diff --git a/programs/GNUmakefile b/programs/GNUmakefile
index 387e69b..85a8a54 100644
--- a/programs/GNUmakefile
+++ b/programs/GNUmakefile
@@ -148,16 +148,16 @@ imageviewer: libc libjpeg
 fontpreview:
 	$(MAKE) -C src/fontpreview
 
-# Build spreadsheet standalone GUI client (depends on libc).
-spreadsheet: libc
+# Build spreadsheet standalone GUI client (depends on libc and libdialogs).
+spreadsheet: libc libloader dialogs
 	$(MAKE) -C src/spreadsheet
 
-# Build word processor standalone GUI client (depends on libc).
-wordprocessor: libc
+# Build word processor standalone GUI client (depends on libc and libdialogs).
+wordprocessor: libc libloader dialogs
 	$(MAKE) -C src/wordprocessor
 
-# Build PDF viewer standalone GUI client (depends on libc).
-pdfviewer: libc
+# Build PDF viewer standalone GUI client (depends on libc and libdialogs).
+pdfviewer: libc libloader dialogs
 	$(MAKE) -C src/pdfviewer
 
 # Build disks standalone GUI tool (depends on libc).
@@ -232,8 +232,8 @@ fonts:
 paint: libc
 	$(MAKE) -C src/paint
 
-# Build text editor standalone GUI app (depends on libc).
-texteditor: libc
+# Build text editor standalone GUI app (depends on libc and libdialogs).
+texteditor: libc libloader dialogs
 	$(MAKE) -C src/texteditor
 
 # Build Mandelbrot standalone GUI app (depends on libc).
@@ -273,8 +273,8 @@ printd: bearssl libc tls libjpegwrite
 printctl: bearssl libc tls
 	$(MAKE) -C src/printctl
 
-# Build shared dialogs app (depends on libc, bearssl, and tls through print helpers).
-dialogs: bearssl libc tls
+# Build libdialogs shared library.
+dialogs:
 	$(MAKE) -C src/dialogs
 
 # Build crashpad (crash reporter popup, depends on libc).
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ test_dl: libloader libs libhello
 	$(MAKE) -C src/test_dl
 
 # Install app bundles (manifests, icons, data files) into bin/apps/<name>/.
-install-apps: doom rpgdemo paint spreadsheet wordprocessor weather wikipedia imageviewer fontpreview pdfviewer disks devexplorer installer volume music video bluetooth terminal klog procmgr calculator screenshot texteditor mandelbrot printers dialogs crashpad
+install-apps: doom rpgdemo paint spreadsheet wordprocessor weather wikipedia imageviewer fontpreview pdfviewer disks devexplorer installer volume music video bluetooth terminal klog procmgr calculator screenshot texteditor mandelbrot printers crashpad
 	../scripts/install_apps.sh
 
 # Copy man pages into bin/man/ so mkramdisk.sh picks them up.
diff --git a/programs/include/gui/dialogs.hpp b/programs/include/gui/dialogs.hpp
index beec643..a8f4163 100644
--- a/programs/include/gui/dialogs.hpp
+++ b/programs/include/gui/dialogs.hpp
@@ -1,21 +1,22 @@
 /*
     * dialogs.hpp
-    * Shared modal dialog protocol and client helpers
+    * Shared dialog request/result structures and client helpers
     * Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Hammer
 */
 
 #pragma once
 
 #include <cstdint>
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <montauk/syscall.h>
 #include <montauk/string.h>
-#include <Api/Syscall.hpp>
+
+#ifndef GUI_DIALOGS_LIBRARY_BUILD
+#include <libloader/libloader.h>
+#endif
 
 namespace gui::dialogs {
 
-inline constexpr const char* APP_BINARY = "0:/apps/dialogs/dialogs.elf";
-inline constexpr const char* STORAGE_DIR = "0:/tmp/dialogs";
+inline constexpr const char* LIBRARY_PATH = "0:/os/libdialogs.lib";
+inline constexpr const char* RUN_REQUEST_SYMBOL = "dialogs_run_request";
 
 enum RequestKind : uint8_t {
     REQUEST_KIND_FILE = 1,
@@ -42,7 +43,6 @@ struct Request {
     char job_name[128];
     char printer_uri[256];
     uint32_t copies;
-    char result_path[256];
 };
 
 struct Result {
@@ -72,227 +72,57 @@ inline void reset_result(Result* res) {
     montauk::memset(res, 0, sizeof(Result));
 }
 
