diff --git a/reikhelm-viz/src/main.rs b/reikhelm-viz/src/main.rs
index 38cbcd5..cf11749 100644
--- a/reikhelm-viz/src/main.rs
+++ b/reikhelm-viz/src/main.rs
@@ -201,7 +201,10 @@ fn draw_edges(snapshot: &Snapshot, layout: &Layout) {
 }
 
 /// Draws the on-screen HUD: seed, current stage, and the controls hint.
-fn draw_hud(dungeon: &Dungeon) {
+///
+/// When `seed_input` is `Some`, the user is typing a seed: the top line becomes
+/// an entry prompt showing the buffer, and the hint switches to the entry keys.
+fn draw_hud(dungeon: &Dungeon, seed_input: Option<&str>) {
     let stage_count = dungeon.snapshots.len();
     let stage_label = dungeon
         .current()
@@ -209,7 +212,17 @@ fn draw_hud(dungeon: &Dungeon) {
         .unwrap_or("(empty)");
     let is_final = dungeon.stage + 1 == stage_count;
 
-    let seed_line = format!("seed: {}", dungeon.seed);
+    // The top line doubles as the seed-entry prompt while typing.
+    let (top_line, hint) = match seed_input {
+        Some(buf) => (
+            format!("set seed: {buf}_"),
+            "Enter: apply    Esc: cancel    (digits only)",
+        ),
+        None => (
+            format!("seed: {}", dungeon.seed),
+            "Space: reroll    Left/Right: scrub stages    S: set seed",
+        ),
+    };
     let stage_line = format!(
         "stage {}/{}: {}{}",
         dungeon.stage + 1,
@@ -217,11 +230,11 @@ fn draw_hud(dungeon: &Dungeon) {
         stage_label,
         if is_final { " (final)" } else { "" },
     );
-    let hint = "Space: reroll    Left/Right: scrub stages";
 
     // A dark plate behind the text so it stays readable over light floor tiles.
     draw_rectangle(0.0, 0.0, screen_width(), 64.0, Color::new(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.55));
-    draw_text(&seed_line, 12.0, 22.0, 24.0, WHITE);
+    let top_color = if seed_input.is_some() { GOLD } else { WHITE };
+    draw_text(&top_line, 12.0, 22.0, 24.0, top_color);
     draw_text(&stage_line, 12.0, 44.0, 22.0, SKYBLUE);
     draw_text(hint, 12.0, 60.0, 18.0, LIGHTGRAY);
 }
@@ -234,18 +247,57 @@ async fn main() {
     // determinism is unaffected — same seed always rebuilds the same dungeon.
     let mut seed: u64 = 0;
     let mut dungeon = Dungeon::generate(seed);
+    // `Some(buffer)` while the user is typing a seed; `None` in normal mode.
+    let mut seed_input: Option<String> = None;
 
     loop {
         // --- input ---
-        if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Space) {
-            seed = seed.wrapping_add(1);
-            dungeon = Dungeon::generate(seed);
-        }
-        if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Left) {
-            dungeon.scrub(-1);
-        }
-        if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Right) {
-            dungeon.scrub(1);
+        if seed_input.is_none() {
+            // Normal mode: reroll, scrub, or begin seed entry.
+            if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Space) {
+                seed = seed.wrapping_add(1);
+                dungeon = Dungeon::generate(seed);
+            }
+            if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Left) {
+                dungeon.scrub(-1);
+            }
+            if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Right) {
+                dungeon.scrub(1);
+            }
+            if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::S) {
+                // Begin seed entry; digits are collected on the following frames.
+                seed_input = Some(String::new());
+            }
+        } else {
+            // Seed-entry mode: collect digits, apply on Enter, cancel on Esc.
+            let mut exit = false;
+            {
+                let buf = seed_input.as_mut().expect("in seed-entry mode");
+                // Drain this frame's typed chars; keep digits only (so the `S`
+                // that opened the mode and any other keys are ignored). Cap the
+                // length well under u64's 20 digits so it always parses.
+                while let Some(c) = get_char_pressed() {
+                    if c.is_ascii_digit() && buf.len() < 19 {
+                        buf.push(c);
+                    }
+                }
+                if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Backspace) {
+                    buf.pop();
+                }
+                if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Enter) {
+                    // Empty or unparseable buffer simply cancels (no change).
+                    if let Ok(parsed) = buf.parse::<u64>() {
+                        seed = parsed;
+                        dungeon = Dungeon::generate(seed);
+                    }
+                    exit = true;
+                } else if is_key_pressed(KeyCode::Escape) {
+                    exit = true;
+                }
+            }
+            if exit {
+                seed_input = None;
+            }
         }
 
         // --- draw ---
@@ -271,7 +323,7 @@ async fn main() {
             );
         }
 
-        draw_hud(&dungeon);
+        draw_hud(&dungeon, seed_input.as_deref());
 
         next_frame().await;
     }