diff --git a/data.json b/data.json
index b6e938d..cd34dd8 100644
--- a/data.json
+++ b/data.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "todos": [
     {
-      "title": "TEST KUBBB",
+      "title": "TEST KUB",
       "completed": false,
       "id": 2
     },
diff --git a/example/db.json b/example/db.json
deleted file mode 100644
index f9507c8..0000000
--- a/example/db.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "users": [
-    {
-      "id": 1,
-      "name": "Ada Lovelace",
-      "email": "ada@example.com",
-      "role": "admin"
-    },
-    {
-      "id": 2,
-      "name": "Grace Hopper",
-      "email": "grace@example.com",
-      "role": "editor"
-    },
-    {
-      "id": 3,
-      "name": "Margaret Hamilton",
-      "email": "margaret@example.com",
-      "role": "viewer"
-    }
-  ],
-  "posts": [
-    {
-      "id": "a1b2c3d4-e5f6-4a7b-8c9d-0e1f2a3b4c5d",
-      "title": "Shipping a mock API in minutes",
-      "body": "Point zero-mock at a JSON file and iterate on your UI without waiting on backend tickets.",
-      "userId": 1,
-      "published": true
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "b2c3d4e5-f6a7-4b8c-9d0e-1f2a3b4c5d6e",
-      "title": "Why atomic writes matter",
-      "body": "Your JSON file stays the source of truth—even when multiple tabs hit the API at once.",
-      "userId": 2,
-      "published": false
-    },
-    {
-      "id": "c3d4e5f6-a7b8-4c9d-0e1f-2a3b4c5d6e7f",
-      "title": "Frontend-first workflows",
-      "body": "Prototype with realistic CRUD, then swap the mock for a production API when you are ready.",
-      "userId": 1,
-      "published": true
-    }
-  ]
-}
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index e2006c3..99d4f8a 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -9,10 +9,13 @@
       "version": "1.0.0",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/prompts": "^8.5.2",
         "chokidar": "^4.0.3",
         "commander": "^13.1.0",
         "cors": "^2.8.5",
         "express": "^4.21.2",
+        "gradient-string": "^3.0.0",
+        "picocolors": "^1.1.1",
         "zod": "^4.4.3"
       },
       "bin": {
@@ -29,6 +32,7 @@
         "@semantic-release/release-notes-generator": "^14.1.1",
         "@types/cors": "^2.8.17",
         "@types/express": "^4.17.21",
+        "@types/gradient-string": "^1.1.6",
         "@types/node": "^22.14.0",
         "@vitest/coverage-v8": "^2.1.9",
         "husky": "^9.1.7",
@@ -876,6 +880,362 @@
         "node": ">=12"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/ansi": {
+      "version": "2.0.7",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/ansi/-/ansi-2.0.7.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-3eTuUO1vH2cZm2ZKHeQxnOqlTi9EfZDGgIe3BL3I4u+rJHocr9Fz86M4fjYABPvFnQG/gGK551HqDiIcETwU6Q==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/checkbox": {
+      "version": "5.2.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/checkbox/-/checkbox-5.2.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-b6xmA/VlTe0ZgDQHDui+Nav470u7u49nRd8/iuhOcQPO9Ch7lGuogydhi2VOmNlZ+zXcM8IcPuNSwQcdJaF/kw==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/ansi": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/figures": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/confirm": {
+      "version": "6.1.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/confirm/-/confirm-6.1.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-eb8DBZcz/2qHWQda4rk2JiQk5h9QV/cVHi1yjt0f69WFZMRFn0sJTye3EAP8icut8UDMjQPsaH5KbcOogefrFQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/core": {
+      "version": "11.2.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/core/-/core-11.2.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Qd6GJT1yVyrZZCfN8W2qKF5ApmqryXRhRKCuip8h01x2w/esJQ2XIYc6f9abMIHgKQdBfFTSOdbHRLAhuM09UA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/ansi": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/figures": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7",
+        "cli-width": "^4.1.0",
+        "fast-wrap-ansi": "^0.2.0",
+        "mute-stream": "^3.0.0",
+        "signal-exit": "^4.1.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/core/node_modules/signal-exit": {
+      "version": "4.1.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/signal-exit/-/signal-exit-4.1.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-bzyZ1e88w9O1iNJbKnOlvYTrWPDl46O1bG0D3XInv+9tkPrxrN8jUUTiFlDkkmKWgn1M6CfIA13SuGqOa9Korw==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=14"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/isaacs"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/editor": {
+      "version": "5.2.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/editor/-/editor-5.2.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ZRVd/oD+sYsUd5zVm0NflqEzlqfYCyHNsqkHl2oWXEUHs12tCbcSFi+wVFEvD8+LGRaMUsVrE7qeo6lSG/S1Vg==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/external-editor": "^3.0.3",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/expand": {
+      "version": "5.1.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/expand/-/expand-5.1.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-YmQpenjbFSHAK3sOd44puHh3V1KXXr+JiNpUztoSQ4drLh2rTVzTap/YtlAVu/5xavifIlBfNEzJ/neZJ1a/1g==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/external-editor": {
+      "version": "3.0.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/external-editor/-/external-editor-3.0.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-6thf5I8q7lZwzGLAxPaaGEREEkZ3nyePPDQ1oyobblxmEE8mqTLguScP7pDjUTAibiyb4hfXl+qjUEJ+di/aNA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "chardet": "^2.1.1",
+        "iconv-lite": "^0.7.2"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/external-editor/node_modules/iconv-lite": {
+      "version": "0.7.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/iconv-lite/-/iconv-lite-0.7.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-im9DjEDQ55s9fL4EYzOAv0yMqmMBSZp6G0VvFyTMPKWxiSBHUj9NW/qqLmXUwXrrM7AvqSlTCfvqRb0cM8yYqw==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "safer-buffer": ">= 2.1.2 < 3.0.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=0.10.0"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "type": "opencollective",
+        "url": "https://opencollective.com/express"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/figures": {
+      "version": "2.0.7",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/figures/-/figures-2.0.7.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-aJ8TBPOGB6f/2qziPfElISTCEd5XOYTFckA2SGjhNmiKzfK/u4ot3v0DUzGVdUnKjN10EqnnEPck36BkyfLnJw==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/input": {
