diff --git a/include/decl.h b/include/decl.h
index 67598d852..c66a98c11 100644
--- a/include/decl.h
+++ b/include/decl.h
@@ -972,9 +972,9 @@ struct instance_globals {
        persistent one doesn't get shrunk during filtering for item selection
        then regrown to full inventory, possibly being resized in the process */
     winid cached_pickinv_win;
-#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-    winid tty_invent_win;
-#endif
+    winid perm_invent_win;
+    int core_invent_state;
+
     /* query objlist callback: return TRUE if obj type matches "this_type" */
     int this_type;
     const char *this_title; /* title for inventory list of specific type */
diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index f9525d6fd..e3ebc56ef 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -1174,6 +1174,7 @@ extern long count_contents(struct obj *, boolean, boolean, boolean, boolean);
 extern void carry_obj_effects(struct obj *);
 extern const char *currency(long);
 extern void silly_thing(const char *, struct obj *);
+extern void core_update_invent_slot(void);
 
 /* ### ioctl.c ### */
 
diff --git a/include/wintty.h b/include/wintty.h
index 552684d4c..39f8dddd9 100644
--- a/include/wintty.h
+++ b/include/wintty.h
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #define WINDOW_STRUCTS
 
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
+
 enum { tty_pi_minrow = 28, tty_pi_mincol = 79 };
 /* for static init of zerottycell, put pointer first */
 union ttycellcontent {
@@ -123,11 +124,7 @@ struct tty_status_fields {
 #ifdef NHW_BASE
 #undef NHW_BASE
 #endif
-#define NHW_BASE (NHW_TEXT + 1)
-
-#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-#define NHW_TTYINVENT (NHW_BASE + 1)
-#endif
+#define NHW_BASE (NHW_LAST_TYPE + 1)
 
 extern struct window_procs tty_procs;
 
diff --git a/include/wintype.h b/include/wintype.h
index e262b1aa9..010ea2dbb 100644
--- a/include/wintype.h
+++ b/include/wintype.h
@@ -111,6 +111,8 @@ typedef struct gi {
 #define NHW_MAP 3
 #define NHW_MENU 4
 #define NHW_TEXT 5
+#define NHW_PERMINVENT 6
+#define NHW_LAST_TYPE NHW_PERMINVENT
 
 /* attribute types for putstr; the same as the ANSI value, for convenience */
 #define ATR_NONE       0
@@ -162,19 +164,37 @@ typedef struct gi {
 
 #define MENU_BEHAVE_STANDARD      0x0000000U
 
+/* inventory modes */
+enum inv_modes { InvNormal = 0, InvShowGold = 1, InvSparse = 2, InvInUse = 4 };
+
+enum to_core_flags {
+    active           = 0x001,
+    prohibited       = 0x002,
+    no_init_done     = 0x004
+};
+
+enum from_core_requests {
+    request_settings = 1,
+    update_slot      = 2,
+    render           = 3
+};
+
 struct to_core {
+    long tocore_flags;
     boolean active;
     boolean use_update_inventory;    /* disable the newer slot interface */
-    int slotcount;
-    int low_slot_num, high_slot_num;
-    int max_slot_text;
+    int maxslot;
+    int needrows, needcols;
+    int haverows, havecols;
 };
 
 struct from_core {
-    long piflags;
-    int slot;           /* which inventory slot; 0 means info exchange only */
+    enum from_core_requests core_request;
+    enum inv_modes invmode;
+    boolean force_redraw;
+    int slot;           /* which inventory slot; 0 indicates request */
     int invlet;
-    const char *text;   /* the text to display */
+    char text[BUFSZ];
 };
 
 struct perminvent_info_t {
@@ -184,6 +204,8 @@ struct perminvent_info_t {
 
 typedef struct perminvent_info_t perminvent_info;
 
+#define CORE_INVENT
+
 /* clang-format on */
 
 #endif /* WINTYPE_H */
diff --git a/src/allmain.c b/src/allmain.c
index a39f5d216..c255ba18a 100644
--- a/src/allmain.c
+++ b/src/allmain.c
@@ -12,10 +12,6 @@
 #include <signal.h>
 #endif
 
-#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-#include "wintty.h"     /* just for define of NHW_TTYINVENT */
-#endif
-
 static void moveloop_preamble(boolean);
 static void u_calc_moveamt(int);
 #ifdef POSITIONBAR
@@ -635,11 +631,6 @@ display_gamewindows(void)
        ever having been used, use it here to pacify the Qt interface */
     start_menu(WIN_INVEN, 0U), end_menu(WIN_INVEN, (char *) 0);
 
