diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 397cb0e3..d3e24bbb 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ sha2 = "0.10"
 sdl3-sys = { version = "0.6", features = ["build-from-source-static"] }
 sdl3-ttf-sys = { version = "0.6", features = ["build-from-source-static", "no-sdlttf-harfbuzz", "no-sdlttf-plutosvg"] }
 rfd = "0.17"
-tokio = {version = "1.46", features = ["rt-multi-thread", "macros"] }
+tokio = {version = "1.46", features = ["rt-multi-thread", "macros", "fs"] }
 spin_sleep = "1.3"
 encoding_rs = "0.8"
 mimalloc = "0.1"
diff --git a/src/device.rs b/src/device.rs
index b4281262..293a4feb 100644
--- a/src/device.rs
+++ b/src/device.rs
@@ -208,7 +208,6 @@ pub struct Device {
     #[serde(skip, default = "set_rng")]
     pub rng: rand_chacha::ChaCha8Rng,
     pub vru: controller::vru::Vru,
-    pub vru_window: controller::vru::VruWindow,
     pub transferpaks: [controller::transferpak::TransferPak; 4],
     pub cheats: cheats::Cheats,
 }
@@ -482,10 +481,6 @@ impl Device {
                 limit_freq: 2,
                 limit_freq_check: std::time::Instant::now(),
             },
-            vru_window: controller::vru::VruWindow {
-                window_notifier: None,
-                word_receiver: None,
-            },
             vru: controller::vru::Vru {
                 status: 0,
                 voice_state: 0,
diff --git a/src/device/cart.rs b/src/device/cart.rs
index ba3d23de..b6bb0f20 100644
--- a/src/device/cart.rs
+++ b/src/device/cart.rs
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ fn eeprom_write_block(device: &mut device::Device, block: usize, offset: usize,
 
     device.pif.ram[status] = 0x00;
 
-    device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.written = true
+    ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Eeprom4k);
 }
 
 fn time2data(device: &mut device::Device, offset: usize) {
diff --git a/src/device/cart/rom.rs b/src/device/cart/rom.rs
index 88b5456a..0893ad34 100644
--- a/src/device/cart/rom.rs
+++ b/src/device/cart/rom.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 use crate::device;
 use crate::netplay;
+use crate::ui;
 use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
 
 pub const CART_MASK: usize = 0xFFFFFFF;
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ pub fn write_mem(device: &mut device::Device, address: u64, value: u32, mask: u3
                 .data
                 .insert((masked_address + i) as u32, *item);
         }
-        device.ui.storage.saves.romsave.written = true;
+        ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Romsave);
     }
 
     device.cart.latch = value & mask;
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ pub fn dma_read(
                     .unwrap_or(&0),
             );
         }
-        device.ui.storage.saves.romsave.written = true;
+        ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Romsave);
     }
 
     device::pi::calculate_cycles(device, 1, length)
diff --git a/src/device/cart/sc64.rs b/src/device/cart/sc64.rs
index ff1a3d38..e19f2c00 100644
--- a/src/device/cart/sc64.rs
+++ b/src/device/cart/sc64.rs
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ pub fn write_regs(device: &mut device::Device, address: u64, value: u32, mask: u
                                 .copy_from_slice(&data);
                             i += 4;
                         }
-                        device.ui.storage.saves.sdcard.written = true;
+                        ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Sdcard);
                     }
                     'U' => {
                         device.cart.sc64.regs[SC64_DATA0_REG as usize] = 0;
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ pub fn write_mem(device: &mut device::Device, address: u64, value: u32, mask: u3
         device::memory::masked_write_32(&mut data, value, mask);
         device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.data[masked_address..masked_address + 4]
             .copy_from_slice(&data.to_be_bytes());
-        device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.written = true
+        ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Eeprom4k);
     } else {
         let masked_address = address as usize & SC64_BUFFER_MASK;
         let mut data = u32::from_be_bytes(
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ pub fn dma_read(
     let buffer = if cart_addr & 0x2000 != 0 {
         device::cart::format_eeprom(device);
         cart_addr &= SC64_EEPROM_MASK as u32;
-        device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.written = true;
+        ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Eeprom4k);
         &mut device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.data
     } else {
         cart_addr &= SC64_BUFFER_MASK as u32;
diff --git a/src/device/cart/sram.rs b/src/device/cart/sram.rs
index 11ff7e07..ef17f8c7 100644
--- a/src/device/cart/sram.rs
+++ b/src/device/cart/sram.rs
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ fn write_mem_sram(device: &mut device::Device, address: u64, value: u32, mask: u
     device.ui.storage.saves.sram.data[masked_address..masked_address + 4]
         .copy_from_slice(&data.to_be_bytes());
 
