diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/command.lysp b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/command.lysp
index 4f9d61da..cd2b8339 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/command.lysp
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/command.lysp
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
 (setq _red/command-table (hash/new))
 
+;; Command text manipulation
+(setq _red/current-command nil)
+
+(defun red/command/append! (text)
+  (setq _red/current-command (+ (if _red/current-command _red/current-command "") text)))
+(defun red/command/erase-backward! ()
+  (when _red/current-command
+    (setq _red/current-command (string/pop _red/current-command))))
+(defun red/command/clear! () (setq _red/current-command nil))
+
+;; Command macros
 (defun _red/declare-command
   (command handler)
   (hash/put! _red/command-table command handler))
@@ -21,6 +32,7 @@
     )
   )
 
+;; Command handlers
 (defun _red/editor-command-hook (command)
   (when-let
     (words (filter identity (string/split command)))
@@ -37,6 +49,7 @@
     )
   )
 
+;; Root command handler
 (defun _red/root-command-hook (command)
   (red/set-top-mode 'normal)
   (setq command (string/trim command))
@@ -49,6 +62,7 @@
     )
   )
 
+;; Command definitions
 (declare-command "q" () (red/quit))
 (declare-command "q!" () (red/quit #t))
 (declare-command
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/core.lysp b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/core.lysp
index 56883f25..3e02940b 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/core.lysp
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/core.lysp
@@ -1,23 +1,10 @@
 ;; External API
 
 (import "util.lysp")
-
-(defun _red/key-sequence-string
-  (key-seq)
-  (let (strs (map ->string key-seq))
-    (string/join strs "+")
-    )
-  )
-(defun _red/root-post-render-hook (width height)
-  (unless (nil? _red/key-sequence)
-    (let (keys (_red/key-sequence-string _red/key-sequence))
-      (term/set-cursor (- height 1) (- width 10))
-      (term/write keys)
-      )
-    )
-  )
+(import "message.lysp")
 
 ;; Bind the hooks
+(import "render.lysp")
 (red/bind-post-render-hook _red/root-post-render-hook)
 
 ;; Child modules
@@ -30,3 +17,5 @@
 ;; User configuration
 (try-import "/etc/red/init.lysp")
 (try-import (+ (fs/home-directory) "/.red.d/init.lysp"))
+
+(_red/update-render-params)
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/command.lysp b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/command.lysp
index 073e8a56..661b8ea5 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/command.lysp
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/command.lysp
@@ -2,16 +2,13 @@
   command
   ('escape (red/set-top-mode 'normal))
   ('backspace
-   (let (command (red/command))
-     (if command
-       (red/set-command (string/pop command))
-       (red/set-top-mode 'normal)
-       )
-     )
-   )
+   (if _red/current-command
+     (red/command/erase-backward!)
+     (red/set-top-mode 'normal)
+     ))
   ('newline
-   (let (command (red/command))
-     (red/set-command "")
+   (let (command _red/current-command)
+     (red/command/clear!)
      (_red/root-command-hook command)
      )
    )
@@ -24,8 +21,4 @@
   (key-seq)
   (let (insertable (red/as-insertable-key-seq key-seq))
     (unless (nil? insertable)
-      (let (command (+ (red/command) insertable))
-        (red/set-command command))
-      )
-    )
-  )
+      (red/command/append! insertable))))
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/normal.lysp b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/normal.lysp
index b5c0ea46..0e9e6aa7 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/normal.lysp
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/keymap/normal.lysp
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 (declare-keys
   normal
-  (': (red/set-top-mode 'command))
+  (':
+   (red/clear-status)
+   (red/clear-message)
+   (red/set-top-mode 'command)
+   )
   ('i (red/buffer/set-mode 'insert-before))
   ('a (red/buffer/set-mode 'insert-after))
   ('I
@@ -28,6 +32,8 @@
   ('up (red/buffer/move 'prev-line))
   ('down (red/buffer/move 'next-line))
 
