@ -46,11 +44,10 @@ case: default 6 slots per page, page 3
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 3
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 3
 out:
   saveSlots:
     - slotId: 13
@@ -60,14 +57,13 @@ out:
     - slotId: 17
     - slotId: 18
 ---
-case: loadPage defaults to 1 when undefined
+case: saveLoadPagination defaults to 1 when undefined
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables: {}
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - {}
 out:
   saveSlots:
     - slotId: 1
@@ -77,15 +73,14 @@ out:
     - slotId: 5
     - slotId: 6
 ---
-case: loadPage from context variables
+case: saveLoadPagination from context runtime
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables: {}
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables:
-            loadPage: 2
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 2
 out:
   saveSlots:
     - slotId: 7
@@ -95,31 +90,31 @@ out:
     - slotId: 11
     - slotId: 12
 ---
-case: context variables override global variables
+case: unrelated variables do not affect save slot pagination
 in:
   - state:
       global:
         variables:
-          loadPage: 1
+          pageCounter: 1
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
         - variables:
-            loadPage: 3
+            pageCounter: 3
+          runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 2
 out:
   saveSlots:
-    - slotId: 13
-    - slotId: 14
-    - slotId: 15
-    - slotId: 16
-    - slotId: 17
-    - slotId: 18
+    - slotId: 7
+    - slotId: 8
+    - slotId: 9
+    - slotId: 10
+    - slotId: 11
+    - slotId: 12
 ---
 case: with saved slot data
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 1
         saveSlots:
           "1":
             savedAt: 1704556800000
@@ -130,7 +125,8 @@ in:
           "3":
             savedAt: 1704643200000
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 1
 out:
   saveSlots:
     - slotId: 1
@@ -150,11 +146,10 @@ case: custom 12 slots per page
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 1
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 1
   - slotsPerPage: 12
 out:
   saveSlots:
@@ -175,11 +170,10 @@ case: custom 4 slots per page
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 1
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 1
   - slotsPerPage: 4
 out:
   saveSlots:
@@ -192,11 +186,10 @@ case: custom 10 slots per page, page 2
 in:
   - state:
       global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 2
         saveSlots: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 2
   - slotsPerPage: 10
 out:
   saveSlots:
@@ -214,11 +207,10 @@ out:
 case: undefined saveSlots handled gracefully
 in:
   - state:
-      global:
-        variables:
-          loadPage: 1
+      global: {}
       contexts:
-        - variables: {}
+        - runtime:
+            saveLoadPagination: 1
 out:
   saveSlots:
     - slotId: 1
diff --git a/src/RouteEngine.js b/src/RouteEngine.js
index e434bd22..aef7a59c 100644
--- a/src/RouteEngine.js
+++ b/src/RouteEngine.js
@@ -85,6 +85,10 @@ export default function createRouteEngine(options) {
     return _systemStore.selectAutoMode();
   };
 
+  const selectRuntime = () => {
+    return _systemStore.selectRuntime();
+  };
+
   const selectIsChoiceVisible = () => {
     return _systemStore.selectIsChoiceVisible();
   };
@@ -107,6 +111,7 @@ export default function createRouteEngine(options) {
         variables: _systemStore.selectAllVariables
           ? _systemStore.selectAllVariables()
           : undefined,
+        runtime: _systemStore.selectRuntime ? _systemStore.selectRuntime() : {},
       };
     }
     if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(eventContext, "event")) {
@@ -122,6 +127,7 @@ export default function createRouteEngine(options) {
       ...additionalContext,
       _event,
       variables,
+      runtime: _systemStore.selectRuntime ? _systemStore.selectRuntime() : {},
     };
   };
 
@@ -162,6 +168,7 @@ export default function createRouteEngine(options) {
     selectSaveSlot,
     selectSaveSlotPage,
     selectSaveSlots: selectSaveSlotMap,
+    selectRuntime,
     selectIsChoiceVisible,
     handleLineActions,
     getNamespace,
diff --git a/src/createEffectsHandler.js b/src/createEffectsHandler.js
index 7c2f17e4..7c4204dd 100644
--- a/src/createEffectsHandler.js
+++ b/src/createEffectsHandler.js
@@ -184,11 +184,18 @@ const saveGlobalAccountVariables = ({ enqueuePersistenceWrite }, payload) => {
   );
 };
 
+const saveGlobalRuntime = ({ enqueuePersistenceWrite }, payload) => {
+  enqueuePersistenceWrite((persistence) =>
+    persistence.saveGlobalRuntime(payload?.globalRuntime),
+  );
+};
+
 const effects = {
   render,
   saveSlots,
   saveGlobalDeviceVariables,
   saveGlobalAccountVariables,
+  saveGlobalRuntime,
   handleLineActions,
   startAutoNextTimer,
   clearAutoNextTimer,
@@ -204,6 +211,7 @@ const COALESCIBLE_EFFECT_NAMES = new Set([
   "saveSlots",
   "saveGlobalDeviceVariables",
   "saveGlobalAccountVariables",
+  "saveGlobalRuntime",
   "startAutoNextTimer",
   "clearAutoNextTimer",
   "startSkipNextTimer",
diff --git a/src/indexedDbPersistence.js b/src/indexedDbPersistence.js
index cdc2644a..0b6b5a5a 100644
--- a/src/indexedDbPersistence.js
+++ b/src/indexedDbPersistence.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ const createEmptyPersistedState = () => ({
   saveSlots: {},
   globalDeviceVariables: {},
   globalAccountVariables: {},
+  globalRuntime: {},
 });
 
 const isPlainObject = (value) =>
@@ -26,6 +27,9 @@ const normalizePersistedState = (value = {}) => {
     )
       ? normalizedValue.globalAccountVariables
       : {},
+    globalRuntime: isPlainObject(normalizedValue.globalRuntime)
+      ? normalizedValue.globalRuntime
+      : {},
   };
 };
 