-inline void ensure_storage_dirs() {
-    montauk::fmkdir("0:/tmp");
-    montauk::fmkdir(STORAGE_DIR);
-}
+#ifndef GUI_DIALOGS_LIBRARY_BUILD
 
-inline bool write_text_file(const char* path, const char* text) {
-    if (!path || !path[0] || !text) return false;
-    int fd = montauk::fcreate(path);
-    if (fd < 0) return false;
-    int len = montauk::slen(text);
-    bool ok = montauk::fwrite(fd, (const uint8_t*)text, 0, (uint64_t)len) >= 0;
-    montauk::close(fd);
-    return ok;
-}
+using RunRequestFn = bool (*)(const Request*, Result*);
 
-inline bool read_text_file(const char* path, char* out, int out_len) {
-    if (!out || out_len <= 0) return false;
-    out[0] = '\0';
-    if (!path || !path[0]) return false;
-    int fd = montauk::open(path);
-    if (fd < 0) return false;
-    uint64_t size = montauk::getsize(fd);
-    if ((int)size >= out_len) size = (uint64_t)(out_len - 1);
-    int got = montauk::read(fd, (uint8_t*)out, 0, size);
-    montauk::close(fd);
-    if (got < 0) return false;
-    out[got] = '\0';
-    return true;
-}
+struct Runtime {
+    LibHandle* handle;
+    RunRequestFn run_request;
+};
 
-inline bool line_value(const char* text, const char* key, char* out, int out_len) {
-    if (!text || !key || !out || out_len <= 0) return false;
+inline Runtime g_runtime = {};
 
-    int key_len = montauk::slen(key);
-    const char* p = text;
-    while (*p) {
-        const char* line = p;
-        while (*p && *p != '\n') p++;
-        int line_len = (int)(p - line);
-        if (*p == '\n') p++;
+inline RunRequestFn resolve_run_request(char* out_message, int out_message_len) {
+    if (g_runtime.run_request) return g_runtime.run_request;
 
-        if (line_len <= key_len || line[key_len] != '=') continue;
-
-        bool match = true;
-        for (int i = 0; i < key_len; i++) {
-            if (line[i] != key[i]) {
-                match = false;
-                break;
-            }
+    if (!g_runtime.handle) {
+        g_runtime.handle = libloader::dlopen(LIBRARY_PATH);
+        if (!g_runtime.handle) {
+            if (out_message && out_message_len > 0)
+                safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "failed to load dialog library");
+            return nullptr;
         }
-        if (!match) continue;
-
-        const char* value = line + key_len + 1;
-        int value_len = line_len - key_len - 1;
-        while (value_len > 0 && (value[value_len - 1] == '\r' || value[value_len - 1] == '\n'))
-            value_len--;
-        if (value_len >= out_len) value_len = out_len - 1;
-        montauk::memcpy(out, value, (uint64_t)value_len);
-        out[value_len] = '\0';
-        return true;
     }
 
