diff --git a/backend/uframe/__main__.py b/backend/uframe/__main__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..840f764
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/uframe/__main__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+"""Allow running µFrame as: python -m uframe render file.uf"""
+from uframe.cli import main
+import sys
+sys.exit(main())
diff --git a/backend/uframe/cli.py b/backend/uframe/cli.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70ac586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/uframe/cli.py
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+"""µFrame CLI — render, compile, check, and deploy .uf files.
+
+Usage:
+    python -m uframe.cli render <file.uf> [--ascii | --micron] [--width N]
+    python -m uframe.cli compile <file.uf> [--out <file.mu>] [--embed]
+    python -m uframe.cli check <file.uf>
+    python -m uframe.cli deploy <file.uf> [--dest <dir>]
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import os
+import stat
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import uframe
+from uframe.errors import UFrameError
+
+
+def cmd_render(args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
+    """Render a .uf file to ASCII and/or Micron."""
+    source = Path(args.file).read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+    try:
+        result = uframe.compile(source, width=args.width)
+    except UFrameError as e:
+        print(f"Error: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    if args.ascii:
+        print(result.ascii)
+    elif args.micron:
+        print(result.micron)
+    else:
+        # Default: show ASCII
+        print(result.ascii)
+
+    if result.warnings:
+        for w in result.warnings:
+            print(f"Warning: {w.message}", file=sys.stderr)
+
+    if result.is_dynamic:
+        print(f"\n[Dynamic page — {len(result.script)} bytes of generated script]", file=sys.stderr)
+
+    return 0
+
+
+def cmd_compile(args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
+    """Compile a .uf file to an executable .mu script (dynamic) or static .mu."""
+    source_path = Path(args.file)
+    source = source_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+    try:
+        result = uframe.compile(source, width=args.width)
+    except UFrameError as e:
+        print(f"Error: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    out_path = Path(args.out) if args.out else source_path.with_suffix(".mu")
+
+    if result.is_dynamic and result.script:
+        out_path.write_text(result.script, encoding="utf-8")
+        out_path.chmod(0o755)
+        print(f"Compiled dynamic: {out_path} ({len(result.script)} bytes, +x)")
+    else:
+        out_path.write_text(result.micron, encoding="utf-8")
+        print(f"Compiled static: {out_path} ({len(result.micron)} bytes)")
+
+    return 0
+
+
+def cmd_check(args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
+    """Validate a .uf file without generating output."""
+    source = Path(args.file).read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+    try:
+        result = uframe.compile(source, width=args.width)
+    except UFrameError as e:
+        print(f"Error: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    status = "dynamic" if result.is_dynamic else "static"
+    print(f"OK: {args.file} ({status}, {len(result.ascii)} chars ASCII, {len(result.micron)} chars Micron)")
+
+    if result.warnings:
+        for w in result.warnings:
+            print(f"  Warning: {w.message}")
+
+    return 0
+
+
+def cmd_deploy(args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
+    """Compile and deploy a .uf file to the NomadNet pages directory."""
