diff --git a/src/client/components/CanvasRenderer.svelte b/src/client/components/CanvasRenderer.svelte
index ed3e9dd..82e2046 100644
--- a/src/client/components/CanvasRenderer.svelte
+++ b/src/client/components/CanvasRenderer.svelte
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@
     if (x < 0 || x >= CANVAS_WIDTH || y < 0 || y >= CANVAS_HEIGHT) return;
     if (credits <= 0) return;
 
+    // Optimistic deduction + render
+    onCreditsChange(credits - 1);
     updatePixel(x, y, selectedColor);
     render();
 
@@ -66,7 +68,12 @@
         body: JSON.stringify({ pixels: [{ x, y, color: selectedColor }] }),
       });
       const data = await res.json();
-      if (data.ok) onCreditsChange(data.credits);
+      if (data.ok) {
+        onCreditsChange(data.credits);
+      } else {
+        // Server rejected — log reason (pixel stays rendered, WS will correct)
+        console.warn('Place rejected:', data.error);
+      }
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('Failed to place pixel:', err);
     }
diff --git a/src/index.html b/src/index.html
index 34f05e8..e3103b0 100644
--- a/src/index.html
+++ b/src/index.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   <meta charset="UTF-8" />
   <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
   <title>rplace — Collaborative Pixel Canvas</title>
-  <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" />
+  <link rel="icon" href="data:," />
 </head>
 <body>
   <div id="app"></div>
diff --git a/src/lib/canvas-storage.js b/src/lib/canvas-storage.js
index 475f54c..6db481b 100644
--- a/src/lib/canvas-storage.js
+++ b/src/lib/canvas-storage.js
@@ -21,11 +21,17 @@ export async function getFullCanvas(env) {
     return new Uint8Array(CANVAS_BYTES);
   }
 
-  // Upstash REST returns string — convert to bytes
+  // Upstash REST may return base64 or raw string for binary data
   if (typeof data === 'string') {
-    const bytes = new Uint8Array(data.length);
-    for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
-      bytes[i] = data.charCodeAt(i);
+    let raw;
+    try {
+      raw = atob(data);
+    } catch {
+      raw = data; // Already a raw string
+    }
+    const bytes = new Uint8Array(raw.length);
+    for (let i = 0; i < raw.length; i++) {
+      bytes[i] = raw.charCodeAt(i);
     }
     // Pad to full canvas size if shorter
     if (bytes.length < CANVAS_BYTES) {
diff --git a/vite.config.js b/vite.config.js
index d2a135e..fa32739 100644
--- a/vite.config.js
+++ b/vite.config.js
@@ -10,7 +10,10 @@ export default defineConfig({
   },
   server: {
     proxy: {
-      '/api': 'http://localhost:8787',
+      '/api': {
+        target: 'http://localhost:8787',
+        ws: true,
+      },
     },
   },
 });
diff --git a/wrangler.json b/wrangler.json
index a48e814..a40c86c 100644
--- a/wrangler.json
+++ b/wrangler.json
@@ -18,9 +18,5 @@
       "tag": "v1",
       "new_classes": ["CanvasRoom"]
     }
-  ],
-  "vars": {
-    "CANVAS_WIDTH": "2048",
-    "CANVAS_HEIGHT": "2048"
-  }
+  ]
 }