diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index d1c5dc3..1da3e38 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-[env:esp32-c3]
+[env:esp32-s3]
 platform = espressif32
-board = seeed_xiao_esp32c3
+board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
 framework = arduino
 
 monitor_speed = 115200
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ monitor_speed = 115200
 lib_deps =
   adafruit/Adafruit GFX Library
   adafruit/Adafruit SSD1306
+  adafruit/Adafruit VEML7700 Library
   bblanchon/ArduinoJson
 
 ; board_build.filesystem = spiffs
@@ -16,3 +17,4 @@ lib_deps =
 build_flags =
   -D PB_VERSION=\"1.0.0\"
   -D PB_HOSTNAME=\"faceplant\"
+  -D PB_TZ=\"UTC0\"
diff --git a/src/app/App.cpp b/src/app/App.cpp
index a3162eb..9782f21 100644
--- a/src/app/App.cpp
+++ b/src/app/App.cpp
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@
 #include "../ui/Display.h"
 #include "../sensors/MoistureSensor.h"
 #include "../sensors/BatterySensor.h"
+#include "../sensors/AmbientLightSensor.h"
 #include "../ui/FaceRenderer.h"
+#include <time.h>
 
 static Settings settings;
 static WiFiManager wifi;
@@ -23,12 +25,29 @@ static WebhookService webhook;
 static Display display;
 static MoistureSensor moisture;
 static BatterySensor battery;
+static AmbientLightSensor ambient;
 static FaceRenderer face;
 
 static unsigned long bootMs = 0;
 
 static FaceRenderer::Mood lastMood = FaceRenderer::HAPPY;
 static bool lastDead = false;
+static bool isNightMode = false;
+static uint8_t lastContrast = 0xFF;
+static bool ntpConfigured = false;
+static bool timeValid = false;
+static unsigned long nextTimeCheckMs = 0;
+static bool lastScheduleSleep = false;
+
+static constexpr float DIM_LUX_MIN = 0.0f;
+static constexpr float DIM_LUX_MAX = 300.0f;
+static constexpr uint8_t DIM_CONTRAST_MIN = 0x10;
+static constexpr uint8_t DIM_CONTRAST_MAX = 0xFF;
+static constexpr int BED_HOUR = 22;
+static constexpr int BED_MINUTE = 0;
+static constexpr int WAKE_HOUR = 7;
+static constexpr int WAKE_MINUTE = 0;
+static constexpr int ROUTINE_WINDOW_MIN = 5;
 
 static PlantEventType moodToEvent(FaceRenderer::Mood m) {
   if (m == FaceRenderer::DRY) return EVT_DRY;
@@ -36,6 +55,123 @@ static PlantEventType moodToEvent(FaceRenderer::Mood m) {
   return EVT_OK;
 }
 