+  ('(F F F F F) nil)
+
   ('o
    (red/buffer/insert-line-after)
    (red/buffer/move 'next-line)
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/message.lysp b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/message.lysp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..38839317
--- /dev/null
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/message.lysp
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+(setq _red/current-message nil)
+(setq _red/current-status nil)
+
+(defun _red/set-message (var args)
+  (let
+    (value (if (nil? args)
+             nil
+             (string/join (map ->string args))))
+    (set var value)))
+
+(defun red/message (&rest args) (_red/set-message '_red/current-message args))
+(defun red/status (&rest args) (_red/set-message '_red/current-status args))
+
+(defun red/clear-message () (setq _red/current-message nil))
+(defun red/clear-status () (setq _red/current-status nil))
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/runtime/render.lysp b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/render.lysp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9e32d28c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/runtime/render.lysp
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+;; Drawing options
+
+(setq red/render/status-line #T)
+(setq red/render/status-line/key-sequence #T)
+
+(setq red/render/mode-line #T)
+(setq red/render/mode-line/arrow #T)
+
+;; Drawing functions
+
+(defun _red/colorize-mode
+  (mode)
+  (cond
+    ((= mode 'normal) '(black cyan))
+    ((= mode 'insert) '(black yellow))
+    ((= mode 'command) '(black green))
+    (&otherwise nil)))
+
+(defun _red/render-mode-line
+  (row mode name modified)
+  (unless red/render/mode-line (return))
+  (term/set-cursor row 0)
+  (let (color (_red/colorize-mode mode))
+    (when color
+      (when (car color)
+        (term/fg-color (car color)))
+      (when (cadr color)
+        (term/bg-color (cadr color))
+        )
+      )
+    (term/write (+ " " (string/to-upper (->string mode)) " "))
+    ;; Invert colors and draw the arrow
+    (when color
+      (when (and red/render/mode-line/arrow (cadr color))
+        (term/fg-color (cadr color))
+        (term/bg-color 'black)
+        (term/write "🭬"))
+      (term/reset)
+      )
+    )
+  ;; Render bufer name
+  (when name
+    (term/write (+ " " name)))
+  (when modified
+    (term/write " [+]"))
+  )
+
+(defun _red/render-status-line
+  (row)
+  (let (message (cond
+                  (_red/current-message (list _red/current-message 'red))
+                  (_red/current-status (list _red/current-status 'white)))
+                )
+    (unless message (return))
+    (term/set-cursor row 0)
+    (when (cadr message)
+      (term/fg-color (cadr message)))
+    (term/write (car message))))
+
+(defun _red/render-key-line
+  (row width)
+  (let (keys (string/join (map ->string _red/key-sequence) "+"))
+    (unless keys (return))
+    (term/set-cursor row (- width (+ (string/length keys) 1)))
+    (term/write keys)
+    ))
+
+(defun _red/render-command (row command)
+  (term/set-cursor row 0)
+  (term/write ":")
+  (when command
+    (term/write command)))
+
+(defun _red/render-bottom-bar
+  (width height)
+  (let* (mode (red/buffer/mode) top-mode (car mode) buffer-mode (cadr mode))
+    (when (= top-mode 'command) (setq buffer-mode 'command))
+
+    ;; Display mode line
+    (_red/render-mode-line
+      (- height _red/mode-line-offset)
+      buffer-mode
+      (red/buffer/name)
+      (red/buffer/modified?))
+
+    (when (= top-mode 'normal)
+      ;; Status text
+      (_red/render-status-line (- height _red/status-line-offset))
+      ;; Current key sequence
+      (_red/render-key-line (- height _red/status-line-offset) width)
+      )
+    (when (= top-mode 'command)
+      ;; Render command
+      (_red/render-command (- height _red/status-line-offset) _red/current-command))
+    )
+  )
+
+(defun _red/root-post-render-hook (width height)
+  (_red/render-bottom-bar width height)
+  (term/reset)
+  ;; If not in command mode, set cursor to buffer
+  (when (= 'normal (car (red/buffer/mode)))
+    (red/cursor-to-buffer))
+  )
+
+;; command line + status line
+(defun _red/update-render-params ()
+  (setq _red/status-line-offset 1)
+  (setq _red/mode-line-offset 2)
+  (setq red/bottom-margin (+ (and red/render/mode-line 1) 1)))
+
+(_red/update-render-params)
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/src/config.rs b/userspace/tools/red/src/config.rs
index adc3e6b2..e3bb970a 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/src/config.rs
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/src/config.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use std::{
 pub struct EditorConfig {
     pub tab_width: usize,
     pub number: Dirty<bool>,
+    pub bottom_margin: Dirty<usize>,
 }
 