+      "version": "5.1.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/input/-/input-5.1.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-9K/DDBSQpOyZSkt6sOVP9Vo0TR7atX2kuILsUu0x3wVcVbe97lJwIJKMLdMw25tDYuXl/qp6erT0Xs1rfmcfZg==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/number": {
+      "version": "4.1.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/number/-/number-4.1.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-XF4IXAbPnGPgw0wsbC/i2tPcyfdZgDpUlhsqU0SfT4IRIGWha6Xm9VRgN5yYxJq+jnyXlfXI/nQ3ulfk0iEICA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/password": {
+      "version": "5.1.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/password/-/password-5.1.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-3XBfF7DAsp5qeDsvN5Rd1HmbNokVvEQoUM0QLrRcybC9nX96w3Pbmu7qUsb3IT3J3jBvs2+mTXaKHOUsgHMLzg==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/ansi": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/prompts": {
+      "version": "8.5.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/prompts/-/prompts-8.5.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-IYR/3C/paEVVQYQvdDlFZVjRCJVYHHON0XXMH91KO9GSxs0TdKYWlUdvfQl2EfAHDxUaN3IBffkE/BDTh5nJ6g==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/checkbox": "^5.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/confirm": "^6.1.1",
+        "@inquirer/editor": "^5.2.2",
+        "@inquirer/expand": "^5.1.1",
+        "@inquirer/input": "^5.1.2",
+        "@inquirer/number": "^4.1.1",
+        "@inquirer/password": "^5.1.1",
+        "@inquirer/rawlist": "^5.3.1",
+        "@inquirer/search": "^4.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/select": "^5.2.1"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/rawlist": {
+      "version": "5.3.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/rawlist/-/rawlist-5.3.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-QqdTqQddL3qPX/PPrjobpsO25NZ4dWXgTLenrR445L2ptLEYE6Z+PD5c5CNDJNx4ugRgELAIpSIJxZaO2jJ2Og==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/search": {
+      "version": "4.2.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/search/-/search-4.2.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-xJj8QWKRSrfKoBIITLZK61dD3zwo0Rz11fgDImku30/Oe81zMdIdGgrLY2h6RkJ+KZ/GhNYIRMKnH/62qBTA5g==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/figures": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/select": {
+      "version": "5.2.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/select/-/select-5.2.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-FlDndEUww8m7BfukO2nJa25vhD+H5jxxCv4oGioKqzyWz3nPHhhw4LKdYRSlXuAx7DsdWia7iyaBPKKS95Evfw==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@inquirer/ansi": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/core": "^11.2.1",
+        "@inquirer/figures": "^2.0.7",
+        "@inquirer/type": "^4.0.7"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@inquirer/type": {
+      "version": "4.0.7",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@inquirer/type/-/type-4.0.7.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-t28inv14nMQ1PhKpsJPY+kEs/c00qzeCOS2gTNRyTjG5d6qsVA2fItxW4hkvGZ5lvanGLdtCzVIx5dwdRpN1+g==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0"
+      },
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "@types/node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+        "@types/node": {
+          "optional": true
+        }
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@isaacs/cliui": {
       "version": "8.0.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@isaacs/cliui/-/cliui-8.0.2.tgz",
@@ -2483,6 +2843,16 @@
         "@types/send": "*"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@types/gradient-string": {
+      "version": "1.1.6",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/gradient-string/-/gradient-string-1.1.6.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-LkaYxluY4G5wR1M4AKQUal2q61Di1yVVCw42ImFTuaIoQVgmV0WP1xUaLB8zwb47mp82vWTpePI9JmrjEnJ7nQ==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@types/tinycolor2": "*"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@types/http-errors": {
       "version": "2.0.5",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/http-errors/-/http-errors-2.0.5.tgz",
@@ -2501,7 +2871,7 @@
       "version": "22.19.17",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/node/-/node-22.19.17.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-wGdMcf+vPYM6jikpS/qhg6WiqSV/OhG+jeeHT/KlVqxYfD40iYJf9/AE1uQxVWFvU7MipKRkRv8NSHiCGgPr8Q==",
-      "dev": true,
+      "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "peer": true,
       "dependencies": {
@@ -2562,6 +2932,12 @@
         "@types/node": "*"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@types/tinycolor2": {
+      "version": "1.4.6",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/tinycolor2/-/tinycolor2-1.4.6.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-iEN8J0BoMnsWBqjVbWH/c0G0Hh7O21lpR2/+PrvAVgWdzL7eexIFm4JN/Wn10PTcmNdtS6U67r499mlWMXOxNw==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/@vitest/coverage-v8": {
       "version": "2.1.9",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@vitest/coverage-v8/-/coverage-v8-2.1.9.tgz",
@@ -3059,7 +3435,6 @@
       "version": "5.6.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/chalk/-/chalk-5.6.2.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-7NzBL0rN6fMUW+f7A6Io4h40qQlG+xGmtMxfbnH/K7TAtt8JQWVQK+6g0UXKMeVJoyV5EkkNsErQ8pVD3bLHbA==",
-      "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "engines": {
         "node": "^12.17.0 || ^14.13 || >=16.0.0"
@@ -3078,6 +3453,12 @@
         "node": ">=10"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/chardet": {
+      "version": "2.1.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/chardet/-/chardet-2.1.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-PsezH1rqdV9VvyNhxxOW32/d75r01NY7TQCmOqomRo15ZSOKbpTFVsfjghxo6JloQUCGnH4k1LGu0R4yCLlWQQ==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/check-error": {
       "version": "2.1.3",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/check-error/-/check-error-2.1.3.tgz",
@@ -3243,6 +3624,15 @@
         "@colors/colors": "1.5.0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/cli-width": {
+      "version": "4.1.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/cli-width/-/cli-width-4.1.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ouuZd4/dm2Sw5Gmqy6bGyNNNe1qt9RpmxveLSO7KcgsTnU7RXfsw+/bukWGo1abgBiMAic068rclZsO4IWmmxQ==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 12"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/cliui": {
       "version": "9.0.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/cliui/-/cliui-9.0.1.tgz",
@@ -4151,6 +4541,21 @@
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/fast-string-truncated-width": {
