diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 793561d..b0fc4d7 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2,6 +2,143 @@
 # It is not intended for manual editing.
 version = 4
 
+[[package]]
+name = "equivalent"
+version = "1.0.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "877a4ace8713b0bcf2a4e7eec82529c029f1d0619886d18145fea96c3ffe5c0f"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "hashbrown"
+version = "0.17.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "ed5909b6e89a2db4456e54cd5f673791d7eca6732202bbf2a9cc504fe2f9b84a"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "indexmap"
+version = "2.14.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "d466e9454f08e4a911e14806c24e16fba1b4c121d1ea474396f396069cf949d9"
+dependencies = [
+ "equivalent",
+ "hashbrown",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "memchr"
+version = "2.8.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "88904434abc2901f197fe8cc55f0445e7ded921dba5911dad2e2b39b48e663c4"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "proc-macro2"
+version = "1.0.106"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "8fd00f0bb2e90d81d1044c2b32617f68fcb9fa3bb7640c23e9c748e53fb30934"
+dependencies = [
+ "unicode-ident",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "quote"
+version = "1.0.46"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "dfbc457d0c7a0759a614551b11a6409e5951f6c7537be1f1b7682b9ae9230368"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "serde"
+version = "1.0.228"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "9a8e94ea7f378bd32cbbd37198a4a91436180c5bb472411e48b5ec2e2124ae9e"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde_core",
+ "serde_derive",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "serde_core"
+version = "1.0.228"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "41d385c7d4ca58e59fc732af25c3983b67ac852c1a25000afe1175de458b67ad"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde_derive",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "serde_derive"
+version = "1.0.228"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "d540f220d3187173da220f885ab66608367b6574e925011a9353e4badda91d79"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "syn",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "serde_spanned"
+version = "0.6.9"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "bf41e0cfaf7226dca15e8197172c295a782857fcb97fad1808a166870dee75a3"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "syn"
+version = "2.0.118"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "1b9ae57f904213ebb649ce6895b8a66c66f0203b9319718f69a5612a065b1422"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "unicode-ident",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "toml"
+version = "0.8.23"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "dc1beb996b9d83529a9e75c17a1686767d148d70663143c7854d8b4a09ced362"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde",
+ "serde_spanned",
+ "toml_datetime",
+ "toml_edit",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "toml_datetime"
+version = "0.6.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "22cddaf88f4fbc13c51aebbf5f8eceb5c7c5a9da2ac40a13519eb5b0a0e8f11c"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "toml_edit"
+version = "0.22.27"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "41fe8c660ae4257887cf66394862d21dbca4a6ddd26f04a3560410406a2f819a"
+dependencies = [
+ "indexmap",
+ "serde",
+ "serde_spanned",
+ "toml_datetime",
+ "toml_write",
+ "winnow",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "toml_write"
+version = "0.1.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "5d99f8c9a7727884afe522e9bd5edbfc91a3312b36a77b5fb8926e4c31a41801"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "tropius-cli"
 version = "0.1.0"
@@ -9,3 +146,22 @@ version = "0.1.0"
 [[package]]
 name = "tropius-core"
 version = "0.1.0"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde",
+ "toml",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "unicode-ident"
+version = "1.0.24"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "e6e4313cd5fcd3dad5cafa179702e2b244f760991f45397d14d4ebf38247da75"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "winnow"
+version = "0.7.15"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "df79d97927682d2fd8adb29682d1140b343be4ac0f08fd68b7765d9c059d3945"
+dependencies = [
+ "memchr",
+]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0c4ea89..6966fa2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,46 @@
 # tropius
 