-    return false;
-}
-
-inline uint32_t parse_u32(const char* text) {
-    if (!text) return 0;
-    uint32_t value = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; text[i] >= '0' && text[i] <= '9'; i++) {
-        value = value * 10u + (uint32_t)(text[i] - '0');
-    }
-    return value;
-}
-
-inline bool write_request_file(const char* path, const Request* req) {
-    if (!path || !req) return false;
-    char text[1536];
-    int n = snprintf(text, sizeof(text),
-                     "kind=%u\n"
-                     "mode=%u\n"
-                     "title=%s\n"
-                     "initial_path=%s\n"
-                     "suggested_name=%s\n"
-                     "source_path=%s\n"
-                     "job_name=%s\n"
-                     "printer_uri=%s\n"
-                     "copies=%u\n"
-                     "result_path=%s\n",
-                     (unsigned)req->kind,
-                     (unsigned)req->mode,
-                     req->title,
-                     req->initial_path,
-                     req->suggested_name,
-                     req->source_path,
-                     req->job_name,
-                     req->printer_uri,
-                     (unsigned)req->copies,
-                     req->result_path);
-    if (n <= 0 || n >= (int)sizeof(text)) return false;
-    return write_text_file(path, text);
-}
-
-inline bool read_request_file(const char* path, Request* req) {
-    if (!path || !req) return false;
-    char text[1536];
-    if (!read_text_file(path, text, sizeof(text))) return false;
-
-    reset_request(req);
-    char value[256];
-    if (line_value(text, "kind", value, sizeof(value))) req->kind = (uint8_t)parse_u32(value);
-    if (line_value(text, "mode", value, sizeof(value))) req->mode = (uint8_t)parse_u32(value);
-    line_value(text, "title", req->title, sizeof(req->title));
-    line_value(text, "initial_path", req->initial_path, sizeof(req->initial_path));
-    line_value(text, "suggested_name", req->suggested_name, sizeof(req->suggested_name));
-    line_value(text, "source_path", req->source_path, sizeof(req->source_path));
-    line_value(text, "job_name", req->job_name, sizeof(req->job_name));
-    line_value(text, "printer_uri", req->printer_uri, sizeof(req->printer_uri));
-    if (line_value(text, "copies", value, sizeof(value))) req->copies = parse_u32(value);
-    line_value(text, "result_path", req->result_path, sizeof(req->result_path));
-    return req->kind != 0 && req->result_path[0] != '\0';
-}
-
-inline bool write_result_file(const char* path, const Result* res) {
-    if (!path || !res) return false;
-    char text[1024];
-    int n = snprintf(text, sizeof(text),
-                     "status=%s\n"
-                     "path=%s\n"
-                     "job_id=%s\n"
-                     "printer_uri=%s\n"
-                     "printer_name=%s\n"
-                     "copies=%u\n"
-                     "message=%s\n",
-                     res->status,
-                     res->path,
-                     res->job_id,
-                     res->printer_uri,
-                     res->printer_name,
-                     (unsigned)res->copies,
-                     res->message);
-    if (n <= 0 || n >= (int)sizeof(text)) return false;
-    return write_text_file(path, text);
-}
-
-inline bool read_result_file(const char* path, Result* res) {
-    if (!path || !res) return false;
-    char text[1024];
-    if (!read_text_file(path, text, sizeof(text))) return false;
-
-    reset_result(res);
-    char value[256];
-    line_value(text, "status", res->status, sizeof(res->status));
-    line_value(text, "path", res->path, sizeof(res->path));
-    line_value(text, "job_id", res->job_id, sizeof(res->job_id));
-    line_value(text, "printer_uri", res->printer_uri, sizeof(res->printer_uri));
-    line_value(text, "printer_name", res->printer_name, sizeof(res->printer_name));
-    if (line_value(text, "copies", value, sizeof(value))) res->copies = parse_u32(value);
-    line_value(text, "message", res->message, sizeof(res->message));
-    return res->status[0] != '\0';
-}
-
-inline void make_unique_paths(char* request_path, int request_path_len,
-                              char* result_path, int result_path_len) {
-    static uint32_t seq = 0;
-    ensure_storage_dirs();
-    uint64_t now = montauk::get_milliseconds();
-    int pid = montauk::getpid();
-    uint32_t cur = ++seq;
-    snprintf(request_path, request_path_len, "%s/%d-%llu-%u.req",
-             STORAGE_DIR, pid, (unsigned long long)now, (unsigned)cur);
-    snprintf(result_path, result_path_len, "%s/%d-%llu-%u.res",
-             STORAGE_DIR, pid, (unsigned long long)now, (unsigned)cur);
+    g_runtime.run_request = (RunRequestFn)libloader::dlsym(g_runtime.handle, RUN_REQUEST_SYMBOL);
+    if (!g_runtime.run_request && out_message && out_message_len > 0)
+        safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "failed to resolve dialog entry point");
+    return g_runtime.run_request;
 }
 
