diff --git a/bench/main.c b/bench/main.c
index a252b2d..ae84614 100644
--- a/bench/main.c
+++ b/bench/main.c
@@ -128,10 +128,10 @@ sendkey(int key, int mod)
 static int
 readresp(void)
 {
-	char buf[Ipcfieldmax+1];
+	char commit[Ipcfieldmax+1], preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	Ipcresp resp;
 
-	return ipcreadresp(fd, 0, buf, sizeof buf, NULL, 0, &resp);
+	return ipcreadresp(fd, 0, commit, preedit, &resp);
 }
 
 static double
diff --git a/gtk/main.c b/gtk/main.c
index 4ccfbab..6c3d53f 100644
--- a/gtk/main.c
+++ b/gtk/main.c
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #include <errno.h>
-#include <limits.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
@@ -19,7 +18,6 @@ struct Im
 	int ext;
 	int private;
 	int simpleactive;
-	int insimple;
 	int simpledone;
 	char pre[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	int prelen;
@@ -27,10 +25,7 @@ struct Im
 	GdkRectangle cursor;
 	int cursorvalid;
 	int caretsent;
-	int sentvalid;
-	int32_t sentx;
-	int32_t senty;
-	int32_t senth;
+	unsigned char sent[Ipccaretsz];
 };
 
 typedef struct ImClass ImClass;
@@ -86,22 +81,14 @@ srvclose(Im *im)
 	srvdrop(im, 1);
 }
 
+/* Both buffers are char[Ipcfieldmax+1]. */
 static int
-validtext(const char *s, size_t n)
+readresp(Im *im, int want, char *commit, char *pre, Ipcresp *resp)
 {
-	return s[n] == '\0' && memchr(s, '\0', n) == NULL &&
-		g_utf8_validate(s, n, NULL);
-}
-
-static int
-readresp(Im *im, int want, char *commit, int ncommit, char *pre, int npre,
-	Ipcresp *resp)
-{
-	if(ipcreadresp(im->fd, want, commit, ncommit, pre, npre,
-	   resp) < 0)
+	if(ipcreadresp(im->fd, want, commit, pre, resp) < 0)
 		return -1;
-	if(!validtext(commit, resp->commitlen) ||
-	   (want && !validtext(pre, resp->preeditlen))){
+	if(!g_utf8_validate(commit, resp->commitlen, NULL) ||
+	   (want && !g_utf8_validate(pre, resp->preeditlen, NULL))){
 		errno = EPROTO;
 		return -1;
 	}
@@ -117,76 +104,58 @@ dropwindow(Im *im)
 	im->cursorvalid = 0;
 }
 
+/* Root-relative caret in device pixels; returns whether it is known. */
 static int
-caretget(Im *im, int *valid, int32_t *x, int32_t *y, int32_t *h)
+caretget(Im *im, int32_t *x, int32_t *y, int32_t *h)
 {
 	gint rx, ry, scale;
 	int64_t sx, sy, sh;
 
-	*valid = 0;
 	*x = *y = *h = 0;
 	if(im->win != NULL && gdk_window_is_destroyed(im->win))
 		dropwindow(im);
-	if(!im->cursorvalid || im->win == NULL){
-		im->cursorvalid = 0;
+	if(!im->cursorvalid || im->win == NULL || im->cursor.height < 0)
 		return 0;
-	}
 #ifdef GDK_WINDOWING_X11
-	if(!GDK_IS_X11_WINDOW(im->win)){
-		im->cursorvalid = 0;
+	if(!GDK_IS_X11_WINDOW(im->win))
 		return 0;
-	}
 #else
-	im->cursorvalid = 0;
 	return 0;
 #endif
-	if(im->cursor.height < 0){
-		im->cursorvalid = 0;
-		return 0;
-	}
 	scale = gdk_window_get_scale_factor(im->win);
-	if(scale <= 0){
-		im->cursorvalid = 0;
+	if(scale <= 0)
 		return 0;
-	}
 	/* GDK translates the client-relative point before device scaling. */
 	gdk_window_get_root_coords(im->win, 0, 0, &rx, &ry);
 	sx = ((int64_t)rx + im->cursor.x) * scale;
 	sy = ((int64_t)ry + im->cursor.y) * scale;
 	sh = (int64_t)im->cursor.height * scale;
 	if(sx < INT32_MIN || sx > INT32_MAX ||
-	   sy < INT32_MIN || sy > INT32_MAX || sh > INT32_MAX){
-		im->cursorvalid = 0;
+	   sy < INT32_MIN || sy > INT32_MAX || sh > INT32_MAX)
 		return 0;
-	}
-	*valid = 1;
 	*x = sx;
 	*y = sy;
 	*h = sh;
-	return 0;
+	return 1;
 }
 
 static int
 sendcaret(Im *im)
 {
 	unsigned char buf[Ipccaretsz];
-	int valid;
 	int32_t x, y, h;
+	int valid;
 
 	if(im->fd < 0 || !im->ext)
 		return 0;
-	caretget(im, &valid, &x, &y, &h);
-	if(im->caretsent && valid == im->sentvalid &&
-	   (!valid || (x == im->sentx && y == im->senty && h == im->senth)))
+	valid = caretget(im, &x, &y, &h);
+	ipcpackcaret(buf, valid, x, y, h);
+	if(im->caretsent && memcmp(buf, im->sent, sizeof buf) == 0)
 		return 0;
-	if(ipcpackcaret(buf, valid, x, y, h) < 0 ||
-	   ipcsend(im->fd, buf, sizeof buf) < 0)
+	if(ipcsend(im->fd, buf, sizeof buf) < 0)
 		return -1;
+	memcpy(im->sent, buf, sizeof buf);
 	im->caretsent = 1;
-	im->sentvalid = valid;
-	im->sentx = x;
-	im->senty = y;
-	im->senth = h;
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -206,17 +175,12 @@ srvconnect(Im *im)
 	/* Marker zero is an old daemon's harmless key-zero response. */
 	ipcpackcap(buf, im->usepreedit);
 	if(ipcsend(im->fd, buf, sizeof buf) < 0 ||
-	   readresp(im, im->usepreedit, commit, sizeof commit,
-	   pre, sizeof pre, &resp) < 0){
+	   readresp(im, im->usepreedit, commit, pre, &resp) < 0){
 		srvclose(im);
 		return -1;
 	}
-	if(im->usepreedit)
-		setpreedit(im, pre, resp.preeditlen);
 	im->ext = resp.eaten != 0;
-	if(!im->usepreedit)
-		setpreedit(im, "", 0);
-	if(im->ext && sendcaret(im) < 0){
+	if(sendcaret(im) < 0){
 		srvclose(im);
 		return -1;
 	}
@@ -228,18 +192,20 @@ simplecommit(GtkIMContext *ctx, const char *s, Im *im)
 {
 	(void)ctx;
 	(void)s;
-	if(im->insimple)
-		im->simpledone = 1;
+	im->simpledone = 1;
 }
 
 static void
 simpleend(GtkIMContext *ctx, Im *im)
 {
 	(void)ctx;
-	if(im->insimple)
-		im->simpledone = 1;
+	im->simpledone = 1;
 }
 