-#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-    if (WINDOWPORT("tty") && iflags.perm_invent) {
-        g.tty_invent_win = create_nhwindow(NHW_TTYINVENT);
-    }
-#endif
 #ifdef MAC
     /* This _is_ the right place for this - maybe we will
      * have to split display_gamewindows into create_gamewindows
@@ -659,11 +650,7 @@ display_gamewindows(void)
     display_nhwindow(WIN_MESSAGE, FALSE);
     clear_glyph_buffer();
     display_nhwindow(WIN_MAP, FALSE);
-#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-    if (g.tty_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
-        display_nhwindow(g.tty_invent_win, FALSE);
-#endif
-}
+ }
 
 void
 newgame(void)
diff --git a/src/decl.c b/src/decl.c
index f0c032d05..f72478632 100644
--- a/src/decl.c
+++ b/src/decl.c
@@ -435,9 +435,8 @@ const struct instance_globals g_init = {
     NULL, /* invbuf */
     0, /* inbufsize */
     WIN_ERR, /* cached_pickinv_win */
-#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-    WIN_ERR, /* tty_invent_win */
-#endif
+    WIN_ERR, /* perm_invent_win */
+    0,       /* core_invent_state */
     0, /* this_type */
     NULL, /* this_title */
     UNDEFINED_VALUES, /* only (coord) */
diff --git a/src/invent.c b/src/invent.c
index 7d3677b41..44090afe0 100644
--- a/src/invent.c
+++ b/src/invent.c
@@ -2429,9 +2429,13 @@ update_inventory(void)
      */
     save_suppress_price = iflags.suppress_price;
     iflags.suppress_price = 0;
-
-    (*windowprocs.win_update_inventory)(0);
-
+#if defined(TTY_PERM_INVENT) && defined(CORE_INVENT)
+    if (WINDOWPORT("tty"))
+        core_update_invent_slot();
+    else
+#else
+        (*windowprocs.win_update_inventory)(0);
+#endif
     iflags.suppress_price = save_suppress_price;
 }
 
@@ -5333,4 +5337,188 @@ display_binventory(int x, int y, boolean as_if_seen)
     return n;
 }
 
