diff --git a/pi/ui/assets/.gitignore b/pi/ui/assets/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74318c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pi/ui/assets/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# Ignore font files (may have licensing restrictions)
+# Keep .gitkeep to preserve directory structure
+fonts/*
+!fonts/.gitkeep
diff --git a/pi/ui/assets/fonts/.gitkeep b/pi/ui/assets/fonts/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/pi/ui/assets/images/.gitignore b/pi/ui/assets/images/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index eb6e97c..0000000
--- a/pi/ui/assets/images/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-# Generated/symlinked images - created by prepare_assets.sh
-rei_default.png
diff --git a/pi/ui/config.json b/pi/ui/config.json
index df5c21f..6e045a8 100644
--- a/pi/ui/config.json
+++ b/pi/ui/config.json
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 {
+  "assets_path": "/home/pi/smartserow-ui/assets",
+  "navigator": "rei",
   "overheat": {
     "threshold_celsius": 75.0,
     "trigger_duration_sec": 10,
diff --git a/pi/ui/fonts/.gitignore b/pi/ui/fonts/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index 245c75a..0000000
--- a/pi/ui/fonts/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-# Generated/symlinked font files - created by prepare_assets.sh
-din1451alt.ttf
-NotoSans-*.ttf
diff --git a/pi/ui/lib/main.dart b/pi/ui/lib/main.dart
index 5bd2738..272c3ca 100644
--- a/pi/ui/lib/main.dart
+++ b/pi/ui/lib/main.dart
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ class SmartSerowApp extends StatelessWidget {
         ),
         useMaterial3: true,
         fontFamily: 'DIN1451',
-        fontFamilyFallback: const ['NotoSans', 'Roboto'],
       ),
       home: const AppRoot(),
     );
diff --git a/pi/ui/lib/screens/dashboard_screen.dart b/pi/ui/lib/screens/dashboard_screen.dart
index 1a732df..8f1c334 100644
--- a/pi/ui/lib/screens/dashboard_screen.dart
+++ b/pi/ui/lib/screens/dashboard_screen.dart
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import 'dart:async';
+import 'dart:io';
 import 'dart:math';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 
+import '../services/config_service.dart';
 import '../services/pi_io.dart';
 import '../widgets/stat_box.dart';
 
@@ -46,6 +48,21 @@ class _DashboardScreenState extends State<DashboardScreen> {
     super.dispose();
   }
 
+  /// Build navigator image from filesystem
+  Widget _buildNavigatorImage() {
+    final config = ConfigService.instance;
+    final imagePath = '${config.assetsPath}/navigator/${config.navigator}/default.png';
+
+    return Image.file(
+      File(imagePath),
+      fit: BoxFit.contain,
+      errorBuilder: (context, error, stackTrace) {
+        // Graceful fallback - empty box if image missing
+        return const SizedBox.shrink();
+      },
+    );
+  }
+
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     return Scaffold(
@@ -127,14 +144,7 @@ class _DashboardScreenState extends State<DashboardScreen> {
             Expanded(
               flex: 1,
               child: Center(
-                child: Image.asset(
-                  'assets/images/rei_default.png',
-                  fit: BoxFit.contain,
-                  errorBuilder: (context, error, stackTrace) {
-                    // Graceful fallback - empty box if image missing
-                    return const SizedBox.shrink();
-                  },
-                ),
+                child: _buildNavigatorImage(),
               ),
             ),
           ],
diff --git a/pi/ui/lib/services/config_service.dart b/pi/ui/lib/services/config_service.dart
index 9f54fa1..4e64af9 100644
--- a/pi/ui/lib/services/config_service.dart
+++ b/pi/ui/lib/services/config_service.dart
@@ -16,6 +16,10 @@ class ConfigService {
   static const double _defaultThreshold = 80.0;
   static const int _defaultTriggerDuration = 10;
   static const int _defaultShutdownDelay = 10;
+  static const String _defaultNavigator = 'rei';
+
+  // Executable directory (for fallback paths)
+  late final String _exeDir;
 
   /// Load config from JSON file
   ///
@@ -24,11 +28,12 @@ class ConfigService {
   Future<void> load() async {
     if (_loaded) return;
 