 pub struct Dirty<T>(T, bool);
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ impl Default for EditorConfig {
         Self {
             tab_width: 4,
             number: Dirty::new(false),
+            bottom_margin: Dirty::new(0),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/src/main.rs b/userspace/tools/red/src/main.rs
index 3ca478a1..7c4b9d52 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/src/main.rs
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/src/main.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ use lysp::{
         Value,
         env::{Environment, EnvironmentAccessHook},
         machine::Machine,
-        value::{IdentifierValue, StringValue, convert::AnyFunction},
+        value::{
+            IdentifierValue, StringValue,
+            convert::{AnyFunction, TryFromValue},
+        },
     },
 };
 
@@ -57,17 +60,28 @@ impl Editor {
 
                 match name {
                     "red/number" => Some((*config.number).into()),
+                    "red/bottom-margin" => Some((*config.bottom_margin).into()),
                     _ => None,
                 }
             }
-            fn write_variable(&mut self, name: IdentifierValue, value: Value) -> bool {
+            fn write_variable(
+                &mut self,
+                name: &IdentifierValue,
+                value: &Value,
+            ) -> Result<bool, MachineError> {
                 match name.as_ref() {
                     "red/number" => {
                         let mut config = self.1.borrow_mut();
                         *config.number = value.is_trueish();
-                        true
+                        Ok(true)
                     }
-                    _ => false,
+                    "red/bottom-margin" => {
+                        let value = usize::try_from_value(value)?;
+                        let mut config = self.1.borrow_mut();
+                        *config.bottom_margin = value;
+                        Ok(true)
+                    }
+                    _ => Ok(false),
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -127,18 +141,26 @@ impl Editor {
     pub fn evaluate_file<P: AsRef<Path>>(&mut self, path: P) {
         let path = path.as_ref();
         if let Err(error) = self.machine.load_file(Default::default(), &self.env, path) {
-            self.state
-                .borrow_mut()
-                .set_message(format!("{}: {}", path.display(), error));
+            log::error!("{}: {}", path.display(), error);
+            self.env
+                .set_global_value(
+                    "_red/current-message",
+                    Value::String(format!("{}: {}", path.display(), error).into()),
+                )
+                .ok();
         }
     }
 
     pub fn evaluate_callback(&mut self, function: &AnyFunction, args: &[Value]) {
         let name = function.name();
         if let Err(error) = function.invoke(&mut self.machine, &self.env, args) {
-            self.state
-                .borrow_mut()
-                .set_message(format!("{name}: {error}"));
+            log::error!("{name}: {error}");
+            self.env
+                .set_global_value(
+                    "_red/current-message",
+                    Value::String(format!("{name}: {error}").into()),
+                )
+                .ok();
         }
     }
 
@@ -155,10 +177,12 @@ impl Editor {
             runtime_directory = "/usr/share/red/runtime".into();
         }
 
-        self.env.set_global_value(
-            "red/runtime-directory",
-            StringValue::from(format!("{}", runtime_directory.display())),
-        );
+        self.env
+            .set_global_value(
+                "red/runtime-directory",
+                StringValue::from(format!("{}", runtime_directory.display())),
+            )
+            .ok();
         self.evaluate_file(runtime_directory.join("core.lysp"));
 
         loop {
@@ -200,8 +224,6 @@ impl Editor {
                     &key_hook,
                     &[top_mode.into(), buffer_mode.into(), key.into()],
                 );
-            } else {
-                self.state.borrow_mut().set_message("No root key hook set!");
             }
         }
         Ok(())
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/src/script/mod.rs b/userspace/tools/red/src/script/mod.rs
index 7c5eff21..9c691038 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/src/script/mod.rs
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/src/script/mod.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use crate::{
 