+static float clampFloat(float v, float lo, float hi) {
+  if (v < lo) return lo;
+  if (v > hi) return hi;
+  return v;
+}
+
+static uint8_t luxToContrast(float lux) {
+  float clamped = clampFloat(lux, DIM_LUX_MIN, DIM_LUX_MAX);
+  float ratio = (DIM_LUX_MAX <= DIM_LUX_MIN) ? 1.0f
+                                             : (clamped - DIM_LUX_MIN) / (DIM_LUX_MAX - DIM_LUX_MIN);
+  int value = (int)(DIM_CONTRAST_MIN + ratio * (DIM_CONTRAST_MAX - DIM_CONTRAST_MIN));
+  if (value < 0) value = 0;
+  if (value > 255) value = 255;
+  return (uint8_t)value;
+}
+
+struct ScheduleState {
+  bool hasTime = false;
+  bool sleeping = false;
+  FaceRenderer::RoutineAnim routineAnim = FaceRenderer::ROUTINE_NONE;
+  uint16_t routineProgressPermille = 0;
+};
+
+static int secondsOfDay(const tm& local) {
+  return local.tm_hour * 3600 + local.tm_min * 60 + local.tm_sec;
+}
+
+static bool isInRangeSameDay(int sec, int startSec, int endSec) {
+  return sec >= startSec && sec < endSec;
+}
+
+static bool isInOvernightRange(int sec, int startSec, int endSec) {
+  return (sec >= startSec) || (sec < endSec);
+}
+
+static void maybeInitTimeSync(bool wifiConnected) {
+  if (!wifiConnected || ntpConfigured) return;
+  configTzTime(PB_TZ, "pool.ntp.org", "time.nist.gov");
+  ntpConfigured = true;
+  Serial.print("[Clock] NTP started, TZ=");
+  Serial.println(PB_TZ);
+}
+
+static ScheduleState currentScheduleState() {
+  ScheduleState s;
+  time_t nowEpoch = time(nullptr);
+  if (nowEpoch < 1700000000) return s; // not synced yet
+
+  tm local {};
+  if (!localtime_r(&nowEpoch, &local)) return s;
+  s.hasTime = true;
+
+  const int sec = secondsOfDay(local);
+  const int bedSec = BED_HOUR * 3600 + BED_MINUTE * 60;
+  const int wakeSec = WAKE_HOUR * 3600 + WAKE_MINUTE * 60;
+  const int windDownStartSec = bedSec - ROUTINE_WINDOW_MIN * 60;
+  const int wakeAnimEndSec = wakeSec + ROUTINE_WINDOW_MIN * 60;
+
+  if (isInRangeSameDay(sec, windDownStartSec, bedSec)) {
+    s.routineAnim = FaceRenderer::ROUTINE_SLEEPING_SOON;
+    s.routineProgressPermille = (uint16_t)(((sec - windDownStartSec) * 1000L) / (ROUTINE_WINDOW_MIN * 60L));
+    return s;
+  }
+
+  if (isInOvernightRange(sec, bedSec, wakeSec)) {
+    s.sleeping = true;
+    return s;
+  }
+
+  if (isInRangeSameDay(sec, wakeSec, wakeAnimEndSec)) {
+    s.routineAnim = FaceRenderer::ROUTINE_WAKING_UP;
+    s.routineProgressPermille = (uint16_t)(((sec - wakeSec) * 1000L) / (ROUTINE_WINDOW_MIN * 60L));
+    return s;
+  }
+
+  return s;
+}
+
+static void updateScheduleState() {
+  if ((long)(millis() - nextTimeCheckMs) < 0) return;
+  nextTimeCheckMs = millis() + 1000;
+
+  maybeInitTimeSync(wifi.connected());
+  ScheduleState sched = currentScheduleState();
+  timeValid = sched.hasTime;
+
+  face.setRoutineAnimation(sched.routineAnim, sched.routineProgressPermille);
+
+  bool shouldSleep = sched.sleeping;
+  if (!sched.hasTime) shouldSleep = false; // fail-safe: stay awake until time sync exists
+
+  if (shouldSleep != lastScheduleSleep) {
+    Serial.print("[Clock] Schedule ");
+    Serial.println(shouldSleep ? "sleep window entered" : "wake window entered");
+    lastScheduleSleep = shouldSleep;
+  }
+
+  bool wasNightMode = isNightMode;
+  isNightMode = shouldSleep;
+  if (display.ok()) {
+    display.setDisplayEnabled(!isNightMode);
+    if (wasNightMode && !isNightMode) lastContrast = 0xFF; // force contrast refresh when waking
+  }
+}
+
+static void updateAmbientDimming() {
+  ambient.loop();
+  if (!ambient.available() || !display.ok() || isNightMode || !display.displayEnabled()) return;
+
+  float lux = ambient.filteredLux();
+  uint8_t contrast = luxToContrast(lux);
+  if (lastContrast == 0xFF || abs((int)contrast - (int)lastContrast) >= 4) {
+    display.setContrast(contrast);
+    lastContrast = contrast;
+  }
+}
+
 void App::setup() {
   bootMs = millis();
 
@@ -60,6 +196,7 @@ void App::setup() {
 
   moisture.begin(settings);
   battery.begin();
+  ambient.begin();
   face.begin(display, settings);
 
   webhook.begin(settings);
@@ -81,17 +218,21 @@ void App::loop() {
 
   wifi.loop();
   web.loop();
+  updateScheduleState();
+  updateAmbientDimming();
 
   // Show WiFi status on display during connection attempts
   bool currentConnected = wifi.connected();
   if (currentConnected != lastConnected) {
     if (currentConnected) {
       Serial.println("[App] WiFi connected - showing on display");
-      display.showStatus("WiFi Connected!", wifi.ssid().c_str());
-      delay(2000);
+      if (!isNightMode) {
+        display.showStatus("WiFi Connected!", wifi.ssid().c_str());
+        delay(2000);
+      }
     } else if (wifi.mode() == NET_STA) {
       Serial.println("[App] WiFi disconnected");
-      if (millis() - lastDisplayUpdate > 5000) {
+      if (!isNightMode && millis() - lastDisplayUpdate > 5000) {
         display.showStatus("WiFi", "Connecting...");
         lastDisplayUpdate = millis();
       }
@@ -101,7 +242,9 @@ void App::loop() {
 
   moisture.loop();
   battery.loop();
-  face.loop(moisture, battery);
+  if (!isNightMode) {
+    face.loop(moisture, battery);
+  }
 
