diff --git a/crates/punktfunk-client-rs/src/main.rs b/crates/punktfunk-client-rs/src/main.rs
index 6dad850..58942dc 100644
--- a/crates/punktfunk-client-rs/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/punktfunk-client-rs/src/main.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,10 @@
 //! stream (watch them land in the host session, e.g. xev inside gamescope). `--mic-test`
 //! exercises the mic uplink: a synthetic 440 Hz tone streamed as Opus (0xCB) → the host's
 //! virtual microphone source (record it host-side to hear the tone). `--touch-test` drags a
-//! synthetic finger in a circle → host libei `ei_touchscreen` injection.
+//! synthetic finger in a circle → host libei `ei_touchscreen` injection. `--rich-input-test`
+//! drives a virtual DualSense touchpad + motion over the 0xCC plane (host on
+//! `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`) and logs the 0xCD HID-output feedback (lightbar / adaptive
+//! triggers) that comes back.
 //!
 //! `--pin <64-hex>` pins the host's certificate fingerprint (the host logs it at startup);
 //! without it the client trusts on first use and prints the observed fingerprint to pin.
@@ -44,6 +47,9 @@ struct Args {
     mic_test: bool,
     /// `--touch-test` — drag a synthetic finger in a circle (proves the touch path).
     touch_test: bool,
+    /// `--rich-input-test` — drive the DualSense touchpad + motion over 0xCC (host needs
+    /// `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`); also logs the 0xCD HID-output feedback that comes back.
+    rich_input_test: bool,
     pin: Option<[u8; 32]>,
     /// `--remode WxHxFPS:SECS` — request this mode SECS seconds into the stream.
     remode: Option<(Mode, u32)>,
@@ -146,6 +152,7 @@ fn parse_args() -> Args {
         input_test: argv.iter().any(|a| a == "--input-test"),
         mic_test: argv.iter().any(|a| a == "--mic-test"),
         touch_test: argv.iter().any(|a| a == "--touch-test"),
+        rich_input_test: argv.iter().any(|a| a == "--rich-input-test"),
         pin,
         remode,
         pair: get("--pair").map(String::from),
@@ -450,6 +457,60 @@ async fn session(args: Args) -> Result<()> {
         });
     }
 
+    // Rich-input plane: instantiate pad 0 on the host (a gamepad event creates the virtual
+    // DualSense), then drive its touchpad (drag a finger across) + motion (gyro wobble) over the
+    // 0xCC plane. Proves the rich client→host path; the 0xCD feedback is logged by the receive
+    // loop below. Requires the host on the DualSense backend (`PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`).
+    if args.rich_input_test {
+        let conn2 = conn.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            use punktfunk_core::input::gamepad::AXIS_LS_X;
+            use punktfunk_core::quic::RichInput;
+            tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
+            // A neutral gamepad axis event makes the host create the virtual DualSense pad 0.
+            let arrive = InputEvent {
+                kind: InputKind::GamepadAxis,
+                _pad: [0; 3],
+                code: AXIS_LS_X,
+                x: 0,
+                y: 0,
+                flags: 0,
+            };
+            let _ = conn2.send_datagram(arrive.encode().to_vec().into());
+            tracing::info!(
+                "rich-input-test: dragging the DualSense touchpad + wobbling motion for ~6s"
+            );
+            let touch = |active, x, y| RichInput::Touchpad {
+                pad: 0,
+                finger: 0,
+                active,
+                x,
+                y,
+            };
+            for _ in 0..3u32 {
+                let _ = conn2.send_datagram(touch(true, 0, 32768).encode().into());
+                for i in 0..60u32 {
+                    let x = ((i * 65535) / 60) as u16;
+                    let _ = conn2.send_datagram(touch(true, x, 32768).encode().into());
+                    let g = (((i as i32 % 20) - 10) * 500) as i16; // gyro wobble
+                    let _ = conn2.send_datagram(
+                        RichInput::Motion {
+                            pad: 0,
+                            gyro: [g, 0, 0],
+                            accel: [0, 0, 16384],
+                        }
+                        .encode()
+                        .into(),
+                    );
+                    tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(30)).await;
+                }
+                let _ = conn2.send_datagram(touch(false, 65535, 32768).encode().into());
+                tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(200)).await;
+            }
+            tracing::info!("rich-input-test: done");
+        });
+    }
+
     // Closed-flag for the blocking receive loop.
     let closed = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool::new(false));
     {
@@ -466,8 +527,14 @@ async fn session(args: Args) -> Result<()> {
     let audio_pkts = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(0));
     let audio_bytes = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(0));
     let rumble_pkts = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(0));
+    let hidout_pkts = std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(0));
     {
-        let (a, ab, r) = (audio_pkts.clone(), audio_bytes.clone(), rumble_pkts.clone());
+        let (a, ab, r, h) = (
+            audio_pkts.clone(),
+            audio_bytes.clone(),
+            rumble_pkts.clone(),
+            hidout_pkts.clone(),
+        );
         let conn2 = conn.clone();
         tokio::spawn(async move {
             use std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed;
@@ -477,6 +544,12 @@ async fn session(args: Args) -> Result<()> {
                     ab.fetch_add(opus.len() as u64, Relaxed);
                 } else if punktfunk_core::quic::decode_rumble_datagram(&d).is_some() {
                     r.fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
+                } else if let Some(hid) = punktfunk_core::quic::HidOutput::decode(&d) {
+                    // The DualSense feedback plane (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers).
+                    // Log the first few so a playtest can see triggers/LEDs arrive without spam.
+                    if h.fetch_add(1, Relaxed) < 12 {
+                        tracing::info!(?hid, "DualSense HID output (0xCD)");
+                    }
                 }
             }
         });
@@ -587,17 +660,19 @@ async fn session(args: Args) -> Result<()> {
     // Report the side planes whether or not the video plane succeeded.
     {
         use std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed;
-        let (a, ab, r) = (
+        let (a, ab, r, h) = (
             audio_pkts.load(Relaxed),
             audio_bytes.load(Relaxed),
             rumble_pkts.load(Relaxed),
+            hidout_pkts.load(Relaxed),
         );
-        if a > 0 || r > 0 {
+        if a > 0 || r > 0 || h > 0 {
             tracing::info!(
                 audio_pkts = a,
                 audio_kb = ab / 1000,
                 rumble_pkts = r,
-                "host→client datagrams (Opus 48 kHz stereo, 5 ms frames)"
+                hidout_pkts = h,
+                "host→client datagrams (Opus 48 kHz stereo, 5 ms frames; rumble; DualSense HID)"
             );
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/punktfunk-core/src/abi.rs b/crates/punktfunk-core/src/abi.rs
index bcf7d05..5ef7036 100644
--- a/crates/punktfunk-core/src/abi.rs
+++ b/crates/punktfunk-core/src/abi.rs
@@ -465,6 +465,136 @@ pub struct PunktfunkConnection {
     last_audio: std::sync::Mutex<Option<crate::client::AudioPacket>>,
 }
 