+/*
+ * GtkIMContextSimple composes dead keys and Compose sequences; it keeps
+ * the key stream until it commits, ends its preedit, or rejects a press.
+ */
 static gboolean
 simplefilter(GtkIMContext *ctx, GdkEventKey *ev, int release)
 {
@@ -249,9 +215,7 @@ simplefilter(GtkIMContext *ctx, GdkEventKey *ev, int release)
 	im = (Im*)ctx;
 	im->simpleactive = 1;
 	im->simpledone = 0;
-	im->insimple = 1;
 	r = parentim->filter_keypress(ctx, ev);
-	im->insimple = 0;
 	if((!r && !release) || im->simpledone)
 		im->simpleactive = 0;
 	return r;
@@ -271,8 +235,7 @@ sendreset(Im *im)
 	}
 	ipcpackreset(buf, im->usepreedit);
 	if(ipcsend(im->fd, buf, sizeof buf) < 0 ||
-	   readresp(im, im->usepreedit, commit, sizeof commit,
-	   pre, sizeof pre, &resp) < 0){
+	   readresp(im, im->usepreedit, commit, pre, &resp) < 0){
 		srvclose(im);
 		return;
 	}
@@ -297,7 +260,7 @@ kpress(GtkIMContext *ctx, GdkEventKey *ev)
 	}
 	if(im->simpleactive)
 		return simplefilter(ctx, ev, 0);
-	key = ipckey(ev->keyval, gdk_keyval_to_unicode(ev->keyval));
+	key = ipckeysym(ev->keyval, gdk_keyval_to_unicode(ev->keyval));
 	mod = ipcmod(ev->state);
 	if(im->private || key == 0)
 		return simplefilter(ctx, ev, 0);
@@ -310,8 +273,7 @@ kpress(GtkIMContext *ctx, GdkEventKey *ev)
 	}
 	ipcpackreq(buf, im->usepreedit, mod, key);
 	if(ipcsend(im->fd, buf, sizeof buf) < 0 ||
-	   readresp(im, im->usepreedit, commit, sizeof commit,
-	   pre, sizeof pre, &resp) < 0){
+	   readresp(im, im->usepreedit, commit, pre, &resp) < 0){
 		srvclose(im);
 		return simplefilter(ctx, ev, 0);
 	}
@@ -371,8 +333,7 @@ focusout(GtkIMContext *ctx)
 	if(parentim->focus_out != NULL)
 		parentim->focus_out(ctx);
 	im->simpleactive = 0;
-	sendreset(im);
-	/* Closing the context connection releases engine ownership. */
+	/* Closing the connection releases the engine, which resets it. */
 	srvclose(im);
 }
 
@@ -398,8 +359,7 @@ setusepreedit(GtkIMContext *ctx, gboolean use)
 		return;
 	ipcpackcap(buf, use);
 	if(ipcsend(im->fd, buf, sizeof buf) < 0 ||
-	   readresp(im, use, commit, sizeof commit,
-	   pre, sizeof pre, &resp) < 0 ||
+	   readresp(im, use, commit, pre, &resp) < 0 ||
 	   !resp.eaten){
 		srvclose(im);
 		return;
diff --git a/ibus.c b/ibus.c
index 0ee1430..911d852 100644
--- a/ibus.c
+++ b/ibus.c
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ processkey(Ictx *ctx, u32int sym, u32int state, Keyres *res)
 {
 	if(state & Relmask || !ctx->focused || hidden(ctx))
 		return 0;
-	sendrequest(ctx, Keypress, ipckey(sym, xkb_keysym_to_utf32(sym)),
+	sendrequest(ctx, Keypress, ipckeysym(sym, xkb_keysym_to_utf32(sym)),
 		ipcmod(state), res);
 	if(preowner != nil && preowner != ctx)
 		checkpreowner();
diff --git a/ipc.c b/ipc.c
index 8f48695..5011571 100644
--- a/ipc.c
+++ b/ipc.c
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
 
 #include <errno.h>
-#include <fcntl.h>
 #include <poll.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
@@ -17,57 +16,32 @@ nowms(void)
 {
 	struct timespec ts;
 
-	if(clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &ts) < 0)
-		return -1;
+	clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &ts);
 	return (int64_t)ts.tv_sec * 1000 + ts.tv_nsec / 1000000;
 }
 
 static int64_t
 deadline(void)
 {
-	int64_t now;
-
-	now = nowms();
-	if(now < 0)
-		return -1;
-	return now + Ipcwaitms;
-}
-
-static int
-checkdeadline(int64_t until)
-{
-	int64_t now;
-
-	now = nowms();
-	if(now < 0)
-		return -1;
-	if(now >= until){
-		errno = ETIMEDOUT;
-		return -1;
-	}
-	return 0;
+	return nowms() + Ipcwaitms;
 }
 
 static int
 waitfd(int fd, short events, int64_t until)
 {
 	struct pollfd pfd;
-	int64_t now, left;
+	int64_t left;
 	int n;
 
 	pfd.fd = fd;
 	pfd.events = events;
 	for(;;){
-		now = nowms();
-		if(now < 0)
-			return -1;
-		left = until - now;
+		left = until - nowms();
 		if(left <= 0){
 			errno = ETIMEDOUT;
 			return -1;
 		}
-		pfd.revents = 0;
-		n = poll(&pfd, 1, left > INT32_MAX ? INT32_MAX : (int)left);
+		n = poll(&pfd, 1, left);
 		if(n < 0 && errno == EINTR)
 			continue;
 		if(n < 0)
@@ -76,12 +50,7 @@ waitfd(int fd, short events, int64_t until)
 			errno = ETIMEDOUT;
 			return -1;
 		}
-		if(pfd.revents & POLLNVAL){
-			errno = EBADF;
-			return -1;
-		}
-		if(pfd.revents & (events|POLLERR|POLLHUP))
-			return 0;
+		return 0;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -93,8 +62,6 @@ readwait(int fd, void *buf, size_t n, int64_t until)
 
 	p = buf;
 	while(n > 0){
-		if(checkdeadline(until) < 0)
-			return -1;
 		r = recv(fd, p, n, MSG_DONTWAIT);
 		if(r < 0 && errno == EINTR)
 			continue;
@@ -143,15 +110,10 @@ put32(unsigned char *p, int32_t v)
 static int32_t
 get32(const unsigned char *p)
 {
-	uint32_t u;
-
-	u = (uint32_t)p[0] |
+	return (int32_t)((uint32_t)p[0] |
 		((uint32_t)p[1] << 8) |
 		((uint32_t)p[2] << 16) |
-		((uint32_t)p[3] << 24);
-	if(u <= INT32_MAX)
-		return u;
-	return -(int32_t)(~u) - 1;
+		((uint32_t)p[3] << 24));
 }
 
 int
@@ -160,8 +122,6 @@ ipcpath(char *dst, size_t cap)
 	const char *dir, *sep;
 	int n;
 