-    device.ui.storage.saves.sram.written = true
+    ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Sram);
 }
 
 fn write_mem_flash(device: &mut device::Device, address: u64, value: u32, mask: u32) {
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ fn dma_read_sram(device: &mut device::Device, mut cart_addr: u32, mut dram_addr:
         j += 1;
     }
 
-    device.ui.storage.saves.sram.written = true
+    ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Sram);
 }
 
 fn dma_read_flash(device: &mut device::Device, cart_addr: u32, dram_addr: u32, length: u32) {
@@ -331,12 +331,12 @@ fn flashram_command(device: &mut device::Device, command: u32) {
                 for i in 0..128 * 128 {
                     device.ui.storage.saves.flash.data[offset + i] = 0xFF;
                 }
-                device.ui.storage.saves.flash.written = true
+                ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Flash);
             } else if device.cart.flashram.mode == FlashramMode::ChipErase {
                 for i in 0..FLASHRAM_SIZE {
                     device.ui.storage.saves.flash.data[i] = 0xFF;
                 }
-                device.ui.storage.saves.flash.written = true
+                ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Flash);
             } else {
                 panic!("Unexpected flash erase command")
             }
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ fn flashram_command(device: &mut device::Device, command: u32) {
             for i in 0..128 {
                 device.ui.storage.saves.flash.data[offset + i] = device.cart.flashram.page_buf[i];
             }
-            device.ui.storage.saves.flash.written = true;
+            ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Flash);
 
             /* clear program busy flag, set program success flag, transition to status mode */
             device.cart.flashram.status &= !0x01;
diff --git a/src/device/controller/mempak.rs b/src/device/controller/mempak.rs
index 54ffa7d9..55eab6da 100644
--- a/src/device/controller/mempak.rs
+++ b/src/device/controller/mempak.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use crate::device;
+use crate::ui;
 
 pub const MEMPAK_SIZE: usize = 0x8000;
 const MPK_PAGE_SIZE: usize = 256;
@@ -96,6 +97,6 @@ pub fn write(device: &mut device::Device, channel: usize, address: u16, data: us
         device.ui.storage.saves.mempak.data[offset..offset + size]
             .copy_from_slice(&device.pif.ram[data..data + size]);
 
-        device.ui.storage.saves.mempak.written = true
+        ui::storage::schedule_save(device, ui::storage::SaveTypes::Mempak);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/device/controller/vru.rs b/src/device/controller/vru.rs
index 468dc6c8..99058efc 100644
--- a/src/device/controller/vru.rs
+++ b/src/device/controller/vru.rs
@@ -29,14 +29,6 @@ pub struct Vru {
     pub word_mappings: HashMap<String, String>,
 }
 
-#[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
-pub struct VruWindow {
-    #[serde(skip)]
-    pub window_notifier: Option<tokio::sync::mpsc::Sender<Option<Vec<String>>>>,
-    #[serde(skip)]
-    pub word_receiver: Option<tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<String>>,
-}
-
 pub fn init(device: &mut device::Device) {
     reset_vru(device);
     create_word_mappings(device);
@@ -187,13 +179,8 @@ pub fn process(device: &mut device::Device, channel: usize) {
             device.pif.ram[device.pif.channels[channel].rx_buf.unwrap()] = 0;
         }
         JCMD_VRU_READ => {
-            let index = if let Some(window_notifier) = &device.vru_window.window_notifier {
-                ui::vru::prompt_for_match(
-                    &device.vru.words,
-                    window_notifier,
-                    device.vru_window.word_receiver.as_mut().unwrap(),
-                    device.vi.frame_time,
-                )
+            let index = if let Some(weak) = &device.ui.weak {
+                ui::vru::prompt_for_match(&device.vru.words, weak, device.vi.frame_time)
             } else {
                 0x7FFF
             };
diff --git a/src/device/events.rs b/src/device/events.rs
index 8d85e157..6dbb9dd4 100644
--- a/src/device/events.rs
+++ b/src/device/events.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use crate::device;
+use crate::ui;
 