 pub mod convert;
 pub use convert::{AsValue, FromValue, Movement};
-use libterm::Color;
+use libterm::{Clear, Color};
 use lysp::{
     error::MachineError,
     vm::{
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use lysp::{
 };
 
 fn editor_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
-    editor.defun("red/shell-command", |_, _, state, args| {
+    editor.defun("red/shell-command", |_, env, _, args| {
         let [command, args @ ..] = args else {
             return Err(MachineError::InvalidArgumentCount.into());
         };
@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ fn editor_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
                     if let Ok(text) = std::str::from_utf8(&output.stdout[..]) {
                         let text = text.trim();
                         let text = text.rsplit_once('\n').map(|(_, v)| v).unwrap_or(text);
-                        state.borrow_mut().set_status(text);
+
+                        env.set_global_value("_red/current-status", Value::String(text.into()))
+                            .ok();
                     }
                     Ok(Value::Nil)
                 } else {
@@ -80,55 +82,11 @@ fn editor_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
             [] => false,
             [arg, ..] => arg.is_trueish(),
         };
-        state.borrow_mut().exit(force);
+        state.borrow_mut().exit(force)?;
         Ok(Value::Nil)
     });
-    editor.defun("red/command", |_, _, state, _| {
-        let command = state.borrow().command.clone();
-        Ok(StringValue::from(command).into())
-    });
-    editor.defun("red/set-command", |_, _, state, args| {
-        let [command] = args else {
-            return Err(MachineError::InvalidArgumentCount.into());
-        };
-        let command = StringValue::try_from_value(command)?;
-        state.borrow_mut().command = (*command).to_owned();
-        Ok(Value::Nil)
-    });
-    editor.defun("red/message", |_, _, state, args| {
-        let mut message = String::new();
-        for (i, arg) in args.iter().enumerate() {
-            if i != 0 {
-                message.push(' ');
-            }
-            match arg {
-                Value::String(value) => {
-                    message.push_str(value.as_ref());
-                }
-                _ => {
-                    message.push_str(&format!("{arg}"));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        state.borrow_mut().set_message(message);
-        Ok(Value::Nil)
-    });
-    editor.defun("red/status", |_, _, state, args| {
-        let mut message = String::new();
-        for (i, arg) in args.iter().enumerate() {
-            if i != 0 {
-                message.push(' ');
-            }
-            match arg {
-                Value::String(value) => {
-                    message.push_str(value.as_ref());
-                }
-                _ => {
-                    message.push_str(&format!("{arg}"));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        state.borrow_mut().set_status(message);
+    editor.defun("red/cursor-to-buffer", |_, _, state, _| {
+        state.borrow_mut().cursor_to_buffer().ok();
         Ok(Value::Nil)
     });
 }
@@ -288,6 +246,15 @@ fn buffer_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
             Ok(Value::Nil)
         }
     });
+    editor.defun("red/buffer/name", |_, _, state, _| {
+        let state = state.borrow();
+        let name = state.buffer().name();
+        if let Some(name) = name {
+            Ok(Value::String((&**name).into()))
+        } else {
+            Ok(Value::Nil)
+        }
+    });
     editor.defun("red/buffer/mode", |_, _, state, _| {
         let state = state.borrow();
         let (top_mode, buffer_mode) = state.mode();
@@ -304,14 +271,17 @@ fn buffer_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
         state.set_mode(target_mode);
         Ok(Value::Nil)
     });
-    editor.defun("red/buffer/write", |_, _, state, args| {
+    editor.defun("red/buffer/write", |_, env, state, args| {
         let path = match args {
             [] => None,
             [path] => Some(StringValue::try_from_value(path)?),
             _ => return Err(MachineError::InvalidArgumentCount.into()),
         };
         let mut state = state.borrow_mut();
-        state.write_buffer(path.as_deref())?;
+        if let Some(status) = state.write_buffer(path.as_deref())? {
+            env.set_global_value("_red/current-status", Value::String(status.into()))
+                .ok();
+        }
         Ok(Value::Nil)
     });
     editor.defun("red/buffer/open", |_, _, state, args| {
@@ -358,6 +328,10 @@ fn buffer_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
         state.buffer_mut().newline_after(break_line);
         Ok(Value::Nil)
     });
+    editor.defun("red/buffer/modified?", |_, _, state, _| {
+        let state = state.borrow();
+        Ok(state.buffer().is_modified().into())
+    });
     editor.defun("red/buffer/kill-line", |_, _, state, _| {
         let mut state = state.borrow_mut();
         state.kill_current_line();
@@ -378,6 +352,16 @@ fn buffer_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
 }
 