+/// `PunktfunkHidOutput::kind` — lightbar RGB (`r`/`g`/`b` valid).
+pub const PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_LED: u8 = 1;
+/// `PunktfunkHidOutput::kind` — player-indicator LEDs (`player_bits` valid, low 5 bits).
+pub const PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_PLAYER_LEDS: u8 = 2;
+/// `PunktfunkHidOutput::kind` — one adaptive-trigger effect (`which` + `effect`/`effect_len` valid).
+pub const PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_TRIGGER: u8 = 3;
+/// Capacity of `PunktfunkHidOutput::effect` (the DualSense trigger parameter block).
+pub const PUNKTFUNK_HID_EFFECT_MAX: u8 = 11;
+
+/// One DualSense HID-output feedback event a game wrote to the host's virtual pad
+/// ([`punktfunk_connection_next_hidout`]). `kind` selects which fields are meaningful — replay it
+/// on a real DualSense (lightbar color, player LEDs, or an adaptive-trigger effect via the
+/// platform's `GCDualSenseAdaptiveTrigger`-style API).
+#[cfg(feature = "quic")]
+#[repr(C)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct PunktfunkHidOutput {
+    /// One of `PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_*`.
+    pub kind: u8,
+    /// Gamepad index.
+    pub pad: u8,
+    /// LED: lightbar red.
+    pub r: u8,
+    /// LED: lightbar green.
+    pub g: u8,
+    /// LED: lightbar blue.
+    pub b: u8,
+    /// PlayerLeds: lit player indicators (low 5 bits).
+    pub player_bits: u8,
+    /// Trigger: 0 = L2, 1 = R2.
+    pub which: u8,
+    /// Trigger: number of valid bytes in `effect` (≤ `PUNKTFUNK_HID_EFFECT_MAX`).
+    pub effect_len: u8,
+    /// Trigger: the raw DualSense trigger parameter block (mode + params).
+    pub effect: [u8; 11],
+}
+
+#[cfg(feature = "quic")]
+impl PunktfunkHidOutput {
+    fn from_hid(h: &crate::quic::HidOutput) -> PunktfunkHidOutput {
+        use crate::quic::HidOutput;
+        let mut out = PunktfunkHidOutput {
+            kind: 0,
+            pad: 0,
+            r: 0,
+            g: 0,
+            b: 0,
+            player_bits: 0,
+            which: 0,
+            effect_len: 0,
+            effect: [0u8; 11],
+        };
+        match h {
+            HidOutput::Led { pad, r, g, b } => {
+                out.kind = PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_LED;
+                out.pad = *pad;
+                out.r = *r;
+                out.g = *g;
+                out.b = *b;
+            }
+            HidOutput::PlayerLeds { pad, bits } => {
+                out.kind = PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_PLAYER_LEDS;
+                out.pad = *pad;
+                out.player_bits = *bits;
+            }
+            HidOutput::Trigger { pad, which, effect } => {
+                out.kind = PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_TRIGGER;
+                out.pad = *pad;
+                out.which = *which;
+                let n = effect.len().min(out.effect.len());
+                out.effect[..n].copy_from_slice(&effect[..n]);
+                out.effect_len = n as u8;
+            }
+        }
+        out
+    }
+}
+
+/// `PunktfunkRichInput::kind` — a touchpad contact (`finger`/`active`/`x`/`y` valid).
+pub const PUNKTFUNK_RICH_TOUCHPAD: u8 = 1;
+/// `PunktfunkRichInput::kind` — a motion sample (`gyro`/`accel` valid).
+pub const PUNKTFUNK_RICH_MOTION: u8 = 2;
+
+/// One rich client→host input for the host's virtual DualSense
+/// ([`punktfunk_connection_send_rich_input`]): a touchpad contact or a motion sample. Set `kind`
+/// and the matching fields; the others are ignored.
+#[cfg(feature = "quic")]
+#[repr(C)]
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct PunktfunkRichInput {
+    /// One of `PUNKTFUNK_RICH_*`.
+    pub kind: u8,
+    /// Gamepad index.
+    pub pad: u8,
+    /// Touchpad: contact id (0 or 1).
+    pub finger: u8,
+    /// Touchpad: 1 = finger down, 0 = lifted.
+    pub active: u8,
+    /// Touchpad: normalized x, 0..=65535 across the touchpad.
+    pub x: u16,
+    /// Touchpad: normalized y, 0..=65535 across the touchpad.
+    pub y: u16,
+    /// Motion: gyro (pitch, yaw, roll), raw signed-16.
+    pub gyro: [i16; 3],
+    /// Motion: accelerometer (x, y, z), raw signed-16.
+    pub accel: [i16; 3],
+}
+
+#[cfg(feature = "quic")]
+impl PunktfunkRichInput {
+    fn to_rich(self) -> Option<crate::quic::RichInput> {
+        use crate::quic::RichInput;
+        match self.kind {
+            PUNKTFUNK_RICH_TOUCHPAD => Some(RichInput::Touchpad {
+                pad: self.pad,
+                finger: self.finger,
+                active: self.active != 0,
+                x: self.x,
+                y: self.y,
+            }),
+            PUNKTFUNK_RICH_MOTION => Some(RichInput::Motion {
+                pad: self.pad,
+                gyro: self.gyro,
+                accel: self.accel,
+            }),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Read an optional NUL-terminated UTF-8 string parameter; `Err` = invalid pointer/UTF-8.
 #[cfg(feature = "quic")]
 unsafe fn opt_cstr<'a>(p: *const std::os::raw::c_char) -> std::result::Result<Option<&'a str>, ()> {
@@ -859,6 +989,42 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn punktfunk_connection_next_rumble(
     })
 }
 
+/// Pull the next DualSense HID-output feedback event (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive trigger)
+/// the host's virtual pad received from a game, into `*out`. [`PunktfunkStatus::NoFrame`] on
+/// timeout, [`PunktfunkStatus::Closed`] once the session ended. Only the DualSense host backend
+/// emits these. Same threading rules as [`punktfunk_connection_next_rumble`] (one puller, may run
+/// alongside the other planes).
+///
+/// # Safety
+/// `c` is a valid connection handle; `out` is writable for one `PunktfunkHidOutput`.
+#[cfg(feature = "quic")]
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn punktfunk_connection_next_hidout(
+    c: *mut PunktfunkConnection,
+    out: *mut PunktfunkHidOutput,
+    timeout_ms: u32,
+) -> PunktfunkStatus {
+    guard(|| {
+        let c = match unsafe { c.as_ref() } {
+            Some(c) => c,
+            None => return PunktfunkStatus::NullPointer,
+        };
+        if out.is_null() {
+            return PunktfunkStatus::NullPointer;
+        }
+        match c
+            .inner
+            .next_hidout(std::time::Duration::from_millis(timeout_ms as u64))
+        {
+            Ok(h) => {
+                unsafe { *out = PunktfunkHidOutput::from_hid(&h) };
+                PunktfunkStatus::Ok
+            }
+            Err(e) => e.status(),
+        }
+    })
+}
+
 /// Send one input event to the host as a QUIC datagram (non-blocking enqueue).
 ///
 /// # Safety
@@ -921,6 +1087,38 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn punktfunk_connection_send_mic(
     })
 }
 