   // Webhook events on state transitions
   FaceRenderer::Mood m = face.mood();
diff --git a/src/sensors/AmbientLightSensor.cpp b/src/sensors/AmbientLightSensor.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..928997d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/sensors/AmbientLightSensor.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#include "AmbientLightSensor.h"
+#include <math.h>
+
+void AmbientLightSensor::begin() {
+  _ok = _veml.begin();
+  if (!_ok) {
+    Serial.println("[Ambient] VEML7700 not detected");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  _veml.setGain(VEML7700_GAIN_1);
+  _veml.setIntegrationTime(VEML7700_IT_100MS);
+
+  _lux = _veml.readLux();
+  if (!isfinite(_lux) || _lux < 0.0f) _lux = 0.0f;
+  _filteredLux = _lux;
+  _nextMs = millis();
+  _lastUpdateMs = millis();
+
+  Serial.print("[Ambient] VEML7700 ready, initial lux: ");
+  Serial.println(_lux, 2);
+}
+
+void AmbientLightSensor::loop() {
+  if (!_ok) return;
+
+  unsigned long now = millis();
+  if ((long)(now - _nextMs) < 0) return;
+  _nextMs = now + INTERVAL_MS;
+
+  float rawLux = _veml.readLux();
+  if (!isfinite(rawLux) || rawLux < 0.0f) return;
+
+  _lux = rawLux;
+
+  // Simple low-pass filter to avoid display brightness flicker.
+  const float alpha = 0.2f;
+  _filteredLux = (_filteredLux * (1.0f - alpha)) + (_lux * alpha);
+  _lastUpdateMs = now;
+}
diff --git a/src/sensors/AmbientLightSensor.h b/src/sensors/AmbientLightSensor.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2dcffa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/sensors/AmbientLightSensor.h
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <Arduino.h>
+#include <Adafruit_VEML7700.h>
+
+class AmbientLightSensor {
+public:
+  void begin();
+  void loop();
+
+  bool available() const { return _ok; }
+  float lux() const { return _lux; }
+  float filteredLux() const { return _filteredLux; }
+  unsigned long lastUpdateMs() const { return _lastUpdateMs; }
+
+private:
+  static constexpr unsigned long INTERVAL_MS = 1000;
+
+  Adafruit_VEML7700 _veml;
+  bool _ok = false;
+  float _lux = 0.0f;
+  float _filteredLux = 0.0f;
+  unsigned long _nextMs = 0;
+  unsigned long _lastUpdateMs = 0;
+};
diff --git a/src/ui/Display.cpp b/src/ui/Display.cpp
index da2c0a7..def8333 100644
--- a/src/ui/Display.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/Display.cpp
@@ -4,11 +4,14 @@ void Display::begin() {
   Wire.begin(PIN_SDA, PIN_SCL);
   _ok = _oled.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, OLED_ADDR, true, false);
   if (!_ok) return;
+  _displayEnabled = true;
+  setContrast(_contrast);
   bootAnimation();
 }
 
 void Display::showStatus(const String& line1, const String& line2) {
   if (!_ok) return;
+  if (!_displayEnabled) setDisplayEnabled(true);
   _oled.clearDisplay();
   _oled.setTextSize(1);
   _oled.setTextColor(1);
@@ -19,6 +22,28 @@ void Display::showStatus(const String& line1, const String& line2) {
   _oled.display();
 }
 
+void Display::setContrast(uint8_t contrast) {
+  if (!_ok) return;
+  _contrast = contrast;
+  _oled.ssd1306_command(SSD1306_SETCONTRAST);
+  _oled.ssd1306_command(_contrast);
+}
+
+void Display::setDisplayEnabled(bool enabled) {
+  if (!_ok) return;
+  if (_displayEnabled == enabled) return;
+
+  _displayEnabled = enabled;
+  if (enabled) {
+    _oled.ssd1306_command(SSD1306_DISPLAYON);
+    setContrast(_contrast);
+  } else {
+    _oled.clearDisplay();
+    _oled.display();
+    _oled.ssd1306_command(SSD1306_DISPLAYOFF);
+  }
+}
+
 void Display::bootAnimation() {
   if (!_ok) return;
 