 fn term_api(editor: &mut Editor) {
+    editor.defun("term/reset", |_, _, state, _| {
+        let mut state = state.borrow_mut();
+        state.term.reset_style().ok();
+        Ok(Value::Nil)
+    });
+    editor.defun("term/clear-line", |_, _, state, _| {
+        let mut state = state.borrow_mut();
+        state.term.clear(Clear::LineToEnd).ok();
+        Ok(Value::Nil)
+    });
     editor.defun("term/fg-color", |_, _, state, args| {
         let [color] = args else {
             return Err(MachineError::InvalidArgumentCount.into());
diff --git a/userspace/tools/red/src/state.rs b/userspace/tools/red/src/state.rs
index 1bed84cc..afdfb55a 100644
--- a/userspace/tools/red/src/state.rs
+++ b/userspace/tools/red/src/state.rs
@@ -15,9 +15,6 @@ use crate::{
 pub struct State {
     pub(super) term: Term,
     buffer: Buffer,
-    pub(super) command: String,
-    message: Option<String>,
-    status: Option<String>,
     top_mode: TopMode,
     config: Rc<RefCell<EditorConfig>>,
     running: bool,
@@ -43,9 +40,6 @@ impl State {
         Ok(Self {
             number_width: buffer.number_width(),
             top_mode: TopMode::Normal,
-            message: None,
-            status: None,
-            command: String::new(),
             running: true,
             buffer,
             term,
@@ -76,26 +70,19 @@ impl State {
         Some(self.buffer.get_terminal_cursor(&self.config.borrow()))
     }
 
-    pub fn exit(&mut self, force: bool) {
+    pub fn exit(&mut self, force: bool) -> Result<(), Error> {
         if self.buffer.is_modified() && !force {
-            self.message = Some("Buffer has unsaved changes. Use :q! to force-exit".into());
-            return;
+            Err(Error::UnsavedBuffer("Use :q! to force-exit"))
+        } else {
+            self.running = false;
+            Ok(())
         }
-        self.running = false;
     }
 
     pub fn exited(&self) -> bool {
         !self.running
     }
 
-    pub fn set_status<S: Into<String>>(&mut self, status: S) {
-        self.status.replace(status.into());
-    }
-
-    pub fn set_message<S: Into<String>>(&mut self, message: S) {
-        self.message.replace(message.into());
-    }
-
     fn display_number(&mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
         let start = self.buffer.row_offset();
         let end = self.buffer.len();
@@ -131,85 +118,12 @@ impl State {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn display_modeline(&mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
-        self.term
-            .set_cursor_position(self.buffer.height(), 0)
-            .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-
-        let bg = match (self.top_mode, self.buffer.mode()) {
-            (TopMode::Normal, Mode::Normal) => Color::Yellow,
-            (TopMode::Normal, Mode::Insert) => Color::Cyan,
-            (TopMode::Command, _) => Color::Green,
-        };
-
-        self.term.set_background(bg).map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-        self.term
-            .set_foreground(Color::Black)
-            .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-
-        match self.top_mode {
-            TopMode::Normal => {
-                write!(self.term, " {} ", self.buffer.mode().as_str())
-                    .map_err(Error::TerminalFmtError)?;
-
-                if self.buffer.is_modified() {
-                    self.term
-                        .set_background(Color::Magenta)
-                        .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-                    self.term
-                        .set_foreground(Color::Default)
-                        .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-                } else {
-                    self.term
-                        .set_foreground(Color::Green)
-                        .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-                    self.term
-                        .set_background(Color::Default)
-                        .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-                }
-            }
-            TopMode::Command => {
-                write!(self.term, " COMMAND ").map_err(Error::TerminalFmtError)?;
-
-                self.term
-                    .set_foreground(Color::Green)
-                    .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-                self.term
-                    .set_background(Color::Default)
-                    .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-            }
-        }
-
-        let name = self
-            .buffer
-            .name()
-            .map(String::as_str)
-            .unwrap_or("<unnamed>");
-        write!(self.term, " {}", name).map_err(Error::TerminalFmtError)?;
-        self.term
-            .clear(Clear::LineToEnd)
-            .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-
-        self.term.reset_style().map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-
-        Ok(())
+    pub fn cursor_to_buffer(&mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        let config = self.config.borrow();
+        self.buffer.set_terminal_cursor(&config, &mut self.term)
     }
 
