diff --git a/packages/react/src/components/CodeMirror6.jsx b/packages/react/src/components/CodeMirror6.jsx
index 319fb7f7..1bcdc9ce 100644
--- a/packages/react/src/components/CodeMirror6.jsx
+++ b/packages/react/src/components/CodeMirror6.jsx
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ export default function CodeMirror({
     return staticExtensions;
   }, [keybindings]);
   return (
-    <div style={{ fontSize, fontFamily }} className="w-full">
+    <div style={{ fontSize: parseInt(fontSize), fontFamily }} className="w-full">
       <_CodeMirror
         value={value}
         theme={theme || strudelTheme}
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index d413286a..df59deb2 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -362,6 +362,8 @@ importers:
       '@docsearch/react': ^3.1.0
       '@headlessui/react': ^1.7.7
       '@heroicons/react': ^2.0.13
+      '@nanostores/persistent': ^0.7.0
+      '@nanostores/react': ^0.4.1
       '@strudel.cycles/core': workspace:*
       '@strudel.cycles/csound': workspace:*
       '@strudel.cycles/midi': workspace:*
@@ -387,6 +389,7 @@ importers:
       fraction.js: ^4.2.0
       html-escaper: ^3.0.3
       nanoid: ^4.0.0
+      nanostores: ^0.7.4
       preact: ^10.7.3
       react: ^18.2.0
       react-dom: ^18.2.0
@@ -407,6 +410,8 @@ importers:
       '@docsearch/react': 3.3.2_y6lbs4o5th67cuzjdmtw5eqh7a
       '@headlessui/react': 1.7.8_biqbaboplfbrettd7655fr4n2y
       '@heroicons/react': 2.0.14_react@18.2.0
+      '@nanostores/persistent': 0.7.0_nanostores@0.7.4
+      '@nanostores/react': 0.4.1_nkfnbc2tpc77iht7asm3uqwau4
       '@strudel.cycles/core': link:../packages/core
       '@strudel.cycles/csound': link:../packages/csound
       '@strudel.cycles/midi': link:../packages/midi
@@ -430,6 +435,7 @@ importers:
       canvas: 2.11.0
       fraction.js: 4.2.0
       nanoid: 4.0.0
+      nanostores: 0.7.4
       preact: 10.11.3
       react: 18.2.0
       react-dom: 18.2.0_react@18.2.0
@@ -3170,6 +3176,27 @@ packages:
       - supports-color
     dev: false
 
+  /@nanostores/persistent/0.7.0_nanostores@0.7.4:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-4PAInL/T1hbftZUJ0cmgdFHBMalUoq7BUXFBy7QfyMv/8X3LPTYNh/yxspL7+J+XM3UNvVI7IFRMMs6FBasjhQ==}
+    engines: {node: ^14.0.0 || ^16.0.0 || >=18.0.0}
+    peerDependencies:
+      nanostores: ^0.7.0
+    dependencies:
+      nanostores: 0.7.4
+    dev: false
+
+  /@nanostores/react/0.4.1_nkfnbc2tpc77iht7asm3uqwau4:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-lsv0CYrMxczbXtoV/mxFVEoL/uVjEjseoP89srO/5yNAOkJka+dSFS7LYyWEbuvCPO7EgbtkvRpO5V+OztKQOw==}
+    engines: {node: ^14.0.0 || ^16.0.0 || >=18.0.0}
+    peerDependencies:
+      nanostores: ^0.7.0
+      react: '>=18.0.0'
+    dependencies:
+      nanostores: 0.7.4
+      react: 18.2.0
+      use-sync-external-store: 1.2.0_react@18.2.0
+    dev: false
+
   /@nodelib/fs.scandir/2.1.5:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-vq24Bq3ym5HEQm2NKCr3yXDwjc7vTsEThRDnkp2DK9p1uqLR+DHurm/NOTo0KG7HYHU7eppKZj3MyqYuMBf62g==}
     engines: {node: '>= 8'}
@@ -9646,6 +9673,11 @@ packages:
     hasBin: true
     dev: false
 