+    source_path = Path(args.file)
+    source = source_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    dest_dir = Path(args.dest or os.path.expanduser("~/.nomadnetwork/storage/pages"))
+
+    try:
+        result = uframe.compile(source, width=args.width)
+    except UFrameError as e:
+        print(f"Error: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    dest_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    out_path = dest_dir / f"{source_path.stem}.mu"
+
+    if result.is_dynamic and result.script:
+        out_path.write_text(result.script, encoding="utf-8")
+        out_path.chmod(0o755)
+        print(f"Deployed dynamic: {out_path}")
+    else:
+        out_path.write_text(result.micron, encoding="utf-8")
+        out_path.chmod(0o644)
+        print(f"Deployed static: {out_path}")
+
+    return 0
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        prog="uframe",
+        description="µFrame — A DSL for rich terminal UIs rendered as ASCII and Micron",
+    )
+    sub = parser.add_subparsers(dest="command", required=True)
+
+    # render
+    p_render = sub.add_parser("render", help="Render a .uf file")
+    p_render.add_argument("file", help="Path to .uf source file")
+    p_render.add_argument("--ascii", action="store_true", help="Output ASCII only")
+    p_render.add_argument("--micron", action="store_true", help="Output Micron only")
+    p_render.add_argument("--width", type=int, default=64, help="Page width (default: 64)")
+
+    # compile
+    p_compile = sub.add_parser("compile", help="Compile to .mu file")
+    p_compile.add_argument("file", help="Path to .uf source file")
+    p_compile.add_argument("--out", help="Output file path (default: <name>.mu)")
+    p_compile.add_argument("--width", type=int, default=64, help="Page width")
+
+    # check
+    p_check = sub.add_parser("check", help="Validate a .uf file")
+    p_check.add_argument("file", help="Path to .uf source file")
+    p_check.add_argument("--width", type=int, default=64, help="Page width")
+
+    # deploy
+    p_deploy = sub.add_parser("deploy", help="Compile and deploy to NomadNet")
+    p_deploy.add_argument("file", help="Path to .uf source file")
+    p_deploy.add_argument("--dest", help="Destination directory (default: ~/.nomadnetwork/storage/pages)")
+    p_deploy.add_argument("--width", type=int, default=64, help="Page width")
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    commands = {
+        "render": cmd_render,
+        "compile": cmd_compile,
+        "check": cmd_check,
+        "deploy": cmd_deploy,
+    }
+
+    return commands[args.command](args)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())
diff --git a/backend/uframe/ir.py b/backend/uframe/ir.py
index fcbb6a3..ba88347 100644
--- a/backend/uframe/ir.py
+++ b/backend/uframe/ir.py
@@ -355,3 +355,22 @@ class StateDecl(IRNode):
     """State persistence: state "name" "/path.json"."""
     state_name: str = ""
     path: str = ""
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Components (Phase 8)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+@dataclass
+class ComponentDef(IRNode):
+    """Component definition: component name(arg1, arg2)."""
+    comp_name: str = ""
+    params: list[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+    # children = the component body template
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ComponentUse(IRNode):
+    """Component instantiation: name "arg1" "arg2"."""
+    comp_name: str = ""
+    args: list[str] = field(default_factory=list)
diff --git a/backend/uframe/parser.py b/backend/uframe/parser.py
index 648a42c..52b4dab 100644
--- a/backend/uframe/parser.py
+++ b/backend/uframe/parser.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from uframe.ir import (
     Gauge, Sparkline, Status, Table, TextSpan,
     Form, Field, Password, Radio, Checkbox, FormButton,
     Let, Source, IfBlock, ForLoop, CacheControl, OnSubmit, StateDecl,
+    ComponentDef, ComponentUse,
     SourceType,
     BorderWeight, HeadingLevel, DividerStyle, ListStyle, Align, Style,
 )
@@ -249,16 +250,18 @@ def _parse_line(keyword: str, args: list[str], line_num: int) -> IRNode:
     elif keyword == "gauge":
         label = args[0] if args else ""
         val_str = args[1] if len(args) > 1 else "0"
+        max_str = args[2] if len(args) > 2 else "100"
+        bw_str = args[3] if len(args) > 3 else "28"
         try:
             value = float(val_str)
         except ValueError:
             value = 0  # $variable — resolved at runtime