+    // Config file sits next to the executable
+    final exePath = Platform.resolvedExecutable;
+    _exeDir = File(exePath).parent.path;
+
     try {
-      // Config file sits next to the executable
-      final exePath = Platform.resolvedExecutable;
-      final exeDir = File(exePath).parent.path;
-      final configPath = '$exeDir${Platform.pathSeparator}config.json';
+      final configPath = '$_exeDir${Platform.pathSeparator}config.json';
 
       final file = File(configPath);
       if (await file.exists()) {
@@ -66,4 +71,19 @@ class ConfigService {
     if (value is int) return Duration(seconds: value);
     return Duration(seconds: _defaultShutdownDelay);
   }
+
+  /// Path to external assets directory
+  String get assetsPath {
+    final value = _config?['assets_path'];
+    if (value is String && value.isNotEmpty) return value;
+    // Fallback: assets/ next to executable
+    return '$_exeDir${Platform.pathSeparator}assets';
+  }
+
+  /// Navigator character name (subfolder in assets/navigator/)
+  String get navigator {
+    final value = _config?['navigator'];
+    if (value is String && value.isNotEmpty) return value;
+    return _defaultNavigator;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/pi/ui/pubspec.lock b/pi/ui/pubspec.lock
index 5928308..e4bb9bc 100644
--- a/pi/ui/pubspec.lock
+++ b/pi/ui/pubspec.lock
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ packages:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
       name: fake_async
-      sha256: "6a95e56b2449df2273fd8c45a662d6947ce1ebb7aafe80e550a3f68297f3cacc"
+      sha256: "5368f224a74523e8d2e7399ea1638b37aecfca824a3cc4dfdf77bf1fa905ac44"
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "1.3.2"
+    version: "1.3.3"
   flutter:
     dependency: "direct main"
     description: flutter
@@ -71,26 +71,26 @@ packages:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
       name: leak_tracker
-      sha256: c35baad643ba394b40aac41080300150a4f08fd0fd6a10378f8f7c6bc161acec
+      sha256: "33e2e26bdd85a0112ec15400c8cbffea70d0f9c3407491f672a2fad47915e2de"
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "10.0.8"
+    version: "11.0.2"
   leak_tracker_flutter_testing:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
       name: leak_tracker_flutter_testing
-      sha256: f8b613e7e6a13ec79cfdc0e97638fddb3ab848452eff057653abd3edba760573
+      sha256: "1dbc140bb5a23c75ea9c4811222756104fbcd1a27173f0c34ca01e16bea473c1"
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "3.0.9"
+    version: "3.0.10"
   leak_tracker_testing:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
       name: leak_tracker_testing
-      sha256: "6ba465d5d76e67ddf503e1161d1f4a6bc42306f9d66ca1e8f079a47290fb06d3"
+      sha256: "8d5a2d49f4a66b49744b23b018848400d23e54caf9463f4eb20df3eb8acb2eb1"
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "3.0.1"
+    version: "3.0.2"
   lints:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -180,18 +180,18 @@ packages:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
       name: test_api
-      sha256: fb31f383e2ee25fbbfe06b40fe21e1e458d14080e3c67e7ba0acfde4df4e0bbd
+      sha256: "522f00f556e73044315fa4585ec3270f1808a4b186c936e612cab0b565ff1e00"
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "0.7.4"
+    version: "0.7.6"
   vector_math:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
       name: vector_math
-      sha256: "80b3257d1492ce4d091729e3a67a60407d227c27241d6927be0130c98e741803"
+      sha256: d530bd74fea330e6e364cda7a85019c434070188383e1cd8d9777ee586914c5b
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
-    version: "2.1.4"
+    version: "2.2.0"
   vm_service:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -201,5 +201,5 @@ packages:
     source: hosted
     version: "14.3.1"
 sdks:
-  dart: ">=3.7.0-0 <4.0.0"
+  dart: ">=3.8.0-0 <4.0.0"
   flutter: ">=3.18.0-18.0.pre.54"
diff --git a/pi/ui/pubspec.yaml b/pi/ui/pubspec.yaml
index c1e5787..9459960 100644
--- a/pi/ui/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/pi/ui/pubspec.yaml
@@ -18,17 +18,7 @@ dev_dependencies:
 flutter:
   uses-material-design: true
 
-  assets:
-    - assets/images/
-
   fonts:
     - family: DIN1451
       fonts:
-        - asset: fonts/din1451alt.ttf
-    - family: NotoSans
-      fonts:
-        - asset: fonts/NotoSans-Regular.ttf
-        - asset: fonts/NotoSans-Bold.ttf
-          weight: 700
-        - asset: fonts/NotoSans-Light.ttf
-          weight: 300
+        - asset: assets/fonts/din1451alt.ttf
diff --git a/scripts/build.py b/scripts/build.py
index 64a3f0d..dcacfe6 100644
--- a/scripts/build.py
+++ b/scripts/build.py
@@ -71,14 +71,6 @@ def build(clean: bool = False) -> bool:
 
     os.chdir(UI_DIR)
 
-    # Prepare assets (fonts, images)
-    prepare_script = SCRIPT_DIR / "prepare_assets.sh"
-    if prepare_script.exists():
-        print("Preparing assets...")
-        run(["bash", str(prepare_script)])
-    else:
-        print(f"WARNING: {prepare_script} not found")
-
     # Initialize elinux project if needed
     elinux_dir = UI_DIR / "elinux"
     if not elinux_dir.exists():
diff --git a/scripts/build.sh b/scripts/build.sh
index b1b6318..4de7eb1 100644
--- a/scripts/build.sh
+++ b/scripts/build.sh
@@ -36,15 +36,6 @@ echo "Cross-compiler: $CXX"
 
 cd "$UI_DIR"
 