@@ -327,6 +331,15 @@ export const createIndexedDbPersistence = (options = {}) => {
             : {},
         },
       }),
+    saveGlobalRuntime: async (globalRuntime) =>
+      writeNamespaceRecord({
+        databasePromise,
+        objectStoreName,
+        namespace: resolvedNamespace,
+        patch: {
+          globalRuntime: isPlainObject(globalRuntime) ? globalRuntime : {},
+        },
+      }),
   };
 };
 
diff --git a/src/runtimeFields.js b/src/runtimeFields.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..771b2c0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/runtimeFields.js
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+export const RUNTIME_FIELDS = Object.freeze({
+  dialogueTextSpeed: {
+    source: "global.dialogueTextSpeed",
+  },
+  autoForwardDelay: {
+    source: "global.autoForwardDelay",
+  },
+  skipUnseenText: {
+    source: "global.skipUnseenText",
+  },
+  skipTransitionsAndAnimations: {
+    source: "global.skipTransitionsAndAnimations",
+  },
+  soundVolume: {
+    source: "global.soundVolume",
+  },
+  musicVolume: {
+    source: "global.musicVolume",
+  },
+  muteAll: {
+    source: "global.muteAll",
+  },
+  saveLoadPagination: {
+    source: "context.runtime.saveLoadPagination",
+  },
+  menuPage: {
+    source: "context.runtime.menuPage",
+  },
+  menuEntryPoint: {
+    source: "context.runtime.menuEntryPoint",
+  },
+  autoMode: {
+    source: "global.autoMode",
+  },
+  skipMode: {
+    source: "global.skipMode",
+  },
+  dialogueUIHidden: {
+    source: "global.dialogueUIHidden",
+  },
+  isLineCompleted: {
+    source: "global.isLineCompleted",
+  },
+});
+
+export const GLOBAL_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS = Object.freeze({
+  dialogueTextSpeed: 50,
+  autoForwardDelay: 1000,
+  skipUnseenText: false,
+  skipTransitionsAndAnimations: false,
+  soundVolume: 500,
+  musicVolume: 500,
+  muteAll: false,
+  autoMode: false,
+  skipMode: false,
+  dialogueUIHidden: false,
+  isLineCompleted: false,
+});
+
+export const CONTEXT_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS = Object.freeze({
+  saveLoadPagination: 1,
+  menuPage: "",
+  menuEntryPoint: "",
+});
+
+export const RUNTIME_FIELD_TYPES = Object.freeze({
+  dialogueTextSpeed: "number",
+  autoForwardDelay: "number",
+  skipUnseenText: "boolean",
+  skipTransitionsAndAnimations: "boolean",
+  soundVolume: "number",
+  musicVolume: "number",
+  muteAll: "boolean",
+  saveLoadPagination: "number",
+  menuPage: "string",
+  menuEntryPoint: "string",
+  autoMode: "boolean",
+  skipMode: "boolean",
+  dialogueUIHidden: "boolean",
+  isLineCompleted: "boolean",
+});
+
+export const PERSISTED_GLOBAL_RUNTIME_FIELDS = Object.freeze([
+  "dialogueTextSpeed",
+  "autoForwardDelay",
+  "skipUnseenText",
+  "skipTransitionsAndAnimations",
+  "soundVolume",
+  "musicVolume",
+  "muteAll",
+]);
+
+export const CONTEXT_RUNTIME_FIELDS = Object.freeze([
+  "saveLoadPagination",
+  "menuPage",
+  "menuEntryPoint",
+]);
+
+const readRuntimeValueFromState = (state, source) => {
+  if (source.startsWith("global.")) {
+    const key = source.slice("global.".length);
+    return state?.global?.[key];
+  }
+
+  if (source.startsWith("context.runtime.")) {
+    const key = source.slice("context.runtime.".length);
+    const contexts = Array.isArray(state?.contexts) ? state.contexts : [];
+    const lastContext = contexts[contexts.length - 1];
+    return lastContext?.runtime?.[key];
+  }
+
+  return undefined;
+};
+
+export const selectRuntimeFromState = (state) => {
+  return Object.fromEntries(
+    Object.entries(RUNTIME_FIELDS).map(([runtimeId, config]) => {
+      const sourceValue = readRuntimeValueFromState(state, config.source);
+      const defaultValue =
+        sourceValue !== undefined
+          ? sourceValue
+          : (GLOBAL_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS[runtimeId] ??
+            CONTEXT_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS[runtimeId]);
+
+      return [runtimeId, defaultValue];
+    }),
+  );
+};
+
+export const selectRuntimeValueFromState = (state, runtimeId) => {
+  const runtime = selectRuntimeFromState(state);
+  return runtime[runtimeId];
+};
+
+export const pickPersistedGlobalRuntime = (globalState = {}) => {
+  return Object.fromEntries(
+    PERSISTED_GLOBAL_RUNTIME_FIELDS.map((runtimeId) => [
+      runtimeId,
+      globalState[runtimeId] ?? GLOBAL_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS[runtimeId],
+    ]),
+  );
+};
diff --git a/src/schemas/systemActions.yaml b/src/schemas/systemActions.yaml
index 274350e1..36062bf9 100644
--- a/src/schemas/systemActions.yaml
+++ b/src/schemas/systemActions.yaml
@@ -113,6 +113,110 @@ properties:
     properties: {}
     additionalProperties: false
 
+  setDialogueTextSpeed:
+    type: object
+    description: Set dialogue reveal speed
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: number
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setAutoForwardDelay:
+    type: object
+    description: Set auto mode delay in milliseconds
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: number
+        minimum: 0
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setSkipUnseenText:
+    type: object
+    description: Set whether skip mode should include unseen text
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: boolean
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setSkipTransitionsAndAnimations:
+    type: object
+    description: Set whether transitions and animations should be skipped
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: boolean
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setSoundVolume:
+    type: object
+    description: Set effective SFX volume
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: number
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setMusicVolume:
+    type: object
+    description: Set effective music volume
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: number
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setMuteAll:
+    type: object
+    description: Set whether all sound output is muted
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: boolean
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setSaveLoadPagination:
+    type: object
+    description: Set the current save/load pagination page
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: integer
+        minimum: 1
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  incrementSaveLoadPagination:
+    type: object
+    description: Increment the current save/load pagination page
+    properties: {}
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  decrementSaveLoadPagination:
+    type: object
+    description: Decrement the current save/load pagination page
+    properties: {}
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setMenuPage:
+    type: object
+    description: Set the current menu page
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: string
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
+  setMenuEntryPoint:
+    type: object
+    description: Set the current menu entry point
+    properties:
+      value:
+        type: string
+    required: [value]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
   showConfirmDialog:
     type: object
     description: Show a transient confirm dialog rendered from a layout resource
diff --git a/src/schemas/systemState/effects.yaml b/src/schemas/systemState/effects.yaml
index af4563f7..4de136e2 100644
--- a/src/schemas/systemState/effects.yaml
+++ b/src/schemas/systemState/effects.yaml
@@ -67,6 +67,22 @@ anyOf:
     required: [name, payload]
     additionalProperties: false
 