 `tropius` is a CLI to detect AI tropes in prose.
+
+## How
+
+We use a pattern dictionary in TOML based on a [trope list](./meta/tropes.md)
+from [Tropes.fyi](https://tropes.fyi)
+
+```text
+Text
+  ↓
+Normalize text
+  ↓
+Aho-Corasick phrase matcher
+  ↓
+Regex / parser structural rules
+  ↓
+Feature scoring
+  ↓
+Report
+```
+
+## Inspiration
+
+I got nerd-sniped on [BlueSky](https://bsky.app/profile/samuel.fm/post/3mp3l3cxg622y)
+
+> [Samuel - @samuel.fm](https://bsky.app/profile/samuel.fm) **2026-06-25 04:16**
+>
+> “Claudesmell” labeller for [standard.site](https://standard.site) records wen
+
+> [owais - @desertthunder.dev](https://bsky.app/profile/desertthunder.dev) **2026-06-25 04:18**
+>
+> what does claudesmell mean here
+
+> [Samuel - @samuel.fm](https://bsky.app/profile/samuel.fm) **2026-06-25 04:22**
+>
+> smells of claude, e.g. short, punchy yet needlessly florid prose, excessive claudeisms, it’s not just x it’s y etc
+
+> [owais - @desertthunder.dev](https://bsky.app/profile/desertthunder.dev) **2026-06-25 04:26**
+>
+> You know that feeling of nerd-sniping about to happen? I gotta use aho-corasick + [tropes.fyi](https://tropes.fyi) in some way
+
+## License
+
+[unlicense](./LICENSE)
diff --git a/crates/core/Cargo.toml b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
index d4dbe7a..e81f5d4 100644
--- a/crates/core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,3 +4,5 @@ version = "0.1.0"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]
+serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"] }
+toml = "0.8"
diff --git a/crates/core/src/patterns.rs b/crates/core/src/patterns.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab6ce34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/patterns.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+pub const BUNDLED_PATTERN_FILES: &[(&str, &str)] = &[
+    ("formatting.toml", include_str!("patterns/formatting.toml")),
+    (
+        "sentence-structure.toml",
+        include_str!("patterns/sentence-structure.toml"),
+    ),
+    ("tone.toml", include_str!("patterns/tone.toml")),
+    (
+        "word-choice.toml",
+        include_str!("patterns/word-choice.toml"),
+    ),
+];
+
+pub fn bundled_patterns() -> Result<Vec<Pattern>, toml::de::Error> {
+    let mut patterns = Vec::new();
+
+    for (_, input) in BUNDLED_PATTERN_FILES {
+        patterns.extend(PatternFile::from_toml(input)?.patterns);
+    }
+
+    Ok(patterns)
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, serde::Deserialize)]
+pub struct PatternFile {
+    pub patterns: Vec<Pattern>,
+}
+
+impl PatternFile {
+    pub fn from_toml(input: &str) -> Result<Self, toml::de::Error> {
+        toml::from_str(input)
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, serde::Deserialize)]
+pub struct Pattern {
+    pub id: String,
+    pub name: String,
+    pub severity: Severity,
+    pub phrases: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, serde::Deserialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
+pub enum Severity {
+    Low,
+    Medium,
+    High,
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deserializes_pattern_file() {
+        let file = PatternFile::from_toml(
+            r#"
+[[patterns]]
+id = "word_choice.delve"
+name = "Delve and Friends"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = ["delve into", "robust"]
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(file.patterns.len(), 1);
+
+        let pattern = &file.patterns[0];
+        assert_eq!(pattern.id, "word_choice.delve");
+        assert_eq!(pattern.name, "Delve and Friends");
+        assert_eq!(pattern.severity, Severity::Medium);
+        assert_eq!(pattern.phrases, ["delve into", "robust"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rejects_unknown_severity() {
+        let error = PatternFile::from_toml(
+            r#"
+[[patterns]]
+id = "word_choice.delve"
+name = "Delve and Friends"
+severity = "extreme"
+phrases = ["delve into"]
+"#,
+        )
+        .unwrap_err();
+
+        assert!(error.to_string().contains("unknown variant"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deserializes_bundled_pattern_files() {
+        let patterns = bundled_patterns().unwrap();
+
+        assert!(
+            patterns
+                .iter()
+                .any(|pattern| pattern.id == "word_choice.delve")
+        );
+        assert!(
+            patterns