-# Prepare assets (fonts, images)
-PREPARE_SCRIPT="$SCRIPT_DIR/prepare_assets.sh"
-if [ -x "$PREPARE_SCRIPT" ]; then
-    echo "Preparing assets..."
-    "$PREPARE_SCRIPT"
-else
-    echo "WARNING: $PREPARE_SCRIPT not found or not executable"
-fi
-
 # Initialize elinux project if not already configured
 if [ ! -d "elinux" ]; then
     echo "Initializing elinux project structure..."
diff --git a/scripts/deploy.py b/scripts/deploy.py
index efc2a3b..44e822b 100644
--- a/scripts/deploy.py
+++ b/scripts/deploy.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ PROJECT_ROOT = SCRIPT_DIR.parent
 CONFIG_FILE = SCRIPT_DIR / "deploy_target.json"
 BUILD_DIR = PROJECT_ROOT / "pi" / "ui" / "build" / "elinux" / "arm64" / "release" / "bundle"
 CONFIG_SRC = PROJECT_ROOT / "pi" / "ui" / "config.json"
+IMAGES_SRC = PROJECT_ROOT / "extra" / "images"
 
 
 def run(cmd: list[str], check: bool = True, **kwargs) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess:
@@ -77,6 +78,20 @@ def deploy(restart: bool = False) -> bool:
         print()
         print("Note: No config.json found, using defaults")
 
+    # Sync images to assets path
+    if IMAGES_SRC.exists():
+        assets_path = config.get("assets_path", f"{remote_path}/assets")
+        print()
+        print(f"Syncing images to {assets_path}...")
+        run([
+            "rsync", "-avz",
+            f"{IMAGES_SRC}/",
+            f"{ssh_target}:{assets_path}/",
+        ])
+    else:
+        print()
+        print("Note: No extra/images folder found, skipping image sync")
+
     # Restart service if requested
     if restart:
         print()
diff --git a/scripts/deploy.sh b/scripts/deploy.sh
index 5d3d92f..c9991bd 100644
--- a/scripts/deploy.sh
+++ b/scripts/deploy.sh
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ SERVICE_NAME=$(read_json service_name)
 SSH_TARGET="$PI_USER@$PI_HOST"
 BUILD_DIR="$PROJECT_ROOT/pi/ui/build/elinux/arm64/release/bundle"
 CONFIG_SRC="$PROJECT_ROOT/pi/ui/config.json"
+IMAGES_SRC="$PROJECT_ROOT/extra/images"
 
 echo "=== Smart Serow Deploy ==="
 echo "Target: $SSH_TARGET:$REMOTE_PATH"
@@ -55,6 +56,18 @@ else
     echo "Note: No config.json found, using defaults"
 fi
 