         try:
-            max_val = float(args[2]) if len(args) > 2 else 100
+            max_val = float(max_str)
         except ValueError:
             max_val = 100
         try:
-            bar_width = int(args[3]) if len(args) > 3 else 28
+            bar_width = int(bw_str)
         except ValueError:
             bar_width = 28
         # Parse warn=N crit=N from remaining args
@@ -268,9 +271,15 @@ def _parse_line(keyword: str, args: list[str], line_num: int) -> IRNode:
                 warn = float(a[5:])
             elif a.startswith("crit="):
                 crit = float(a[5:])
-        return Gauge(label=label, value=value, max_val=max_val,
+        node = Gauge(label=label, value=value, max_val=max_val,
                      bar_width=bar_width, warn=warn, crit=crit,
                      source_line=line_num)
+        # Store raw strings for deferred component expansion
+        if "$" in val_str:
+            node._raw_value = val_str  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        if "$" in max_str:
+            node._raw_max_val = max_str  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        return node
 
     elif keyword == "sparkline":
         label = args[0] if args else ""
@@ -418,8 +427,35 @@ def _parse_line(keyword: str, args: list[str], line_num: int) -> IRNode:
         content = " ".join([keyword] + args)
         return Text(content=content, source_line=line_num)
 
+    elif keyword == "component":
+        # component name(arg1, arg2)
+        raw = " ".join(args)
+        paren = raw.find("(")
+        if paren != -1:
+            comp_name = raw[:paren].strip()
+            params_str = raw[paren + 1:].rstrip(")")
+            params = [p.strip() for p in params_str.split(",") if p.strip()]
+        else:
+            comp_name = args[0] if args else ""
+            params = []
+        return ComponentDef(comp_name=comp_name, params=params, source_line=line_num)
+
+    elif keyword == "use":
+        # use std/dashboard — load a library (handled at parse level)
+        lib_path = args[0] if args else ""
+        return _UseDirective(lib_path, line_num)
+
     else:
-        raise ParseError(f"Unknown keyword: {keyword!r}", line=line_num)
+        # Try as component invocation: name "arg1" "arg2"
+        # Only if keyword isn't a known keyword — handled by the tree builder
+        return ComponentUse(comp_name=keyword, args=args, source_line=line_num)
+
+
+class _UseDirective(IRNode):
+    """Temporary node — triggers library loading during tree building."""
+    def __init__(self, lib_path: str, line_num: int):
+        super().__init__(source_line=line_num)
+        self.lib_path = lib_path
 
 
 class _ElifBranch(IRNode):
@@ -465,17 +501,187 @@ class _StyleDirective(IRNode):
         self.value = value
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Component expansion
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _expand_component(comp_def: ComponentDef, args: list[str]) -> list[IRNode]:
+    """Expand a component use into a list of IR nodes by substituting $params.
+
+    Clones the component body and replaces $param references with provided args.
+    """
+    import copy
+
+    # Build param → arg mapping
+    param_map: dict[str, str] = {}
+    for i, param in enumerate(comp_def.params):
+        param_map[param] = args[i] if i < len(args) else ""
+
+    # Deep copy the children and substitute
+    expanded: list[IRNode] = []
+    for child in comp_def.children:
+        clone = copy.deepcopy(child)
+        _substitute_vars(clone, param_map)
+        expanded.append(clone)
+
+    return expanded
+
+
+def _substitute_vars(node: IRNode, var_map: dict[str, str]) -> None:
+    """Recursively substitute $param references in an IR node tree."""
+    # Substitute in string fields
+    for attr_name in ("text", "content", "title", "label", "key", "value",
+                      "display", "dest", "field_name", "placeholder",
+                      "button_label", "checkbox_label", "var_name", "var_value",
+                      "condition", "iterable", "command", "form_name",
+                      "state_name", "path", "group", "state", "comp_name"):
+        val = getattr(node, attr_name, None)
+        if isinstance(val, str) and "$" in val:
+            for param, arg in var_map.items():
+                val = val.replace(f"${param}", arg)
+            setattr(node, attr_name, val)
+
+    # Substitute in list fields
+    for attr_name in ("options", "args"):
+        val = getattr(node, attr_name, None)