+                .iter()
+                .any(|pattern| pattern.id == "sentence_structure.negative_parallelism")
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/src/patterns/formatting.toml b/crates/core/src/patterns/formatting.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4569262
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/patterns/formatting.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+[[patterns]]
+id = "formatting.em_dash_addiction"
+name = "Em-Dash Addiction"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  " -- ",
+  " — "
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "formatting.signposted_conclusion"
+name = "The Signposted Conclusion"
+severity = "low"
+phrases = [
+  "in conclusion",
+  "to sum up",
+  "in summary",
+]
diff --git a/crates/core/src/patterns/sentence-structure.toml b/crates/core/src/patterns/sentence-structure.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ecf3a08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/patterns/sentence-structure.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+[[patterns]]
+id = "sentence_structure.negative_parallelism"
+name = "Negative Parallelism"
+severity = "high"
+phrases = [
+  "it's not",
+  "it is not",
+  "not because",
+  "the question isn't",
+  "the question is",
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "sentence_structure.question_answer"
+name = "The X? A Y."
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "the result?",
+  "the worst part?",
+  "the scary part?",
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "sentence_structure.filler_transitions"
+name = "It's Worth Noting"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "it's worth noting",
+  "it bears mentioning",
+  "importantly",
+  "interestingly",
+  "notably",
+]
diff --git a/crates/core/src/patterns/tone.toml b/crates/core/src/patterns/tone.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..817986b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/patterns/tone.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+[[patterns]]
+id = "tone.false_suspense"
+name = "Here's the Kicker"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "here's the kicker",
+  "here's the thing",
+  "here's where it gets interesting",
+  "here's what most people miss",
+  "here's the starting point",
+  "here's the deal",
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "tone.teacher_voice"
+name = "Let's Break This Down"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "let's break this down",
+  "let's unpack",
+  "let's explore",
+  "let's dive in",
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "tone.think_of_it_as"
+name = "Think of It As"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "think of it as",
+  "think of it like",
+  "it's like asking",
+]
diff --git a/crates/core/src/patterns/word-choice.toml b/crates/core/src/patterns/word-choice.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33c86bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/src/patterns/word-choice.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+[[patterns]]
+id = "word_choice.magic_adverbs"
+name = "Quietly and Other Magic Adverbs"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "quietly",
+  "deeply",
+  "fundamentally",
+  "remarkably",
+  "arguably",
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "word_choice.delve"
+name = "Delve and Friends"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "delve into",
+  "delving deeper",
+  "certainly",
+  "utilize",
+  "leverage",
+  "robust",
+  "streamline",
+  "harness",
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "word_choice.grandiose_nouns"
+name = "Tapestry and Landscape"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "tapestry",
+  "landscape",
+  "paradigm",
+  "synergy",
+  "ecosystem",
+  "framework",
+]
+
+[[patterns]]
+id = "word_choice.serves_as"
+name = "The Serves As Dodge"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "serves as",
+  "stands as",
+  "marks a pivotal",
+  "represents",
+]
diff --git a/meta/tropes.md b/meta/tropes.md
index bf405d2..a16630d 100644
--- a/meta/tropes.md
+++ b/meta/tropes.md
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@
 Add this file to your AI assistant's system prompt or context to help it avoid
 common AI writing patterns. Source: [tropes.fyi](https://tropes.fyi) by [ossama.is](https://ossama.is)
 