 pub const EVENT_TYPE_NONE: usize = 0;
 pub const EVENT_TYPE_AI: usize = 1;
@@ -12,7 +13,8 @@ pub const EVENT_TYPE_SPDMA: usize = 8;
 pub const EVENT_TYPE_COMPARE: usize = 9;
 pub const EVENT_TYPE_VRU: usize = 10;
 pub const EVENT_TYPE_PAK: usize = 11;
-pub const EVENT_TYPE_COUNT: usize = 12;
+pub const EVENT_TYPE_SAVE: usize = 12;
+pub const EVENT_TYPE_COUNT: usize = 13;
 
 #[derive(PartialEq, Copy, Clone, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
 pub struct Event {
@@ -60,6 +62,7 @@ fn get_event_handler(name: usize) -> fn(&mut device::Device) {
         EVENT_TYPE_COMPARE => device::cop0::compare_event,
         EVENT_TYPE_VRU => device::controller::vru::vru_talking_event,
         EVENT_TYPE_PAK => device::controller::pak_switch_event,
+        EVENT_TYPE_SAVE => ui::storage::save_event,
         _ => dummy_event,
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 874248f1..4ae3c1e9 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -74,8 +74,15 @@ struct Args {
     clear_input_bindings: bool,
 }
 
-#[tokio::main]
-async fn main() -> std::io::Result<()> {
+fn main() -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    let runtime = tokio::runtime::Builder::new_multi_thread()
+        .enable_all()
+        .worker_threads(4)
+        .thread_name("n64")
+        .thread_stack_size(env!("N64_STACK_SIZE").parse().unwrap())
+        .build()
+        .unwrap();
+
     let dirs = ui::get_dirs();
 
     std::fs::create_dir_all(dirs.config_dir)?;
@@ -90,32 +97,29 @@ async fn main() -> std::io::Result<()> {
                 file_path.display()
             )));
         };
-        let handle = std::thread::Builder::new()
-            .name("n64".to_string())
-            .stack_size(env!("N64_STACK_SIZE").parse().unwrap())
-            .spawn(move || {
-                let mut device = device::Device::new();
-                let overclock = device.ui.config.emulation.overclock;
-                let disable_expansion_pak = device.ui.config.emulation.disable_expansion_pak;
 
-                let game_cheats = {
-                    let game_crc = ui::storage::get_game_crc(&rom_contents);
-                    let cheats = ui::config::Cheats::new();
-                    cheats.cheats.get(&game_crc).cloned().unwrap_or_default()
-                };
-                device::run_game(
-                    &mut device,
-                    rom_contents,
-                    ui::gui::GameSettings {
-                        fullscreen: args.fullscreen,
-                        overclock,
-                        disable_expansion_pak,
-                        cheats: game_cheats,
-                    },
-                );
-            })?;
+        let handle = runtime.spawn(async move {
+            let mut device = device::Device::new();
+            let overclock = device.ui.config.emulation.overclock;
+            let disable_expansion_pak = device.ui.config.emulation.disable_expansion_pak;
 
-        handle.join().unwrap();
+            let game_cheats = {
+                let game_crc = ui::storage::get_game_crc(&rom_contents);
+                let cheats = ui::config::Cheats::new();
+                cheats.cheats.get(&game_crc).cloned().unwrap_or_default()
+            };
+            device::run_game(
+                &mut device,
+                rom_contents,
+                ui::gui::GameSettings {
+                    fullscreen: args.fullscreen,
+                    overclock,
+                    disable_expansion_pak,
+                    cheats: game_cheats,
+                },
+            );
+        });
+        runtime.block_on(handle).unwrap()
     } else if std::env::args().count() > 1 {
         let mut ui = ui::Ui::new();
 