+  - title: Save runtime effect
+    type: object
+    properties:
+      name:
+        const: saveGlobalRuntime
+      payload:
+        type: object
+        properties:
+          globalRuntime:
+            type: object
+            additionalProperties: true
+        required: [globalRuntime]
+        additionalProperties: false
+    required: [name, payload]
+    additionalProperties: false
+
   - title: Start auto next timer effect
     type: object
     properties:
diff --git a/src/schemas/systemState/systemState.yaml b/src/schemas/systemState/systemState.yaml
index 30ccee7c..811ac61b 100644
--- a/src/schemas/systemState/systemState.yaml
+++ b/src/schemas/systemState/systemState.yaml
@@ -183,6 +183,18 @@ defs:
       variables:
         type: object
         additionalProperties: true
+      runtime:
+        type: object
+        properties:
+          saveLoadPagination:
+            type: integer
+            minimum: 1
+          menuPage:
+            type: string
+          menuEntryPoint:
+            type: string
+        required: [saveLoadPagination, menuPage, menuEntryPoint]
+        additionalProperties: false
       rollback:
         $ref: "#/defs/rollbackState"
     required:
@@ -219,6 +231,20 @@ properties:
           $ref: "#/defs/saveSlotEntry"
       dialogueUIHidden:
         type: boolean
+      dialogueTextSpeed:
+        type: number
+      autoForwardDelay:
+        type: number
+      skipUnseenText:
+        type: boolean
+      skipTransitionsAndAnimations:
+        type: boolean
+      soundVolume:
+        type: number
+      musicVolume:
+        type: number
+      muteAll:
+        type: boolean
       confirmDialog:
         type: [object, "null"]
         properties:
@@ -255,6 +281,13 @@ properties:
         variables,
         saveSlots,
         dialogueUIHidden,
+        dialogueTextSpeed,
+        autoForwardDelay,
+        skipUnseenText,
+        skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
+        soundVolume,
+        musicVolume,
+        muteAll,
         confirmDialog,
         autoMode,
         skipMode,
diff --git a/src/stores/constructRenderState.js b/src/stores/constructRenderState.js
index 2d59bc01..d3c08529 100644
--- a/src/stores/constructRenderState.js
+++ b/src/stores/constructRenderState.js
@@ -910,8 +910,17 @@ const getStoryContainer = (elements = []) => {
   return elements.find((element) => element.id === "story");
 };
 
+const getEffectiveSoundVolume = (runtime = {}) => {
+  return runtime?.muteAll ? 0 : (runtime?.soundVolume ?? 500);
+};
+
+const getEffectiveMusicVolume = (runtime = {}) => {
+  return runtime?.muteAll ? 0 : (runtime?.musicVolume ?? 500);
+};
+
 const createLayoutTemplateData = ({
   variables,
+  runtime,
   saveSlots = [],
   isLineCompleted,
   autoMode,
@@ -921,22 +930,37 @@ const createLayoutTemplateData = ({
   confirmDialog,
   historyDialogue = [],
   characters = {},
+  dialogueUIHidden,
+  skipOnlyViewedLines,
+  skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
 } = {}) => {
+  const resolvedRuntime = {
+    dialogueTextSpeed: runtime?.dialogueTextSpeed ?? 50,
+    autoForwardDelay: runtime?.autoForwardDelay ?? 1000,
+    skipUnseenText: runtime?.skipUnseenText ?? false,
+    skipTransitionsAndAnimations:
+      runtime?.skipTransitionsAndAnimations ?? false,
+    soundVolume: runtime?.soundVolume ?? 500,
+    musicVolume: runtime?.musicVolume ?? 500,
+    muteAll: runtime?.muteAll ?? false,
+    saveLoadPagination: runtime?.saveLoadPagination ?? 1,
+    menuPage: runtime?.menuPage ?? "",
+    menuEntryPoint: runtime?.menuEntryPoint ?? "",
+    autoMode: runtime?.autoMode ?? autoMode ?? false,
+    skipMode: runtime?.skipMode ?? skipMode ?? false,
+    dialogueUIHidden: runtime?.dialogueUIHidden ?? dialogueUIHidden ?? false,
+    isLineCompleted: runtime?.isLineCompleted ?? isLineCompleted ?? false,
+  };
+
   return {
     variables,
+    runtime: resolvedRuntime,
     saveSlots,
-    isLineCompleted,
-    autoMode,
-    skipMode,
     isChoiceVisible,
     canRollback,
     confirmDialog,
     historyDialogue,
     characters,
-    effectiveSoundVolume: variables?._muteAll
-      ? 0
-      : (variables?._soundVolume ?? 500),
-    textSpeed: variables?._textSpeed ?? 50,
   };
 };
 
@@ -1307,6 +1331,7 @@ export const addBackgroundOrCg = (
     isLineCompleted,
     skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
     variables,
+    runtime,
     autoMode,
     skipMode,
     isChoiceVisible,
@@ -1375,12 +1400,14 @@ export const addBackgroundOrCg = (
           bgContainer,
           createLayoutTemplateData({
             variables,
+            runtime,
             saveSlots,
             isLineCompleted,
             autoMode,
             skipMode,
             isChoiceVisible,
             canRollback,
+            skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
           }),
           { functions: jemplFunctions },
         );
@@ -1582,6 +1609,7 @@ export const addVisuals = (
     isLineCompleted,
     skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
     variables,
+    runtime,
     autoMode,
     skipMode,
     isChoiceVisible,
@@ -1691,12 +1719,14 @@ export const addVisuals = (
             visualContainer,
             createLayoutTemplateData({
               variables,
+              runtime,
               saveSlots,
               isLineCompleted,
               autoMode,
               skipMode,
               isChoiceVisible,
               canRollback,
+              skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
             }),
             { functions: jemplFunctions },
           );
@@ -1759,6 +1789,7 @@ export const addDialogue = (
     isLineCompleted,
     skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
     variables,
+    runtime,
     saveSlots = [],
   },
 ) => {
@@ -1824,20 +1855,25 @@ export const addDialogue = (
           };
         },
       );
-
-      const templateData = {
+      const resolvedRuntime = createLayoutTemplateData({
         variables,
+        runtime,
+        isLineCompleted,
         autoMode,
         skipMode,
         isChoiceVisible,
         canRollback,
+        dialogueUIHidden,
         skipOnlyViewedLines,
-        isLineCompleted,
+        skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
+      }).runtime;
+
+      const templateData = {
+        variables,
+        runtime: resolvedRuntime,
+        isChoiceVisible,
+        canRollback,
         saveSlots,
-        effectiveSoundVolume: variables?._muteAll
-          ? 0
-          : (variables?._soundVolume ?? 500),
-        textSpeed: variables?._textSpeed ?? 50,
         dialogueLines,
         dialogue: {
           character: {
@@ -1921,6 +1957,7 @@ export const addChoices = (
     isLineCompleted,
     skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
     variables,
+    runtime,
     autoMode,
     skipMode,
     isChoiceVisible,
@@ -1942,12 +1979,14 @@ export const addChoices = (
         {
           ...createLayoutTemplateData({
             variables,
+            runtime,
             saveSlots,
             isLineCompleted,
             autoMode,
             skipMode,
             isChoiceVisible: isChoiceVisible ?? !!presentationState.choice,
             canRollback,
+            skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
           }),
           choice: {
             items: presentationState.choice?.items ?? [],
@@ -2009,6 +2048,7 @@ export const addControl = (
     presentationState,
     resources = {},
     variables,
+    runtime,
     isLineCompleted,
     autoMode,
     skipMode,
@@ -2055,12 +2095,14 @@ export const addControl = (
       resources,
       templateData: createLayoutTemplateData({
         variables,
+        runtime,
         saveSlots,
         isLineCompleted,
         autoMode,
         skipMode,
         isChoiceVisible,
         canRollback,
+        skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
       }),
       isLineCompleted,
       skipMode,
@@ -2071,7 +2113,10 @@ export const addControl = (
   return state;
 };
 