----
-
 ## Word Choice
 
 ### "Quietly" and Other Magic Adverbs
@@ -47,8 +45,6 @@ Replacing simple "is" or "are" with pompous alternatives like "serves as", "stan
 - "Gallery 825 serves as LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art."
 - "The station marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of regional transit."
 
----
-
 ## Sentence Structure
 
 ### Negative Parallelism
@@ -131,8 +127,6 @@ Using "from X to Y" constructions where X and Y aren't on any real scale. In leg
 - "From the singularity of the Big Bang to the grand cosmic web."
 - "From problem-solving and tool-making to scientific discovery, artistic expression, and technological innovation."
 
----
-
 ## Paragraph Structure
 
 ### Short Punchy Fragments
@@ -154,8 +148,6 @@ Numbered or labeled points dressed up as continuous prose. The model writes what
 - "The first wall is the absence of a free, scoped API... The second wall is the lack of delegated access... The third wall is the absence of scoped permissions..."
 - "The second takeaway is that... The third takeaway is that... The fourth takeaway is that..."
 
----
-
 ## Tone
 
 ### "Here's the Kicker"
@@ -247,8 +239,6 @@ AI clusters invented compound labels that sound analytical without being grounde
 - "the acceleration trap"
 - "workload creep"
 
----
-
 ## Formatting
 
 ### Em-Dash Addiction
@@ -281,8 +271,6 @@ Use of unicode arrows (->), smart/curly quotes, and other special characters tha
 - "This leads to better outcomes → which means higher engagement"
 - "“Smart quotes” instead of straight "quotes" that you’d actually type"
 
----
-
 ## Composition
 
 ### Fractal Summaries
@@ -353,8 +341,6 @@ The rigid formula where AI acknowledges problems only to immediately dismiss the
 - "Despite its industrial and residential prosperity, Korattur faces challenges typical of urban areas."
 - "Despite their promising applications, pyroelectric materials face several challenges that must be addressed for broader adoption."
 
----
-
 Remember: any of these patterns used once might be fine. The problem is when
 multiple tropes appear together or when a single trope is used repeatedly.
 Write like a human: varied, imperfect, specific.
diff --git a/todo.md b/todo.md
index e69de29..d202d3b 100644
--- a/todo.md
+++ b/todo.md
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+# CLI / Matcher Plan
+
+## Shape
+
+- `meta/tropes.md` is source material only. Do not parse it in the runtime
+  pipeline.
+- Pattern dictionaries live in `crates/core/src/patterns/*.toml` so contributors
+  can add focused rule files without editing one giant dictionary.
+- `crates/core` owns:
+  - loading all TOML pattern files
+  - validating pattern ids and phrases
+  - building one Aho-Corasick matcher from all phrase patterns
+  - scanning text and returning plain finding structs
+- `crates/cli` owns:
+  - `clap` argument parsing
+  - reading a file or stdin
+  - display with the bundled core patterns by default
+  - display with `owo_colors`, respecting `NO_COLOR`
+  - exit code behavior
+
+## Pattern TOML
+
+Example file: `crates/core/src/patterns/word-choice.toml`
+
+```toml
+[[patterns]]
+id = "word_choice.delve"
+name = "Delve and Friends"
+severity = "medium"
+phrases = [
+  "delve into",
+  "delving deeper",
+  "certainly",
+  "utilize",
+  "leverage",
+  "robust",
+  "streamline",
+  "harness",
+]
+```
+
+Keep the first pass phrase-only. Add structural rules later only when phrase
+matching proves insufficient.
+
+## CLI
+
+Initial command:
+
+```text
+tropius [FILE]
+```
+
+Behavior:
+
+- read stdin when `FILE` is omitted
+- print each finding with pattern name, matched phrase, and byte range
+- return `0` when no findings are found
+- return `1` when findings are found
+- return `2` for usage/configuration errors
+
+## Test Bed
+
+Add examples that exercise both obvious matches and normal prose. Keep them as
+plain text fixtures so tests do not need network access.
+
+Suggested layout:
+
+```text
+meta/examples/
+  ai-slop/
+  clean/
+```
+
+Use the local `lectito` CLI to extract article text into fixtures when useful:
+
+```text
+lectito inspect <url> --text > meta/examples/clean/example.txt
+```
+
+Do not make tests depend on `lectito` or the network. Use it only to prepare
+fixtures that are checked into the repo.
+
+Core tests should cover:
+
+- loading multiple `crates/core/src/patterns/*.toml` files
+- detecting phrases across files with one matcher
+- case-insensitive matching
+- duplicate pattern ids fail validation
+- duplicate phrases either fail validation or are reported deterministically
+- clean examples produce no findings, or only expected low-noise findings
+- slop examples produce expected pattern ids
+
+CLI smoke tests should cover:
+
+- file input
+- stdin input
+- `NO_COLOR`
+- exit code `0` for clean input
+- exit code `1` for matched input