 inline bool run_request(const Request* req, Result* out_res, char* out_message, int out_message_len) {
     if (out_message && out_message_len > 0) out_message[0] = '\0';
     if (!req) {
-        if (out_message && out_message_len > 0) safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "invalid dialog request");
+        if (out_message && out_message_len > 0)
+            safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "invalid dialog request");
         return false;
     }
 
-    char request_path[256];
-    char result_path[256];
-    make_unique_paths(request_path, sizeof(request_path), result_path, sizeof(result_path));
-
-    Request req_copy = *req;
-    safe_copy(req_copy.result_path, sizeof(req_copy.result_path), result_path);
-
-    if (!write_request_file(request_path, &req_copy)) {
-        if (out_message && out_message_len > 0) safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "failed to write dialog request");
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    int pid = montauk::spawn(APP_BINARY, request_path);
-    if (pid < 0) {
-        montauk::fdelete(request_path);
-        if (out_message && out_message_len > 0) safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "failed to start dialog");
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    int proc = montauk::proc_open(pid);
-    if (proc >= 0) {
-        montauk::wait_handle(proc, Montauk::IPC_SIGNAL_EXITED);
-        montauk::close(proc);
-    } else {
-        montauk::waitpid(pid);
-    }
-
     Result local_res = {};
-    bool ok = read_result_file(result_path, &local_res);
+    reset_result(&local_res);
 
-    montauk::fdelete(request_path);
-    montauk::fdelete(result_path);
-
-    if (!ok) {
-        if (out_message && out_message_len > 0) safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "dialog did not return a result");
+    RunRequestFn run_fn = resolve_run_request(out_message, out_message_len);
+    if (!run_fn) return false;
+    if (!run_fn(req, &local_res)) {
+        if (out_message && out_message_len > 0 && !out_message[0])
+            safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, "dialog library invocation failed");
         return false;
     }
 
     if (out_res) *out_res = local_res;
-    if (out_message && out_message_len > 0) safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, local_res.message);
+    if (out_message && out_message_len > 0)
+        safe_copy(out_message, out_message_len, local_res.message);
     return montauk::streq(local_res.status, "ok");
 }
 
@@ -372,4 +202,6 @@ inline bool configure_print(const char* title,
     return ok;
 }
 
+#endif
+
 } // namespace gui::dialogs
diff --git a/programs/src/dialogs/Makefile b/programs/src/dialogs/Makefile
index 2e0e674..e43f123 100644
--- a/programs/src/dialogs/Makefile
+++ b/programs/src/dialogs/Makefile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Makefile for shared dialogs (standalone Window Server app) on MontaukOS
+# Makefile for libdialogs shared library on MontaukOS
 # Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Hammer
 
 MAKEFLAGS += -rR
@@ -6,16 +6,23 @@ MAKEFLAGS += -rR
 
 TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX := $(shell cd ../../.. && pwd)/toolchain/local/bin/x86_64-elf-
 ifneq ($(wildcard $(TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX)gcc),)
+    CC  := $(TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX)gcc
     CXX := $(TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX)g++
+    LD  := $(TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX)ld
+    STRIP := $(TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX)strip
 else
+    CC  := gcc
     CXX := g++
+    LD  := ld
+    STRIP := strip
 endif
 
 PROG_INC := ../../include
-LINK_LD  := ../../link.ld
-BINDIR   := ../../bin
-OBJDIR   := obj
-LIBDIR   := ../../lib
+LIBOUTDIR := ../../bin/os
+OBJDIR    := obj
+LEGACY_APPDIR := ../../bin/apps/dialogs
+LIBC_SRC := ../../lib/libc/libc.c
+GCC_INCLUDE := $(shell $(CC) -print-file-name=include)
 