-	if(dst == NULL || cap == 0)
-		return -1;
 	dir = getenv("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR");
 	if(dir != NULL && dir[0] == '/'){
 		sep = dir[strlen(dir)-1] == '/' ? "" : "/";
@@ -174,13 +134,16 @@ ipcpath(char *dst, size_t cap)
 	return 0;
 }
 
+/*
+ * A nonblocking AF_UNIX connect completes at once or fails with EAGAIN
+ * when the daemon's backlog is full; the socket stays nonblocking because
+ * every transfer below polls with a deadline.
+ */
 int
 ipcconnect(void)
 {
 	struct sockaddr_un addr;
-	socklen_t nerr;
-	int e, err, fd, fdflags, flags;
-	int64_t until;
+	int e, fd;
 
 	memset(&addr, 0, sizeof addr);
 	addr.sun_family = AF_UNIX;
@@ -188,39 +151,16 @@ ipcconnect(void)
 		errno = ENAMETOOLONG;
 		return -1;
 	}
-	fd = socket(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0);
+	fd = socket(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM|SOCK_CLOEXEC|SOCK_NONBLOCK, 0);
 	if(fd < 0)
 		return -1;
-	fdflags = fcntl(fd, F_GETFD);
-	if(fdflags < 0 || fcntl(fd, F_SETFD, fdflags|FD_CLOEXEC) < 0)
-		goto Bad;
-	flags = fcntl(fd, F_GETFL);
-	if(flags < 0 || fcntl(fd, F_SETFL, flags|O_NONBLOCK) < 0)
-		goto Bad;
-	until = deadline();
-	if(until < 0)
-		goto Bad;
 	if(connect(fd, (struct sockaddr*)&addr, sizeof addr) < 0){
-		if(errno != EINPROGRESS && errno != EALREADY && errno != EINTR)
-			goto Bad;
-		if(waitfd(fd, POLLOUT, until) < 0)
-			goto Bad;
-		nerr = sizeof err;
-		if(getsockopt(fd, SOL_SOCKET, SO_ERROR, &err, &nerr) < 0)
-			goto Bad;
-		if(err != 0){
-			errno = err;
-			goto Bad;
-		}
+		e = errno;
+		close(fd);
+		errno = e;
+		return -1;
 	}
-	if(fcntl(fd, F_SETFL, flags) < 0)
-		goto Bad;
 	return fd;
-Bad:
-	e = errno;
-	close(fd);
-	errno = e;
-	return -1;
 }
 
 /*
@@ -228,7 +168,7 @@ Bad:
  * as themselves, the function keysyms 0xff00-0xffff as Kspec+offset.
  */
 uint32_t
-ipckey(uint32_t sym, uint32_t unicode)
+ipckeysym(uint32_t sym, uint32_t unicode)
 {
 	if(unicode >= ' ' && unicode != 0x7f)
 		return unicode;
@@ -277,25 +217,20 @@ ipcpackcap(unsigned char req[Ipcreqsz], int want)
 	req[2] = Ipcopcap;
 }
 
-int
+void
 ipcpackcaret(unsigned char req[Ipccaretsz], int valid, int32_t x,
 	int32_t y, int32_t h)
 {
-	if(valid != 0 && valid != 1)
-		return -1;
-	if(valid && h < 0)
-		return -1;
 	memset(req, 0, Ipccaretsz);
 	req[0] = Ipcext;
 	req[1] = Ipcversion;
 	req[2] = Ipcopcaret;
-	req[3] = valid;
-	if(!valid)
-		return 0;
-	put32(req + 4, x);
-	put32(req + 8, y);
-	put32(req + 12, h);
-	return 0;
+	req[3] = valid != 0;
+	if(valid){
+		put32(req + 4, x);
+		put32(req + 8, y);
+		put32(req + 12, h);
+	}
 }
 
 void
@@ -314,7 +249,7 @@ int
 ipcreqtype(const unsigned char req[Ipcreqsz])
 {
 	if((req[0] & Ipcext) == 0)
-		return Ipclegacy;
+		return Ipckey;
 	if(req[1] != Ipcversion)
 		return Ipcunknown;
 	switch(req[2]){
@@ -335,24 +270,12 @@ int
 ipcunpackcaret(const unsigned char req[Ipccaretsz], int *valid,
 	int32_t *x, int32_t *y, int32_t *h)
 {
-	int32_t wireh;
-
-	if(valid == NULL || x == NULL || y == NULL || h == NULL ||
-	   ipcreqtype(req) != Ipccaret)
-		return -1;
-	wireh = get32(req + 12);
-	if(wireh < 0)
+	if(ipcreqtype(req) != Ipccaret || get32(req + 12) < 0)
 		return -1;
 	*valid = req[3];
-	if(!*valid){
-		*x = 0;
-		*y = 0;
-		*h = 0;
-		return 0;
-	}
-	*x = get32(req + 4);
-	*y = get32(req + 8);
-	*h = wireh;
+	*x = *valid ? get32(req + 4) : 0;
+	*y = *valid ? get32(req + 8) : 0;
+	*h = *valid ? get32(req + 12) : 0;
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -371,21 +294,15 @@ ipcpackresp(unsigned char *dst, size_t cap, int eaten,
 