+/// Send one rich input event (DualSense touchpad contact or motion sample) to the host as a QUIC
+/// datagram (non-blocking enqueue). The host applies it to its virtual DualSense pad — a no-op
+/// unless the host runs the DualSense gamepad backend. [`PunktfunkStatus::InvalidArg`] on an
+/// unknown `kind`.
+///
+/// # Safety
+/// `c` is a valid connection handle; `rich` points to a valid [`PunktfunkRichInput`].
+#[cfg(feature = "quic")]
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn punktfunk_connection_send_rich_input(
+    c: *mut PunktfunkConnection,
+    rich: *const PunktfunkRichInput,
+) -> PunktfunkStatus {
+    guard(|| {
+        let c = match unsafe { c.as_ref() } {
+            Some(c) => c,
+            None => return PunktfunkStatus::NullPointer,
+        };
+        let rich = match unsafe { rich.as_ref() } {
+            Some(r) => r,
+            None => return PunktfunkStatus::NullPointer,
+        };
+        match rich.to_rich() {
+            Some(r) => match c.inner.send_rich_input(r) {
+                Ok(()) => PunktfunkStatus::Ok,
+                Err(e) => e.status(),
+            },
+            None => PunktfunkStatus::InvalidArg,
+        }
+    })
+}
+
 /// The currently active session mode — the Welcome's, until an accepted
 /// [`punktfunk_connection_request_mode`] switches it. Safe any time after connect.
 ///
diff --git a/crates/punktfunk-core/src/client.rs b/crates/punktfunk-core/src/client.rs
index 640034e..2cd9742 100644
--- a/crates/punktfunk-core/src/client.rs
+++ b/crates/punktfunk-core/src/client.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@
 use crate::config::{CompositorPref, Mode, Role};
 use crate::error::{PunktfunkError, Result};
 use crate::input::InputEvent;
-use crate::quic::{endpoint, io, Hello, Reconfigure, Reconfigured, Start, Welcome};
+use crate::quic::{
+    endpoint, io, Hello, HidOutput, Reconfigure, Reconfigured, RichInput, Start, Welcome,
+};
 use crate::session::{Frame, Session};
 use crate::transport::UdpTransport;
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
@@ -36,6 +38,10 @@ const AUDIO_QUEUE: usize = 64;
 /// periodically, so a dropped transition (including a stop) heals within ~500 ms.
 const RUMBLE_QUEUE: usize = 16;
 
+/// HID-output (DualSense lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers) buffered for the embedder.
+/// Same overflow discipline as rumble; the host re-sends on the next feedback change.
+const HIDOUT_QUEUE: usize = 32;
+
 /// One Opus packet from the host's audio datagram stream (48 kHz stereo, 5 ms frames).
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub struct AudioPacket {
@@ -49,9 +55,13 @@ pub struct NativeClient {
     frames: Receiver<Frame>,
     audio: Receiver<AudioPacket>,
     rumble: Receiver<(u16, u16, u16)>,
+    /// Inbound DualSense feedback (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers) — 0xCD datagrams.
+    hidout: Receiver<HidOutput>,
     input_tx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedSender<InputEvent>,
     /// Outbound mic frames `(seq, pts_ns, opus)` → encoded as 0xCB datagrams by the worker.
     mic_tx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedSender<(u32, u64, Vec<u8>)>,
+    /// Outbound rich input (DualSense touchpad / motion) → 0xCC datagrams by the worker.
+    rich_input_tx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedSender<RichInput>,
     reconfig_tx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedSender<Mode>,
     shutdown: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     worker: Option<std::thread::JoinHandle<()>>,
@@ -86,8 +96,10 @@ impl NativeClient {
         let (frame_tx, frame_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::sync_channel::<Frame>(FRAME_QUEUE);
         let (audio_tx, audio_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::sync_channel::<AudioPacket>(AUDIO_QUEUE);
         let (rumble_tx, rumble_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::sync_channel::<(u16, u16, u16)>(RUMBLE_QUEUE);
+        let (hidout_tx, hidout_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::sync_channel::<HidOutput>(HIDOUT_QUEUE);
         let (input_tx, input_rx) = tokio::sync::mpsc::unbounded_channel::<InputEvent>();
         let (mic_tx, mic_rx) = tokio::sync::mpsc::unbounded_channel::<(u32, u64, Vec<u8>)>();
+        let (rich_input_tx, rich_input_rx) = tokio::sync::mpsc::unbounded_channel::<RichInput>();
         let (reconfig_tx, reconfig_rx) = tokio::sync::mpsc::unbounded_channel::<Mode>();
         let (ready_tx, ready_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<Result<(Mode, [u8; 32])>>();
         let shutdown = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
@@ -120,8 +132,10 @@ impl NativeClient {
                     frame_tx,
                     audio_tx,
                     rumble_tx,
+                    hidout_tx,
                     input_rx,
                     mic_rx,
+                    rich_input_rx,
                     reconfig_rx,
                     ready_tx,
                     shutdown: shutdown_w,
@@ -143,8 +157,10 @@ impl NativeClient {
             frames: frame_rx,
             audio: audio_rx,
             rumble: rumble_rx,
+            hidout: hidout_rx,
             input_tx,
             mic_tx,
+            rich_input_tx,
             reconfig_tx,
             shutdown,
             worker: Some(worker),
@@ -297,6 +313,18 @@ impl NativeClient {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Pull the next DualSense HID-output feedback event (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive
+    /// trigger) the host's virtual pad received from a game; same timeout/closed semantics as
+    /// [`NativeClient::next_rumble`]. Replay it on a real DualSense (e.g. via the platform's
+    /// `GCDualSenseAdaptiveTrigger` API). Only the DualSense host backend emits these.
+    pub fn next_hidout(&self, timeout: Duration) -> Result<HidOutput> {
+        match self.hidout.recv_timeout(timeout) {
+            Ok(h) => Ok(h),
+            Err(RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) => Err(PunktfunkError::NoFrame),
+            Err(RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected) => Err(PunktfunkError::Closed),
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Queue one input event for delivery as a QUIC datagram.
     pub fn send_input(&self, ev: &InputEvent) -> Result<()> {
         self.input_tx.send(*ev).map_err(|_| PunktfunkError::Closed)
@@ -311,6 +339,15 @@ impl NativeClient {
             .send((seq, pts_ns, opus))
             .map_err(|_| PunktfunkError::Closed)
     }
+
+    /// Queue one rich input event (DualSense touchpad contact or motion sample) for delivery as a
+    /// 0xCC datagram. The host applies it to its virtual DualSense pad. Best-effort, dropped under
+    /// loss like every datagram. No-op unless the host runs the DualSense gamepad backend.
+    pub fn send_rich_input(&self, rich: RichInput) -> Result<()> {
+        self.rich_input_tx
+            .send(rich)
+            .map_err(|_| PunktfunkError::Closed)
+    }
 }
 