 CXXFLAGS := \
     -std=gnu++20 \
@@ -28,7 +35,7 @@ CXXFLAGS := \
     -ffreestanding \
     -fno-stack-protector \
     -fno-stack-check \
-    -fno-PIC \
+    -fPIC \
     -fno-rtti \
     -fno-exceptions \
     -ffunction-sections \
@@ -40,6 +47,7 @@ CXXFLAGS := \
     -mno-red-zone \
     -mcmodel=small \
     -MMD -MP \
+    -DGUI_DIALOGS_LIBRARY_BUILD \
     -I $(PROG_INC) \
     -isystem $(PROG_INC)/libc \
     -I ../../lib/bearssl/inc \
@@ -47,33 +55,60 @@ CXXFLAGS := \
     -isystem ../../../kernel/freestnd-cxx-hdrs/x86_64/include
 
 LDFLAGS := \
-    -nostdlib \
-    -static \
-    -Wl,--build-id=none \
-    -Wl,--gc-sections \
-    -Wl,-m,elf_x86_64 \
-    -z max-page-size=0x1000 \
-    -T $(LINK_LD)
+    -shared \
+    --build-id=none \
+    --gc-sections \
+    --hash-style=sysv \
+    -u dialogs_run_request \
+    -m elf_x86_64 \
+    -z max-page-size=0x1000
+
+LIBC_CFLAGS := \
+    -std=gnu11 \
+    -g -O2 -pipe \
+    -Wall \
+    -Wno-unused-parameter \
+    -nostdinc \
+    -ffreestanding \
+    -fno-stack-protector \
+    -fno-stack-check \
+    -fPIC \
+    -ffunction-sections \
+    -fdata-sections \
+    -m64 \
+    -march=x86-64 \
+    -msse \
+    -msse2 \
+    -mno-red-zone \
+    -mcmodel=small \
+    -isystem $(PROG_INC)/libc \
+    -isystem $(GCC_INCLUDE)
 
 SRCS := main.cpp filedialog.cpp printdialog.cpp stb_truetype_impl.cpp font_data.cpp
 OBJS := $(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/,$(SRCS:.cpp=.o))
+LIBC_PIC_OBJ := $(OBJDIR)/libc_pic.o
 
-TARGET := $(BINDIR)/apps/dialogs/dialogs.elf
-LIBS := $(LIBDIR)/tls/libtls.a $(LIBDIR)/bearssl/libbearssl.a $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a
+TARGET := $(LIBOUTDIR)/libdialogs.lib
 
 .PHONY: all clean
 
 all: $(TARGET)
 
-$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LINK_LD) Makefile $(LIBS)
-	mkdir -p $(BINDIR)/apps/dialogs
-	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LIBS) -o $@
+$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LIBC_PIC_OBJ) Makefile
+	mkdir -p $(LIBOUTDIR)
+	rm -rf $(LEGACY_APPDIR)
+	$(LD) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LIBC_PIC_OBJ) -o $@
+	$(STRIP) --strip-debug $@
 
 $(OBJDIR)/%.o: %.cpp Makefile
 	mkdir -p $(OBJDIR)
 	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) -c $< -o $@
 
+$(LIBC_PIC_OBJ): $(LIBC_SRC) Makefile
+	mkdir -p $(OBJDIR)
+	$(CC) $(LIBC_CFLAGS) -c $(LIBC_SRC) -o $@
+
 -include $(OBJS:.o=.d)
 
 clean:
-	rm -rf $(OBJDIR) $(TARGET)
+	rm -rf $(OBJDIR) $(TARGET) $(LEGACY_APPDIR)
diff --git a/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.cpp b/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.cpp
index 8da9818..7af3b00 100644
--- a/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.cpp
+++ b/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@
 #include <gui/canvas.hpp>
 #include <montauk/user.h>
 
+extern "C" {
+#include <stdio.h>
+}
+
 namespace {
 
 using namespace gui;
@@ -1200,4 +1204,4 @@ void cleanup() {
     free_file_icons(&g_file);
 }
 