+#if defined(CORE_INVENT)
+/* enum and structs are defined in wintype.h */
+static perminvent_info zeropi = { 0 };
+static perminvent_info pi_info;
+static int invmode = InvNormal;
+static char Empty[1] = { '\0' };
+#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
+extern void tty_perm_invent_toggled(boolean negated);
+#endif
+
+void
+core_update_invent_slot()
+{
+    static perminvent_info *pi = 0;
+    char *text, nxtlet;
+    int slot;
+    boolean show_gold = (invmode & InvShowGold) != 0,
+            inuse_only = (invmode & InvInUse) != 0,
+            sparse = (invmode & InvSparse) != 0;
+    const char *wport_id;
+    struct obj *obj;
+
+    if (g.perm_invent_win == WIN_ERR && g.core_invent_state)
+            return;
+
+    if (!iflags.perm_invent && g.core_invent_state) {
+        /* Odd - but this could be end-of-game disclosure
+         * which just sets boolean iflag.perm_invent to
+         * FALSE without actually doing anything else.
+         */
+#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
+        if (WINDOWPORT("tty"))
+            tty_perm_invent_toggled(TRUE); /* TRUE means negated */
+#endif
+        (void) doredraw();
+        return;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * The core looks after what content goes into the
+     * inventory slots, and deals with things like obj
+     * chains etc, so the window port doesn't have to.
+     *
+     * The window port informs the core of the number of
+     * slots that it will process.
+     *
+     * The core tells the window port what the contents of the
+     * inventory slots should be.
+     *
+     * The core requests the window port when to render, after
+     * all the content has been updated.
+     *
+     * The window port looks after the placement of an inventory
+     * slot's contents onto the display in an appropriate fashion,
+     * The core doesn't care, and leaves that up to the window port.
+     *
+     * The core slot handling is no longer tied to TTY_PERM_INVENT,
+     * although at this point that's the only window port to utilize
+     * it. The rest are still rolling their own via the basic
+     * [port]_update_inventory() mechanism.
+     */
+
+    if (WINDOWPORT("tty") && iflags.perm_invent)
+        wport_id = "tty perm_invent";
+    else
+        wport_id = "perm_invent";
+
+    pi_info.fromcore.core_request = 0;
+    if (!g.core_invent_state) {
+        {
+            /*TEMPORARY*/
+            char *envtmp = nh_getenv("TTYINV");
+            invmode = envtmp ? atoi(envtmp) : InvNormal;
+        }
+        pi_info.fromcore.invmode = invmode;
+        pi_info = zeropi;
+        /* Send the wport a request to get the related settings. */
+        pi_info.fromcore.core_request = request_settings;
+        if ((pi = update_invent_slot(g.perm_invent_win, (slot = 0), &pi_info))) {
+            if ((pi->tocore.tocore_flags & prohibited) != 0) {
+                /* sizes aren't good enough */
+                set_option_mod_status("perm_invent", set_gameview);
+                iflags.perm_invent = FALSE;
+                pline("%s could not be enabled.", wport_id); 
+                pline("%s needs a terminal that is at least %dx%d, yours is %dx%d.",
+                      wport_id,
+                      pi->tocore.needrows, pi->tocore.needcols,
+                      pi->tocore.haverows, pi->tocore.havecols);
+                wait_synch();
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+        g.perm_invent_win = create_nhwindow(NHW_PERMINVENT);
+        if (g.perm_invent_win == WIN_ERR)
+            return;
+        display_nhwindow(g.perm_invent_win, FALSE);
+        g.core_invent_state++;
+    }
+    text = Empty; /* lint suppression */
+    pi_info.fromcore.core_request = update_slot;
+    pi_info.fromcore.force_redraw = g.program_state.in_docrt ? TRUE : FALSE,
+
+    obj = g.invent;
+    for (slot = 0; slot < pi->tocore.maxslot; ++slot) {
+        nxtlet = '?'; /* always gets set to something else if actually used */
+        if (!sparse) {
+            while (obj && ((obj->invlet == GOLD_SYM && !show_gold)
+                           || (!obj->owornmask && inuse_only)))
+                obj = obj->nobj;
+        } else {
+            if (!show_gold)
+                nxtlet = (slot < 26) ? ('a' + slot) : ('A' + slot - 26);
+            else
+                nxtlet = (slot == 0) ? GOLD_SYM
+                         : (slot < 27) ? ('a' + slot - 1)
+                           : (slot < 53) ? ('A' + slot - 27)
+                             : NOINVSYM;
+            for (obj = g.invent; obj; obj = obj->nobj)
+                if (obj->invlet == nxtlet)
+                    break;
+        }
+        if (obj) {
+            /* TODO: check for MENUCOLORS match */
+            text = doname(obj); /* 'text' will switch to fromcore.text below */
+            /* strip away "a"/"an"/"the" prefix to show a bit more of the
+               interesting part of the object's description;
+               this is inline version of pi_article_skip() from cursinvt.c;
+               should move that to hacklib.c and use it here */
+            if (text[0] == 'a') {
+                if (text[1] == ' ')
+                    text += 2;
+                else if (text[1] == 'n' && text[2] == ' ')
+                    text += 3;
+            } else if (text[0] == 't') {
+                if (text[1] == 'h' && text[2] == 'e' && text[3] == ' ')
+                    text += 4;
+            }
+            Snprintf(pi_info.fromcore.text,
+                     sizeof pi_info.fromcore.text,
+                     "%c - %s", obj->invlet, text);
+            text = pi_info.fromcore.text;
+            obj = obj->nobj; /* set up for next iteration */
+        } else if (sparse) {
+            Sprintf(pi_info.fromcore.text, "%c", nxtlet); /* empty slot */
+            text = pi_info.fromcore.text;
+        } else {
+            if (slot == 0) {
+                Sprintf(pi_info.fromcore.text, "%-4s[%s]", "",
+                        !g.invent ? "empty"
+                        : inuse_only ? "no items are in use"
+                          : "only gold");
+                text = pi_info.fromcore.text;
+            } else {
+                text = Empty; /* "" => fill slot with spaces */
+            }
+        }
+        if (!*text)
+            pi_info.fromcore.text[0] = Empty[0];
+        pi = update_invent_slot(g.perm_invent_win, slot + 1, &pi_info);
+    }
+    pi_info.fromcore.force_redraw = g.program_state.in_docrt ? TRUE : FALSE,
+    pi_info.fromcore.core_request = render;
+    pi = update_invent_slot(g.perm_invent_win, (slot = 0), &pi_info);
+}
+
+#if 0
+RESTORE_WARNING_FORMAT_NONLITERAL
+
+void
+tty_perm_invent_toggled(boolean negated)
+{
+    if (negated) {
+        if (g.perm_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
+            destroy_nhwindow(g.perm_invent_win), g.perm_invent_win = WIN_ERR;
+        done_tty_perm_invent_init = FALSE;
+    } else {
+        g.perm_invent_win = create_nhwindow(NHW_PERMINVENT);
+        if (g.perm_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
+            display_nhwindow(g.perm_invent_win, FALSE);
+    }
+}
+#endif
+#endif  /* CORE_INVENT */
+
 /*invent.c*/
diff --git a/src/options.c b/src/options.c
index edcc6b8bc..71dd7258d 100644
--- a/src/options.c
+++ b/src/options.c
@@ -4417,7 +4417,7 @@ optfn_boolean(int optidx, int req, boolean negated, char *opts, char *op)
                    -> tty_create_nhwindow(WIN_TTYINVENT)
                       -> tty_create_invent()
                    gives feedback for failure (terminal too small) */
-                if (g.tty_invent_win == WIN_ERR)
+                if (g.perm_invent_win == WIN_ERR)
                     return optn_silenterr;
             }
 #endif
diff --git a/win/tty/wintty.c b/win/tty/wintty.c
index 193aada84..89ad5baeb 100644
--- a/win/tty/wintty.c
+++ b/win/tty/wintty.c
@@ -255,15 +255,25 @@ void g_pututf8(uint8 *utf8str);
 