 impl Drop for NativeClient {
@@ -332,8 +369,10 @@ struct WorkerArgs {
     frame_tx: SyncSender<Frame>,
     audio_tx: SyncSender<AudioPacket>,
     rumble_tx: SyncSender<(u16, u16, u16)>,
+    hidout_tx: SyncSender<HidOutput>,
     input_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<InputEvent>,
     mic_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<(u32, u64, Vec<u8>)>,
+    rich_input_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<RichInput>,
     reconfig_rx: tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<Mode>,
     ready_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<Result<(Mode, [u8; 32])>>,
     shutdown: Arc<AtomicBool>,
@@ -353,8 +392,10 @@ async fn worker_main(args: WorkerArgs) {
         frame_tx,
         audio_tx,
         rumble_tx,
+        hidout_tx,
         mut input_rx,
         mut mic_rx,
+        mut rich_input_rx,
         mut reconfig_rx,
         ready_tx,
         shutdown,
@@ -455,6 +496,14 @@ async fn worker_main(args: WorkerArgs) {
         }
     });
 
+    // Rich-input task: embedder DualSense touchpad / motion → 0xCC uplink datagrams.
+    let rich_conn = conn.clone();
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        while let Some(rich) = rich_input_rx.recv().await {
+            let _ = rich_conn.send_datagram(rich.encode().into());
+        }
+    });
+
     // Control task: the handshake stream stays open for mid-stream renegotiation. One
     // request at a time — write Reconfigure, await Reconfigured, publish the active mode.
     {
@@ -504,6 +553,11 @@ async fn worker_main(args: WorkerArgs) {
                         let _ = rumble_tx.try_send(r);
                     }
                 }
+                Some(&crate::quic::HIDOUT_MAGIC) => {
+                    if let Some(h) = HidOutput::decode(&d) {
+                        let _ = hidout_tx.try_send(h);
+                    }
+                }
                 _ => {} // unknown tag — a newer host; ignore
             }
         }
diff --git a/crates/punktfunk-host/src/inject/dualsense.rs b/crates/punktfunk-host/src/inject/dualsense.rs
index 257aff2..68bdc67 100644
--- a/crates/punktfunk-host/src/inject/dualsense.rs
+++ b/crates/punktfunk-host/src/inject/dualsense.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@
 //! The report descriptor + field layout are the canonical inputtino ones (games-on-whales/
 //! inputtino `src/uhid/include/uhid/ps5.hpp`), so `hid-playstation` binds the same as a USB pad.
 
+use crate::gamestream::gamepad::{GamepadEvent, MAX_PADS};
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
+use punktfunk_core::quic::{HidOutput, RichInput};
 use std::fs::{File, OpenOptions};
 use std::io::{Read, Write};
 use std::os::unix::fs::OpenOptionsExt;
@@ -254,6 +256,16 @@ fn pack_touch(dst: &mut [u8], t: &Touch) {
     dst[3] = ((y >> 4) & 0xFF) as u8;
 }
 
+/// What one [`DualSensePad::service`] pass extracted from the device's HID output reports.
+/// Rich feedback (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers) rides the HID-output plane (0xCD);
+/// motor rumble rides the universal rumble plane (0xCA) so non-DualSense clients still feel it.
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct DsFeedback {
+    pub hidout: Vec<HidOutput>,
+    /// `(low, high)` motor levels (0..=0xFFFF), if a report carried them.
+    pub rumble: Option<(u16, u16)>,
+}
+
 /// A virtual DualSense backed by `/dev/uhid` (hand-rolled codec — no bindgen, mirroring the
 /// uinput pad's style). Dropping it destroys the device (the kernel tears down the bound
 /// `hid-playstation` interface).
@@ -341,10 +353,10 @@ impl DualSensePad {
     /// Service the device, non-blocking: answer the kernel's feature-report GET_REPORTs (calibration
     /// / pairing / firmware — required during `hid-playstation` init, or no input devices appear)
     /// and parse any HID OUTPUT reports (rumble / lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers) into
-    /// [`HidOutput`] events for pad `pad`. Call frequently — especially right after [`open`] so the
+    /// a [`DsFeedback`] for pad `pad`. Call frequently — especially right after [`open`] so the
     /// init handshake completes. The fd is `O_NONBLOCK`, so once drained `read` returns `WouldBlock`.
-    pub fn service(&mut self, pad: u8) -> Vec<punktfunk_core::quic::HidOutput> {
-        let mut out = Vec::new();
+    pub fn service(&mut self, pad: u8) -> DsFeedback {
+        let mut fb = DsFeedback::default();
         let mut ev = [0u8; UHID_EVENT_SIZE];
         while let Ok(n) = self.fd.read(&mut ev) {
             if n < UHID_EVENT_SIZE {
@@ -355,7 +367,7 @@ impl DualSensePad {
                     // uhid_output_req: data[4096] at [4..4100], size u16 at [4100..4102].
                     let size = u16::from_ne_bytes([ev[4100], ev[4101]]) as usize;
                     let end = 4 + size.min(HID_MAX_DESCRIPTOR_SIZE);
-                    parse_ds_output(pad, &ev[4..end], &mut out);
+                    parse_ds_output(pad, &ev[4..end], &mut fb);
                 }
                 UHID_GET_REPORT => {
                     // uhid_get_report_req: id u32 [4..8], rnum u8 [8].
@@ -371,7 +383,7 @@ impl DualSensePad {
                 _ => {} // Start/Stop/Open/Close/SetReport — ignore
             }
         }
-        out
+        fb
     }
 
     fn reply_get_report(&mut self, id: u32, data: &[u8]) -> Result<()> {
@@ -398,33 +410,257 @@ impl Drop for DualSensePad {
     }
 }
 