-} // namespace filedialog
\ No newline at end of file
+} // namespace filedialog
diff --git a/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.hpp b/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.hpp
index 6094c34..25bbda0 100644
--- a/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.hpp
+++ b/programs/src/dialogs/filedialog.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <montauk/syscall.h>
 #include <gui/gui.hpp>
 #include <gui/dialogs.hpp>
 
@@ -53,4 +54,4 @@ void handle_mouse(const Montauk::WinEvent& ev);
 void handle_key(const Montauk::KeyEvent& key);
 void cleanup();
 
-} // namespace filedialog
\ No newline at end of file
+} // namespace filedialog
diff --git a/programs/src/dialogs/main.cpp b/programs/src/dialogs/main.cpp
index 5d291ed..8c4db88 100644
--- a/programs/src/dialogs/main.cpp
+++ b/programs/src/dialogs/main.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /*
     * main.cpp
-    * Shared modal dialogs for MontaukOS desktop apps
+    * libdialogs entry point for shared modal dialogs
     * Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Hammer
 */
 
@@ -16,14 +16,11 @@
 #include "filedialog.hpp"
 #include "printdialog.hpp"
 
-extern "C" {
-#include <stdio.h>
-}
-
 using namespace gui;
 namespace dlg = gui::dialogs;
 
 AppState g_app = {};
+static bool g_fonts_ready = false;
 
 void dialog_finish(const char* status, const char* path, const char* job_id, const char* message,
                    const char* printer_uri, const char* printer_name, uint32_t copies) {
@@ -34,7 +31,6 @@ void dialog_finish(const char* status, const char* path, const char* job_id, con
     gui::dialogs::safe_copy(g_app.result.printer_name, sizeof(g_app.result.printer_name), printer_name);
     g_app.result.copies = copies;
     gui::dialogs::safe_copy(g_app.result.message, sizeof(g_app.result.message), message);
-    gui::dialogs::write_result_file(g_app.request.result_path, &g_app.result);
     g_app.running = false;
 }
 
@@ -51,17 +47,37 @@ void cleanup() {
     g_app.win.destroy();
 }
 
-extern "C" void _start() {
-    if (!fonts::init()) montauk::exit(1);
+static void set_error_result(dlg::Result* result, const char* message) {
+    if (!result) return;
+    dlg::reset_result(result);
+    dlg::safe_copy(result->status, sizeof(result->status), "error");
+    dlg::safe_copy(result->message, sizeof(result->message), message);
+}
 
-    char argbuf[256] = {};
-    if (montauk::getargs(argbuf, sizeof(argbuf)) <= 0 || !argbuf[0]) montauk::exit(1);
-    if (!gui::dialogs::read_request_file(argbuf, &g_app.request)) montauk::exit(1);
+extern "C" bool dialogs_run_request(const dlg::Request* request, dlg::Result* out_result) {
+    if (!request || !out_result) return false;
 
+    set_error_result(out_result, "dialog failed");
+
+    if (!g_fonts_ready) {
+        if (!fonts::init()) {
+            set_error_result(out_result, "failed to initialize dialog fonts");
+            return true;
+        }
+        g_fonts_ready = true;
+    }
+
+    if (request->kind != dlg::REQUEST_KIND_FILE && request->kind != dlg::REQUEST_KIND_PRINT) {
+        set_error_result(out_result, "unsupported dialog request");
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    g_app = AppState {};
+    g_app.request = *request;
     g_app.running = true;
-    gui::dialogs::reset_result(&g_app.result);
+    dlg::reset_result(&g_app.result);
 
-    g_app.is_print = g_app.request.kind == gui::dialogs::REQUEST_KIND_PRINT;
+    g_app.is_print = g_app.request.kind == dlg::REQUEST_KIND_PRINT;
     const int init_w = g_app.is_print ? printdialog::PRINT_INIT_W : filedialog::FILE_INIT_W;
     const int init_h = g_app.is_print ? printdialog::PRINT_INIT_H : filedialog::FILE_INIT_H;
     const char* title = g_app.request.title[0] ? g_app.request.title : (g_app.is_print ? "Print" : "Open");
@@ -69,7 +85,11 @@ extern "C" void _start() {
     if (g_app.is_print) printdialog::init(g_app.request);
     else filedialog::init(g_app.request);
 