 	if(ncommit > Ipcfieldmax || npreedit > Ipcfieldmax)
 		return -1;
-	if((ncommit > 0 && commit == NULL) ||
-	   (want && npreedit > 0 && preedit == NULL))
-		return -1;
 	n = Ipcresphdrsz + ncommit + (want ? Ipclensz + npreedit : 0);
-	if(dst == NULL || cap < n)
+	if(cap < n)
 		return -1;
 	dst[0] = eaten != 0;
 	putlen(dst + 1, ncommit);
-	if(ncommit > 0)
-		memcpy(dst + Ipcresphdrsz, commit, ncommit);
+	memcpy(dst + Ipcresphdrsz, commit, ncommit);
 	if(want){
 		putlen(dst + Ipcresphdrsz + ncommit, npreedit);
-		if(npreedit > 0)
-			memcpy(dst + Ipcresphdrsz + ncommit + Ipclensz,
-				preedit, npreedit);
+		memcpy(dst + Ipcresphdrsz + ncommit + Ipclensz, preedit, npreedit);
 	}
 	return n;
 }
@@ -417,14 +334,8 @@ ipcsend(int fd, const void *buf, size_t n)
 	int64_t until;
 
 	p = buf;
-	if(n == 0)
-		return 0;
 	until = deadline();
-	if(until < 0)
-		return -1;
 	while(n > 0){
-		if(checkdeadline(until) < 0)
-			return -1;
 		r = send(fd, p, n, MSG_NOSIGNAL|MSG_DONTWAIT);
 		if(r < 0 && errno == EINTR)
 			continue;
@@ -445,73 +356,53 @@ ipcsend(int fd, const void *buf, size_t n)
 	return 0;
 }
 
+/* Reads a length-prefixed field into dst[Ipcfieldmax+1]. */
 static int
-readfield(int fd, size_t n, char *dst, size_t cap, size_t *copied,
-	int64_t until)
+readfield(int fd, char *dst, int64_t until)
 {
-	unsigned char discard[128];
-	size_t keep, part;
+	unsigned char len[Ipclensz];
+	size_t n;
 
-	if(cap > 0 && dst == NULL)
+	if(readwait(fd, len, sizeof len, until) < 0)
 		return -1;
-	keep = 0;
-	if(cap > 0)
-		keep = n >= cap ? cap - 1 : n;
-	if(keep > 0 && readwait(fd, dst, keep, until) < 0)
+	n = getlen(len);
+	if(n > Ipcfieldmax){
+		errno = EPROTO;
 		return -1;
-	if(cap > 0)
-		dst[keep] = '\0';
-	n -= keep;
-	while(n > 0){
-		part = n < sizeof discard ? n : sizeof discard;
-		if(readwait(fd, discard, part, until) < 0)
-			return -1;
-		n -= part;
 	}
-	*copied = keep;
-	return 0;
+	if(readwait(fd, dst, n, until) < 0)
+		return -1;
+	dst[n] = '\0';
+	return n;
 }
 
 int
-ipcreadresp(int fd, int want, char *commit, size_t ccap,
-	char *preedit, size_t pcap, Ipcresp *resp)
+ipcreadresp(int fd, int want, char *commit, char *preedit, Ipcresp *resp)
 {
-	unsigned char hdr[Ipcresphdrsz], npreedit[Ipclensz];
-	size_t wirelen;
+	unsigned char eaten;
 	int64_t until;
+	int n;
 
-	if(resp == NULL || (ccap > 0 && commit == NULL) ||
-	   (pcap > 0 && preedit == NULL))
-		return -1;
-	if(ccap > 0)
-		commit[0] = '\0';
-	if(pcap > 0)
-		preedit[0] = '\0';
+	commit[0] = '\0';
+	preedit[0] = '\0';
 	memset(resp, 0, sizeof *resp);
 	until = deadline();
-	if(until < 0 || readwait(fd, hdr, sizeof hdr, until) < 0)
+	if(readwait(fd, &eaten, 1, until) < 0)
 		return -1;
-	if(hdr[0] > 1){
+	if(eaten > 1){
 		errno = EPROTO;
 		return -1;
 	}
-	resp->eaten = hdr[0];
-	wirelen = getlen(hdr + 1);
-	if(wirelen > Ipcfieldmax){
-		errno = EPROTO;
-		return -1;
-	}
-	if(readfield(fd, wirelen, commit, ccap, &resp->commitlen, until) < 0)
+	resp->eaten = eaten;
+	n = readfield(fd, commit, until);
+	if(n < 0)
 		return -1;
+	resp->commitlen = n;
 	if(!want)
 		return 0;
-	if(readwait(fd, npreedit, sizeof npreedit, until) < 0)
+	n = readfield(fd, preedit, until);
+	if(n < 0)
 		return -1;
-	wirelen = getlen(npreedit);
-	if(wirelen > Ipcfieldmax){
-		errno = EPROTO;
-		return -1;
-	}
-	return readfield(fd, wirelen, preedit, pcap, &resp->preeditlen,
-		until);
+	resp->preeditlen = n;
+	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/ipc.h b/ipc.h
index faea5ce..0cf6074 100644
--- a/ipc.h
+++ b/ipc.h
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 
 /*
- * Legacy request: [flags, modifiers, key byte 0, ..., key byte 3].
+ * Key request: [flags, modifiers, key byte 0, ..., key byte 3].
  * Flags request preedit and distinguish lifecycle reset from physical Escape.
  * The server identifies the connection as the engine owner; that identity is
  * not sent on the wire.
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@
  * Response: [eaten, commit-length-low, commit-length-high, commit...],
  * followed, when requested, by
  * [preedit-length-low, preedit-length-high, preedit...].
- * Lengths are little-endian byte counts; fields are at most Ipcfieldmax bytes.
+ * Lengths are little-endian byte counts; fields are at most Ipcfieldmax bytes,
+ * so callers read them into char[Ipcfieldmax+1].
  *
  * Capability control is six bytes: [0x80|want, version, 0, 0, 0, 0].
  * Caret control is sixteen bytes: [0x80, version, 1, valid, x, y, h],
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ enum
 enum
 {
 	Ipcunknown = -1,
-	Ipclegacy,
+	Ipckey,
 	Ipccap,
 	Ipccaret,
 };
@@ -72,12 +73,12 @@ struct Ipcresp
 	size_t	preeditlen;
 };
 