+  /nanostores/0.7.4:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-MBeUVt7NBcXqh7AGT+KSr3O0X/995CZsvcP2QEMP+PXFwb07qv3Vjyq+EX0yS8f12Vv3Tn2g/BvK/OZoMhJlOQ==}
+    engines: {node: ^14.0.0 || ^16.0.0 || >=18.0.0}
+    dev: false
+
   /napi-build-utils/1.0.2:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-ONmRUqK7zj7DWX0D9ADe03wbwOBZxNAfF20PlGfCWQcD3+/MakShIHrMqx9YwPTfxDdF1zLeL+RGZiR9kGMLdg==}
     dev: true
@@ -12851,6 +12883,14 @@ packages:
       punycode: 2.3.0
     dev: true
 
+  /use-sync-external-store/1.2.0_react@18.2.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-eEgnFxGQ1Ife9bzYs6VLi8/4X6CObHMw9Qr9tPY43iKwsPw8xE8+EFsf/2cFZ5S3esXgpWgtSCtLNS41F+sKPA==}
+    peerDependencies:
+      react: ^16.8.0 || ^17.0.0 || ^18.0.0
+    dependencies:
+      react: 18.2.0
+    dev: false
+
   /utf-8-validate/5.0.10:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-Z6czzLq4u8fPOyx7TU6X3dvUZVvoJmxSQ+IcrlmagKhilxlhZgxPK6C5Jqbkw1IDUmFTM+cz9QDnnLTwDz/2gQ==}
     engines: {node: '>=6.14.2'}
diff --git a/website/package.json b/website/package.json
index cf73f8cb..8d85481c 100644
--- a/website/package.json
+++ b/website/package.json
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
     "@docsearch/react": "^3.1.0",
     "@headlessui/react": "^1.7.7",
     "@heroicons/react": "^2.0.13",
+    "@nanostores/persistent": "^0.7.0",
+    "@nanostores/react": "^0.4.1",
     "@strudel.cycles/core": "workspace:*",
     "@strudel.cycles/csound": "workspace:*",
     "@strudel.cycles/midi": "workspace:*",
@@ -44,6 +46,7 @@
     "canvas": "^2.11.0",
     "fraction.js": "^4.2.0",
     "nanoid": "^4.0.0",
+    "nanostores": "^0.7.4",
     "preact": "^10.7.3",
     "react": "^18.2.0",
     "react-dom": "^18.2.0",
diff --git a/website/src/components/HeadCommon.astro b/website/src/components/HeadCommon.astro
index 47929bc6..24388a20 100644
--- a/website/src/components/HeadCommon.astro
+++ b/website/src/components/HeadCommon.astro
@@ -47,37 +47,34 @@ const base = BASE_URL;
 
 <script>
   import { settings } from '../repl/themes.mjs';
-  import { watch, get } from '../store.mjs';
+  import { settingsMap } from '../settings.mjs';
+  import { listenKeys } from 'nanostores';
   const themeStyle = document.createElement('style');
   themeStyle.id = 'strudel-theme';
   document.head.append(themeStyle);
-  function getTheme(name) {
+  function activateTheme(name) {
     if (!settings[name]) {
-      console.warn('theme', name, 'has no settings');
+      console.warn('theme', name, 'has no settings.. defaulting to strudelTheme settings');
     }
-    return {
-      name,
-      settings: settings[name] || settings.strudelTheme,
-    };
-  }
-  function setTheme(name) {
-    const { settings } = getTheme(name);
+    const themeSettings = settings[name] || settings.strudelTheme;
     // set css variables
     themeStyle.innerHTML = `:root {
-      ${Object.entries(settings)
+      ${Object.entries(themeSettings)
         // important to override fallback
         .map(([key, value]) => `--${key}: ${value} !important;`)
         .join('\n')}
     }`;
     // tailwind dark mode
-    if (settings.light) {
+    if (themeSettings.light) {
       document.documentElement.classList.remove('dark');
     } else {
       document.documentElement.classList.add('dark');
     }
   }
-  setTheme(get().theme);
-  watch(setTheme, 'theme');
+
+  activateTheme(settingsMap.get().theme);
+  listenKeys(settingsMap, ['theme'], ({ theme }) => activateTheme(theme));
+
   // https://medium.com/quick-code/100vh-problem-with-ios-safari-92ab23c852a8
   const appHeight = () => {
     const doc = document.documentElement;
diff --git a/website/src/docs/MiniRepl.jsx b/website/src/docs/MiniRepl.jsx
index 7a099275..83106a53 100644
--- a/website/src/docs/MiniRepl.jsx
+++ b/website/src/docs/MiniRepl.jsx
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { prebake } from '../repl/prebake';
 import { themes, settings } from '../repl/themes.mjs';
 import './MiniRepl.css';
-import useStore from '../useStore.mjs';
+import { useSettings } from '../settings.mjs';
 