-/// Parse a DualSense USB output report (`0x02`) into [`HidOutput`] events. The byte layout below
-/// is the USB DualSense common report; only the well-understood fields (motor rumble, lightbar
-/// RGB, player LEDs) are surfaced — adaptive-trigger blocks are forwarded raw for the client.
-fn parse_ds_output(pad: u8, data: &[u8], out: &mut Vec<punktfunk_core::quic::HidOutput>) {
-    use punktfunk_core::quic::HidOutput;
+/// Parse a DualSense USB output report (`0x02`) into a [`DsFeedback`]. The byte layout below is
+/// the USB DualSense common report; only the well-understood fields (motor rumble, lightbar RGB,
+/// player LEDs) are surfaced — adaptive-trigger blocks are forwarded raw for the client.
+fn parse_ds_output(pad: u8, data: &[u8], fb: &mut DsFeedback) {
     // data[0] is the report id (0x02). Be defensive about short reports.
     if data.first() != Some(&0x02) || data.len() < 48 {
         return;
     }
+    // Motor rumble: high-frequency (small/right) motor at data[3], low-frequency (big/left) at
+    // data[4]. Scale 0..255 → 0..0xFFFF, same (low, high) convention as the uinput pad's mixer,
+    // and route to the universal rumble plane (0xCA). We don't gate on the report's valid-flags
+    // (matching the LED/trigger handling) — the manager only forwards a *change*, so a report
+    // that touches only the LED doesn't spam a rumble-stop.
+    let high = (data[3] as u16) << 8;
+    let low = (data[4] as u16) << 8;
+    fb.rumble = Some((low, high));
     // Lightbar RGB (USB common report: bytes 45..48). Player LEDs at byte 44.
     let (r, g, b) = (data[45], data[46], data[47]);
-    out.push(HidOutput::Led { pad, r, g, b });
-    out.push(HidOutput::PlayerLeds {
+    fb.hidout.push(HidOutput::Led { pad, r, g, b });
+    fb.hidout.push(HidOutput::PlayerLeds {
         pad,
         bits: data[44] & 0x1F,
     });
     // Adaptive-trigger parameter blocks: L2 at bytes 11..22, R2 at 22..33 (11 bytes each).
     if data.len() >= 33 {
-        out.push(HidOutput::Trigger {
+        fb.hidout.push(HidOutput::Trigger {
             pad,
             which: 0,
             effect: data[11..22].to_vec(),
         });
-        out.push(HidOutput::Trigger {
+        fb.hidout.push(HidOutput::Trigger {
             pad,
             which: 1,
             effect: data[22..33].to_vec(),
         });
     }
 }
+
+/// All virtual DualSense pads of a session — the rich-controller analog of
+/// [`GamepadManager`](super::gamepad::GamepadManager), selected with `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`.
+///
+/// Unlike the uinput pad, a DualSense carries touchpad + motion, which arrive on a *separate*
+/// rich-input plane ([`apply_rich`](Self::apply_rich)) from the button/stick frames
+/// ([`handle`](Self::handle)). So the manager keeps each pad's full [`DsState`] and re-emits the
+/// merged report whenever either source changes. [`pump`](Self::pump) services the kernel
+/// handshake and routes a game's feedback back out: motor rumble on the universal plane, the rich
+/// LED/player-LED/trigger feedback on the HID-output plane.
+pub struct DualSenseManager {
+    pads: Vec<Option<DualSensePad>>,
+    /// Each pad's current full report — buttons/sticks merged with persisted touch + motion.
+    state: Vec<DsState>,
+    /// Last rumble forwarded per pad, so a report that only changes the LED doesn't re-send it.
+    last_rumble: Vec<(u16, u16)>,
+    /// Pad creation failed (e.g. /dev/uhid permissions) — warn once, drop events.
+    broken: bool,
+}
+
+impl Default for DualSenseManager {
+    fn default() -> DualSenseManager {
+        DualSenseManager::new()
+    }
+}
+
+impl DualSenseManager {
+    pub fn new() -> DualSenseManager {
+        DualSenseManager {
+            pads: (0..MAX_PADS).map(|_| None).collect(),
+            state: vec![DsState::neutral(); MAX_PADS],
+            last_rumble: vec![(0, 0); MAX_PADS],
+            broken: false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Handle one decoded controller event (create/destroy by mask, then merge button/stick state).
+    pub fn handle(&mut self, ev: &GamepadEvent) {
+        match ev {
+            GamepadEvent::Arrival { index, kind, .. } => {
+                tracing::info!(index, kind, "controller arrival (DualSense)");
+                self.ensure(*index as usize);
+            }
+            GamepadEvent::State(f) => {
+                let idx = f.index as usize;
+                if idx >= MAX_PADS {
+                    return;
+                }
+                // Unplugs: drop any allocated pad whose mask bit cleared, resetting its state.
+                for (i, slot) in self.pads.iter_mut().enumerate() {
+                    if slot.is_some() && f.active_mask & (1 << i) == 0 {
+                        tracing::info!(index = i, "controller unplugged (DualSense)");
+                        *slot = None;
+                        self.state[i] = DsState::neutral();
+                        self.last_rumble[i] = (0, 0);
+                    }
+                }
+                if f.active_mask & (1 << idx) == 0 {
+                    return; // this event WAS the unplug
+                }
+                self.ensure(idx);
+                // Merge buttons/sticks/triggers from the frame, preserving touch + motion (those
+                // come on the rich-input plane and must survive a button-only frame).
+                let prev = self.state[idx];
+                let mut s = DsState::from_gamepad(
+                    f.buttons,
+                    f.ls_x,
+                    f.ls_y,
+                    f.rs_x,
+                    f.rs_y,
+                    f.left_trigger,
+                    f.right_trigger,
+                );
+                s.touch = prev.touch;
+                s.gyro = prev.gyro;
+                s.accel = prev.accel;
+                self.state[idx] = s;
+                self.write(idx);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Apply one rich client→host event (touchpad contact / motion sample) to an existing pad,
+    /// preserving its button/stick state. Rich events never create a pad (a controller must have
+    /// arrived first); they're dropped if the pad isn't present.
+    pub fn apply_rich(&mut self, rich: RichInput) {
+        let idx = match rich {
+            RichInput::Touchpad { pad, .. } | RichInput::Motion { pad, .. } => pad as usize,
+        };
+        if idx >= MAX_PADS || self.pads[idx].is_none() {
+            return;
+        }
+        match rich {
+            RichInput::Touchpad {
+                finger,
+                active,
+                x,
+                y,
+                ..
+            } => {
+                // The DualSense touchpad carries two contacts; clamp to a valid slot and keep the
+                // reported contact id consistent with it (the wire `finger` is untrusted).
+                let slot = (finger as usize).min(1);
+                let t = &mut self.state[idx].touch[slot];
+                t.active = active;
+                t.id = slot as u8;
+                // Normalized 0..=65535 → the touchpad's reported resolution.
+                t.x = ((x as u32 * DS_TOUCH_W as u32) / u16::MAX as u32) as u16;
+                t.y = ((y as u32 * DS_TOUCH_H as u32) / u16::MAX as u32) as u16;
+            }
+            RichInput::Motion { gyro, accel, .. } => {
+                self.state[idx].gyro = gyro;
+                self.state[idx].accel = accel;
+            }
+        }
+        self.write(idx);
+    }
+
+    fn write(&mut self, idx: usize) {
+        let st = self.state[idx];
+        if let Some(pad) = self.pads[idx].as_mut() {
+            let _ = pad.write_state(&st);
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn ensure(&mut self, idx: usize) {
+        if idx >= MAX_PADS || self.pads[idx].is_some() || self.broken {
+            return;
+        }
+        match DualSensePad::open(idx as u8) {
+            Ok(p) => {
+                self.pads[idx] = Some(p);
+                self.state[idx] = DsState::neutral();
+                self.last_rumble[idx] = (0, 0);
+            }
+            Err(e) => {
+                tracing::error!(error = %format!("{e:#}"), "virtual DualSense creation failed — controller input disabled");
+                self.broken = true;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Service every pad: answer the kernel's init handshake and parse a game's feedback. `rumble`
+    /// is invoked `(index, low, high)` only when the motor level *changes* (the universal 0xCA
+    /// plane — both backends use it); `hidout` is invoked for each DualSense-only rich feedback
+    /// event (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers — the 0xCD plane). Call frequently:
+    /// the kernel blocks `hid-playstation` init until its GET_REPORTs are answered.
+    pub fn pump(
+        &mut self,
+        mut rumble: impl FnMut(u16, u16, u16),
+        mut hidout: impl FnMut(HidOutput),
+    ) {
+        for i in 0..self.pads.len() {
+            let Some(pad) = self.pads[i].as_mut() else {
+                continue;
+            };
+            let fb = pad.service(i as u8);
+            if let Some(r) = fb.rumble {
+                if self.last_rumble[i] != r {
+                    self.last_rumble[i] = r;
+                    rumble(i as u16, r.0, r.1);
+                }
+            }
+            for h in fb.hidout {
+                hidout(h);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// A DualSense USB output report (`0x02`) parses into motor rumble (0xCA), lightbar, player
+    /// LEDs, and both adaptive-trigger blocks (0xCD).
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_output_report() {
+        let mut data = vec![0u8; 48];
+        data[0] = 0x02; // report id
+        data[3] = 0x80; // right (high-freq) motor
+        data[4] = 0x40; // left (low-freq) motor
+        data[44] = 0x03; // player LEDs (low 5 bits)
+        data[45] = 10; // R
+        data[46] = 20; // G
+        data[47] = 30; // B
+        let mut fb = DsFeedback::default();
+        parse_ds_output(0, &data, &mut fb);
+        // (low, high) = (left<<8, right<<8).
+        assert_eq!(fb.rumble, Some((0x4000, 0x8000)));
+        assert!(fb.hidout.contains(&HidOutput::Led {
+            pad: 0,
+            r: 10,
+            g: 20,
+            b: 30
+        }));
+        assert!(fb
+            .hidout
+            .contains(&HidOutput::PlayerLeds { pad: 0, bits: 3 }));
+        assert_eq!(
+            fb.hidout
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|h| matches!(h, HidOutput::Trigger { .. }))
+                .count(),
+            2
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// A short / wrong-id report yields nothing.
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_output_rejects_garbage() {
+        let mut fb = DsFeedback::default();
+        parse_ds_output(0, &[0x01, 0, 0], &mut fb); // wrong report id, too short
+        assert!(fb.rumble.is_none());
+        assert!(fb.hidout.is_empty());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/punktfunk-host/src/m3.rs b/crates/punktfunk-host/src/m3.rs
index dcd439d..ac253c0 100644
--- a/crates/punktfunk-host/src/m3.rs
+++ b/crates/punktfunk-host/src/m3.rs
@@ -519,25 +519,32 @@ async fn serve_session(
     // per-session) and sends force feedback back over `conn`. It exits when the channel closes
     // (datagram task ends on disconnect) — fresh gamepad state per session.
     let (input_tx, input_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<InputEvent>();
+    let (rich_tx, rich_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<punktfunk_core::quic::RichInput>();
     let input_handle = {
         let conn = conn.clone();
         std::thread::Builder::new()
             .name("punktfunk-m3-input".into())
-            .spawn(move || input_thread(input_rx, conn, inj_tx))
+            .spawn(move || input_thread(input_rx, rich_rx, conn, inj_tx))
             .context("spawn input thread")?
     };
     // One reader for ALL client→host datagrams, demuxed by magic byte (two read_datagram loops
     // would race for datagrams): 0xCB → mic uplink (Opus, forwarded to the host-lifetime mic
-    // service), 0xC8 → input (forwarded to the per-session input thread). The magics are disjoint,
-    // so decode order doesn't matter. Unknown tags are ignored.
+    // service), 0xCC → rich input (DualSense touchpad / motion, to the per-session input thread),
+    // 0xC8 → input (also the input thread). The magics are disjoint, so decode order doesn't
+    // matter. Unknown tags are ignored.
     let input_conn = conn.clone();
     tokio::spawn(async move {
-        let (mut input_count, mut mic_count) = (0u64, 0u64);
+        let (mut input_count, mut mic_count, mut rich_count) = (0u64, 0u64, 0u64);
         while let Ok(d) = input_conn.read_datagram().await {
             if let Some((_seq, _pts, opus)) = punktfunk_core::quic::decode_mic_datagram(&d) {
                 mic_count += 1;
                 // Host-lifetime mic service; a send error just means the host is shutting down.
                 let _ = mic_tx.send(opus.to_vec());
+            } else if let Some(rich) = punktfunk_core::quic::RichInput::decode(&d) {
+                rich_count += 1;
+                if rich_tx.send(rich).is_err() {
+                    break;
+                }
             } else if let Some(ev) = InputEvent::decode(&d) {
                 input_count += 1;
                 if input_tx.send(ev).is_err() {
@@ -548,6 +555,7 @@ async fn serve_session(
         tracing::info!(
             input = input_count,
             mic = mic_count,
+            rich = rich_count,
             "client datagram stream ended"
         );
     });
@@ -873,17 +881,77 @@ fn mic_service_thread(rx: std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<Vec<u8>>) {
     tracing::debug!("mic service stopped (host shutting down)");
 }
 