+      "version": "3.0.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fast-string-truncated-width/-/fast-string-truncated-width-3.0.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-0jjjIEL6+0jag3l2XWWizO64/aZVtpiGE3t0Zgqxv0DPuxiMjvB3M24fCyhZUO4KomJQPj3LTSUnDP3GpdwC0g==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
+    "node_modules/fast-string-width": {
+      "version": "3.0.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fast-string-width/-/fast-string-width-3.0.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-gX8LrtNEI5hq8DVUfRQMbr5lpaS4nMIWV+7XEbXk2b8kiQIizgnlr12B4dA3ZEx3308ze0O4Q1R+cHts8kyUJg==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "fast-string-truncated-width": "^3.0.2"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/fast-uri": {
       "version": "3.1.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fast-uri/-/fast-uri-3.1.2.tgz",
@@ -4168,6 +4573,15 @@
       ],
       "license": "BSD-3-Clause"
     },
+    "node_modules/fast-wrap-ansi": {
+      "version": "0.2.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fast-wrap-ansi/-/fast-wrap-ansi-0.2.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-7F2Fl+TjRSenLqlU3UjSH0iyqopqoZIu7eZVpEirP2g1GtWa2G/ecEmBdgz31+Mxr+ELclgg6sokpSFIQiZ02Q==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "fast-string-width": "^3.0.2"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/figures": {
       "version": "6.1.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/figures/-/figures-6.1.0.tgz",
@@ -4563,6 +4977,19 @@
       "dev": true,
       "license": "ISC"
     },
+    "node_modules/gradient-string": {
+      "version": "3.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/gradient-string/-/gradient-string-3.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-frdKI4Qi8Ihp4C6wZNB565de/THpIaw3DjP5ku87M+N9rNSGmPTjfkq61SdRXB7eCaL8O1hkKDvf6CDMtOzIAg==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "chalk": "^5.3.0",
+        "tinygradient": "^1.1.5"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=14"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/handlebars": {
       "version": "4.7.9",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/handlebars/-/handlebars-4.7.9.tgz",
@@ -5610,6 +6037,15 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-Tpp60P6IUJDTuOq/5Z8cdskzJujfwqfOTkrwIwj7IRISpnkJnT6SyJ4PCPnGMoFjC9ddhal5KVIYtAt97ix05A==",
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/mute-stream": {
+      "version": "3.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mute-stream/-/mute-stream-3.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-dkEJPVvun4FryqBmZ5KhDo0K9iDXAwn08tMLDinNdRBNPcYEDiWYysLcc6k3mjTMlbP9KyylvRpd4wFtwrT9rw==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^20.17.0 || >=22.9.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/mz": {
       "version": "2.7.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mz/-/mz-2.7.0.tgz",
@@ -8575,7 +9011,6 @@
       "version": "1.1.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/picocolors/-/picocolors-1.1.1.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-xceH2snhtb5M9liqDsmEw56le376mTZkEX/jEb/RxNFyegNul7eNslCXP9FDj/Lcu0X8KEyMceP2ntpaHrDEVA==",
-      "dev": true,
       "license": "ISC"
     },
     "node_modules/picomatch": {
@@ -11929,6 +12364,12 @@
       "dev": true,
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/tinycolor2": {
+      "version": "1.6.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tinycolor2/-/tinycolor2-1.6.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-XPaBkWQJdsf3pLKJV9p4qN/S+fm2Oj8AIPo1BTUhg5oxkvm9+SVEGFdhyOz7tTdUTfvxMiAs4sp6/eZO2Ew+pw==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/tinyexec": {
       "version": "1.2.4",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tinyexec/-/tinyexec-1.2.4.tgz",
@@ -11988,6 +12429,16 @@
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/jonschlinkert"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/tinygradient": {
+      "version": "1.1.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tinygradient/-/tinygradient-1.1.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-8nIfc2vgQ4TeLnk2lFj4tRLvvJwEfQuabdsmvDdQPT0xlk9TaNtpGd6nNRxXoK6vQhN6RSzj+Cnp5tTQmpxmbw==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "@types/tinycolor2": "^1.4.0",
+        "tinycolor2": "^1.0.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/tinypool": {
       "version": "1.1.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tinypool/-/tinypool-1.1.1.tgz",
@@ -12179,7 +12630,7 @@
       "version": "6.21.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/undici-types/-/undici-types-6.21.0.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-iwDZqg0QAGrg9Rav5H4n0M64c3mkR59cJ6wQp+7C4nI0gsmExaedaYLNO44eT4AtBBwjbTiGPMlt2Md0T9H9JQ==",
-      "dev": true,
+      "devOptional": true,
       "license": "MIT"
     },
     "node_modules/unicode-emoji-modifier-base": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 3ee06ae..224743b 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -47,10 +47,13 @@
   },
   "homepage": "https://github.com/xircons/zero-mock#readme",
   "dependencies": {
+    "@inquirer/prompts": "^8.5.2",
     "chokidar": "^4.0.3",
     "commander": "^13.1.0",
     "cors": "^2.8.5",
     "express": "^4.21.2",
+    "gradient-string": "^3.0.0",
+    "picocolors": "^1.1.1",
     "zod": "^4.4.3"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
@@ -64,6 +67,7 @@
     "@semantic-release/release-notes-generator": "^14.1.1",
     "@types/cors": "^2.8.17",
     "@types/express": "^4.17.21",
+    "@types/gradient-string": "^1.1.6",
     "@types/node": "^22.14.0",
     "@vitest/coverage-v8": "^2.1.9",
     "husky": "^9.1.7",
diff --git a/src/cli-wizard.ts b/src/cli-wizard.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51f85e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/cli-wizard.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+import { select, input, confirm } from '@inquirer/prompts';
+import pc from 'picocolors';
+import { loadSavedConfig, saveConfig, formatSavedAt, SavedConfig } from './config-store';
+
+export const PANEL_W = 42;
+
+export function stripAnsi(s: string): string {
+  return s.replace(/\x1B\[[0-9;]*[mGKHF]/g, '');
+}
+
+export function centerPad(text: string, width = 42): string {
+  const stripped = stripAnsi(text);
+  const padding = Math.max(0, Math.floor((width - stripped.length) / 2));
+  return ' '.repeat(padding) + text;
+}
+
+export function sectionHeader(title: string): string {
+  const header = `${pc.blue('◆')} ${pc.bold(pc.white(title))}`;
+  const rule = pc.dim('─'.repeat(PANEL_W));
+  return `${header}\n${rule}`;
+}
+
+export type WizardConfig = {
+  file: string;
+  port: string;
+  delay: string;
+  watch: boolean;
+};
+
+export function renderConfigPanel(config: WizardConfig, saved?: SavedConfig | null): string {
+  let out = pc.dim('╭' + '─'.repeat(PANEL_W) + '╮\n');