 let modules;
 if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@ if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
 
 export function MiniRepl({ tune, drawTime, punchcard, canvasHeight = 100 }) {
   const [Repl, setRepl] = useState();
-  const {
-    state: { theme },
-  } = useStore();
+  const { theme } = useSettings();
   useEffect(() => {
     // we have to load this package on the client
     // because codemirror throws an error on the server
diff --git a/website/src/repl/Footer.jsx b/website/src/repl/Footer.jsx
index c9c37c53..2940c140 100644
--- a/website/src/repl/Footer.jsx
+++ b/website/src/repl/Footer.jsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import React, { useCallback, useLayoutEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { loadedSamples } from './Repl';
 import { Reference } from './Reference';
 import { themes } from './themes.mjs';
-import useStore from '../useStore.mjs';
+import { useSettings, settingsMap } from '../settings.mjs';
 
 export function Footer({ context }) {
   // const [activeFooter, setActiveFooter] = useState('console');
@@ -287,29 +287,24 @@ const fontFamilyOptions = {
 };
 
 function SettingsTab() {
-  const { state, update, reset } = useStore();
-  const { theme, keybindings, fontSize, fontFamily } = state;
+  const { theme, keybindings, fontSize, fontFamily } = useSettings();
   return (
     <div className="text-foreground p-4 space-y-4">
       <FormItem label="Theme">
-        <SelectInput
-          options={themeOptions}
-          value={theme}
-          onChange={(theme) => update((current) => ({ ...current, theme }))}
-        />
+        <SelectInput options={themeOptions} value={theme} onChange={(theme) => settingsMap.setKey('theme', theme)} />
       </FormItem>
       <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
         <FormItem label="Font Family">
           <SelectInput
             options={fontFamilyOptions}
             value={fontFamily}
-            onChange={(fontFamily) => update((current) => ({ ...current, fontFamily }))}
+            onChange={(fontFamily) => settingsMap.setKey('fontFamily', fontFamily)}
           />
         </FormItem>
         <FormItem label="Font Size">
           <NumberSlider
             value={fontSize}
-            onChange={(fontSize) => update((current) => ({ ...current, fontSize }))}
+            onChange={(fontSize) => settingsMap.setKey('fontSize', fontSize)}
             min={10}
             max={40}
             step={2}
@@ -319,7 +314,7 @@ function SettingsTab() {
       <FormItem label="Keybindings">
         <ButtonGroup
           value={keybindings}
-          onChange={(keybindings) => update((current) => ({ ...current, keybindings }))}
+          onChange={(keybindings) => settingsMap.setKey('keybindings', keybindings)}
           items={{ codemirror: 'Codemirror', vim: 'Vim', emacs: 'Emacs' }}
         ></ButtonGroup>
       </FormItem>
@@ -328,7 +323,7 @@ function SettingsTab() {
           className="bg-background p-2 max-w-[300px] rounded-md hover:opacity-50"
           onClick={() => {
             if (confirm('Sure?')) {
-              reset();
+              settingsMap.setKey(defaultSettings);
             }
           }}
         >
diff --git a/website/src/repl/Repl.jsx b/website/src/repl/Repl.jsx
index 24755c15..628efbc2 100644
--- a/website/src/repl/Repl.jsx
+++ b/website/src/repl/Repl.jsx
@@ -23,8 +23,7 @@ import { prebake } from './prebake.mjs';
 import * as tunes from './tunes.mjs';
 import PlayCircleIcon from '@heroicons/react/20/solid/PlayCircleIcon';
 import { themes } from './themes.mjs';
-import useTheme from '../useTheme';
-import useStore from '../useStore.mjs';
+import { useSettings } from '../settings.mjs';
 
 const initialTheme = localStorage.getItem('strudel-theme') || 'strudelTheme';
 