-export const addBgm = (state, { presentationState, resources, variables }) => {
+export const addBgm = (
+  state,
+  { presentationState, resources, runtime, variables },
+) => {
   const { elements, audio } = state;
   if (presentationState.bgm && resources) {
     // Find the story container
@@ -2080,18 +2125,17 @@ export const addBgm = (state, { presentationState, resources, variables }) => {
 
     const audioResource = resources.sounds[presentationState.bgm.resourceId];
     if (!audioResource) return state;
-
-    // Calculate effective music volume respecting _muteAll and _musicVolume
-    const effectiveMusicVolume = variables?._muteAll
-      ? 0
-      : (variables?._musicVolume ?? 500);
+    const resolvedRuntime = createLayoutTemplateData({
+      variables,
+      runtime,
+    }).runtime;
 
     audio.push({
       id: "bgm",
       type: "sound",
       src: audioResource.fileId,
       loop: presentationState.bgm.loop ?? true,
-      volume: effectiveMusicVolume,
+      volume: getEffectiveMusicVolume(resolvedRuntime),
       delay: presentationState.bgm.delay ?? null,
     });
   }
@@ -2153,6 +2197,7 @@ export const addLayout = (
     previousPresentationState,
     resources = {},
     variables,
+    runtime,
     autoMode,
     skipMode,
     isChoiceVisible,
@@ -2202,12 +2247,14 @@ export const addLayout = (
         resources,
         templateData: createLayoutTemplateData({
           variables,
+          runtime,
           saveSlots,
           isLineCompleted,
           autoMode,
           skipMode,
           isChoiceVisible,
           canRollback,
+          skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
         }),
         isLineCompleted,
         skipMode,
@@ -2250,6 +2297,7 @@ export const addLayeredViews = (
   {
     resources = {},
     variables,
+    runtime,
     autoMode,
     skipMode,
     isChoiceVisible,
@@ -2307,6 +2355,7 @@ export const addLayeredViews = (
 
       const templateData = createLayoutTemplateData({
         variables,
+        runtime,
         saveSlots,
         isLineCompleted,
         autoMode,
@@ -2315,6 +2364,7 @@ export const addLayeredViews = (
         canRollback,
         historyDialogue: historyDialogueWithNames,
         characters: resources.characters || {},
+        skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
       });
 
       const processedLayeredView = parseAndRender(
@@ -2357,6 +2407,7 @@ export const addConfirmDialog = (
   {
     resources = {},
     variables,
+    runtime,
     saveSlots = [],
     autoMode,
     skipMode,
@@ -2414,6 +2465,7 @@ export const addConfirmDialog = (
     confirmDialogContainer,
     createLayoutTemplateData({
       variables,
+      runtime,
       saveSlots,
       isLineCompleted,
       autoMode,
@@ -2423,6 +2475,7 @@ export const addConfirmDialog = (
       confirmDialog,
       historyDialogue: historyDialogueWithNames,
       characters: resources.characters || {},
+      skipTransitionsAndAnimations,
     }),
     {
       functions: jemplFunctions,
diff --git a/src/stores/system.store.js b/src/stores/system.store.js
index 742f250c..e7df23ab 100644
--- a/src/stores/system.store.js
+++ b/src/stores/system.store.js
@@ -11,6 +11,16 @@ import {
 } from "../util.js";
 import { constructPresentationState } from "./constructPresentationState.js";
 import { constructRenderState } from "./constructRenderState.js";
+import {
+  CONTEXT_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS,
+  CONTEXT_RUNTIME_FIELDS,
+  GLOBAL_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS,
+  PERSISTED_GLOBAL_RUNTIME_FIELDS,
+  pickPersistedGlobalRuntime,
+  RUNTIME_FIELD_TYPES,
+  selectRuntimeFromState,
+  selectRuntimeValueFromState,
+} from "../runtimeFields.js";
 
 const DEFAULT_NEXT_LINE_CONFIG = {
   manual: {
@@ -474,12 +484,24 @@ const normalizeLoadedContext = (context, projectData, index) => {
   if (context.variables !== undefined && !isRecord(context.variables)) {
     throw new Error(`Malformed save slot contexts[${index}].variables entry.`);
   }
+  if (context.runtime !== undefined && !isRecord(context.runtime)) {
+    throw new Error(`Malformed save slot contexts[${index}].runtime entry.`);
+  }
 
   const historyPointer = normalizeLoadedHistoryPointer(
     context.pointers?.history,
     projectData,
   );
 
+  const loadedContextVariables = context.variables
+    ? cloneStateValue(context.variables)
+    : {};
+  const loadedContextRuntime = createInitialContextRuntimeState({
+    loadedContextRuntime: isRecord(context.runtime)
+      ? cloneStateValue(context.runtime)
+      : {},
+  });
+
   const normalizedContext = {
     currentPointerMode:
       context.currentPointerMode === "history" && historyPointer.lineId
@@ -500,7 +522,7 @@ const normalizeLoadedContext = (context, projectData, index) => {
         },
     variables: {
       ...contextVariableDefaults,
-      ...(context.variables ? cloneStateValue(context.variables) : {}),
+      ...loadedContextVariables,
     },
     rollback: normalizeLoadedRollback(
       context.rollback,
@@ -509,6 +531,10 @@ const normalizeLoadedContext = (context, projectData, index) => {
     ),
   };
 
+  if (loadedContextRuntime) {
+    normalizedContext.runtime = loadedContextRuntime;
+  }
+
   return normalizedContext;
 };
 
@@ -644,6 +670,162 @@ const getRollbackContextVariableDefaults = (projectData) => {
   return cloneStateValue(contextVariableDefaultValues);
 };
 