+/// The session's virtual-gamepad backend. Default = uinput X-Box-360 pads
+/// ([`GamepadManager`](crate::inject::gamepad::GamepadManager)); `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`
+/// switches to virtual DualSense pads (UHID + the kernel `hid-playstation` driver) so a game sees
+/// a *real* DualSense — adaptive triggers, lightbar, touchpad, motion — and a game's feedback
+/// flows back over the rich HID-output plane. Selected once per session (sessions run serially).
+enum PadBackend {
+    Xbox360(crate::inject::gamepad::GamepadManager),
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    DualSense(crate::inject::dualsense::DualSenseManager),
+}
+
+impl PadBackend {
+    fn select() -> PadBackend {
+        #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+        if std::env::var("PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD").as_deref() == Ok("dualsense") {
+            tracing::info!("gamepad backend: virtual DualSense (UHID hid-playstation)");
+            return PadBackend::DualSense(crate::inject::dualsense::DualSenseManager::new());
+        }
+        PadBackend::Xbox360(crate::inject::gamepad::GamepadManager::new())
+    }
+
+    fn handle(&mut self, ev: &crate::gamestream::gamepad::GamepadEvent) {
+        match self {
+            PadBackend::Xbox360(m) => m.handle(ev),
+            #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+            PadBackend::DualSense(m) => m.handle(ev),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Apply a rich client→host event (DualSense touchpad / motion). A no-op for the X-Box pad,
+    /// which has no equivalent.
+    fn apply_rich(&mut self, _rich: punktfunk_core::quic::RichInput) {
+        #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+        if let PadBackend::DualSense(m) = self {
+            m.apply_rich(_rich);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Service feedback every cycle. `rumble` carries motor force-feedback on the universal plane
+    /// (both backends); `hidout` carries DualSense-only rich feedback (lightbar / player LEDs /
+    /// adaptive triggers — DualSense backend only).
+    fn pump(
+        &mut self,
+        rumble: impl FnMut(u16, u16, u16),
+        hidout: impl FnMut(punktfunk_core::quic::HidOutput),
+    ) {
+        match self {
+            PadBackend::Xbox360(m) => {
+                let _ = hidout; // the X-Box pad has no rich-feedback plane
+                m.pump_rumble(rumble)
+            }
+            #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+            PadBackend::DualSense(m) => m.pump(rumble, hidout),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// The per-session input thread: route pointer/keyboard events to the host-lifetime injector
-/// service (`inj_tx`) and gamepad events to this session's own [`GamepadManager`]
-/// (crate::inject::gamepad), with force feedback pumped between events and sent back as rumble
-/// datagrams. The gamepads (uinput) are created and torn down with the session; the
-/// pointer/keyboard injector (and its portal grant) lives in the service, across sessions.
+/// service (`inj_tx`) and gamepad events to this session's [`PadBackend`] (uinput X-Box pads or,
+/// with `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`, virtual DualSense pads), with rich client→host input
+/// (touchpad / motion, `rich_rx`) merged in and feedback pumped between events — rumble on the
+/// universal datagram plane, DualSense LED/trigger feedback on the HID-output plane. The gamepads
+/// are created and torn down with the session; the pointer/keyboard injector (and its portal
+/// grant) lives in the service, across sessions.
 fn input_thread(
     rx: std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<InputEvent>,
+    rich_rx: std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<punktfunk_core::quic::RichInput>,
     conn: quinn::Connection,
     inj_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<InputEvent>,
 ) {
-    let mut pads = crate::inject::gamepad::GamepadManager::new();
+    let mut pads = PadBackend::select();
     let mut pad_state = [PadState::default(); MAX_WIRE_PADS];
     let mut pad_mask = 0u16;
     // Rumble is idempotent state on a lossy channel (client-side overflow drops datagrams),
@@ -896,13 +964,15 @@ fn input_thread(
         match rx.recv_timeout(std::time::Duration::from_millis(4)) {
             Ok(ev) => match ev.kind {
                 InputKind::GamepadButton | InputKind::GamepadAxis => {
+                    // A bad index / unknown axis just doesn't update a pad — fall through (no
+                    // `continue`) so the rich-input drain + feedback pump below still run every
+                    // iteration (the DualSense GET_REPORT handshake must be serviced promptly).
                     let idx = ev.flags as usize;
-                    if idx >= MAX_WIRE_PADS || !pad_state[idx].apply(&ev) {
-                        continue;
+                    if idx < MAX_WIRE_PADS && pad_state[idx].apply(&ev) {
+                        pad_mask |= 1 << idx;
+                        let frame = pad_state[idx].frame(idx, pad_mask);
+                        pads.handle(&crate::gamestream::gamepad::GamepadEvent::State(frame));
                     }
-                    pad_mask |= 1 << idx;
-                    let frame = pad_state[idx].frame(idx, pad_mask);
-                    pads.handle(&crate::gamestream::gamepad::GamepadEvent::State(frame));
                 }
                 _ => {
                     // Pointer/keyboard → the host-lifetime injector service (one persistent
@@ -915,15 +985,26 @@ fn input_thread(
             Err(std::sync::mpsc::RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) => {}
             Err(std::sync::mpsc::RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected) => break,
         }
-        // Service force feedback every iteration (≤4 ms latency; games block on EVIOCSFF).
-        pads.pump_rumble(|pad, low, high| {
-            if let Some(s) = rumble_state.get_mut(pad as usize) {
-                *s = (low, high);
-                rumble_seen[pad as usize] = true;
-            }
-            let d = punktfunk_core::quic::encode_rumble_datagram(pad, low, high);
-            let _ = conn.send_datagram(d.to_vec().into());
-        });
+        // Drain rich client→host input (DualSense touchpad / motion) into the pad backend.
+        while let Ok(rich) = rich_rx.try_recv() {
+            pads.apply_rich(rich);
+        }
+        // Service feedback every iteration (≤4 ms latency; games block on EVIOCSFF, and the
+        // DualSense kernel handshake must be answered promptly). Rumble → the universal 0xCA
+        // plane; DualSense rich feedback (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers) → 0xCD.
+        pads.pump(
+            |pad, low, high| {
+                if let Some(s) = rumble_state.get_mut(pad as usize) {
+                    *s = (low, high);
+                    rumble_seen[pad as usize] = true;
+                }
+                let d = punktfunk_core::quic::encode_rumble_datagram(pad, low, high);
+                let _ = conn.send_datagram(d.to_vec().into());
+            },
+            |h| {
+                let _ = conn.send_datagram(h.encode().into());
+            },
+        );
         if last_refresh.elapsed() >= std::time::Duration::from_millis(500) {
             last_refresh = std::time::Instant::now();
             for (i, &(low, high)) in rumble_state.iter().enumerate() {
diff --git a/crates/punktfunk-host/src/main.rs b/crates/punktfunk-host/src/main.rs
index ab7b721..b396e6c 100644
--- a/crates/punktfunk-host/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/punktfunk-host/src/main.rs
@@ -106,7 +106,11 @@ fn real_main() -> Result<()> {
             let deadline = Instant::now() + Duration::from_secs(secs);
             let (mut i, mut last_write) = (0i32, Instant::now());
             while Instant::now() < deadline {
-                for o in pad.service(0) {
+                let fb = pad.service(0);
+                if let Some((low, high)) = fb.rumble {
+                    println!("  rumble from kernel/game: low={low} high={high}");
+                }
+                for o in fb.hidout {
                     println!("  hid output from kernel/game: {o:?}");
                 }
                 if last_write.elapsed() >= Duration::from_millis(300) {
diff --git a/docs/roadmap.md b/docs/roadmap.md
index b86addb..c8e485f 100644
--- a/docs/roadmap.md
+++ b/docs/roadmap.md
@@ -85,9 +85,18 @@ select = a `pw_stream` with `Direction::Output` + `media.class=Audio/Source`.
   from gamepad frames; output report `0x02` is parsed for LED RGB, player LEDs, and **adaptive
   trigger effects (L2/R2)**. Protocol carries new side-planes: rich-input `0xCC`
   (touchpad/motion) + HID-output `0xCD` (LED/triggers). `/dev/uhid` udev rule shipped.
-  *Remaining (paused, resume-able):* route gamepad frames → `DualSensePad` behind
-  `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`, wire the `0xCC`/`0xCD` back-channel end-to-end (+ C ABI
-  `next_hidout`/`send_rich_input`), and render adaptive triggers + rumble on the Apple client.
+- **Rich DualSense — Phase C/D/E end-to-end, validated live.** `PUNKTFUNK_GAMEPAD=dualsense`
+  selects a per-session `DualSenseManager` (the `PadBackend` enum in `m3.rs`): client gamepad frames
+  build the DualSense report; the kernel's feedback comes back as `HidOutput` on the **0xCD** plane
+  (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive triggers) while **rumble stays on the universal 0xCA plane**
+  (so non-DualSense clients still feel it); touchpad + motion ride the **0xCC** rich-input plane
+  (`DualSenseManager::apply_rich`, merged with button state). The connector + C ABI gained
+  `punktfunk_connection_next_hidout` (→ `PunktfunkHidOutput`) and `punktfunk_connection_send_rich_input`
+  (← `PunktfunkRichInput`); header regenerated. Validated on-box: a synthetic-source `m3-host` +
+  `punktfunk-client-rs --rich-input-test` created the real kernel DualSense, drove 0xCC, and decoded
+  12 live 0xCD events (the kernel's actual lightbar/trigger init reports) — data plane unaffected
+  (600/600 frames). *Remaining:* the Apple client renders adaptive triggers + rumble on a real
+  DualSense (`GCDualSenseAdaptiveTrigger`) — handed off to the client agent for the real playtest.
 - **Advanced (audio-driven voice-coil) haptics — scoped, NO-GO for now (`docs/dualsense-haptics.md`).**
   Driven by the DualSense's USB *audio* interface (4-ch, back 2 channels = haptic PCM), not HID — so
   the UHID backend structurally can't carry it. Three independent walls: host capture needs a kernel
diff --git a/include/punktfunk_core.h b/include/punktfunk_core.h
index 3875db3..1eadfd7 100644
--- a/include/punktfunk_core.h
+++ b/include/punktfunk_core.h
@@ -19,6 +19,24 @@
 // added `punktfunk_pair` / `punktfunk_generate_identity` / `punktfunk_connection_request_mode`.
 #define ABI_VERSION 2
 