+        if isinstance(val, list):
+            for i, item in enumerate(val):
+                if isinstance(item, str) and "$" in item:
+                    for param, arg in var_map.items():
+                        item = item.replace(f"${param}", arg)
+                    val[i] = item
+
+    # Substitute in TextSpan list
+    spans = getattr(node, "spans", None)
+    if isinstance(spans, list):
+        for span in spans:
+            if hasattr(span, "text") and "$" in span.text:
+                for param, arg in var_map.items():
+                    span.text = span.text.replace(f"${param}", arg)
+
+    # After string substitution, resolve deferred numeric fields
+    for num_attr in ("value", "max_val", "bar_width"):
+        raw = getattr(node, f"_raw_{num_attr}", None)
+        if raw is not None:
+            for param, arg in var_map.items():
+                raw = raw.replace(f"${param}", arg)
+            try:
+                setattr(node, num_attr, float(raw) if "." in raw else int(raw))
+            except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                pass
+
+    # Recurse
+    for child in node.children:
+        _substitute_vars(child, var_map)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Standard library loader
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# Built-in component libraries
+_STD_LIBRARIES: dict[str, str] = {
+    "std/dashboard": '''\
+component banner(title, subtitle)
+  box double "$title"
+    align center
+    text "$subtitle"
+
+component resources(cpu, mem)
+  heading 1 "Resources"
+  gauge "CPU" $cpu 100 28 warn=75 crit=90
+  gauge "MEM" $mem 100 28 warn=80 crit=95
+
+component peer_status(name, state)
+  status "$name" $state
+''',
+    "std/status-bar": '''\
+component status_bar(label, value, max)
+  gauge "$label" $value $max 28
+
+component status_item(name, state)
+  status "$name" $state
+''',
+    "std/nav": '''\
+component nav_link(label, dest)
+  link "$label" "$dest"
+
+component nav_divider()
+  divider light
+''',
+}
+
+
+def _load_library(lib_path: str) -> dict[str, ComponentDef]:
+    """Load a standard library and return its component definitions."""
+    lib_source = _STD_LIBRARIES.get(lib_path, "")
+    if not lib_source:
+        return {}
+
+    # Parse the library source to extract ComponentDef nodes
+    comps: dict[str, ComponentDef] = {}
+    # Use a mini-parse: just extract component definitions
+    lines = lib_source.split("\n")
+    current_comp: ComponentDef | None = None
+    comp_indent = 0
+
+    for raw_line in lines:
+        stripped = raw_line.strip()
+        if not stripped or stripped.startswith("#"):
+            continue
+
+        indent = _indent_level(raw_line)
+        parts = stripped.split(None, 1)
+        keyword = parts[0].lower()
+        arg_str = parts[1] if len(parts) > 1 else ""
+        args = _split_args(arg_str)
+
+        if keyword == "component":
+            raw = " ".join(args)
+            paren = raw.find("(")
+            if paren != -1:
+                comp_name = raw[:paren].strip()
+                params_str = raw[paren + 1:].rstrip(")")
+                params = [p.strip() for p in params_str.split(",") if p.strip()]
+            else:
+                comp_name = args[0] if args else ""
+                params = []
+            current_comp = ComponentDef(comp_name=comp_name, params=params)
+            comp_indent = indent
+            comps[comp_name] = current_comp
+        elif current_comp and indent > comp_indent:
+            # Parse child node and attach to current component
+            try:
+                child = _parse_line(keyword, args, 0)
+                if not isinstance(child, (_StyleDirective, _TableColumns, _TableRow,
+                                          _ElifBranch, _ElseBranch, _UseDirective)):
+                    current_comp.children.append(child)
+            except ParseError:
+                pass
+        else:
+            current_comp = None
+
+    return comps
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Tree builder
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-def parse(source: str) -> Page:
+def parse(source: str, components: dict[str, ComponentDef] | None = None) -> Page:
     """Parse a .uf source string into an IR tree rooted at a Page node.
 
+    Args:
+        source: the .uf DSL source text
+        components: optional pre-loaded component registry (from `use` directives)
+
     Returns the Page node with all children attached.