+const createDefaultContextRuntimeState = () => ({
+  ...cloneStateValue(CONTEXT_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS),
+});
+
+const normalizeLoadedRuntimeFields = ({
+  loadedRuntime,
+  runtimeIds,
+  defaults = {},
+  path,
+}) => {
+  if (loadedRuntime === undefined) {
+    return {
+      runtimeState: cloneStateValue(defaults),
+      hasLoadedValues: false,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (!isRecord(loadedRuntime)) {
+    throw new Error(`Malformed ${path}.`);
+  }
+
+  const runtimeState = cloneStateValue(defaults);
+  let hasLoadedValues = false;
+
+  runtimeIds.forEach((runtimeId) => {
+    if (loadedRuntime[runtimeId] === undefined) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    runtimeState[runtimeId] = normalizeRuntimeValue(
+      runtimeId,
+      cloneStateValue(loadedRuntime[runtimeId]),
+    );
+    hasLoadedValues = true;
+  });
+
+  return {
+    runtimeState,
+    hasLoadedValues,
+  };
+};
+
+const createInitialGlobalRuntimeState = ({ loadedGlobalRuntime = {} }) => {
+  return normalizeLoadedRuntimeFields({
+    loadedRuntime: loadedGlobalRuntime,
+    runtimeIds: PERSISTED_GLOBAL_RUNTIME_FIELDS,
+    defaults: GLOBAL_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS,
+    path: "global.runtime",
+  }).runtimeState;
+};
+
+const createInitialContextRuntimeState = ({ loadedContextRuntime = {} }) => {
+  const { runtimeState, hasLoadedValues } = normalizeLoadedRuntimeFields({
+    loadedRuntime: loadedContextRuntime,
+    runtimeIds: CONTEXT_RUNTIME_FIELDS,
+    defaults: createDefaultContextRuntimeState(),
+    path: "context.runtime",
+  });
+
+  return hasLoadedValues ? runtimeState : undefined;
+};
+
+const getCurrentContext = (state) => {
+  const contexts = Array.isArray(state?.contexts) ? state.contexts : [];
+  return contexts[contexts.length - 1];
+};
+
+const ensureContextRuntimeState = (context) => {
+  if (!context.runtime) {
+    context.runtime = createDefaultContextRuntimeState();
+    return context.runtime;
+  }
+
+  CONTEXT_RUNTIME_FIELDS.forEach((runtimeId) => {
+    if (context.runtime[runtimeId] === undefined) {
+      context.runtime[runtimeId] = cloneStateValue(
+        CONTEXT_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS[runtimeId],
+      );
+    }
+  });
+
+  return context.runtime;
+};
+
+const getPersistedGlobalRuntime = (state) => {
+  return pickPersistedGlobalRuntime(state.global);
+};
+
+const queueGlobalRuntimePersistence = (state) => {
+  state.global.pendingEffects.push({
+    name: "saveGlobalRuntime",
+    payload: {
+      globalRuntime: getPersistedGlobalRuntime(state),
+    },
+  });
+};
+
+const getRuntimeFieldType = (runtimeId) => {
+  return RUNTIME_FIELD_TYPES[runtimeId];
+};
+
+const assertRuntimeValueType = (runtimeId, value) => {
+  const type = getRuntimeFieldType(runtimeId);
+
+  if (type === "number") {
+    if (typeof value !== "number" || !Number.isFinite(value)) {
+      throw new Error(`${runtimeId} requires a finite numeric value`);
+    }
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (type === "boolean") {
+    if (typeof value !== "boolean") {
+      throw new Error(`${runtimeId} requires a boolean value`);
+    }
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (type === "string") {
+    if (typeof value !== "string") {
+      throw new Error(`${runtimeId} requires a string value`);
+    }
+    return;
+  }
+
+  throw new Error(`Unsupported runtime field "${runtimeId}"`);
+};
+
+const normalizeRuntimeValue = (runtimeId, value) => {
+  assertRuntimeValueType(runtimeId, value);
+
+  if (runtimeId === "saveLoadPagination") {
+    return Math.max(1, Math.trunc(value));
+  }
+
+  return value;
+};
+
+const applyRuntimeValue = (state, runtimeId, value) => {
+  const normalizedValue = normalizeRuntimeValue(runtimeId, value);
+
+  if (runtimeId in CONTEXT_RUNTIME_DEFAULTS) {
+    const context = getCurrentContext(state);
+    if (!context) {
+      return normalizedValue;
+    }
+
+    const runtimeState = ensureContextRuntimeState(context);
+    runtimeState[runtimeId] = normalizedValue;
+    return normalizedValue;
+  }
+
+  state.global[runtimeId] = normalizedValue;
+  return normalizedValue;
+};
+
 const createDefaultContextState = ({ pointer, projectData }) => ({
   currentPointerMode: "read",
   pointers: {
@@ -882,6 +1064,11 @@ const replayRecordedRollbackActions = (state, checkpoint) => {
     popLayeredView,
     replaceLastLayeredView,
     clearLayeredViews,
+    setSaveLoadPagination,
+    incrementSaveLoadPagination,
+    decrementSaveLoadPagination,
+    setMenuPage,
+    setMenuEntryPoint,
   };
 
   checkpoint.executedActions.forEach(({ type, payload }) => {
@@ -996,6 +1183,7 @@ const restoreRollbackCheckpoint = (state, checkpointIndex) => {
     lastContext.variables = getRollbackContextVariableDefaults(
       state.projectData,
     );
+    delete lastContext.runtime;
     state.global.dialogueUIHidden = false;
     delete state.global.isDialogueHistoryShowing;
     state.global.nextLineConfig = cloneStateValue(DEFAULT_NEXT_LINE_CONFIG);
@@ -1044,7 +1232,11 @@ const restoreRollbackCheckpoint = (state, checkpointIndex) => {
 export const createInitialState = (payload) => {
   const { projectData } = payload;
   const global = payload.global ?? {};
-  const { saveSlots = {}, variables: loadedGlobalVariables = {} } = global;
+  const {
+    saveSlots = {},
+    variables: loadedGlobalVariables = {},
+    runtime: loadedGlobalRuntime = {},
+  } = global;
 
   assertUniqueSectionIds(projectData);
 
@@ -1072,17 +1264,16 @@ export const createInitialState = (payload) => {
   const state = {
     projectData,
     global: {
-      isLineCompleted: false,
       pendingEffects: [],
-      autoMode: false,
-      skipMode: false,
-      dialogueUIHidden: false,
       confirmDialog: null,
       viewedRegistry: createDefaultViewedRegistry(),
       nextLineConfig: createDefaultNextLineConfig(),
       saveSlots: normalizeStoredSaveSlots(saveSlots),
       layeredViews: [],
       variables: globalVariables,
+      ...createInitialGlobalRuntimeState({
+        loadedGlobalRuntime,
+      }),
     },
     contexts: [
       createDefaultContextState({ pointer: initialPointer, projectData }),
@@ -1290,10 +1481,18 @@ export const selectSaveSlot = ({ state }, payload) => {
   return state.global.saveSlots[storageKey];
 };
 
+export const selectRuntime = ({ state }) => {
+  return selectRuntimeFromState(state);
+};
+
+export const selectRuntimeValue = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return selectRuntimeValueFromState(state, payload?.runtimeId);
+};
+
 export const selectAllVariables = ({ state }) => {
   return {
     ...(state.global?.variables ?? {}),
-    ...(state.contexts?.[state.contexts.length - 1]?.variables ?? {}),
+    ...(getCurrentContext(state)?.variables ?? {}),
   };
 };
 