+
+  const rows = [
+    { label: 'Target File', value: config.file },
+    { label: 'Default Port', value: config.port },
+    { label: 'Latency', value: `${config.delay}ms` },
+    { label: 'Watch Mode', value: config.watch ? 'Active' : 'Inactive' },
+  ];
+
+  for (const row of rows) {
+    const labelPadded = ` · ${row.label} `.padEnd(20, ' ');
+    const valRaw = row.value;
+    const spaceCount = Math.max(0, PANEL_W - labelPadded.length - valRaw.length - 3);
+    const spaces = ' '.repeat(spaceCount);
+    
+    out += pc.dim('│') + pc.dim(labelPadded) + pc.white(row.value) + spaces + ' ' + pc.green('✓') + ' ' + pc.dim('│') + '\n';
+  }
+  
+  if (saved) {
+    out += pc.dim('├' + '─'.repeat(PANEL_W) + '┤\n');
+    const footerText = `last used ${formatSavedAt(saved.savedAt)}`;
+    const footerPadded = ` · ${footerText} `.padEnd(PANEL_W, ' ');
+    out += pc.dim('│') + pc.dim(footerPadded) + pc.dim('│') + '\n';
+  }
+
+  out += pc.dim('╰' + '─'.repeat(PANEL_W) + '╯');
+  return out;
+}
+
+const hex = (hexCode: string, text: string) => {
+  const r = parseInt(hexCode.slice(1, 3), 16);
+  const g = parseInt(hexCode.slice(3, 5), 16);
+  const b = parseInt(hexCode.slice(5, 7), 16);
+  return `\x1b[38;2;${r};${g};${b}m${text}\x1b[39m`;
+};
+
+const FALLBACK: WizardConfig = {
+  file: './example/db.json',
+  port: '8080',
+  delay: '200',
+  watch: true,
+};
+
+export async function runWizard(): Promise<WizardConfig> {
+  console.clear();
+  
+  const saved = loadSavedConfig();
+  const defaults = saved ?? FALLBACK;
+  const isReturning = saved !== null;
+
+  const logoTop =    hex('#bfdbfe', '  ▗▄▄▄▄▖▗▄▄▄▖▗▄▄▖  ▗▄▖ ▗▖  ▗▖ ▗▄▖  ▗▄▄▖▗▖ ▗▖');
+  const logoMid1 =   hex('#60a5fa', '     ▗▞▘▐▌   ▐▌ ▐▌▐▌ ▐▌▐▛▚▞▜▌▐▌ ▐▌▐▌   ▐▌▗▞▘');
+  const logoMid2 =   hex('#2563eb', '   ▗▞▘  ▐▛▀▀▘▐▛▀▚▖▐▌ ▐▌▐▌  ▐▌▐▌ ▐▌▐▌   ▐▛▚▖ ');
+  const logoBottom = hex('#1e3a8a', '  ▐▙▄▄▄▖▐▙▄▄▖▐▌ ▐▌▝▚▄▞▘▐▌  ▐▌▝▚▄▞▘▝▚▄▄▖▐▌ ▐▌');
+
+  console.log(`\n${logoTop}\n${logoMid1}\n${logoMid2}\n${logoBottom}\n`);
+  
+  console.log(centerPad(pc.bold(pc.white("Zero-Mock By Xircons"))));
+  console.log(centerPad(pc.dim("Zero-config REST API setup in seconds")));
+  
+  if (isReturning && saved) {
+    console.log(centerPad(pc.dim(`last session ${formatSavedAt(saved.savedAt)}`)));
+  }
+
+  console.log('\n' + renderConfigPanel(defaults, saved) + '\n');
+
+  const promptTheme = { prefix: pc.blue('◆') };
+
+  const choice = await select({
+    message: 'What would you like to do?',
+    theme: promptTheme,
+    choices: [
+      { name: `${pc.green('▶')}  Continue`, value: 'continue', short: 'Continue' },
+      { name: `${pc.yellow('◈')}  Change configuration (pick manually)`, value: 'change', short: 'Change configuration' },
+      { name: `${pc.dim('✕')}  Cancel (exit wizard)`, value: 'cancel', short: 'Cancel' },
+    ],
+  });
+
+  if (choice === 'cancel') {
+    console.clear();
+    console.log(pc.dim('Setup cancelled. zero-mock aborted.'));
+    process.exit(0);
+  }
+
+  if (choice === 'continue') {
+    console.clear();
+    saveConfig(defaults, saved);
+    return defaults;
+  }
+
+  // Change configuration
+  console.clear();
+  console.log('\n' + sectionHeader('CUSTOM CONFIGURATION'));
+  
+  if (isReturning) {
+    console.log(pc.dim('Pre-filled from last session — press Enter to keep\n'));
+  }
+
+  const file = await input({
+    message: 'Target File Path:',
+    default: defaults.file,
+    theme: promptTheme,
+    validate: (value) => {
+      if (!value.trim()) return "File path cannot be empty.";
+      if (!value.endsWith('.json')) return "File must be a JSON file (.json).";
+      return true;
+    }
+  });
+
+  const port = await input({
+    message: 'Port Number:',
+    default: defaults.port,
+    theme: promptTheme,
+    validate: (value) => {
+      const p = parseInt(value, 10);
+      if (isNaN(p) || p < 1 || p > 65535) return "Port must be a number between 1 and 65535.";
+      return true;
+    }
+  });
+
+  const delay = await input({
+    message: 'Simulated Latency (ms):',
+    default: defaults.delay,
+    theme: promptTheme,
+    validate: (value) => {
+      const d = parseInt(value, 10);
+      if (isNaN(d) || d < 0) return "Latency must be a non-negative integer.";
+      return true;
+    }
+  });
+
+  const watch = await confirm({
+    message: 'Enable Watch Mode (auto-reload on save)?',
+    default: defaults.watch,
+    theme: promptTheme,
+  });
+
+  const newConfig = { file, port, delay, watch };
+  saveConfig(newConfig, saved);
+
+  console.log(`\n  ${pc.green('✓')} Configuration updated.`);
+  console.clear();
+
+  return newConfig;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/config-store.ts b/src/config-store.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70221de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/config-store.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+import fs from 'fs';
+import path from 'path';
+import os from 'os';
+import pc from 'picocolors';
+import type { WizardConfig } from './cli-wizard';
+
+export type SavedConfig = WizardConfig & {
+  savedAt: string;
+  useCount: number;
+};
+
+const getConfigPath = () => path.join(os.homedir(), '.config', 'zero-mock', 'config.json');
+
+export function loadSavedConfig(): SavedConfig | null {
+  try {
+    const configPath = getConfigPath();
+    if (!fs.existsSync(configPath)) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    const raw = fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf8');
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw);
+    
+    if (
+      typeof parsed === 'object' &&
+      parsed !== null &&
+      typeof parsed.file === 'string' &&
+      typeof parsed.port === 'string' &&
+      typeof parsed.delay === 'string' &&
+      typeof parsed.watch === 'boolean'
+    ) {
+      return parsed as SavedConfig;
+    }
+    return null;
+  } catch {
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+export function saveConfig(config: WizardConfig, prev: SavedConfig | null): void {
+  try {
+    const configPath = getConfigPath();
+    const configDir = path.dirname(configPath);
+    
+    fs.mkdirSync(configDir, { recursive: true });
+    
+    const savedConfig: SavedConfig = {
+      ...config,
+      savedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+      useCount: (prev?.useCount || 0) + 1,
+    };
+    
+    fs.writeFileSync(configPath, JSON.stringify(savedConfig, null, 2), 'utf8');
+  } catch {
+    // Non-fatal, do nothing
+  }
+}
+
+export function clearSavedConfig(): void {
+  try {
+    const configPath = getConfigPath();
+    if (fs.existsSync(configPath)) {
+      fs.unlinkSync(configPath);
+      console.log(`${pc.green('✓')} Cleared saved configuration.`);
+    } else {
+      console.log(`${pc.dim('✕')} No saved configuration found.`);
+    }
+  } catch (err: any) {