@@ -157,7 +161,10 @@ async fn main() -> std::io::Result<()> {
             ui::input::bind_input_profile(&mut ui, profile, port);
         }
     } else {
-        gui::app_window();
+        runtime.block_on(async {
+            gui::app_window();
+        });
     }
+    runtime.shutdown_timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(1));
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/ui.rs b/src/ui.rs
index da95e60e..57721c8d 100644
--- a/src/ui.rs
+++ b/src/ui.rs
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ pub struct Ui {
     pub storage: Storage,
     pub video: Video,
     pub usb: Usb,
+    pub weak: Option<slint::Weak<gui::AppWindow>>,
 }
 
 impl Drop for Ui {
@@ -156,27 +157,27 @@ impl Ui {
                     write_to_disk: true,
                     eeprom: storage::Save {
                         data: Vec::new(),
-                        written: false,
+                        write_pending: false,
                     },
                     sram: storage::Save {
                         data: Vec::new(),
-                        written: false,
+                        write_pending: false,
                     },
                     flash: storage::Save {
                         data: Vec::new(),
-                        written: false,
+                        write_pending: false,
                     },
                     mempak: storage::Save {
                         data: Vec::new(),
-                        written: false,
+                        write_pending: false,
                     },
                     sdcard: storage::Save {
                         data: Vec::new(),
-                        written: false,
+                        write_pending: false,
                     },
                     romsave: storage::RomSave {
                         data: std::collections::HashMap::new(),
-                        written: false,
+                        write_pending: false,
                     },
                 },
             },
@@ -195,6 +196,7 @@ impl Ui {
                 usb_tx: None,
                 cart_rx: None,
             },
+            weak: None,
             dirs,
             with_sdl,
         }
diff --git a/src/ui/gui.rs b/src/ui/gui.rs
index 2cbf4911..e7de83e4 100644
--- a/src/ui/gui.rs
+++ b/src/ui/gui.rs
@@ -24,11 +24,6 @@ pub struct GbPaths {
     pub ram: [Option<std::path::PathBuf>; 4],
 }
 
-pub struct VruChannel {
-    pub vru_window_notifier: Option<tokio::sync::mpsc::Sender<Option<Vec<String>>>>,
-    pub vru_word_receiver: Option<tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<String>>,
-}
-
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct GameSettings {
     pub fullscreen: bool,
@@ -337,120 +332,66 @@ pub fn app_window() {
     save_settings(&app, &controller_paths);
 }
 