diff --git a/src/ui/Display.h b/src/ui/Display.h
index 07f8423..ec31eb7 100644
--- a/src/ui/Display.h
+++ b/src/ui/Display.h
@@ -8,10 +8,14 @@ class Display {
 public:
   void begin();
   Adafruit_SSD1306& oled() { return _oled; }
+  bool ok() const { return _ok; }
 
   void showStatus(const String& line1, const String& line2);
   void bootAnimation();
   void drawBatteryIcon(int x, int y, int percent, bool blink, bool charging);
+  void setContrast(uint8_t contrast);
+  void setDisplayEnabled(bool enabled);
+  bool displayEnabled() const { return _displayEnabled; }
 
 private:
   static constexpr int PIN_SDA = 6;
@@ -19,4 +23,6 @@ private:
   static constexpr uint8_t OLED_ADDR = 0x3C; // try 0x3D if blank
   Adafruit_SSD1306 _oled = Adafruit_SSD1306(128, 64, &Wire, -1);
   bool _ok = false;
+  bool _displayEnabled = true;
+  uint8_t _contrast = 0xCF;
 };
diff --git a/src/ui/FaceRenderer.cpp b/src/ui/FaceRenderer.cpp
index 4b9b676..9e73a1c 100644
--- a/src/ui/FaceRenderer.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/FaceRenderer.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@ int8_t FaceRenderer::randRangeI8(int8_t lo, int8_t hi) {
   return (int8_t)(lo + random((int)(hi - lo + 1)));
 }
 
+void FaceRenderer::setRoutineAnimation(RoutineAnim anim, uint16_t progressPermille) {
+  _routineAnim = anim;
+  _routineProgressPermille = progressPermille > 1000 ? 1000 : progressPermille;
+}
+
 void FaceRenderer::begin(Display& display, Settings& settings) {
   _display = &display;
   _settings = &settings;
@@ -38,6 +43,11 @@ void FaceRenderer::loop(const MoistureSensor& moisture, const BatterySensor& bat
   updateDeathMode(now);
   updateBatteryLowMode(battery.percent());
 
+  if (_routineAnim != ROUTINE_NONE) {
+    renderRoutine(now, battery);
+    return;
+  }
+
   if (_deadMode) {
     renderDead(now, battery);
     return;
@@ -235,6 +245,55 @@ void FaceRenderer::renderNormal(unsigned long now, const BatterySensor& battery)
   d.display();
 }
 
+void FaceRenderer::renderRoutine(unsigned long now, const BatterySensor& battery) {
+  auto &d = _display->oled();
+  d.clearDisplay();
+
+  if (_routineAnim == ROUTINE_SLEEPING_SOON) {
+    // Progressively lower eyelids over 5 minutes.
+    int close = (_routineProgressPermille * 12) / 1000; // 0..12
+    int pupilY = (_routineProgressPermille > 700) ? 2 : 0;
+
+    d.fillCircle(40, 24, 12, 1);
+    d.fillCircle(88, 24, 12, 1);
+    d.fillCircle(40, 24 + pupilY, 3, 0);
+    d.fillCircle(88, 24 + pupilY, 3, 0);
+    if (close > 0) {
+      d.fillRect(28, 12, 24, close, 0);
+      d.fillRect(76, 12, 24, close, 0);
+    }
+    if (close > 6) {
+      d.drawLine(28, 24, 52, 24, 1);
+      d.drawLine(76, 24, 100, 24, 1);
+    }
+    d.drawLine(26, 14, 48, 16, 1);
+    d.drawLine(80, 16, 102, 14, 1);
+    d.drawLine(52, 48, 76, 48, 1);
+    drawSleepyZs(now, (uint8_t)(1 + ((_routineProgressPermille * 3) / 1000)));
+  } else {
+    // Wake-up: eyes open wider and smile grows over 5 minutes.
+    int open = 4 + (_routineProgressPermille * 8) / 1000; // pupil travel
+    int pupilY = 4 - (_routineProgressPermille * 4) / 1000; // starts sleepy, rises to center
+
+    d.fillCircle(40, 24, 12, 1);
+    d.fillCircle(88, 24, 12, 1);
+    d.fillCircle(40, 24 + pupilY, open / 3, 0);
+    d.fillCircle(88, 24 + pupilY, open / 3, 0);
+
+    // Bright eyebrows + growing smile
+    d.drawLine(26, 14, 48, 11, 1);
+    d.drawLine(80, 11, 102, 14, 1);
+    int smileLift = (_routineProgressPermille * 3) / 1000;
+    for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+      d.drawLine(55 + i, 47 + i / 2 - smileLift, 73 - i, 47 + i / 2 - smileLift, 1);
+    }
+    drawSunRise(now, (uint8_t)(1 + ((_routineProgressPermille * 4) / 1000)));
+  }
+
+  _display->drawBatteryIcon(110, 2, battery.percent(), battery.shouldBlink(), battery.isCharging());
+  d.display();
+}
+
 /* --- Drawing helpers --- */
 