+    console.log(`${pc.red('✕')} Failed to clear config: ${err.message}`);
+  }
+  process.exit(0);
+}
+
+export function formatSavedAt(iso: string): string {
+  const date = new Date(iso);
+  const now = new Date();
+  const diffMs = now.getTime() - date.getTime();
+  
+  const mins = Math.floor(diffMs / 60000);
+  if (mins < 2) return "just now";
+  
+  const hours = Math.floor(mins / 60);
+  if (hours < 1) return `${mins}m ago`;
+  
+  const days = Math.floor(hours / 24);
+  if (days < 1) return `${hours}h ago`;
+  
+  if (days < 7) return `${days}d ago`;
+  
+  return date.toLocaleDateString(undefined, { month: 'short', day: 'numeric' });
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/errors.ts b/src/errors.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..232e315
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/errors.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+import pc from 'picocolors';
+import fs from 'fs';
+import path from 'path';
+
+export type ErrorCode = 
+  | 'FILE_NOT_FOUND' 
+  | 'FILE_NOT_JSON' 
+  | 'FILE_UNREADABLE' 
+  | 'JSON_INVALID' 
+  | 'JSON_NOT_OBJECT' 
+  | 'JSON_EMPTY' 
+  | 'PORT_IN_USE' 
+  | 'PORT_INVALID' 
+  | 'PORT_PRIVILEGED' 
+  | 'LOCK_STALE' 
+  | 'LOCK_CONFLICT' 
+  | 'LOCK_WRITE_FAILED' 
+  | 'WATCH_FAILED' 
+  | 'WATCH_RELOAD_FAILED' 
+  | 'SERVER_CRASH' 
+  | 'UNKNOWN';
+
+const ERROR_MESSAGES: Record<ErrorCode, { msg: string; hint: string }> = {
+  FILE_NOT_FOUND: { msg: 'Target JSON file not found.', hint: 'Check if the file path is correct.' },
+  FILE_NOT_JSON: { msg: 'Target file is not a JSON file.', hint: 'Ensure the file ends with .json.' },
+  FILE_UNREADABLE: { msg: 'Cannot read the target file.', hint: 'Check file permissions.' },
+  JSON_INVALID: { msg: 'Invalid JSON format.', hint: 'Check the file for syntax errors.' },
+  JSON_NOT_OBJECT: { msg: 'JSON root is not an object.', hint: 'The JSON file must have an object at its root.' },
+  JSON_EMPTY: { msg: 'JSON file is empty.', hint: 'The API will start with no resources. Add arrays to the root object.' },
+  PORT_IN_USE: { msg: 'Port is already in use.', hint: 'Choose a different port or kill the process using it.' },
+  PORT_INVALID: { msg: 'Invalid port number.', hint: 'Port must be an integer between 1024 and 65535.' },
+  PORT_PRIVILEGED: { msg: 'Port requires root privileges.', hint: 'Use a port number >= 1024.' },
+  LOCK_STALE: { msg: 'Found a stale lock file.', hint: 'The lock file will be automatically removed.' },
+  LOCK_CONFLICT: { msg: 'Another instance is running.', hint: 'Stop the other zero-mock instance or use a different file.' },
+  LOCK_WRITE_FAILED: { msg: 'Failed to write lock file.', hint: 'Check directory permissions.' },
+  WATCH_FAILED: { msg: 'File watcher failed to start.', hint: 'Hot-reloading will not work. Check OS file watch limits.' },
+  WATCH_RELOAD_FAILED: { msg: 'Failed to reload JSON file.', hint: 'Fix the JSON syntax error. Serving last good snapshot.' },
+  SERVER_CRASH: { msg: 'Server crashed unexpectedly.', hint: 'Check the error details below.' },
+  UNKNOWN: { msg: 'An unknown error occurred.', hint: 'Please report this issue.' },
+};
+
+function formatErrorBlock(type: 'ERROR' | 'WARN', code: ErrorCode, detail?: string) {
+  const badge = type === 'ERROR' 
+    ? pc.red(pc.bold(pc.inverse(' ERROR '))) 
+    : pc.yellow(pc.bold(pc.inverse(' WARN  ')));
+    
+  const { msg, hint } = ERROR_MESSAGES[code];
+  
+  let out = `\n  ${badge}  ${pc.bold(pc.white(msg))}\n`;
+  if (detail) {
+    out += `  ${pc.dim('│')}  ${pc.dim(detail)}\n`;
+  }
+  out += `  ${pc.dim('╰─')}  ${pc.blue(hint)}\n`;
+  
+  return out;
+}
+
+export function printError(code: ErrorCode, detail?: string): void {
+  console.error(formatErrorBlock('WARN', code, detail));
+}
+
+export function printFatal(code: ErrorCode, detail?: string): never {
+  console.error(formatErrorBlock('ERROR', code, detail));
+  process.exit(1);
+}
+
+export function validateConfig(file: string, port: number): void {
+  if (path.extname(file) !== '.json') {
+    printFatal('FILE_NOT_JSON', `Path: ${file}`);
+  }
+  if (!fs.existsSync(file)) {
+    printFatal('FILE_NOT_FOUND', `Path: ${file}`);
+  }
+  try {
+    fs.accessSync(file, fs.constants.R_OK);
+  } catch (e: any) {
+    printFatal('FILE_UNREADABLE', e.message);
+  }
+  
+  if (!Number.isInteger(port) || port < 1 || port > 65535) {
+    printFatal('PORT_INVALID', `Given: ${port}`);
+  }
+  if (port < 1024) {
+    printFatal('PORT_PRIVILEGED', `Given: ${port}`);
+  }
+}
+
+export function acquireLock(file: string): void {
+  const lockFilePath = `${file}.zero-mock.lock`;
+  
+  if (fs.existsSync(lockFilePath)) {
+    try {
+      const lockData = fs.readFileSync(lockFilePath, 'utf8');
+      const { pid, startedAt } = JSON.parse(lockData);
+      
+      try {
+        process.kill(pid, 0); // test liveness
+        // Alive
+        printFatal('LOCK_CONFLICT', `PID ${pid} since ${startedAt}`);
+      } catch (e: any) {
+        if (e.code === 'ESRCH') {
+          // Stale
+          printError('LOCK_STALE', `PID ${pid} is dead.`);
+          fs.unlinkSync(lockFilePath);
+        } else {
+          // No permission or other error
+          printFatal('LOCK_CONFLICT', `Unable to check PID ${pid}.`);
+        }
+      }
+    } catch (e: any) {
+      // Unreadable or invalid lock file format
+      printError('LOCK_STALE', `Invalid lock file format.`);
+      fs.unlinkSync(lockFilePath);
+    }
+  }
+
+  try {
+    fs.writeFileSync(lockFilePath, JSON.stringify({
+      pid: process.pid,
+      startedAt: new Date().toISOString()
+    }), { flag: 'wx' });
+  } catch (e: any) {
+    if (e.code === 'EEXIST') {
+      printFatal('LOCK_CONFLICT', 'Lock file appeared during race condition.');
+    } else {
+      printFatal('LOCK_WRITE_FAILED', e.message);
+    }
+  }
+
+  const cleanup = () => {
+    if (fs.existsSync(lockFilePath)) {
+      try {
+        fs.unlinkSync(lockFilePath);
+      } catch (_) {}
+    }
+  };
+  
+  process.on('exit', cleanup);
+  process.on('SIGINT', () => { cleanup(); process.exit(130); });
+  process.on('SIGTERM', () => { cleanup(); process.exit(143); });
+  process.on('uncaughtException', (err) => {
+    cleanup();
+    printFatal('SERVER_CRASH', err.message);
+  });
+}
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index 4a21c96..3bbb981 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -1,17 +1,22 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env node
 import chokidar from "chokidar";
+import pc from "picocolors";
 import { Command } from "commander";
 import { JsonStore } from "./store/jsonStore";
 import { bootstrap } from "./server/bootstrap";
+import { runWizard } from "./cli-wizard";
+import { validateConfig, acquireLock, printError, printFatal } from "./errors";
+import { clearSavedConfig } from "./config-store";
 