-fn setup_vru_word_watcher(
-    weak_vru: slint::Weak<AppWindow>,
-    vru_word_notifier: tokio::sync::mpsc::Sender<String>,
-    mut vru_window_receiver: tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<Option<Vec<String>>>,
-) {
-    tokio::spawn(async move {
-        loop {
-            let notifier = vru_word_notifier.clone();
-            let notifier_closed = vru_word_notifier.clone();
-            let result = vru_window_receiver.recv().await;
-            if let Some(Some(words)) = result {
-                weak_vru
-                    .upgrade_in_event_loop(move |_handle| {
-                        let vru_dialog = VruDialog::new().unwrap();
-                        let vru_dialog_weak = vru_dialog.as_weak();
-
-                        vru_dialog.on_vru_button_clicked(move |chosen_word| {
-                            notifier.try_send(chosen_word.to_string()).unwrap();
-                            vru_dialog_weak.unwrap().window().hide().unwrap();
-                        });
-
-                        vru_dialog.window().on_close_requested(move || {
-                            notifier_closed.try_send("".to_string()).unwrap();
-                            slint::CloseRequestResponse::HideWindow
-                        });
-
-                        let words_vec = slint::VecModel::default();
-                        for word in words {
-                            words_vec.push(word.into());
-                        }
-                        let words_model: std::rc::Rc<slint::VecModel<slint::SharedString>> =
-                            std::rc::Rc::new(words_vec);
-                        vru_dialog.set_words(slint::ModelRc::from(words_model));
-
-                        vru_dialog.show().unwrap();
-                    })
-                    .unwrap();
-            } else {
-                return;
-            }
-        }
-    });
-}
-
 pub fn run_rom(
     gb_paths: GbPaths,
     file_path: std::path::PathBuf,
     mut game_settings: GameSettings,
-    vru_channel: VruChannel,
     netplay: Option<NetplayDevice>,
     usb: ui::Usb,
     weak: slint::Weak<AppWindow>,
 ) {
-    std::thread::Builder::new()
-        .name("n64".to_string())
-        .stack_size(env!("N64_STACK_SIZE").parse().unwrap())
-        .spawn(move || {
-            weak.upgrade_in_event_loop(move |handle| handle.set_game_running(true))
-                .unwrap();
-
-            let mut device = device::Device::new();
-            device.ui.config.rom_dir = file_path.parent().unwrap().to_path_buf();
-
-            for i in 0..4 {
-                if gb_paths.rom[i].is_some() && gb_paths.ram[i].is_some() {
-                    device.transferpaks[i].cart.rom =
-                        std::fs::read(gb_paths.rom[i].as_ref().unwrap()).unwrap();
-
-                    device.transferpaks[i].cart.ram =
-                        std::fs::read(gb_paths.ram[i].as_ref().unwrap()).unwrap();
-                }
-            }
-
-            device.ui.usb.usb_tx = usb.usb_tx;
-            device.ui.usb.cart_rx = usb.cart_rx;
-
-            device.vru_window.window_notifier = vru_channel.vru_window_notifier;
-            device.vru_window.word_receiver = vru_channel.vru_word_receiver;
-
-            if let Some(rom_contents) = device::get_rom_contents(file_path.as_path()) {
-                if let Some(netplay_device) = netplay {
-                    device.netplay = Some(netplay::init(
-                        netplay_device.peer_addr,
-                        netplay_device.player_number,
-                    ));
-                } else {
-                    game_settings.cheats = {
-                        let game_crc = ui::storage::get_game_crc(&rom_contents);
-                        let cheats = ui::config::Cheats::new();
-                        cheats.cheats.get(&game_crc).cloned().unwrap_or_default()
-                    };
-                }
-                device::run_game(&mut device, rom_contents, game_settings);
-                if device.netplay.is_some() {
-                    netplay::close(&mut device);
-                }
-            } else {
-                println!("Could not read rom file");
-            }
-
-            if let Some(vru_window_notifier) = device.vru_window.window_notifier {
-                vru_window_notifier.try_send(None).unwrap();
-            }
-
-            let rom_dir = device.ui.config.rom_dir.clone();
-            weak.upgrade_in_event_loop(move |handle| {
-                if let Some(rom_dir_str) = rom_dir.to_str() {
-                    handle.set_rom_dir(rom_dir_str.into());
-                }
-                handle.set_game_running(false);
-            })
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        weak.upgrade_in_event_loop(move |handle| handle.set_game_running(true))
             .unwrap();
+
+        let mut device = device::Device::new();
+        device.ui.config.rom_dir = file_path.parent().unwrap().to_path_buf();
+
+        for i in 0..4 {
+            if gb_paths.rom[i].is_some() && gb_paths.ram[i].is_some() {
+                device.transferpaks[i].cart.rom =
+                    std::fs::read(gb_paths.rom[i].as_ref().unwrap()).unwrap();
+
+                device.transferpaks[i].cart.ram =
+                    std::fs::read(gb_paths.ram[i].as_ref().unwrap()).unwrap();
+            }
+        }
+
+        device.ui.usb.usb_tx = usb.usb_tx;
+        device.ui.usb.cart_rx = usb.cart_rx;
+
+        device.ui.weak = Some(weak.clone());
+
+        if let Some(rom_contents) = device::get_rom_contents(file_path.as_path()) {
+            if let Some(netplay_device) = netplay {
+                device.netplay = Some(netplay::init(
+                    netplay_device.peer_addr,
+                    netplay_device.player_number,
+                ));
+            } else {
+                game_settings.cheats = {
+                    let game_crc = ui::storage::get_game_crc(&rom_contents);
+                    let cheats = ui::config::Cheats::new();
+                    cheats.cheats.get(&game_crc).cloned().unwrap_or_default()
+                };
+            }
+            device::run_game(&mut device, rom_contents, game_settings);
+            if device.netplay.is_some() {
+                netplay::close(&mut device);
+            }
+        } else {
+            println!("Could not read rom file");
+        }
+
+        let rom_dir = device.ui.config.rom_dir.clone();
+        weak.upgrade_in_event_loop(move |handle| {
+            if let Some(rom_dir_str) = rom_dir.to_str() {
+                handle.set_rom_dir(rom_dir_str.into());
+            }
+            handle.set_game_running(false);
         })
         .unwrap();
+    });
 }
 
 fn open_rom(app: &AppWindow, usb: ui::Usb) {
@@ -486,25 +427,10 @@ fn open_rom(app: &AppWindow, usb: ui::Usb) {
         }
     }
 
