diff --git a/mud.tin b/mud.tin
index a27239e..2bf5fa6 100644
--- a/mud.tin
+++ b/mud.tin
@@ -2,6 +2,24 @@
 #NOP usage: tt++ mud.tin
 #split 0 1
 
+#NOP initialize MSDP variables for status bar (before connection)
+#variable {MSDP_HEALTH} {-}
+#variable {MSDP_HEALTH_MAX} {-}
+#variable {MSDP_STAMINA} {-}
+#variable {MSDP_STAMINA_MAX} {-}
+
+#NOP protocol negotiation: tintin++ does NOT auto-negotiate MSDP or
+#NOP GMCP. CATCH intercepts before the default DONT response, and
+#NOP #line raw bypasses IAC escaping so the DO bytes arrive intact.
+#EVENT {CATCH IAC WILL GMCP} {#line raw #send {\xFF\xFD\xC9}}
+#EVENT {CATCH IAC WILL MSDP} {#line raw #send {\xFF\xFD\x45}}
+
+#NOP store incoming MSDP variables and refresh status bar
+#EVENT {IAC SB MSDP} {
+    #variable {MSDP_%0} {%1};
+    #showme {[HP: $MSDP_HEALTH/$MSDP_HEALTH_MAX] [ST: $MSDP_STAMINA/$MSDP_STAMINA_MAX]} {-2}
+}
+
 #NOP reconnect after disconnect. defined before #session so it
 #NOP persists in the startup session when the mud session dies.
 #alias {reconnect} {#session mud localhost 6789}