+# Sync images to assets path
+if [ -d "$IMAGES_SRC" ]; then
+    # Read assets_path from config, fall back to default
+    ASSETS_PATH=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$CONFIG_FILE')).get('assets_path', '$REMOTE_PATH/assets'))" 2>/dev/null || echo "$REMOTE_PATH/assets")
+    echo ""
+    echo "Syncing images to $ASSETS_PATH..."
+    rsync -avz "$IMAGES_SRC/" "$SSH_TARGET:$ASSETS_PATH/"
+else
+    echo ""
+    echo "Note: No extra/images folder found, skipping image sync"
+fi
+
 # Restart service if requested
 RESTART="${1:-}"
 if [ "$RESTART" = "--restart" ] || [ "$RESTART" = "-r" ]; then
diff --git a/scripts/deploy_target.sample.json b/scripts/deploy_target.sample.json
index 64a7dcc..f0aa055 100644
--- a/scripts/deploy_target.sample.json
+++ b/scripts/deploy_target.sample.json
@@ -2,5 +2,6 @@
   "user": "pi",
   "host": "raspberrypi.local",
   "remote_path": "/opt/smartserow",
-  "service_name": "smartserow-ui"
+  "service_name": "smartserow-ui",
+  "assets_path": "~/smartserow-ui/assets"
 }
diff --git a/scripts/prepare_assets.sh b/scripts/prepare_assets.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index 7b99f72..0000000
--- a/scripts/prepare_assets.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,109 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-# prepare_assets.sh - Prepares fonts and images for Flutter build
-# Run this before 'flutter build' to ensure assets are in place
-#
-# This script handles:
-# - DIN1451 font: symlinks from extra/ if present, otherwise downloads Noto Sans as fallback
-# - Dashboard image: symlinks from extra/ if present, otherwise skipped (handled at runtime)
-
-set -e
-SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
-PROJECT_ROOT="$(dirname "$SCRIPT_DIR")"
-
-UI_DIR="$PROJECT_ROOT/pi/ui"
-FONTS_DIR="$UI_DIR/fonts"
-IMAGES_DIR="$UI_DIR/assets/images"
-EXTRA_FONTS="$PROJECT_ROOT/extra/fonts"
-EXTRA_IMAGES="$PROJECT_ROOT/extra/images"
-
-# Noto Sans download URLs (Google Fonts)
-NOTO_SANS_BASE="https://github.com/googlefonts/noto-fonts/raw/main/hinted/ttf/NotoSans"
-NOTO_REGULAR="$NOTO_SANS_BASE/NotoSans-Regular.ttf"
-NOTO_BOLD="$NOTO_SANS_BASE/NotoSans-Bold.ttf"
-NOTO_LIGHT="$NOTO_SANS_BASE/NotoSans-Light.ttf"
-
-echo "=== Smart Serow Asset Preparation ==="
-
-# --- FONTS ---
-echo ""
-echo "--- Fonts ---"
-
-# Ensure Noto Sans fallbacks exist
-download_noto() {
-    local weight=$1
-    local url=$2
-    local dest="$FONTS_DIR/NotoSans-${weight}.ttf"
-
-    if [ ! -f "$dest" ]; then
-        echo "Downloading Noto Sans $weight..."
-        curl -sL "$url" -o "$dest" || {
-            echo "Warning: Failed to download Noto Sans $weight"
-            return 1
-        }
-        echo "  -> Downloaded $dest"
-    else
-        echo "  Noto Sans $weight already present"
-    fi
-}
-
-download_noto "Regular" "$NOTO_REGULAR"
-download_noto "Bold" "$NOTO_BOLD"
-download_noto "Light" "$NOTO_LIGHT"
-
-# DIN1451 - symlink if available, otherwise use Noto Sans
-DIN_TARGET="$FONTS_DIR/din1451alt.ttf"
-DIN_SOURCE="$EXTRA_FONTS/din1451alt.ttf"
-
-# Remove old symlink/file to ensure fresh state
-rm -f "$DIN_TARGET"
-
-if [ -f "$DIN_SOURCE" ]; then
-    echo "DIN1451 found - linking/copying"
-    # Try symlink first, fall back to copy (Windows compatibility)
-    if ln -s "$DIN_SOURCE" "$DIN_TARGET" 2>/dev/null; then
-        echo "  -> Linked $DIN_TARGET -> $DIN_SOURCE"
-    else
-        cp "$DIN_SOURCE" "$DIN_TARGET"
-        echo "  -> Copied $DIN_TARGET (symlinks not supported)"
-    fi
-else
-    echo "DIN1451 not found - using Noto Sans as fallback"
-    if [ -f "$FONTS_DIR/NotoSans-Regular.ttf" ]; then
-        cp "$FONTS_DIR/NotoSans-Regular.ttf" "$DIN_TARGET"
-        echo "  -> Copied Noto Sans Regular as $DIN_TARGET"
-    else
-        echo "  ERROR: No fallback font available!"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-fi
-
-# --- IMAGES ---
-echo ""
-echo "--- Images ---"
-
-REI_TARGET="$IMAGES_DIR/rei_default.png"
-REI_SOURCE="$EXTRA_IMAGES/rei_default.png"
-
-# Remove old symlink/file
-rm -f "$REI_TARGET"
-
-if [ -f "$REI_SOURCE" ]; then
-    echo "Dashboard image found - linking/copying"
-    # Try symlink first, fall back to copy (Windows compatibility)
-    if ln -s "$REI_SOURCE" "$REI_TARGET" 2>/dev/null; then
-        echo "  -> Linked $REI_TARGET -> $REI_SOURCE"
-    else
-        cp "$REI_SOURCE" "$REI_TARGET"
-        echo "  -> Copied $REI_TARGET (symlinks not supported)"
-    fi
-else
-    echo "Dashboard image not found - will use empty fallback at runtime"
-    # Create a tiny transparent PNG placeholder (1x1 pixel)
-    # This avoids asset not found errors while keeping the build clean
-    printf '\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n\x00\x00\x00\rIHDR\x00\x00\x00\x01\x00\x00\x00\x01\x08\x06\x00\x00\x00\x1f\x15\xc4\x89\x00\x00\x00\nIDATx\x9cc\x00\x01\x00\x00\x05\x00\x01\r\n-\xb4\x00\x00\x00\x00IEND\xaeB`\x82' > "$REI_TARGET"
-    echo "  -> Created 1x1 transparent placeholder"
-fi
-
-echo ""
-echo "=== Asset preparation complete ==="
-echo "You can now run: flutter build linux"