-    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
-    let (vru_window_notifier, vru_window_receiver): (
-        tokio::sync::mpsc::Sender<Option<Vec<String>>>,
-        tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<Option<Vec<String>>>,
-    ) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(5);
-
-    let (vru_word_notifier, vru_word_receiver): (
-        tokio::sync::mpsc::Sender<String>,
-        tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<String>,
-    ) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(5);
-
     let fullscreen = app.get_fullscreen();
     let overclock = app.get_overclock_n64_cpu();
-    let emulate_vru = app.get_emulate_vru();
     let disable_expansion_pak = app.get_disable_expansion_pak();
 
-    if emulate_vru {
-        setup_vru_word_watcher(app.as_weak(), vru_word_notifier, vru_window_receiver);
-    }
     let weak = app.as_weak();
     tokio::spawn(async move {
         if let Some(file) = select_rom.await {
@@ -533,17 +459,6 @@ fn open_rom(app: &AppWindow, usb: ui::Usb) {
                     disable_expansion_pak,
                     cheats: std::collections::HashMap::new(), // will be filled in later
                 },
-                if emulate_vru {
-                    VruChannel {
-                        vru_window_notifier: Some(vru_window_notifier),
-                        vru_word_receiver: Some(vru_word_receiver),
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    VruChannel {
-                        vru_window_notifier: None,
-                        vru_word_receiver: None,
-                    }
-                },
                 None,
                 usb,
                 weak,
diff --git a/src/ui/netplay.rs b/src/ui/netplay.rs
index b43150e8..f839e457 100644
--- a/src/ui/netplay.rs
+++ b/src/ui/netplay.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use crate::device;
 use crate::ui;
 use crate::ui::gui::{
     AppWindow, CustomNetplayServer, DispatcherDialog, ErrorDialog, GameSettings, GbPaths,
-    NetplayCreate, NetplayDevice, NetplayJoin, NetplayWait, VruChannel, run_rom, save_settings,
+    NetplayCreate, NetplayDevice, NetplayJoin, NetplayWait, run_rom, save_settings,
 };
 use futures::{SinkExt, StreamExt};
 use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
@@ -1084,10 +1084,6 @@ fn setup_wait_window(
                                         disable_expansion_pak: game_settings.disable_expansion_pak,
                                         cheats: game_settings.cheats,
                                     },
-                                    VruChannel {
-                                        vru_window_notifier: None,
-                                        vru_word_receiver: None,
-                                    },
                                     Some(NetplayDevice {
                                         peer_addr: socket_addr,
                                         player_number: player_number as u8,
diff --git a/src/ui/storage.rs b/src/ui/storage.rs
index 5b0b06b5..dff4a096 100644
--- a/src/ui/storage.rs
+++ b/src/ui/storage.rs
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ pub struct Paths {
 #[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
 pub struct Save {
     pub data: Vec<u8>,
-    pub written: bool,
+    pub write_pending: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
 pub struct RomSave {
     pub data: std::collections::HashMap<u32, u8>,
-    pub written: bool,
+    pub write_pending: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ pub fn compress_file(data: &[(&[u8], &str)]) -> Vec<u8> {
 fn writeback_sdcard(device: &mut device::Device) {
     let length;
     let save_data: &[u8];
-    if device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.written {
+    if device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.write_pending {
         if device
             .ui
             .storage
@@ -369,12 +369,15 @@ fn writeback_sdcard(device: &mut device::Device) {
             length = 4;
         }
         save_data = device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.data.as_ref();
-    } else if device.ui.storage.saves.sram.written {
+        device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.write_pending = false;
+    } else if device.ui.storage.saves.sram.write_pending {
         length = device.ui.storage.saves.sram.data.len() / 512;
         save_data = device.ui.storage.saves.sram.data.as_ref();
-    } else if device.ui.storage.saves.flash.written {
+        device.ui.storage.saves.sram.write_pending = false;
+    } else if device.ui.storage.saves.flash.write_pending {
         length = device.ui.storage.saves.flash.data.len() / 512;
         save_data = device.ui.storage.saves.flash.data.as_ref();
+        device.ui.storage.saves.flash.write_pending = false;
     } else {
         return;
     }
@@ -384,37 +387,69 @@ fn writeback_sdcard(device: &mut device::Device) {
         device.ui.storage.saves.sdcard.data[offset..offset + 512]
             .copy_from_slice(&save_data[i * 512..(i + 1) * 512]);
     }
-    device.ui.storage.saves.sdcard.written = true;
+    device.ui.storage.saves.sdcard.write_pending = true;
 }
 