-    if (!g_app.win.create(title, init_w, init_h)) montauk::exit(1);
+    if (!g_app.win.create(title, init_w, init_h)) {
+        cleanup();
+        set_error_result(out_result, "failed to create dialog window");
+        return true;
+    }
 
     if (g_app.is_print) printdialog::draw();
     else filedialog::draw();
@@ -113,5 +133,6 @@ extern "C" void _start() {
     }
 
     cleanup();
-    montauk::exit(0);
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+    *out_result = g_app.result;
+    return true;
+}
diff --git a/programs/src/dialogs/manifest.toml b/programs/src/dialogs/manifest.toml
deleted file mode 100644
index 65498bc..0000000
--- a/programs/src/dialogs/manifest.toml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
-[app]
-name = "Dialogs"
-binary = "dialogs.elf"
-icon = "system-file-manager.svg"
-
-[menu]
-category = "System"
-visible = false
diff --git a/programs/src/dialogs/printdialog.hpp b/programs/src/dialogs/printdialog.hpp
index 7cd1937..04b3bcf 100644
--- a/programs/src/dialogs/printdialog.hpp
+++ b/programs/src/dialogs/printdialog.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <montauk/syscall.h>
 #include <gui/gui.hpp>
 #include <gui/dialogs.hpp>
 
@@ -37,4 +38,4 @@ void handle_mouse(const Montauk::WinEvent& ev);
 void handle_key(const Montauk::KeyEvent& key);
 void cleanup();
 
-} // namespace printdialog
\ No newline at end of file
+} // namespace printdialog
diff --git a/programs/src/libloader/libloader.cpp b/programs/src/libloader/libloader.cpp
index 75b71d0..973e532 100644
--- a/programs/src/libloader/libloader.cpp
+++ b/programs/src/libloader/libloader.cpp
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ static constexpr uint32_t SHT_SYMTAB = 2;
 static constexpr uint32_t SHT_STRTAB = 3;
 static constexpr uint32_t SHT_DYNSYM = 11;
 static constexpr uint16_t SHN_UNDEF = 0;
+static constexpr uint64_t kMaxSymbolLookupFileSize = 8ull * 1024ull * 1024ull;
 
 static bool readFile(const char* path, uint8_t** outBuf, uint64_t* outSize) {
     *outBuf = nullptr;
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ static bool readFile(const char* path, uint8_t** outBuf, uint64_t* outSize) {
     if (fd < 0) return false;
 
     uint64_t size = montauk::getsize(fd);
-    if (size < sizeof(Elf64Header) || size > (1 << 20)) {
+    if (size < sizeof(Elf64Header) || size > kMaxSymbolLookupFileSize) {
         montauk::close(fd);
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/programs/src/pdfviewer/Makefile b/programs/src/pdfviewer/Makefile
index c707348..65ecd3c 100644
--- a/programs/src/pdfviewer/Makefile
+++ b/programs/src/pdfviewer/Makefile
@@ -69,14 +69,15 @@ OBJS := $(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/,$(SRCS:.cpp=.o))
 # ---- Target ----
 
 TARGET := $(BINDIR)/apps/pdfviewer/pdfviewer.elf
+LOADER_LIB := $(BINDIR)/liblibloader.a
 
 .PHONY: all clean
 
 all: $(TARGET)
 
-$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LINK_LD) Makefile
+$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LINK_LD) Makefile $(LOADER_LIB)
 	mkdir -p $(BINDIR)/apps/pdfviewer
-	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a -o $@
+	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LOADER_LIB) $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a -o $@
 
 HEADERS := pdfviewer.h
 
diff --git a/programs/src/spreadsheet/Makefile b/programs/src/spreadsheet/Makefile
index de3d4bb..2563db0 100644
--- a/programs/src/spreadsheet/Makefile
+++ b/programs/src/spreadsheet/Makefile
@@ -69,14 +69,15 @@ OBJS := $(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/,$(SRCS:.cpp=.o))
 # ---- Target ----
 