@@ -1462,8 +1661,7 @@ export const selectPreviousPresentationState = ({ state }) => {
 };
 
 /**
- * Selects the save slots to display on the current page based on loadPage variable
- * and page configuration. Returns a flat array of slots for the current page.
+ * Selects the save slots to display on the current save/load pagination page.
  *
  * @param {Object} params - The selector parameters
  * @param {Object} params.state - The full application state
@@ -1474,7 +1672,7 @@ export const selectPreviousPresentationState = ({ state }) => {
  *
  * @description
  * This selector calculates which save slots should be displayed on the current page
- * based on the `loadPage` variable and slots per page configuration. It returns a
+ * based on the current `saveLoadPagination` runtime value and slots per page configuration. It returns a
  * flat array of slots. The UI layer handles wrapping slots into rows using container
  * layout properties (width, gap, direction).
  *
@@ -1524,12 +1722,9 @@ export const selectPreviousPresentationState = ({ state }) => {
  * }
  */
 export const selectSaveSlotPage = ({ state }, { slotsPerPage = 6 } = {}) => {
-  const allVariables = {
-    ...state.global.variables,
-    ...state.contexts[state.contexts.length - 1].variables,
-  };
-  const loadPage = allVariables.loadPage ?? 1;
-  const startSlot = (loadPage - 1) * slotsPerPage + 1;
+  const runtime = selectRuntime({ state });
+  const saveLoadPagination = runtime.saveLoadPagination ?? 1;
+  const startSlot = (saveLoadPagination - 1) * slotsPerPage + 1;
 
   const slots = [];
 
@@ -1571,11 +1766,9 @@ const shouldSettleCurrentLinePresentation = (state) => {
 export const selectRenderState = ({ state }) => {
   const presentationState = selectPresentationState({ state });
   const previousPresentationState = selectPreviousPresentationState({ state });
+  const runtime = selectRuntime({ state });
 
-  const allVariables = {
-    ...state.global.variables,
-    ...state.contexts[state.contexts.length - 1].variables,
-  };
+  const allVariables = selectAllVariables({ state });
 
   const { saveSlots } = selectSaveSlotPage({ state });
   const settleCurrentLinePresentation =
@@ -1586,21 +1779,21 @@ export const selectRenderState = ({ state }) => {
     previousPresentationState,
     resources: state.projectData.resources,
     screen: state.projectData.screen,
-    dialogueUIHidden: state.global.dialogueUIHidden,
-    autoMode: state.global.autoMode,
-    skipMode: state.global.skipMode,
+    dialogueUIHidden: runtime.dialogueUIHidden,
+    autoMode: runtime.autoMode,
+    skipMode: runtime.skipMode,
     isChoiceVisible: selectIsChoiceVisible({ state }),
     canRollback: selectCanRollback({ state }),
-    skipOnlyViewedLines: !allVariables._skipUnseenText,
-    isLineCompleted: state.global.isLineCompleted,
+    skipOnlyViewedLines: !runtime.skipUnseenText,
+    isLineCompleted: runtime.isLineCompleted,
     skipTransitionsAndAnimations:
-      !!allVariables._skipTransitionsAndAnimations ||
-      settleCurrentLinePresentation,
+      !!runtime.skipTransitionsAndAnimations || settleCurrentLinePresentation,
     layeredViews: state.global.layeredViews,
     confirmDialog: state.global.confirmDialog,
     dialogueHistory: selectDialogueHistory({ state }),
     saveSlots,
     variables: allVariables,
+    runtime,
   });
   return renderState;
 };
@@ -1713,10 +1906,11 @@ export const startAutoMode = ({ state }) => {
   // Only start timer immediately if line is already completed
   // Otherwise, markLineCompleted will start it when renderComplete fires
   if (state.global.isLineCompleted) {
-    const autoForwardTime = state.global.variables._autoForwardTime ?? 1000;
     state.global.pendingEffects.push({
       name: "startAutoNextTimer",
-      payload: { delay: autoForwardTime },
+      payload: {
+        delay: selectRuntimeValueFromState(state, "autoForwardDelay"),
+      },
     });
   }
 
@@ -1839,6 +2033,109 @@ export const toggleDialogueUI = ({ state }) => {
   return state;
 };
 
+const setGlobalRuntimeField = (state, runtimeId, value) => {
+  applyRuntimeValue(state, runtimeId, value);
+  queueGlobalRuntimePersistence(state);
+  state.global.pendingEffects.push({
+    name: "render",
+  });
+  return state;
+};
+
+const setContextRuntimeField = (state, runtimeId, value, actionType) => {
+  const normalizedValue = applyRuntimeValue(state, runtimeId, value);
+  state.global.pendingEffects.push({
+    name: "render",
+  });
+  recordRollbackAction(state, actionType, {
+    value: normalizedValue,
+  });
+  return state;
+};
+
+export const setDialogueTextSpeed = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setGlobalRuntimeField(state, "dialogueTextSpeed", payload?.value);
+};
+
+export const setAutoForwardDelay = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setGlobalRuntimeField(state, "autoForwardDelay", payload?.value);
+};
+
+export const setSkipUnseenText = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setGlobalRuntimeField(state, "skipUnseenText", payload?.value);
+};
+
+export const setSkipTransitionsAndAnimations = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setGlobalRuntimeField(
+    state,
+    "skipTransitionsAndAnimations",
+    payload?.value,
+  );
+};
+
+export const setSoundVolume = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setGlobalRuntimeField(state, "soundVolume", payload?.value);
+};
+
+export const setMusicVolume = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setGlobalRuntimeField(state, "musicVolume", payload?.value);
+};
+
+export const setMuteAll = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setGlobalRuntimeField(state, "muteAll", payload?.value);
+};
+
+export const setSaveLoadPagination = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setContextRuntimeField(
+    state,
+    "saveLoadPagination",
+    payload?.value,
+    "setSaveLoadPagination",
+  );
+};
+
+export const incrementSaveLoadPagination = ({ state }) => {
+  const nextValue =
+    selectRuntimeValueFromState(state, "saveLoadPagination") + 1;
+  setContextRuntimeField(
+    state,
+    "saveLoadPagination",
+    nextValue,
+    "incrementSaveLoadPagination",
+  );
+  return state;
+};
+
+export const decrementSaveLoadPagination = ({ state }) => {
+  const nextValue =
+    selectRuntimeValueFromState(state, "saveLoadPagination") - 1;
+  setContextRuntimeField(
+    state,
+    "saveLoadPagination",
+    nextValue,
+    "decrementSaveLoadPagination",
+  );
+  return state;
+};
+
+export const setMenuPage = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setContextRuntimeField(
+    state,
+    "menuPage",
+    payload?.value,
+    "setMenuPage",
+  );
+};
+
+export const setMenuEntryPoint = ({ state }, payload) => {
+  return setContextRuntimeField(
+    state,
+    "menuEntryPoint",
+    payload?.value,
+    "setMenuEntryPoint",
+  );
+};
+
 export const clearPendingEffects = ({ state }) => {
   state.global.pendingEffects = [];
   return state;
@@ -2245,10 +2542,11 @@ export const nextLine = ({ state }, payload) => {
 