 pub fn write_saves(device: &mut device::Device) {
     if device.netplay.is_none() || device.netplay.as_ref().unwrap().player_number == 0 {
         if device.ui.storage.saves.write_to_disk {
-            if device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.written {
-                write_save(&device.ui, SaveTypes::Eeprom16k)
+            if device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.write_pending {
+                write_save(&mut device.ui, SaveTypes::Eeprom16k)
             }
-            if device.ui.storage.saves.sram.written {
-                write_save(&device.ui, SaveTypes::Sram)
+            if device.ui.storage.saves.sram.write_pending {
+                write_save(&mut device.ui, SaveTypes::Sram)
             }
-            if device.ui.storage.saves.flash.written {
-                write_save(&device.ui, SaveTypes::Flash)
+            if device.ui.storage.saves.flash.write_pending {
+                write_save(&mut device.ui, SaveTypes::Flash)
             }
-            if device.ui.storage.saves.romsave.written {
-                write_save(&device.ui, SaveTypes::Romsave)
+            if device.ui.storage.saves.romsave.write_pending {
+                write_save(&mut device.ui, SaveTypes::Romsave)
             }
         } else {
             writeback_sdcard(device)
         }
-        if device.ui.storage.saves.mempak.written {
-            write_save(&device.ui, SaveTypes::Mempak)
+        if device.ui.storage.saves.mempak.write_pending {
+            write_save(&mut device.ui, SaveTypes::Mempak)
         }
-        if device.ui.storage.saves.sdcard.written {
-            write_save(&device.ui, SaveTypes::Sdcard)
+        if device.ui.storage.saves.sdcard.write_pending {
+            write_save(&mut device.ui, SaveTypes::Sdcard)
         }
     }
 }
 