 TARGET := $(BINDIR)/apps/spreadsheet/spreadsheet.elf
+LOADER_LIB := $(BINDIR)/liblibloader.a
 
 .PHONY: all clean
 
 all: $(TARGET)
 
-$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LINK_LD) Makefile
+$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LINK_LD) Makefile $(LOADER_LIB)
 	mkdir -p $(BINDIR)/apps/spreadsheet
-	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a -o $@
+	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LOADER_LIB) $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a -o $@
 
 $(OBJDIR)/%.o: %.cpp Makefile
 	mkdir -p $(OBJDIR)
diff --git a/programs/src/texteditor/Makefile b/programs/src/texteditor/Makefile
index 14866df..26ad8d4 100644
--- a/programs/src/texteditor/Makefile
+++ b/programs/src/texteditor/Makefile
@@ -69,14 +69,15 @@ OBJS := $(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/,$(SRCS:.cpp=.o))
 # ---- Target ----
 
 TARGET := $(BINDIR)/apps/texteditor/texteditor.elf
+LOADER_LIB := $(BINDIR)/liblibloader.a
 
 .PHONY: all clean
 
 all: $(TARGET)
 
-$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LINK_LD) Makefile
+$(TARGET): $(OBJS) $(LINK_LD) Makefile $(LOADER_LIB)
 	mkdir -p $(BINDIR)/apps/texteditor
-	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a -o $@
+	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) $(LOADER_LIB) $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a -o $@
 
 $(OBJDIR)/%.o: %.cpp Makefile
 	mkdir -p $(OBJDIR)
diff --git a/programs/src/wordprocessor/Makefile b/programs/src/wordprocessor/Makefile
index e3eb416..6776382 100644
--- a/programs/src/wordprocessor/Makefile
+++ b/programs/src/wordprocessor/Makefile
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ LDFLAGS := \
 
 SRCS := main.cpp document.cpp render.cpp input.cpp print_export.cpp stb_truetype_impl.cpp
 OBJS := $(addprefix $(OBJDIR)/,$(SRCS:.cpp=.o))
-LIBS := $(LIBDIR)/tls/libtls.a $(LIBDIR)/bearssl/libbearssl.a $(LIBDIR)/libjpegwrite/libjpegwrite.a $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a
+LOADER_LIB := $(BINDIR)/liblibloader.a
+LIBS := $(LOADER_LIB) $(LIBDIR)/tls/libtls.a $(LIBDIR)/bearssl/libbearssl.a $(LIBDIR)/libjpegwrite/libjpegwrite.a $(LIBDIR)/libc/liblibc.a
 
 TARGET := $(BINDIR)/apps/wordprocessor/wordprocessor.elf
 
diff --git a/scripts/install_apps.sh b/scripts/install_apps.sh
index a3182e6..26d1f5c 100755
--- a/scripts/install_apps.sh
+++ b/scripts/install_apps.sh
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ APPS=(
     "procmgr|apps/scalable/system-monitor.svg"
     "calculator|apps/scalable/accessories-calculator.svg"
     "printers|devices/scalable/preferences-devices-printer.svg"
-    "dialogs|apps/scalable/system-file-manager.svg"
     "rpgdemo|apps/scalable/utilities-terminal.svg"
     "paint|apps/scalable/kolourpaint.svg"
     "screenshot|apps/scalable/gnome-screenshot.svg"
@@ -74,6 +73,8 @@ for entry in "${APPS[@]}"; do
     installed=$((installed + 1))
 done
 
+rm -rf "$BIN/apps/dialogs"
+
 # Special case: copy doom1.wad alongside doom binary
 if [ -f "$PROJECT_ROOT/programs/data/games/doom1.wad" ]; then
     cp "$PROJECT_ROOT/programs/data/games/doom1.wad" "$BIN/apps/doom/doom1.wad"