 type CliOpts = {
-  file: string;
-  port: string;
-  delay: string;
-  watch: boolean;
+  file?: string;
+  port?: string;
+  delay?: string;
+  watch?: boolean;
   corsOrigin?: string;
   corsMethods?: string;
   corsCredentials?: boolean;
+  reset?: boolean;
 };
 
 function parseDelayMs(raw: string): number | null {
@@ -45,8 +50,6 @@ function startFileWatcher(filePath: string): void {
       const msg = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
       console.error(`[watch] Watcher error: ${msg}`);
     });
-
-  console.log(`[watch] Watching "${filePath}" for changes.`);
 }
 
 const program = new Command();
@@ -54,54 +57,73 @@ const program = new Command();
 program
   .name("zero-mock")
   .description("Generate a REST API from a JSON file")
-  .requiredOption("-f, --file <path>", "path to the source JSON file")
-  .option("-p, --port <number>", "HTTP port", "3000")
-  .option("-d, --delay <ms>", "delay each request by this many ms (0 = off)", "0")
-  .option("-w, --watch", "reload JSON from disk when the file changes", false)
+  .option("-f, --file <path>", "path to the source JSON file")
+  .option("-p, --port <number>", "HTTP port")
+  .option("-d, --delay <ms>", "delay each request by this many ms (0 = off)")
+  .option("-w, --watch", "reload JSON from disk when the file changes")
   .option("--cors-origin <origins>", "comma-separated list of allowed origins (e.g., http://localhost:3000)", "*")
   .option("--cors-methods <methods>", "comma-separated list of allowed HTTP methods", "GET,HEAD,PUT,PATCH,POST,DELETE")
   .option("--cors-credentials", "enable CORS credentials (cookies, authorization headers)", false)
+  .option("--reset", "clear saved wizard configuration")
   .action(async (opts: CliOpts) => {
-    const port = Number.parseInt(opts.port, 10);
-    if (Number.isNaN(port) || port < 1 || port > 65535) {
-      console.error("error: --port must be a number between 1 and 65535");
-      process.exit(1);
-      return;
+    if (opts.reset) {
+      clearSavedConfig();
     }
+    
+    let { file, port: portRaw, delay: delayRaw, watch } = opts;
 