-fn write_save(ui: &ui::Ui, save_type: SaveTypes) {
+pub fn save_event(device: &mut device::Device) {
+    write_saves(device);
+}
+
+pub fn schedule_save(device: &mut device::Device, save_type: SaveTypes) {
+    match save_type {
+        SaveTypes::Eeprom4k | SaveTypes::Eeprom16k => {
+            device.ui.storage.saves.eeprom.write_pending = true;
+        }
+        SaveTypes::Sram => {
+            device.ui.storage.saves.sram.write_pending = true;
+        }
+        SaveTypes::Flash => {
+            device.ui.storage.saves.flash.write_pending = true;
+        }
+        SaveTypes::Mempak => {
+            device.ui.storage.saves.mempak.write_pending = true;
+        }
+        SaveTypes::Sdcard => {
+            device.ui.storage.saves.sdcard.write_pending = true;
+        }
+        SaveTypes::Romsave => {
+            device.ui.storage.saves.romsave.write_pending = true;
+        }
+    }
+    device::events::create_event(
+        device,
+        device::events::EVENT_TYPE_SAVE,
+        device.cpu.clock_rate, // 1 second
+    );
+}
+
+fn write_save(ui: &mut ui::Ui, save_type: SaveTypes) {
     let path: &std::path::Path;
     let data: &Vec<u8>;
     let rom_save_data: Vec<u8>;
@@ -422,35 +457,38 @@ fn write_save(ui: &ui::Ui, save_type: SaveTypes) {
         SaveTypes::Eeprom4k | SaveTypes::Eeprom16k => {
             path = ui.storage.paths.eep_file_path.as_ref();
             data = ui.storage.saves.eeprom.data.as_ref();
+            ui.storage.saves.eeprom.write_pending = false;
         }
         SaveTypes::Sram => {
             path = ui.storage.paths.sra_file_path.as_ref();
             data = ui.storage.saves.sram.data.as_ref();
+            ui.storage.saves.sram.write_pending = false;
         }
         SaveTypes::Flash => {
             path = ui.storage.paths.fla_file_path.as_ref();
             data = ui.storage.saves.flash.data.as_ref();
+            ui.storage.saves.flash.write_pending = false;
         }
         SaveTypes::Mempak => {
             path = ui.storage.paths.pak_file_path.as_ref();
             data = ui.storage.saves.mempak.data.as_ref();
+            ui.storage.saves.mempak.write_pending = false;
         }
         SaveTypes::Sdcard => {
             path = ui.storage.paths.sdcard_file_path.as_ref();
             data = ui.storage.saves.sdcard.data.as_ref();
+            ui.storage.saves.sdcard.write_pending = false;
         }
         SaveTypes::Romsave => {
             path = ui.storage.paths.romsave_file_path.as_ref();
             rom_save_data = postcard::to_stdvec(&ui.storage.saves.romsave.data).unwrap();
             data = rom_save_data.as_ref();
+            ui.storage.saves.romsave.write_pending = false;
         }
     }
-    let result = std::fs::write(path, data);
-    if result.is_err() {
-        panic!(
-            "could not save {} {}",
-            path.display(),
-            result.err().unwrap()
-        )
-    }
+    let save_data = data.clone();
+    let save_path = path.to_path_buf();
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        tokio::fs::write(save_path, save_data).await.unwrap();
+    });
 }
diff --git a/src/ui/usb.rs b/src/ui/usb.rs
index afd675b8..d5c7db16 100644
--- a/src/ui/usb.rs
+++ b/src/ui/usb.rs
@@ -53,10 +53,6 @@ fn upload_rom(
                 disable_expansion_pak: handle.get_disable_expansion_pak(),
                 cheats: std::collections::HashMap::new(), // will be filled in later
             },
-            ui::gui::VruChannel {
-                vru_window_notifier: None,
-                vru_word_receiver: None,
-            },
             None,
             ui::Usb {
                 usb_tx: Some(usb_tx),
diff --git a/src/ui/vru.rs b/src/ui/vru.rs
index 457f83f1..66154508 100644
--- a/src/ui/vru.rs
+++ b/src/ui/vru.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,49 @@
+use crate::gui;
+use slint::ComponentHandle;
+
 pub fn prompt_for_match(
     words: &[String],
-    window_notifier: &tokio::sync::mpsc::Sender<Option<Vec<String>>>,
-    word_index_receiver: &mut tokio::sync::mpsc::Receiver<String>,
+    weak_vru: &slint::Weak<gui::AppWindow>,
     frame_time: f64,
 ) -> u16 {
     let mut dedup_words = words.to_owned();
     dedup_words.sort();
     dedup_words.dedup();
-    window_notifier.try_send(Some(dedup_words)).unwrap();
-    let mut result = word_index_receiver.try_recv();
+
+    let (tx, mut rx) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(1);
+
+    weak_vru
+        .upgrade_in_event_loop(move |_handle| {
+            let vru_dialog = gui::VruDialog::new().unwrap();
+            let vru_dialog_weak = vru_dialog.as_weak();
+
+            let tx_clicked = tx.clone();
+
+            vru_dialog.on_vru_button_clicked(move |chosen_word| {
+                tx_clicked.try_send(chosen_word.to_string()).unwrap();
+                vru_dialog_weak.unwrap().window().hide().unwrap();
+            });
+
+            vru_dialog.window().on_close_requested(move || {
+                tx.try_send("".to_string()).unwrap();
+                slint::CloseRequestResponse::HideWindow
+            });
+
+            let words_vec = slint::VecModel::default();
+            for word in dedup_words {
+                words_vec.push(word.into());
+            }
+            let words_model: std::rc::Rc<slint::VecModel<slint::SharedString>> =
+                std::rc::Rc::new(words_vec);
+            vru_dialog.set_words(slint::ModelRc::from(words_model));
+
+            vru_dialog.show().unwrap();
+        })
+        .unwrap();
+
+    let mut result = rx.try_recv();
     while result.is_err() {
-        result = word_index_receiver.try_recv();
+        result = rx.try_recv();
         std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs_f64(frame_time));
         unsafe { sdl3_sys::events::SDL_PumpEvents() }; // so the OS doesn't complain about the game window being frozen
     }