+// `PunktfunkHidOutput::kind` — lightbar RGB (`r`/`g`/`b` valid).
+#define PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_LED 1
+
+// `PunktfunkHidOutput::kind` — player-indicator LEDs (`player_bits` valid, low 5 bits).
+#define PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_PLAYER_LEDS 2
+
+// `PunktfunkHidOutput::kind` — one adaptive-trigger effect (`which` + `effect`/`effect_len` valid).
+#define PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_TRIGGER 3
+
+// Capacity of `PunktfunkHidOutput::effect` (the DualSense trigger parameter block).
+#define PUNKTFUNK_HID_EFFECT_MAX 11
+
+// `PunktfunkRichInput::kind` — a touchpad contact (`finger`/`active`/`x`/`y` valid).
+#define PUNKTFUNK_RICH_TOUCHPAD 1
+
+// `PunktfunkRichInput::kind` — a motion sample (`gyro`/`accel` valid).
+#define PUNKTFUNK_RICH_MOTION 2
+
 // Compositor preference for [`punktfunk_connect_ex`] (`compositor` arg). `AUTO` lets the host
 // pick (auto-detect from its running desktop); a concrete value is honored only if that backend
 // is available on the host right now, else the host falls back to auto-detect. The resolved
@@ -319,6 +337,57 @@ typedef struct {
 } PunktfunkAudioPacket;
 #endif
 