     // If auto mode is on, continue auto-advancing after the skip
     if (state.global.autoMode) {
-      const autoForwardTime = state.global.variables._autoForwardTime ?? 1000;
       state.global.pendingEffects.push({
         name: "startAutoNextTimer",
-        payload: { delay: autoForwardTime },
+        payload: {
+          delay: selectRuntimeValueFromState(state, "autoForwardDelay"),
+        },
       });
     }
 
@@ -2284,7 +2582,10 @@ export const nextLine = ({ state }, payload) => {
     const nextLine = lines[nextLineIndex];
 
     // Check if skip mode should stop at unviewed lines
-    const skipOnlyViewedLines = !state.global.variables?._skipUnseenText;
+    const skipOnlyViewedLines = !selectRuntimeValueFromState(
+      state,
+      "skipUnseenText",
+    );
     if (state.global.skipMode && skipOnlyViewedLines) {
       const isNextLineViewed = selectIsLineViewed(
         { state },
@@ -2369,10 +2670,11 @@ export const markLineCompleted = ({ state }) => {
 
   // If auto mode is on, start the delay timer to advance after completion
   if (state.global.autoMode && !isChoiceVisible) {
-    const autoForwardTime = state.global.variables._autoForwardTime ?? 1000;
     state.global.pendingEffects.push({
       name: "startAutoNextTimer",
-      payload: { delay: autoForwardTime },
+      payload: {
+        delay: selectRuntimeValueFromState(state, "autoForwardDelay"),
+      },
     });
   }
 
@@ -2584,7 +2886,10 @@ export const nextLineFromSystem = ({ state }) => {
     const nextLine = lines[nextLineIndex];
 