     pub fn finish_display(&mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
-        let config = self.config.borrow();
-
-        match self.top_mode {
-            TopMode::Normal => {
-                self.buffer.set_terminal_cursor(&config, &mut self.term)?;
-            }
-            TopMode::Command => {
-                self.term
-                    .set_cursor_position(self.buffer.height() + 1, 0)
-                    .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-                write!(self.term, ":{}", self.command.as_str()).map_err(Error::TerminalFmtError)?;
-            }
-        }
-
         self.term.flush().map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -224,12 +138,14 @@ impl State {
 
         let (w, h) = self.term.size().map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
 
-        if config.number.clean() {
+        if config.number.clean() || config.bottom_margin.clean() {
             if *config.number {
                 let nw = self.buffer.number_width() + 3;
-                self.buffer.resize(&config, nw, w - nw - 1, h - 2);
+                self.buffer
+                    .resize(&config, nw, w - nw - 1, h - (*config.bottom_margin + 1));
             } else {
-                self.buffer.resize(&config, 0, w - 1, h - 2);
+                self.buffer
+                    .resize(&config, 0, w - 1, h - (*config.bottom_margin + 1));
             }
         }
 
@@ -240,34 +156,11 @@ impl State {
         self.buffer
             .display(&config, &mut self.term, &self.highlight)?;
 
-        if self.top_mode != TopMode::Command
-            && let Some(status) = &self.status
-        {
-            self.term
-                .set_cursor_position(self.buffer().height() + 1, 0)
-                .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-            self.term
-                .write_str(status.as_str())
-                .map_err(Error::TerminalFmtError)?;
-        }
-
-        if let Some(msg) = &self.message {
-            self.term
-                .set_cursor_position(self.buffer.height(), 0)
-                .map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-            self.term.write_str(msg).map_err(Error::TerminalFmtError)?;
-            self.term.flush().map_err(Error::TerminalError)?;
-            return Ok((w, h));
-        }
-
-        self.display_modeline()?;
-
         Ok((w, h))
     }
 
     pub fn set_mode(&mut self, target: SetMode) {
         self.top_mode = TopMode::Normal;
-        self.message = None;
         self.buffer.set_mode(&self.config.borrow(), target);
     }
 
@@ -277,8 +170,6 @@ impl State {
         }
 
         self.top_mode = target;
-        self.message = None;
-        self.command.clear();
         self.buffer.set_mode(&self.config.borrow(), SetMode::Normal);
     }
 
@@ -323,7 +214,10 @@ impl State {
         self.buffer.reopen(path).map_err(Error::OpenError)
     }
 
-    pub fn write_buffer<P: AsRef<Path>>(&mut self, path: Option<P>) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    pub fn write_buffer<P: AsRef<Path>>(
+        &mut self,
+        path: Option<P>,
+    ) -> Result<Option<String>, Error> {
         if path.is_some() && self.buffer.is_modified() && self.buffer.path().is_some() {
             return Err(Error::UnsavedBuffer(
                 "Use :w! FILE to force write to another file",
@@ -337,10 +231,10 @@ impl State {
 
         if let Some(name) = self.buffer.name() {
             let status = format!("{name:?} written");
-            self.set_status(status);
+            Ok(Some(status))
+        } else {
+            Ok(None)
         }
-
-        Ok(())
     }
 
     pub fn wait_for_events(&mut self) -> Result<TermKey, Error> {