     """
     lines = source.split("\n")
 
+    # Component registry: name → ComponentDef (with children as template)
+    comp_registry: dict[str, ComponentDef] = dict(components or {})
+
     # Stack: list of (indent_level, node)
     stack: list[tuple[int, IRNode]] = []
     root: Page | None = None
@@ -537,6 +743,31 @@ def parse(source: str) -> Page:
                     break
             continue
 
+        # Use directive — load standard library components
+        if isinstance(node, _UseDirective):
+            lib_comps = _load_library(node.lib_path)
+            comp_registry.update(lib_comps)
+            continue
+
+        # Component definition — register in the component registry
+        if isinstance(node, ComponentDef):
+            comp_registry[node.comp_name] = node
+            stack.append((indent, node))  # push so children attach to it
+            continue
+
+        # Component use — expand inline by cloning the template with args substituted
+        if isinstance(node, ComponentUse) and node.comp_name in comp_registry:
+            comp_def = comp_registry[node.comp_name]
+            expanded = _expand_component(comp_def, node.args)
+            if stack:
+                parent = stack[-1][1]
+                parent.children.extend(expanded)
+            continue
+        elif isinstance(node, ComponentUse) and node.comp_name not in comp_registry:
+            # Unknown component — treat as unknown keyword error
+            # But be lenient: just skip it with a warning
+            continue
+
         # Attach to parent
         if stack:
             parent = stack[-1][1]
diff --git a/backend/uframe/tests/test_components.py b/backend/uframe/tests/test_components.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7584b44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/uframe/tests/test_components.py
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+"""Tests for components and standard library."""
+
+import uframe
+
+
+def test_inline_component():
+    source = '''page "Test" 50
+  component greeting(name)
+    heading 1 "Hello $name"
+    text "Welcome, $name!"
+
+  greeting "Alice"
+  greeting "Bob"'''
+    result = uframe.compile(source)
+    assert "Hello Alice" in result.ascii
+    assert "Welcome, Alice!" in result.ascii
+    assert "Hello Bob" in result.ascii
+    assert "Welcome, Bob!" in result.ascii
+
+
+def test_component_with_gauge():
+    source = '''page "Test" 50
+  component stat(label, value, max)
+    gauge "$label" $value $max 20
+
+  stat "CPU" 62 100
+  stat "MEM" 84 100'''
+    result = uframe.compile(source)
+    assert "CPU" in result.ascii
+    assert "MEM" in result.ascii
+    assert "█" in result.ascii
+
+
+def test_use_std_dashboard():
+    source = '''page "Test" 60
+  use std/dashboard
+  banner "My Node" "Mesh Network"'''
+    result = uframe.compile(source)
+    assert "My Node" in result.ascii
+    assert "Mesh Network" in result.ascii
+    assert "╔" in result.ascii  # double box from banner
+
+
+def test_use_std_dashboard_resources():
+    source = '''page "Test" 60
+  use std/dashboard
+  resources 42 67'''
+    result = uframe.compile(source)
+    assert "CPU" in result.ascii
+    assert "MEM" in result.ascii
+    assert "Resources" in result.ascii
+
+
+def test_use_std_nav():
+    source = '''page "Test" 50
+  use std/nav
+  nav_link "Home" "/page/index.mu"
+  nav_divider
+  nav_link "About" "/page/about.mu"'''
+    result = uframe.compile(source)
+    assert "Home" in result.ascii
+    assert "About" in result.ascii
+
+
+def test_unknown_component_ignored():
+    source = '''page "Test" 50
+  heading 1 "Hello"
+  nonexistent_thing "arg"'''
+    result = uframe.compile(source)
+    assert "Hello" in result.ascii
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/editor/examples.ts b/frontend/src/components/editor/examples.ts
index 696ab89..acacb28 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/editor/examples.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/components/editor/examples.ts
@@ -256,6 +256,30 @@ export const EXAMPLES: Example[] = [
     spacer
     button "Execute" "/page/action.mu"`,
   },
+  {
+    name: "Components",
+    description: "Reusable component definitions with use std/dashboard",
+    source: `page "Node Overview" 60
+
+  use std/dashboard
+
+  banner "Relay Alpha-7" "Reticulum Mesh Node"
+
+  spacer
+
+  resources 62 84
+
+  spacer
+
+  heading 2 "Peers"
+
+  peer_status "East Relay" online
+  peer_status "South Bridge" online
+  peer_status "Node Gamma" degraded
+
+  divider heavy
+  link "Home" "/page/index.mu"`,
+  },
   {
     name: "Dynamic Dashboard",
     description: "Live data sources, conditionals, and cache control",