-    const delayMs = parseDelayMs(opts.delay);
+    if (!file && !portRaw && !delayRaw && watch === undefined) {
+      const wizardConfig = await runWizard();
+      file = wizardConfig.file;
+      portRaw = wizardConfig.port;
+      delayRaw = wizardConfig.delay;
+      watch = wizardConfig.watch;
+    } else {
+      if (!file) {
+        console.error("error: required option '-f, --file <path>' not specified");
+        process.exit(1);
+        return;
+      }
+      portRaw = portRaw ?? "3000";
+      delayRaw = delayRaw ?? "0";
+      watch = watch ?? false;
+    }
+
+    const port = Number.parseInt(portRaw, 10);
+    const delayMs = parseDelayMs(delayRaw);
     if (delayMs === null) {
       console.error("error: --delay must be a non-negative integer");
       process.exit(1);
       return;
     }
 
-    const filePath = opts.file;
+    const filePath = file;
+
+    // Ordered Validation Step 1 & 2
+    validateConfig(filePath, port);
+    acquireLock(filePath);
 
     try {
       await JsonStore.load(filePath);
-    } catch (err) {
-      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
-      console.error(message);
-      process.exit(1);
-      return;
+    } catch (err: any) {
+      // JsonStore.load handles its own printFatal internally, 
+      // but we catch to ensure we don't crash without formatting.
+      printFatal('UNKNOWN', err.message);
     }
 
     try {
-      await bootstrap(port, { 
+      await bootstrap(port, filePath, watch, { 
         delayMs,
         corsOrigin: opts.corsOrigin,
         corsMethods: opts.corsMethods,
         corsCredentials: opts.corsCredentials,
       });
-    } catch (err) {
-      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
-      console.error(`Failed to start server: ${message}`);
-      process.exit(1);
-      return;
+    } catch (err: any) {
+      // Bootstrap will handle EADDRINUSE internally, catching just in case.
+      printFatal('UNKNOWN', err.message);
     }
 
-    if (opts.watch) {
+    if (watch) {
       startFileWatcher(filePath);
     }
   });
diff --git a/src/server/app.ts b/src/server/app.ts
index 52cd7c9..b8ad0db 100644
--- a/src/server/app.ts
+++ b/src/server/app.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import type { Application, ErrorRequestHandler, NextFunction, Request, Response
 import cors from "cors";
 import express from "express";
 import { buildDynamicRouter } from "./routes/dynamicRouter";
+import { requestLoggingMiddleware } from "./logger";
 
 const errorHandler: ErrorRequestHandler = (err, _req, res, _next) => {
   if (res.headersSent) {
@@ -18,13 +19,6 @@ export type CreateAppOptions = {
   corsCredentials?: boolean;
 };
 
-function requestLoggingMiddleware(req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction): void {
-  res.on("finish", () => {
-    console.log(`[${req.method}] ${req.path} - ${res.statusCode}`);
-  });
-  next();
-}
-
 function delayMiddleware(delayMs: number) {
   return (_req: Request, _res: Response, next: NextFunction): void => {
     if (delayMs <= 0) {
diff --git a/src/server/bootstrap.ts b/src/server/bootstrap.ts
index 4fe8074..9e6d8bf 100644
--- a/src/server/bootstrap.ts
+++ b/src/server/bootstrap.ts
@@ -1,24 +1,26 @@
 import type { CreateAppOptions } from "./app";
 import { createApp } from "./app";
 import { JsonStore } from "../store/jsonStore";
+import { printStartupBanner } from "./logger";
+import { printFatal } from "../errors";
 
-export async function bootstrap(port: number, appOptions: CreateAppOptions): Promise<void> {
+export async function bootstrap(port: number, file: string, watch: boolean, appOptions: CreateAppOptions): Promise<void> {
   const app = createApp(appOptions);
 
   await new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
     const server = app.listen(port, () => {
       resolve();
     });
-    server.on("error", reject);
+    server.on("error", (e: NodeJS.ErrnoException) => {
+      if (e.code === 'EADDRINUSE') {
+        printFatal('PORT_IN_USE', `Port ${port} — ${e.message}`);
+      } else {
+        printFatal('UNKNOWN', e.message);
+      }
+      reject(e);
+    });
   });
 
-  const base = `http://localhost:${port}`;
-  console.log(`🚀 Server is running at ${base}`);
-  console.log("Read/write API: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE are active for each resource below.\n");
-
-  for (const resource of Object.keys(JsonStore.getData())) {
-    console.log(`  ${resource}`);
-    console.log(`    GET    POST              ${base}/${resource}`);
-    console.log(`    GET    PUT   PATCH DELETE  ${base}/${resource}/:id`);
-  }
+  const resources = Object.keys(JsonStore.getData());
+  printStartupBanner(file, port, watch, appOptions.delayMs, resources);
 }
diff --git a/src/server/logger.ts b/src/server/logger.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0450e98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/server/logger.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import type { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';
+import pc from 'picocolors';
+import { stripAnsi, sectionHeader, renderConfigPanel } from '../cli-wizard';
+
+export function getMethodBadge(method: string): string {
+  const m = method.toUpperCase();
+  const padded = m.padEnd(6, ' ');
+  const inner = `[${padded}]`;
+  
+  switch(m) {
+    case 'GET': return pc.bold(pc.cyan(inner));
+    case 'POST': return pc.bold(pc.green(inner));
+    case 'PUT': return pc.bold(pc.yellow(inner));
+    case 'PATCH': return pc.bold(pc.magenta(inner));
+    case 'DELETE': return pc.bold(pc.red(inner));
+    default: return pc.bold(pc.white(inner));
+  }
+}
+
+export function requestLoggingMiddleware(req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction): void {
+  const startMs = Date.now();
+  const start = new Date();
+  
+  res.on("finish", () => {
+    const timeStr = start.toLocaleTimeString('en-US', { hour12: true });
+    const duration = Date.now() - startMs;
+    
+    const badge = getMethodBadge(req.method);
+    
+    let statusStr = String(res.statusCode);
+    if (res.statusCode >= 200 && res.statusCode < 300) statusStr = pc.green(statusStr);
+    else if (res.statusCode >= 300 && res.statusCode < 400) statusStr = pc.cyan(statusStr);
+    else if (res.statusCode >= 400 && res.statusCode < 500) statusStr = pc.yellow(statusStr);
+    else if (res.statusCode >= 500) statusStr = pc.red(statusStr);
+    
+    const pathPadded = req.path.length > 20 ? req.path : req.path.padEnd(20, ' ');
+    
+    console.log(`${pc.dim(`[${timeStr}]`)} ${badge} ${pc.white(pathPadded)} ${statusStr} ${pc.dim(`${duration}ms`)}`);
+  });
+  next();
+}
+
+export function getMonochromeBadge(method: string): string {
+  const m = method.toUpperCase();
+  const padded = m.padEnd(6, ' ');
+  return `[${padded}]`;
+}
+
+export function printStartupBanner(file: string, port: number, isWatch: boolean, delayMs: number, resources: string[]): void {
+  console.log('\n' + sectionHeader('SERVER READY'));
+  
+  console.log(renderConfigPanel({ 
+    file, 
+    port: String(port), 
+    delay: String(delayMs), 
+    watch: isWatch 
+  }) + '\n');
+
+  console.log(sectionHeader('AVAILABLE RESOURCES'));
+  
+  const base = `http://localhost:${port}`;
+  
+  const get = getMonochromeBadge('GET');
+  const post = getMonochromeBadge('POST');
+  const put = getMonochromeBadge('PUT');
+  const patch = getMonochromeBadge('PATCH');
+  const del = getMonochromeBadge('DELETE');
+
+  for (const resource of resources) {
+    console.log(pc.bold(pc.white(`■ /${resource}`)));
+    
+    const methodsLeft1 = `  ${get}  ${post}`;
+    const methodsLeft2 = `  ${get}  ${put}  ${patch}  ${del}`;
+    
+    // Align URLs at column 45
+    const pad1 = ' '.repeat(Math.max(1, 45 - stripAnsi(methodsLeft1).length));
+    const pad2 = ' '.repeat(Math.max(1, 45 - stripAnsi(methodsLeft2).length));
+    
+    console.log(`${methodsLeft1}${pad1}${pc.white(`${base}/${resource}`)}`);
+    console.log(`${methodsLeft2}${pad2}${pc.white(`${base}/${resource}/:id`)}\n`);
+  }
+  
+  console.log(sectionHeader('REQUEST LOGS'));
+  console.log(`${pc.green('✓')} ${pc.dim('Ready on')} ${pc.white(`${base}`)}\n`);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/store/jsonStore.ts b/src/store/jsonStore.ts
index 7d23561..b42c1ee 100644
--- a/src/store/jsonStore.ts
+++ b/src/store/jsonStore.ts
@@ -1,89 +1,59 @@
 import { randomBytes } from "crypto";
 import { dirname, join } from "path";
-import { access, readFile, rename, unlink, writeFile } from "fs/promises";
+import { readFile, rename, unlink, writeFile } from "fs/promises";
 import type { JsonData } from "../types";
+import { printError, printFatal } from "../errors";
 
