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+=====================================
+things and verbs: how objects interact
+=====================================
+
+the thing/verb system lets world objects respond to player actions. instead of hardcoding behavior in commands, objects carry their own verb handlers. two ways to register verbs: decorator-based (python classes) or toml-based (content files). both converge to the same dispatch mechanism.
+
+object base class
+=================
+
+``Object`` (object.py) is the foundation for all world entities. it has:
+
+- ``name`` - what the object is called
+- ``location`` - another Object or None (the entire containment system)
+- ``x``, ``y`` - coordinates in the world
+- ``_contents`` - list of objects inside this one
+- ``_verbs`` - dict mapping verb names to handlers
+
+``__post_init__`` scans the instance for methods decorated with ``@verb`` and auto-registers them in ``_verbs``.
+
+thing and container
+===================
+
+``Thing`` (thing.py) extends Object for portable items::
+
+    name: str
+    description: str
+    portable: bool = True
+    aliases: list[str] = []
+    readable_text: str | None = None
+    tags: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
+
+``Container`` (container.py) extends Thing with containment rules::
+
+    capacity: int
+    closed: bool = False
+    locked: bool = False
+
+``can_accept()`` checks object type, open state, and capacity before allowing insertions.
+
+verb registration: decorator path
+==================================
+
+the ``@verb`` decorator (verbs.py) marks methods as verb handlers. it sets ``_verb_name`` on the function. ``Object.__post_init__`` discovers these and calls ``register_verb()``::
+
+    class Fountain(Thing):
+        @verb("drink")
+        async def drink(self, player, args):
+            await player.send("You drink from the fountain.\r\n")
+
+when you instantiate the fountain, the drink handler automatically registers in ``_verbs["drink"]``.
+
+verb registration: toml path
+=============================
+
+``ThingTemplate`` (things.py) defines objects in toml::
+
+    name = "chest"
+    description = "a sturdy wooden chest with iron bindings"
+    portable = false
+    capacity = 5
+    closed = true
+    locked = false
+    aliases = ["box"]
+
+    [verbs]
+    unlock = "verb_handlers:unlock_handler"
+
+``spawn_thing()`` (things.py) creates a Thing or Container from the template. if ``capacity`` is set, you get a Container. if ``verbs`` dict is present, it resolves "module:function" strings via importlib and binds them with functools.partial.
+
+``verb_handlers.py`` contains standalone functions referenced by toml. example::
+
+    async def unlock_handler(obj, player, args):
+        if not isinstance(obj, Container):
+            await player.send("That's not lockable.\r\n")
+            return
+        if not obj.locked:
+            await player.send("It's already unlocked.\r\n")
+            return
+        # check for key in inventory...
+        obj.locked = False
+        await player.send(f"You unlock the {obj.name}.\r\n")
+
+two paths, one dispatch
+=======================
+
+decorator-based and toml-based verbs both populate ``Object._verbs``. the command dispatcher doesn't care which path was used.
+
+finding objects
+===============
+
+``find_object()`` (verbs.py) searches for targets:
+
+1. player inventory first
+2. ground at player position second
+3. matches by name or aliases (case-insensitive)
+
+returns the object or None.
+
+command dispatch fallback
+=========================
+
+the command dispatcher (commands/__init__.py) tries registered commands first. if no match, it tries verb dispatch:
+
+1. parse input as "verb target" (e.g., "drink fountain")
+2. call ``find_object()`` for target
+3. check ``obj.has_verb(verb)``
+4. call ``obj.call_verb(verb, player, args)``
+
+this lets content authors add new interactions without modifying command code.
+
+use command
+===========
+
+``use`` (commands/use.py) provides explicit verb access::
+
+    use fountain           # calls fountain's "use" verb
+    use key on chest       # calls chest's "use" verb with args="key on chest"
+
+parses input, finds object, checks for "use" verb, calls handler.
+
+code
+====
+
+relevant files::
+
+    src/mudlib/object.py           # Object base class, verb registration
+    src/mudlib/thing.py            # Thing class
+    src/mudlib/container.py        # Container class
+    src/mudlib/verbs.py            # @verb decorator, find_object()
+    src/mudlib/things.py           # ThingTemplate, spawn_thing()
+    src/mudlib/verb_handlers.py   # standalone verb functions for toml
+    src/mudlib/commands/__init__.py  # command dispatcher with verb fallback
+    src/mudlib/commands/use.py     # explicit verb command
+    content/things/                # toml thing definitions