+#if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
+// One DualSense HID-output feedback event a game wrote to the host's virtual pad
+// ([`punktfunk_connection_next_hidout`]). `kind` selects which fields are meaningful — replay it
+// on a real DualSense (lightbar color, player LEDs, or an adaptive-trigger effect via the
+// platform's `GCDualSenseAdaptiveTrigger`-style API).
+typedef struct {
+    // One of `PUNKTFUNK_HIDOUT_*`.
+    uint8_t kind;
+    // Gamepad index.
+    uint8_t pad;
+    // LED: lightbar red.
+    uint8_t r;
+    // LED: lightbar green.
+    uint8_t g;
+    // LED: lightbar blue.
+    uint8_t b;
+    // PlayerLeds: lit player indicators (low 5 bits).
+    uint8_t player_bits;
+    // Trigger: 0 = L2, 1 = R2.
+    uint8_t which;
+    // Trigger: number of valid bytes in `effect` (≤ `PUNKTFUNK_HID_EFFECT_MAX`).
+    uint8_t effect_len;
+    // Trigger: the raw DualSense trigger parameter block (mode + params).
+    uint8_t effect[11];
+} PunktfunkHidOutput;
+#endif
+
+#if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
+// One rich client→host input for the host's virtual DualSense
+// ([`punktfunk_connection_send_rich_input`]): a touchpad contact or a motion sample. Set `kind`
+// and the matching fields; the others are ignored.
+typedef struct {
+    // One of `PUNKTFUNK_RICH_*`.
+    uint8_t kind;
+    // Gamepad index.
+    uint8_t pad;
+    // Touchpad: contact id (0 or 1).
+    uint8_t finger;
+    // Touchpad: 1 = finger down, 0 = lifted.
+    uint8_t active;
+    // Touchpad: normalized x, 0..=65535 across the touchpad.
+    uint16_t x;
+    // Touchpad: normalized y, 0..=65535 across the touchpad.
+    uint16_t y;
+    // Motion: gyro (pitch, yaw, roll), raw signed-16.
+    int16_t gyro[3];
+    // Motion: accelerometer (x, y, z), raw signed-16.
+    int16_t accel[3];
+} PunktfunkRichInput;
+#endif
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif // __cplusplus
@@ -528,6 +597,20 @@ PunktfunkStatus punktfunk_connection_next_rumble(PunktfunkConnection *c,
                                                  uint32_t timeout_ms);
 #endif
 
+#if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
+// Pull the next DualSense HID-output feedback event (lightbar / player LEDs / adaptive trigger)
+// the host's virtual pad received from a game, into `*out`. [`PunktfunkStatus::NoFrame`] on
+// timeout, [`PunktfunkStatus::Closed`] once the session ended. Only the DualSense host backend
+// emits these. Same threading rules as [`punktfunk_connection_next_rumble`] (one puller, may run
+// alongside the other planes).
+//
+// # Safety
+// `c` is a valid connection handle; `out` is writable for one `PunktfunkHidOutput`.
+PunktfunkStatus punktfunk_connection_next_hidout(PunktfunkConnection *c,
+                                                 PunktfunkHidOutput *out,
+                                                 uint32_t timeout_ms);
+#endif
+
 #if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
 // Send one input event to the host as a QUIC datagram (non-blocking enqueue).
 //
@@ -552,6 +635,18 @@ PunktfunkStatus punktfunk_connection_send_mic(PunktfunkConnection *c,
                                               uint64_t pts_ns);
 #endif
 
+#if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
+// Send one rich input event (DualSense touchpad contact or motion sample) to the host as a QUIC
+// datagram (non-blocking enqueue). The host applies it to its virtual DualSense pad — a no-op
+// unless the host runs the DualSense gamepad backend. [`PunktfunkStatus::InvalidArg`] on an
+// unknown `kind`.
+//
+// # Safety
+// `c` is a valid connection handle; `rich` points to a valid [`PunktfunkRichInput`].
+PunktfunkStatus punktfunk_connection_send_rich_input(PunktfunkConnection *c,
+                                                     const PunktfunkRichInput *rich);
+#endif
+
 #if defined(PUNKTFUNK_FEATURE_QUIC)
 // The currently active session mode — the Welcome's, until an accepted
 // [`punktfunk_connection_request_mode`] switches it. Safe any time after connect.