 function isPlainObject(value: unknown): value is Record<string, unknown> {
   return typeof value === "object" && value !== null && !Array.isArray(value);
 }
 
-function parseJsonStorePayload(raw: string, filePath: string): JsonData {
-  let parsed: unknown;
-  try {
-    parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as unknown;
-  } catch (err) {
-    const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
-    throw new Error(`Invalid JSON in "${filePath}": ${message}`);
-  }
-
-  if (!isPlainObject(parsed)) {
-    throw new Error(
-      `JSON root in "${filePath}" must be a non-null object (got ${parsed === null ? "null" : Array.isArray(parsed) ? "array" : typeof parsed}).`,
-    );
-  }
-
-  const data: JsonData = {};
-  for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(parsed)) {
-    if (!Array.isArray(value)) {
-      throw new Error(
-        `Invalid mock database shape in "${filePath}": property "${key}" must be an array.`,
-      );
-    }
-    data[key] = value as unknown[];
-  }
-  return data;
-}
-
 class JsonStoreImpl {
   private data: JsonData = {};
   private backingPath: string | null = null;
-  private lockPath: string | null = null;
   /** Serializes concurrent save() calls so writes are not interleaved. */
   private saveChain: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve();
 
-  async load(filePath: string): Promise<void> {
-    const lockPath = filePath + ".zero-mock.lock";
+  async load(filePath: string, isReload = false): Promise<void> {
+    let raw: string;
     try {
-      await access(lockPath);
-      console.warn(
-        `[warn] Lock file found: "${lockPath}". ` +
-        `Another zero-mock process may be running on this file. ` +
-        `If not, delete the lock file and retry.`,
-      );
-    } catch {
-      await writeFile(lockPath, String(process.pid), "utf8");
-      this.lockPath = lockPath;
-      this._registerLockCleanup();
+      raw = await readFile(filePath, "utf8");
+    } catch (err: any) {
+      if (isReload) throw new Error(`Unreadable: ${err.message}`);
+      printFatal('FILE_UNREADABLE', err.message);
     }
 
-    let raw: string;
+    let parsed: unknown;
     try {
-      raw = await readFile(filePath, "utf8");
-    } catch (err) {
-      const code = err && typeof err === "object" && "code" in err ? String((err as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code) : "";
-      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
-      throw new Error(
-        code
-          ? `Could not read JSON file "${filePath}" (${code}): ${message}`
-          : `Could not read JSON file "${filePath}": ${message}`,
-      );
+      parsed = JSON.parse(raw);
+    } catch (err: any) {
+      if (isReload) throw new Error(`Parse error: ${err.message}`);
+      printFatal('JSON_INVALID', err.message);
     }
 
-    this.data = parseJsonStorePayload(raw, filePath);
-    this.backingPath = filePath;
-  }
+    if (!isPlainObject(parsed)) {
+      const msg = `got ${parsed === null ? "null" : Array.isArray(parsed) ? "array" : typeof parsed}`;
+      if (isReload) throw new Error(`Root not an object (${msg})`);
+      printFatal('JSON_NOT_OBJECT', msg);
+    }
 
-  private _registerLockCleanup(): void {
-    const cleanup = (): void => {
-      if (this.lockPath) {
-        try {
-          require("fs").unlinkSync(this.lockPath);
-        } catch (_) {}
+    const keys = Object.keys(parsed);
+    if (keys.length === 0) {
+      printError('JSON_EMPTY');
+    }
+
+    const data: JsonData = {};
+    for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(parsed)) {
+      if (!Array.isArray(value)) {
+        const msg = `property "${key}" must be an array.`;
+        if (isReload) throw new Error(msg);
+        printFatal('JSON_INVALID', msg);
       }
-    };
-    process.once("exit", cleanup);
-    process.once("SIGINT", () => { cleanup(); process.exit(130); });
-    process.once("SIGTERM", () => { cleanup(); process.exit(143); });
+      data[key] = value as unknown[];
+    }
+    
+    this.data = data;
+    this.backingPath = filePath;
   }
 
   getData(): JsonData {