-uint32_t	ipckey(uint32_t, uint32_t);
+uint32_t	ipckeysym(uint32_t, uint32_t);
 uint32_t	ipcmod(uint32_t);
 void	ipcpackreq(unsigned char[Ipcreqsz], int, uint32_t, uint32_t);
 void	ipcpackreset(unsigned char[Ipcreqsz], int);
 void	ipcpackcap(unsigned char[Ipcreqsz], int);
-int	ipcpackcaret(unsigned char[Ipccaretsz], int, int32_t, int32_t, int32_t);
+void	ipcpackcaret(unsigned char[Ipccaretsz], int, int32_t, int32_t, int32_t);
 void	ipcunpackreq(const unsigned char[Ipcreqsz], int*, uint32_t*, uint32_t*);
 int	ipcunpackcaret(const unsigned char[Ipccaretsz], int*, int32_t*, int32_t*, int32_t*);
 int	ipcreqtype(const unsigned char[Ipcreqsz]);
@@ -85,6 +86,6 @@ int	ipcreqreset(const unsigned char[Ipcreqsz]);
 int	ipcpackresp(unsigned char*, size_t, int, const char*, size_t, const char*, size_t, int);
 int	ipcreadn(int, void*, size_t);
 int	ipcsend(int, const void*, size_t);
-int	ipcreadresp(int, int, char*, size_t, char*, size_t, Ipcresp*);
+int	ipcreadresp(int, int, char*, char*, Ipcresp*);
 int	ipcpath(char*, size_t);
 int	ipcconnect(void);
diff --git a/main.c b/main.c
index 8310f52..169ac4e 100644
--- a/main.c
+++ b/main.c
@@ -61,17 +61,12 @@ threadmain(int argc, char **argv)
 	mapinit(argv[1]);
 	dictinit(argv[1]);
 	srvinit();
-	if(proccreate(drawthread, nil, 16384) < 0)
-		die("can't create draw worker");
-	if(proccreate(srvthread, nil, 16384) < 0)
-		die("can't create server worker");
-	if(proccreate(ibusthread, nil, 32768) < 0)
-		die("can't create IBus worker");
+	proccreate(drawthread, nil, 16384);
+	proccreate(srvthread, nil, 16384);
+	proccreate(ibusthread, nil, 32768);
 	display = getenv("DISPLAY");
-	if(display != nil && display[0] != '\0' &&
-	   proccreate(ximthread, nil, 32768) < 0)
-		die("xim: cannot create worker");
-	if(threadcreate(dictthread, nil, 16384) < 0)
-		die("can't create dictionary worker");
+	if(display != nil && display[0] != '\0')
+		proccreate(ximthread, nil, 32768);
+	threadcreate(dictthread, nil, 16384);
 	imthread(nil);
 }
diff --git a/srv.c b/srv.c
index 41e4cbe..24f684b 100644
--- a/srv.c
+++ b/srv.c
@@ -11,98 +11,78 @@ static int
 srvreadreq(int fd, Keyreq *kr, int *want)
 {
 	uchar req[Ipccaretsz];
-	int type, valid;
+	int valid;
 	int32_t x, y, h;
-	u32int ks, mod;
 
 	if(ipcreadn(fd, req, Ipcreqsz) < 0)
 		return -1;
-	type = ipcreqtype(req);
-	switch(type){
-	case Ipclegacy:
-		ipcunpackreq(req, want, &mod, &ks);
+	*want = 0;
+	kr->ks = 0;
+	kr->mod = 0;
+	switch(ipcreqtype(req)){
+	case Ipckey:
+		ipcunpackreq(req, want, &kr->mod, &kr->ks);
 		kr->op = ipcreqreset(req) ? Keyreset : Keypress;
-		kr->ks = ks;
-		kr->mod = mod;
-		break;
+		return 0;
 	case Ipccap:
 		*want = (req[0] & Ipcreqwant) != 0;
 		kr->op = Keycap;
-		kr->ks = 0;
-		kr->mod = 0;
-		break;
+		return 0;
 	case Ipccaret:
 		if(ipcreadn(fd, req + Ipcreqsz, Ipccaretsz - Ipcreqsz) < 0 ||
 		   ipcunpackcaret(req, &valid, &x, &y, &h) < 0)
 			return -1;
-		*want = 0;
 		kr->op = Keycaret;
-		kr->ks = 0;
-		kr->mod = 0;
 		kr->caret.valid = valid;
 		kr->caret.x = x;
 		kr->caret.y = y;
 		kr->caret.h = h;
-		break;
-	default:
-		return -1;
+		return 0;
 	}
-	return type;
+	return -1;
 }
 
+/*
+ * One Keyreq persists for the connection: the negotiated capability and
+ * the last caret ride along with every request, and the socket closing
+ * releases the engine.
+ */
 static void
 clientthread(void *arg)
 {
-	Channel *reply;
-	int fd;
 	Keyreq kr;
 	Keyres res;
-	Caret caret;
-	uchar out[Ipcmaxresp];
+	uchar out[Ipcmaxresp], token;
 	char commit[Maxutf], preedit[Maxutf];
-	int cap, n, ncommit, negotiated, npreedit, type, want;
-	uchar token;
+	int fd, n, ncommit, npreedit, want;
 
 	fd = (int)(uintptr)arg;
 	threadsetname("client %d", fd);
-	reply = chancreate(sizeof(Keyres), 0);
-	kr.reply = reply;
+	memset(&kr, 0, sizeof kr);
+	kr.reply = chancreate(sizeof(Keyres), 0);
 	kr.owner = &fd;
-	cap = Cclientpreedit;
-	negotiated = 0;
-	memset(&caret, 0, sizeof caret);
-	kr.cap = cap;
-	kr.caret = caret;
-	while((type = srvreadreq(fd, &kr, &want)) >= 0){
-		if(type == Ipccap){
-			cap = want ? Cclientpreedit : 0;
-			negotiated = 1;
-		}else if(type == Ipclegacy && !negotiated)
-			cap = want ? Cclientpreedit : 0;
-		else if(type == Ipccaret)
-			caret = kr.caret;
-		kr.cap = cap;
-		kr.caret = caret;
+	kr.cap = Cclientpreedit;
+	while(srvreadreq(fd, &kr, &want) >= 0){
+		if(kr.op != Keycaret)
+			kr.cap = want ? Cclientpreedit : 0;
 		chansend(keyc, &kr);
-		chanrecv(reply, &res);
-		if(type == Ipccaret)
+		chanrecv(kr.reply, &res);
+		if(kr.op == Keycaret)
 			continue;
 		ncommit = stoutf(&res.commit, commit, sizeof commit);
 		npreedit = stoutf(&res.preedit, preedit, sizeof preedit);
-		n = ipcpackresp(out, sizeof out,
-			type == Ipccap ? 1 : res.eaten,
+		/* A capability reply is always eaten: it marks the extension. */
+		n = ipcpackresp(out, sizeof out, kr.op == Keycap || res.eaten,
 			commit, ncommit, preedit, npreedit, want);
 		if(n < 0 || ipcsend(fd, out, n) < 0)
 			break;
 	}
 	kr.op = Keyrelease;
-	kr.cap = cap;
-	kr.caret = caret;
 	kr.ks = 0;
 	kr.mod = 0;
 	chansend(keyc, &kr);
-	chanrecv(reply, &res);
-	chanfree(reply);
+	chanrecv(kr.reply, &res);
+	chanfree(kr.reply);
 	close(fd);
 	chanrecv(clientc, &token);
 }
@@ -142,9 +122,6 @@ srvthread(void*)
 			close(fd);
 			continue;
 		}
-		if(proccreate(clientthread, (void*)(uintptr)fd, 8192) < 0){
-			chanrecv(clientc, &token);
-			close(fd);
-		}
+		proccreate(clientthread, (void*)(uintptr)fd, 8192);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/tests/gtk_live_test.c b/tests/gtk_live_test.c
index 5f22eb5..b926629 100644
--- a/tests/gtk_live_test.c
+++ b/tests/gtk_live_test.c
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ request(Server *s, int fd)
 		e.type = Ecaret;
 		record(s, &e);
 		return 1;
-	case Ipclegacy:
+	case Ipckey:
 		ipcunpackreq(buf, &want, &mod, &key);
 		e.want = want;
 		e.key = key;
@@ -854,9 +854,8 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	first = eventcount(&srv);
 	closes = closecount(&srv);
 	gtk_im_context_focus_out(ctx);
-	Check(waitcount(&srv, first + 1) && getevent(&srv, first).type == Ereset,
-		"focus-out reset missing");
 	Check(waitclose(&srv, closes + 1), "focus-out did not close connection");
+	Check(eventcount(&srv) == first, "focus-out sent a request before closing");
 	Check(strcmp(log.event, "CE") == 0, "focus-out clear order was %s", log.event);
 