 void FaceRenderer::drawEyesOpen(int dx, int dy) {
@@ -350,3 +409,34 @@ void FaceRenderer::drawBigWaterText(unsigned long now) {
   d.setCursor(x < 0 ? 0 : x, 56);
   d.print(msg);
 }
+
+void FaceRenderer::drawSleepyZs(unsigned long now, uint8_t count) {
+  auto &d = _display->oled();
+  uint8_t phase = (now / 400UL) % 8UL;
+  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+    int x = 98 + i * 8 - (int)phase;
+    int y = 22 - i * 7;
+    if (x < 84 || y < 2) continue;
+    d.drawLine(x, y, x + 4, y, 1);
+    d.drawLine(x + 4, y, x, y + 5, 1);
+    d.drawLine(x, y + 5, x + 4, y + 5, 1);
+  }
+}
+
+void FaceRenderer::drawSunRise(unsigned long now, uint8_t level) {
+  auto &d = _display->oled();
+  int cx = 12;
+  int cy = 52;
+  int r = 5;
+  d.drawCircle(cx, cy, r, 1);
+  d.drawLine(cx - 10, cy + 6, cx + 10, cy + 6, 1);
+  if (level >= 2) {
+    d.drawLine(cx, cy - 10, cx, cy - 7, 1);
+    d.drawLine(cx - 8, cy - 4, cx - 5, cy - 3, 1);
+    d.drawLine(cx + 8, cy - 4, cx + 5, cy - 3, 1);
+  }
+  if (level >= 4 && ((now / 300UL) % 2UL == 0UL)) {
+    d.drawLine(cx - 11, cy - 10, cx - 8, cy - 7, 1);
+    d.drawLine(cx + 11, cy - 10, cx + 8, cy - 7, 1);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/ui/FaceRenderer.h b/src/ui/FaceRenderer.h
index 4a33304..203c953 100644
--- a/src/ui/FaceRenderer.h
+++ b/src/ui/FaceRenderer.h
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@
 class FaceRenderer {
 public:
   enum Mood { HAPPY, DRY, TOO_WET };
+  enum RoutineAnim { ROUTINE_NONE, ROUTINE_SLEEPING_SOON, ROUTINE_WAKING_UP };
 
   void begin(Display& display, Settings& settings);
   void loop(const MoistureSensor& moisture, const BatterySensor& battery);
+  void setRoutineAnimation(RoutineAnim anim, uint16_t progressPermille);
 
   bool isDeadMode() const { return _deadMode; }
   Mood mood() const { return _mood; }
@@ -51,6 +53,9 @@ private:
   int8_t _shakeX = 0, _shakeY = 0;
   unsigned long _nextShakeMs = 0;
 
+  RoutineAnim _routineAnim = ROUTINE_NONE;
+  uint16_t _routineProgressPermille = 0;
+
   void updateMood(int moisturePct);
   void updateDeathMode(unsigned long now);
   void updateBatteryLowMode(int batteryPercent);
@@ -61,6 +66,7 @@ private:
   void renderDead(unsigned long now, const BatterySensor& battery);
   void renderBatteryLow(unsigned long now, const BatterySensor& battery);
   void renderNormal(unsigned long now, const BatterySensor& battery);
+  void renderRoutine(unsigned long now, const BatterySensor& battery);
 
   void drawEyesOpen(int pupilDx, int pupilDy);
   void drawEyesClosed();
@@ -77,6 +83,8 @@ private:
   void drawSilly(uint8_t v);
   void drawXEye(int cx, int cy);
   void drawBigWaterText(unsigned long now);
+  void drawSleepyZs(unsigned long now, uint8_t count);
+  void drawSunRise(unsigned long now, uint8_t level);
 
   unsigned long randRange(unsigned long lo, unsigned long hi);
   int8_t randRangeI8(int8_t lo, int8_t hi);