     // Check if skip mode should stop at unviewed lines
-    const skipOnlyViewedLines = !state.global.variables?._skipUnseenText;
+    const skipOnlyViewedLines = !selectRuntimeValueFromState(
+      state,
+      "skipUnseenText",
+    );
     if (state.global.skipMode && skipOnlyViewedLines) {
       const isNextLineViewed = selectIsLineViewed(
         { state },
@@ -2901,6 +3206,8 @@ export const createSystemStore = (initialState) => {
     selectSaveSlotMap,
     selectSaveSlots,
     selectSaveSlot,
+    selectRuntime,
+    selectRuntimeValue,
     selectAllVariables,
     selectCurrentPointer,
     selectSection,
@@ -2925,6 +3232,18 @@ export const createSystemStore = (initialState) => {
     showDialogueUI,
     hideDialogueUI,
     toggleDialogueUI,
+    setDialogueTextSpeed,
+    setAutoForwardDelay,
+    setSkipUnseenText,
+    setSkipTransitionsAndAnimations,
+    setSoundVolume,
+    setMusicVolume,
+    setMuteAll,
+    setSaveLoadPagination,
+    incrementSaveLoadPagination,
+    decrementSaveLoadPagination,
+    setMenuPage,
+    setMenuEntryPoint,
     showConfirmDialog,
     hideConfirmDialog,
     resetStorySession,
diff --git a/vt/specs/choice/interaction-guards.yaml b/vt/specs/choice/interaction-guards.yaml
index 206d974c..cb8eb607 100644
--- a/vt/specs/choice/interaction-guards.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/choice/interaction-guards.yaml
@@ -58,11 +58,6 @@ screen:
   height: 720
   backgroundColor: "#101010"
 resources:
-  variables:
-    _autoForwardTime:
-      type: number
-      scope: device
-      default: 5000
   controls:
     guardControls:
       elements:
@@ -112,28 +107,28 @@ resources:
           content: SKIP
           textStyleId: statusText
         - id: auto-status-on
-          $when: autoMode
+          $when: runtime.autoMode
           type: text
           x: 300
           y: 52
           content: "AUTO: ON"
           textStyleId: statusText
         - id: auto-status-off
-          $when: "!autoMode"
+          $when: "!runtime.autoMode"
           type: text
           x: 300
           y: 52
           content: "AUTO: OFF"
           textStyleId: statusText
         - id: skip-status-on
-          $when: skipMode
+          $when: runtime.skipMode
           type: text
           x: 300
           y: 138
           content: "SKIP: ON"
           textStyleId: statusText
         - id: skip-status-off
-          $when: "!skipMode"
+          $when: "!runtime.skipMode"
           type: text
           x: 300
           y: 138
@@ -243,6 +238,8 @@ story:
           lines:
             - id: line1
               actions:
+                setAutoForwardDelay:
+                  value: 5000
                 control:
                   resourceId: guardControls
                 startAutoMode: {}
diff --git a/vt/specs/choice/skip-stops-on-choice.yaml b/vt/specs/choice/skip-stops-on-choice.yaml
index 68023e07..0479a73d 100644
--- a/vt/specs/choice/skip-stops-on-choice.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/choice/skip-stops-on-choice.yaml
@@ -38,11 +38,6 @@ screen:
   height: 720
   backgroundColor: "#101010"
 resources:
-  variables:
-    _skipUnseenText:
-      type: boolean
-      scope: device
-      default: true
   controls:
     guardControls:
       elements:
@@ -75,14 +70,14 @@ resources:
           content: SKIP
           textStyleId: statusText
         - id: skip-status-on
-          $when: skipMode
+          $when: runtime.skipMode
           type: text
           x: 300
           y: 56
           content: "SKIP: ON"
           textStyleId: statusText
         - id: skip-status-off
-          $when: "!skipMode"
+          $when: "!runtime.skipMode"
           type: text
           x: 300
           y: 56
@@ -176,6 +171,8 @@ story:
           lines:
             - id: line1
               actions:
+                setSkipUnseenText:
+                  value: true
                 control:
                   resourceId: guardControls
                 dialogue:
diff --git a/vt/specs/complete/one.yaml b/vt/specs/complete/one.yaml
index a9daafe2..f26faddd 100644
--- a/vt/specs/complete/one.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/complete/one.yaml
@@ -1071,7 +1071,7 @@ resources:
                   actions:
                     toggleAutoMode: {}
               textStyleId:
-                $if autoMode: textStyle9
+                $if runtime.autoMode: textStyle9
                 $else: textStyle2
             - id: dialogue-action-skip
               type: text
@@ -1087,7 +1087,7 @@ resources:
                   actions:
                     toggleSkipMode: {}
               textStyleId:
-                $if skipMode: textStyle9
+                $if runtime.skipMode: textStyle9
                 $else: textStyle2
             - id: dialogue-action-history
               type: text
diff --git a/vt/specs/dialogue/autoplay.yaml b/vt/specs/dialogue/autoplay.yaml
index 23790476..08236a76 100644
--- a/vt/specs/dialogue/autoplay.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/dialogue/autoplay.yaml
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ resources:
               actions:
                 toggleAutoMode: {}
           textStyleId:
-            $if autoMode: textStyle2
+            $if runtime.autoMode: textStyle2
             $else: textStyle1
         - id: skip-button
           type: text
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ resources:
               actions:
                 toggleSkipMode: {}
           textStyleId:
-            $if skipMode: textStyle2
+            $if runtime.skipMode: textStyle2
             $else: textStyle1
         - id: speed-slow-button
           type: text
diff --git a/vt/specs/dialogue/sceneMode.yaml b/vt/specs/dialogue/sceneMode.yaml
index 6c40d6d7..67072df5 100644
--- a/vt/specs/dialogue/sceneMode.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/dialogue/sceneMode.yaml
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ resources:
               actions:
                 toggleSkipMode: {}
           textStyleId:
-            $if skipMode: textStyle3
+            $if runtime.skipMode: textStyle3
             $else: textStyle1
   fonts:
     fontDefault:
diff --git a/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-revealing.yaml b/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-revealing.yaml
index db496b0c..7cd0726b 100644
--- a/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-revealing.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-revealing.yaml
@@ -19,11 +19,6 @@ screen:
   height: 1080
   backgroundColor: "#000000"
 resources:
-  variables:
-    _skipUnseenText:
-      type: boolean
-      scope: device
-      default: true
   characters:
     narrator:
       name: Narrator
@@ -108,6 +103,8 @@ story:
           lines:
             - id: line1
               actions:
+                setSkipUnseenText:
+                  value: true
                 background:
                   resourceId: stageLayout
                 dialogue:
diff --git a/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-timing.yaml b/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-timing.yaml
index 001df180..1c781d79 100644
--- a/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-timing.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/dialogue/skip-timing.yaml
@@ -19,11 +19,6 @@ screen:
   height: 1080
   backgroundColor: "#000000"
 resources:
-  variables:
-    _skipUnseenText:
-      type: boolean
-      scope: device
-      default: true
   characters:
     narrator:
       name: Narrator
@@ -106,6 +101,8 @@ story:
           lines:
             - id: line1
               actions:
+                setSkipUnseenText:
+                  value: true
                 background:
                   resourceId: stageLayout
                 dialogue:
diff --git a/vt/specs/dialogue/skip.yaml b/vt/specs/dialogue/skip.yaml
index d5ece136..d50b3485 100644
--- a/vt/specs/dialogue/skip.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/dialogue/skip.yaml
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ resources:
               actions:
                 toggleSkipMode: {}
           textStyleId:
-            $if skipMode: textStyle3
+            $if runtime.skipMode: textStyle3
             $else: textStyle1
         - id: skip-all-button
           type: text
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ resources:
               actions:
                 toggleSkipOnlyViewedLines: {}
           textStyleId:
-            $if skipOnlyViewedLines: textStyle1
+            $if !runtime.skipUnseenText: textStyle1
             $else: textStyle3
   fonts:
     fontDefault:
diff --git a/vt/specs/save/dynamic-slot-selector-test.yaml b/vt/specs/save/dynamic-slot-selector-test.yaml
index 4c068708..7f62a4a4 100644
--- a/vt/specs/save/dynamic-slot-selector-test.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/save/dynamic-slot-selector-test.yaml
@@ -12,10 +12,6 @@ resources:
       width: 280
       height: 148
   variables:
-    loadPage:
-      type: number
-      scope: device
-      default: 1
     previewFrame:
       type: string
       scope: context
@@ -147,7 +143,7 @@ resources:
           textStyleId: textStyle4
         - id: subtitle
           type: text
-          content: Page ${variables.loadPage}
+          content: Page ${runtime.saveLoadPagination}
           x: 380
           y: 280
           textStyleId: textStyle5
@@ -182,11 +178,7 @@ resources:
           click:
             payload:
               actions:
-                updateVariable:
-                  id: prevPage
-                  operations:
-                    - variableId: loadPage
-                      op: decrement
+                decrementSaveLoadPagination: {}
           textStyleId: textStyle6
         - id: btnNextPage
           type: text
@@ -198,11 +190,7 @@ resources:
           click:
             payload:
               actions:
-                updateVariable:
-                  id: nextPage
-                  operations:
-                    - variableId: loadPage
-                      op: increment
+                incrementSaveLoadPagination: {}
           textStyleId: textStyle6
         - id: slotsGrid
           type: container
diff --git a/vt/specs/sfx/sound-volume.yaml b/vt/specs/sfx/sound-volume.yaml
index 9c044679..7aaeaf1c 100644
--- a/vt/specs/sfx/sound-volume.yaml
+++ b/vt/specs/sfx/sound-volume.yaml
@@ -6,15 +6,6 @@ screen:
   height: 1080
   backgroundColor: "#000000"
 resources:
-  variables:
-    _soundVolume:
-      type: number
-      scope: device
-      default: 500
-    _muteAll:
-      type: boolean
-      scope: device
-      default: false
   layouts:
     main:
       elements:
@@ -23,7 +14,7 @@ resources:
           x: 960
           y: 100
           anchorX: 0.5
-          content: "Sound Volume: ${variables._soundVolume}"
+          content: "Sound Volume: ${runtime.soundVolume}"
           textStyleId: textStyle1
         - id: vol-250
           type: text
@@ -66,10 +57,10 @@ resources:
           x: 960
           y: 500
           anchorX: 0.5
-          content: Play at _soundVolume
+          content: Play at runtime.soundVolume
           click:
             soundSrc: xj323
-            soundVolume: ${effectiveSoundVolume}
+            soundVolume: ${runtime.soundVolume}
           textStyleId: textStyle3
   fonts:
     fontDefault:
diff --git a/vt/static/main.js b/vt/static/main.js
index 85b2ee03..a01cd1f3 100644
--- a/vt/static/main.js
+++ b/vt/static/main.js
@@ -233,8 +233,12 @@ const init = async () => {
     return bytes.buffer;
   };
   const persistence = createIndexedDbPersistence({ namespace });
-  const { saveSlots, globalDeviceVariables, globalAccountVariables } =
-    await persistence.load();
+  const {
+    saveSlots,
+    globalDeviceVariables,
+    globalAccountVariables,
+    globalRuntime,
+  } = await persistence.load();
 
   let engine;
   const effectsHandler = createEffectsHandler({
@@ -323,6 +327,7 @@ const init = async () => {
       global: {
         saveSlots,
         variables: { ...globalDeviceVariables, ...globalAccountVariables },
+        runtime: globalRuntime,
       },
       projectData,
     },