@@ -119,10 +118,7 @@ export function Repl({ embedded = false }) {
   const [isZen, setIsZen] = useState(false);
   const [pending, setPending] = useState(false);
 
-  const { theme, themeSettings } = useTheme();
-  const {
-    state: { keybindings, fontSize, fontFamily },
-  } = useStore();
+  const { theme, keybindings, fontSize, fontFamily } = useSettings();
 
   const { code, setCode, scheduler, evaluate, activateCode, isDirty, activeCode, pattern, started, stop, error } =
     useStrudel({
diff --git a/website/src/settings.mjs b/website/src/settings.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f4c4c900
--- /dev/null
+++ b/website/src/settings.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { persistentMap } from '@nanostores/persistent';
+import { useStore } from '@nanostores/react';
+
+export const defaultSettings = {
+  keybindings: 'codemirror',
+  theme: 'strudelTheme',
+  fontFamily: 'monospace',
+  fontSize: 18,
+};
+
+export const settingsMap = persistentMap('strudel-settings', defaultSettings);
+
+export function useSettings() {
+  return useStore(settingsMap);
+}
diff --git a/website/src/store.mjs b/website/src/store.mjs
deleted file mode 100644
index b7348231..00000000
--- a/website/src/store.mjs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
-export const storeKey = 'strudel-settings';
-const defaults = {
-  keybindings: 'codemirror',
-  theme: 'strudelTheme',
-  fontFamily: 'monospace',
-  fontSize: 18,
-};
-
-export function get(prop) {
-  let state = {
-    ...defaults,
-    ...JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(storeKey) || '{}'),
-  };
-  if (!prop) {
-    return state;
-  }
-  return state[prop];
-}
-
-export function set(next) {
-  localStorage.setItem(storeKey, JSON.stringify(next));
-}
-
-export function update(func) {
-  const prev = get();
-  const next = func(prev);
-  set(next);
-  document.dispatchEvent(
-    new CustomEvent(storeKey, {
-      detail: { next, prev },
-    }),
-  );
-}
-
-export function reset() {
-  update(() => defaults);
-}
-
-export function watch(func, prop) {
-  document.addEventListener(storeKey, (e) => {
-    const { prev, next } = e.detail;
-    const hasPropChanged = (p) => next[p] !== prev[p];
-    if (!prop) {
-      func(next);
-    } else if (hasPropChanged(prop)) {
-      func(next[prop]);
-    }
-  });
-}
diff --git a/website/src/useStore.mjs b/website/src/useStore.mjs
deleted file mode 100644
index edcc1df7..00000000
--- a/website/src/useStore.mjs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
-// import { useEvent } from '@strudel.cycles/react';
-import * as Store from './store.mjs';
-import {} from 'react';
-
-function useStore() {
-  const [state, setState] = useState(Store.get());
-  useEvent(Store.storeKey, (e) => setState(e.detail.next));
-  return { state, ...Store };
-}
-
-// TODO: dedupe
-function useEvent(name, onTrigger, useCapture = false) {
-  useEffect(() => {
-    document.addEventListener(name, onTrigger, useCapture);
-    return () => {
-      document.removeEventListener(name, onTrigger, useCapture);
-    };
-  }, [onTrigger]);
-}
-
-export default useStore;
diff --git a/website/src/useTheme.jsx b/website/src/useTheme.jsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 37c51100..00000000
--- a/website/src/useTheme.jsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-import { settings } from './repl/themes.mjs';
-import useStore from './useStore.mjs';
-
-function useTheme() {
-  const { state } = useStore();
-  const theme = state.theme || 'strudelTheme';
-  const themeSettings = settings[theme];
-  return {
-    theme: state.theme,
-    themeSettings,
-  };
-}
-
-export default useTheme;