 	/* Dispose is repeatable, closes the connection, and emits no preedit. */
diff --git a/tests/ipc_test.c b/tests/ipc_test.c
index 7ad236d..e648fb2 100644
--- a/tests/ipc_test.c
+++ b/tests/ipc_test.c
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ ipc_masks_modifiers(struct ct *t)
 	CT_CHECK(t, ipcreqreset(buf));
 
 	/* Frontends share one keysym and modifier mapping. */
-	CT_EQ_UINT(t, 'a', ipckey('a', 'a'));
-	CT_EQ_UINT(t, '1', ipckey(0xffb1, '1'));	/* KP_1 */
-	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Kret, ipckey(0xff0d, '\r'));
-	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Kback, ipckey(0xff08, 8));
-	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Kspec + 0xff, ipckey(0xffff, 0x7f));	/* Delete */
-	CT_EQ_UINT(t, 0x1f642, ipckey(0x101f642, 0x1f642));
-	CT_EQ_UINT(t, 0, ipckey(0xfe03, 0));	/* ISO_Level3_Shift */
+	CT_EQ_UINT(t, 'a', ipckeysym('a', 'a'));
+	CT_EQ_UINT(t, '1', ipckeysym(0xffb1, '1'));	/* KP_1 */
+	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Kret, ipckeysym(0xff0d, '\r'));
+	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Kback, ipckeysym(0xff08, 8));
+	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Kspec + 0xff, ipckeysym(0xffff, 0x7f));	/* Delete */
+	CT_EQ_UINT(t, 0x1f642, ipckeysym(0x101f642, 0x1f642));
+	CT_EQ_UINT(t, 0, ipckeysym(0xfe03, 0));	/* ISO_Level3_Shift */
 	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Mshift|Mctrl, ipcmod(Mshift|Mctrl|(1<<1)|(1<<4)));
 	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Msuper, ipcmod(1<<6));
 	CT_EQ_UINT(t, Msuper, ipcmod(1<<26));
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ ipc_control_and_caret_frames(struct ct *t)
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, want);
 	CT_EQ_UINT(t, 0, key);
 
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcpackcaret(buf, 1, -2, 0x01020304, 0x506));
+	ipcpackcaret(buf, 1, -2, 0x01020304, 0x506);
 	CT_EQ_MEM(t, caret, buf, sizeof caret);
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, Ipccaret, ipcreqtype(buf));
 	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcunpackcaret(buf, &valid, &x, &y, &h))){
@@ -105,17 +105,16 @@ ipc_control_and_caret_frames(struct ct *t)
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, 0x01020304, y);
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, 0x506, h);
 	}
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcpackcaret(buf, 1, INT32_MIN, INT32_MAX, 0));
+	ipcpackcaret(buf, 1, INT32_MIN, INT32_MAX, 0);
 	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcunpackcaret(buf, &valid, &x, &y, &h))){
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, INT32_MIN, x);
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, INT32_MAX, y);
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, h);
 	}
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcpackcaret(buf, 0, -2, 3, 4));
+	ipcpackcaret(buf, 0, -2, 3, 4);
 	CT_EQ_MEM(t, nocaret, buf, sizeof nocaret);
 	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcunpackcaret(buf, &valid, &x, &y, &h)))
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, valid);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcpackcaret(buf, 1, 0, 0, -1));
 
 	memcpy(bad, caret, sizeof bad);
 	bad[1]++;
@@ -139,9 +138,9 @@ ipc_control_and_caret_frames(struct ct *t)
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, Ipcunknown, ipcreqtype(bad));
 
 	ipcpackreq(buf, 1, 0, 'a');
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, Ipclegacy, ipcreqtype(buf));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, Ipckey, ipcreqtype(buf));
 	ipcpackreset(buf, 1);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, Ipclegacy, ipcreqtype(buf));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, Ipckey, ipcreqtype(buf));
 }
 
 void
@@ -162,7 +161,6 @@ ipc_runtime_path(struct ct *t)
 	snprint(fallback, sizeof fallback, "/tmp/strans.%d", getuid());
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, fallback, buf);
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcpath(buf, 4));
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcpath(nil, sizeof buf));
 	if(saved != nil){
 		setenv("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", saved, 1);
 		free(saved);
@@ -200,22 +198,18 @@ ipc_response_pack_boundaries(struct ct *t)
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcpackresp(out, Ipcmaxresp-1, 1,
 		(char*)field, sizeof field, (char*)field, sizeof field, 1));
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcpackresp(out, sizeof out, 0,
-		nil, 1, nil, 0, 0));
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcpackresp(out, sizeof out, 0,
-		nil, 0, nil, 1, 1));
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcpackresp(out, sizeof out, 0,
-		(char*)field, Ipcfieldmax+1, nil, 0, 0));
+		(char*)field, Ipcfieldmax+1, "", 0, 0));
 }
 
 void
 ipc_response_empty_and_preedit(struct ct *t)
 {
 	uchar first[Ipcmaxresp], second[Ipcmaxresp];
-	char commit[16], preedit[16];
+	char commit[Ipcfieldmax+1], preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	Ipcresp resp;
 	int fd[2], nfirst, nsecond;
 
-	nfirst = ipcpackresp(first, sizeof first, 0, nil, 0, nil, 0, 0);
+	nfirst = ipcpackresp(first, sizeof first, 0, "", 0, "", 0, 0);
 	nsecond = ipcpackresp(second, sizeof second, 1,
 		"go", 2, "kana", 4, 1);
 	if(!CT_CHECK(t, nfirst > 0 && nsecond > 0))
@@ -226,15 +220,13 @@ ipc_response_empty_and_preedit(struct ct *t)
 	}
 	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcsend(fd[0], first, nfirst)) &&
 	   CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcsend(fd[0], second, nsecond)) &&
-	   CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 0, commit, sizeof commit,
-		nil, 0, &resp))){
+	   CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 0, commit, preedit, &resp))){
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, resp.eaten);
 		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, 0, resp.commitlen);
 		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, 0, resp.preeditlen);
 		CT_EQ_STR(t, "", commit);
 	}
-	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, sizeof commit,
-		preedit, sizeof preedit, &resp))){
+	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, preedit, &resp))){
 		CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, resp.eaten);
 		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, 2, resp.commitlen);
 		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, 4, resp.preeditlen);
@@ -249,14 +241,14 @@ void
 ipc_response_max_and_drain(struct ct *t)
 {
 	uchar first[Ipcmaxresp], second[Ipcmaxresp], field[Ipcfieldmax];
-	char commit[8], preedit[8];
+	char commit[Ipcfieldmax+1], preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	Ipcresp resp;
 	int fd[2], nfirst, nsecond;
 
 	memset(field, 'x', sizeof field);
 	nfirst = ipcpackresp(first, sizeof first, 1,
 		(char*)field, sizeof field, (char*)field, sizeof field, 1);
-	nsecond = ipcpackresp(second, sizeof second, 0, "ok", 2, nil, 0, 0);
+	nsecond = ipcpackresp(second, sizeof second, 0, "ok", 2, "", 0, 0);
 	if(!CT_CHECK(t, nfirst == Ipcmaxresp && nsecond > 0))
 		return;
 	if(socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0, fd) < 0){
@@ -265,15 +257,15 @@ ipc_response_max_and_drain(struct ct *t)
 	}
 	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcsend(fd[0], first, nfirst)) &&
 	   CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcsend(fd[0], second, nsecond)) &&
-	   CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, sizeof commit,
-		preedit, sizeof preedit, &resp))){
-		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, sizeof commit - 1, resp.commitlen);
-		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, sizeof preedit - 1, resp.preeditlen);
-		CT_EQ_STR(t, "xxxxxxx", commit);
-		CT_EQ_STR(t, "xxxxxxx", preedit);
+	   CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, preedit, &resp))){
+		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, Ipcfieldmax, resp.commitlen);
+		CT_EQ_SIZE(t, Ipcfieldmax, resp.preeditlen);
+		CT_EQ_MEM(t, field, commit, Ipcfieldmax);
+		CT_EQ_MEM(t, field, preedit, Ipcfieldmax);
+		CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, commit[Ipcfieldmax]);
+		CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, preedit[Ipcfieldmax]);
 	}
-	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 0, commit, sizeof commit,
-		nil, 0, &resp)))
+	if(CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 0, commit, preedit, &resp)))
 		CT_EQ_STR(t, "ok", commit);
 	close(fd[0]);
 	close(fd[1]);
@@ -283,7 +275,7 @@ void
 ipc_response_fragmented_and_truncated(struct ct *t)
 {
 	uchar frame[Ipcmaxresp];
-	char commit[8], preedit[8];
+	char commit[Ipcfieldmax+1], preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	Ipcresp resp;
 	int fd[2], i, n;
 
@@ -299,8 +291,8 @@ ipc_response_fragmented_and_truncated(struct ct *t)
 			CT_ERRORF(t, "fragment send failed");
 			break;
 		}
-	if(i == n && CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1,
-		commit, sizeof commit, preedit, sizeof preedit, &resp))){
+	if(i == n && CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, preedit,
+	   &resp))){
 		CT_EQ_STR(t, "abc", commit);
 		CT_EQ_STR(t, "xy", preedit);
 	}
@@ -313,8 +305,7 @@ ipc_response_fragmented_and_truncated(struct ct *t)
 	}
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcsend(fd[0], frame, n-1));
 	shutdown(fd[0], SHUT_WR);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, sizeof commit,
-		preedit, sizeof preedit, &resp));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, preedit, &resp));
 	close(fd[0]);
 	close(fd[1]);
 
@@ -325,8 +316,7 @@ ipc_response_fragmented_and_truncated(struct ct *t)
 	frame[0] = 2;
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcsend(fd[0], frame, n));
 	errno = 0;
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, sizeof commit,
-		preedit, sizeof preedit, &resp));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcreadresp(fd[1], 1, commit, preedit, &resp));
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, EPROTO, errno);
 	close(fd[0]);
 	close(fd[1]);
@@ -351,7 +341,7 @@ ipc_broken_peer_send(struct ct *t)
 static void
 ipcclientdeadlines(struct ct *t)
 {
-	char fill[4096], commit[8];
+	char fill[4096], commit[Ipcfieldmax+1], preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	Ipcresp resp;
 	int fd[2];
 	int64_t start, elapsed;
@@ -363,8 +353,7 @@ ipcclientdeadlines(struct ct *t)
 	}
 	start = nowms();
 	errno = 0;
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcreadresp(fd[0], 0, commit, sizeof commit,
-		nil, 0, &resp));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, ipcreadresp(fd[0], 0, commit, preedit, &resp));
 	elapsed = nowms() - start;
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, ETIMEDOUT, errno);
 	CT_CHECK(t, elapsed >= 0 && elapsed < 4*Ipcwaitms);
diff --git a/tests/server_test.c b/tests/server_test.c
index 8b9b778..13e3677 100644
--- a/tests/server_test.c
+++ b/tests/server_test.c
@@ -169,13 +169,12 @@ allowrequest(Enginegate *g)
 }
 
 static int
-readreply(struct ct *t, Testclient *client, int want, char *preedit, int npreedit)
+readreply(struct ct *t, Testclient *client, int want, char *preedit)
 {
-	char commit[Maxutf];
+	char commit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	Ipcresp resp;
 
-	if(ipcreadresp(client->peer, want, commit, sizeof commit,
-	   preedit, npreedit, &resp) < 0)
+	if(ipcreadresp(client->peer, want, commit, preedit, &resp) < 0)
 		return CT_ERRORF(t, "response read failed: %s", strerror(errno));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "", commit);
 	return resp.eaten;
@@ -247,7 +246,7 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 	Keyreq req;
 	Drawcmd dc;
 	Str shown;
-	char preedit[Maxutf];
+	char preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	void *aowner, *bowner, *cowner;
 	uchar byte, token;
 	ssize_t n;
@@ -279,14 +278,14 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keypress);
 	aowner = req.owner;
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "k", preedit);
 	if(!sendkey(t, &a, 1, 0, 'a'))
 		goto cleanup;
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keypress);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, aowner, req.owner);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "か", preedit);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, aowner, testengineowner());
 
@@ -296,7 +295,7 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 	bowner = req.owner;
 	CT_CHECK(t, bowner != aowner);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "ん", preedit);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, bowner, testengineowner());
 
@@ -305,14 +304,14 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keyreset);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, aowner, req.owner);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "", preedit);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, bowner, testengineowner());
 	if(!sendkey(t, &b, 1, 0, Kmodfirst))
 		goto cleanup;
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keypress);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, !readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, !readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "ん", preedit);
 
 	disconnectclient(t, &gate, &a, aowner);
@@ -321,12 +320,12 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 		goto cleanup;
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keypress);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit));
 	if(!sendkey(t, &b, 1, 0, 'a'))
 		goto cleanup;
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keypress);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "にゃ", preedit);
 
 	if(!sendreset(t, &b, 1))
@@ -334,7 +333,7 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keyreset);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, bowner, req.owner);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "", preedit);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, bowner, testengineowner());
 
@@ -343,7 +342,7 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 	req = nextrequestcap(t, &gate, Keypress, 0);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, bowner, req.owner);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 0, nil, 0));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 0, preedit));
 	errno = 0;
 	n = recv(b.peer, &byte, 1, MSG_PEEK|MSG_DONTWAIT);
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, -1, n);
@@ -353,7 +352,7 @@ server_connection_ownership(struct ct *t)
 		goto cleanup;
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keypress);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_CHECK(t, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "か", preedit);
 
 	disconnectclient(t, &gate, &b, bowner);
@@ -410,7 +409,7 @@ server_extension_stream(struct ct *t)
 	Keyreq req;
 	Drawcmd dc;
 	uchar frame[Ipccaretsz], token;
-	char preedit[Maxutf];
+	char preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	void *aowner, *bowner;
 	int gateactive;
 
@@ -442,10 +441,10 @@ server_extension_stream(struct ct *t)
 	aowner = req.owner;
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, nil, testengineowner());
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "", preedit);
 
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcpackcaret(frame, 1, -101, -7, 23));
+	ipcpackcaret(frame, 1, -101, -7, 23);
 	if(!sendframe(t, &a, frame, Ipccaretsz, 1))
 		goto cleanup;
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keycaret);
@@ -468,7 +467,7 @@ server_extension_stream(struct ct *t)
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, -7, req.caret.y);
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 23, req.caret.h);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "k", preedit);
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, aowner, testengineowner());
 
@@ -479,7 +478,7 @@ server_extension_stream(struct ct *t)
 	CT_EQ_PTR(t, aowner, req.owner);
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, req.caret.valid);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 0, nil, 0));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 0, preedit));
 
 	/* Reset is still the old six-byte frame and does not discard caret. */
 	ipcpackreset(frame, 0);
@@ -492,14 +491,14 @@ server_extension_stream(struct ct *t)
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, -7, req.caret.y);
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 23, req.caret.h);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 0, nil, 0));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 0, preedit));
 
 	ipcpackcap(frame, Cclientpreedit);
 	if(!sendframe(t, &a, frame, Ipcreqsz, 0))
 		goto cleanup;
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keycap);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "", preedit);
 	ipcpackreq(frame, 1, 0, 'n');
 	if(!sendframe(t, &a, frame, Ipcreqsz, 0))
@@ -508,7 +507,7 @@ server_extension_stream(struct ct *t)
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, req.caret.valid);
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, -101, req.caret.x);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &a, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "ん", preedit);
 
 	disconnectclient(t, &gate, &a, aowner);
@@ -520,7 +519,7 @@ server_extension_stream(struct ct *t)
 	bowner = req.owner;
 	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, req.caret.valid);
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &b, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "k", preedit);
 
 	disconnectclient(t, &gate, &b, bowner);
@@ -554,7 +553,7 @@ server_rejects_unknown_extension(struct ct *t)
 	Keyreq req;
 	Drawcmd dc;
 	uchar frame[Ipccaretsz], token;
-	char preedit[Maxutf];
+	char preedit[Ipcfieldmax+1];
 	void *owner;
 	int gateactive;
 
@@ -580,7 +579,7 @@ server_rejects_unknown_extension(struct ct *t)
 
 	if(!startclient(t, &badver))
 		goto cleanup;
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcpackcaret(frame, 1, 3, 4, 5));
+	ipcpackcaret(frame, 1, 3, 4, 5);
 	frame[1]++;
 	if(!sendframe(t, &badver, frame, sizeof frame, 0))
 		goto cleanup;
@@ -592,7 +591,7 @@ server_rejects_unknown_extension(struct ct *t)
 
 	if(!startclient(t, &badop))
 		goto cleanup;
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 0, ipcpackcaret(frame, 1, 3, 4, 5));
+	ipcpackcaret(frame, 1, 3, 4, 5);
 	frame[2]++;
 	if(!sendframe(t, &badop, frame, sizeof frame, 1))
 		goto cleanup;
@@ -608,7 +607,7 @@ server_rejects_unknown_extension(struct ct *t)
 	req = nextrequest(t, &gate, Keypress);
 	owner = req.owner;
 	allowrequest(&gate);
-	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &good, 1, preedit, sizeof preedit));
+	CT_EQ_INT(t, 1, readreply(t, &good, 1, preedit));
 	CT_EQ_STR(t, "k", preedit);
 	disconnectclient(t, &gate, &good, owner);
 
diff --git a/xim/xim.c b/xim/xim.c
index 6de7125..6f20482 100644
--- a/xim/xim.c
+++ b/xim/xim.c
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ kpress(Ic *state, xcb_key_press_event_t *ev)
 	int n, wasvalid;
 
 	key = keymaplookup(kstate, ev->detail, ev->state);
-	key = ipckey(key, xkb_keysym_to_utf32(key));
+	key = ipckeysym(key, xkb_keysym_to_utf32(key));
 	if(meaningful(key)){
 		wasvalid = state->caret.valid;
 		refreshplace(state);