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
 void tty_perm_invent_toggled(boolean negated);
-static int ttyinv_create_window(int, struct WinDesc *);
-static void tty_invent_box_glyph_init(struct WinDesc *cw);
-static boolean calling_from_update_inventory = FALSE;
 static struct tty_perminvent_cell zerottycell = { 0, 0, 0, 0, { 0 } };
 static glyph_info zerogi = { 0 };
+#ifdef CORE_INVENT
+static struct to_core zero_tocore = { 0 };
+#endif
 enum { border_left, border_middle, border_right, border_elements };
 static int bordercol[border_elements] = { 0, 0, 0 }; /* left, middle, right */
-enum { InvNormal = 0, InvShowGold = 1, InvSparse = 2, InvInUse = 4 };
-static int ttyinvmode = InvNormal;
+static int ttyinvmode = InvNormal; /* enum is in wintype.h */
+static boolean done_tty_perm_invent_init = FALSE;
+#ifndef NOINVSYM /* invent.c */
+#define NOINVSYM '#'
+#endif
+static int ttyinv_create_window(int, struct WinDesc *);
+
+static void tty_invent_box_glyph_init(struct WinDesc *cw);
+static boolean calling_from_update_inventory = FALSE;
+static boolean assesstty(enum inv_modes, short *, short *,
+        long *, long *, long *, long *, long *);
+static void ttyinv_populate_slot(struct WinDesc *, int, int, const char *);
 #endif
 
 /*
@@ -551,8 +561,8 @@ tty_preference_update(const char *pref)
        only might individual symbols change (punctuation vs line drawing),
        the way to render them might change too (Handling: DEC/UTF8/&c) */
     if (!strcmp(pref, "symset") && iflags.window_inited) {
-       if (g.tty_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
-           tty_invent_box_glyph_init(wins[g.tty_invent_win]);
+       if (g.perm_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
+           tty_invent_box_glyph_init(wins[g.perm_invent_win]);
     }
 #endif
     return;
@@ -1597,12 +1607,7 @@ tty_create_nhwindow(int type)
         newwin->maxrow = newwin->maxcol = 0;
         break;
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-    case NHW_TTYINVENT:
-        {
-            /*TEMPORARY*/
-            char *envtmp = nh_getenv("TTYINV");
-            ttyinvmode = envtmp ? atoi(envtmp) : InvNormal;
-        }
+    case NHW_PERMINVENT:
         return ttyinv_create_window(newid, newwin);
 #endif
     default:
@@ -1640,7 +1645,8 @@ tty_create_nhwindow(int type)
 static int
 ttyinv_create_window(int newid, struct WinDesc *newwin)
 {
-    int i, r, c, minrow;
+    int i, r, c;
+    long minrow;    /* long to match maxrow declaration */
     unsigned n;
 
     /* Is there enough real estate to do this beyond the status line?
@@ -1668,37 +1674,20 @@ ttyinv_create_window(int newid, struct WinDesc *newwin)
      * them would reduce the number of rows needed by 2.]
      *
      */
-    newwin->offx = 0;
-    /* topline + map rows + status lines */
-    newwin->offy = 1 + ROWNO + 3; /* 3: + 2 + (iflags.wc2_statuslines > 2) */
-    newwin->rows = (ttyDisplay->rows - newwin->offy);
-    newwin->cols = ttyDisplay->cols;
-    newwin->maxrow = 0;
-    newwin->maxcol = 79;  /* bhaak */
+
     /* preliminary init in case tty_desctroy_nhwindow() gets called */
     newwin->data = (char **) 0;
     newwin->datlen = (short *) 0;
     newwin->cells = (struct tty_perminvent_cell **) 0;
 
-    minrow = tty_pi_minrow;
-    if ((ttyinvmode & InvShowGold) != 0)
-        minrow += 1;
-    /* "normal" max for items in use would be 3 weapon + 7 armor + 4
-       accessories == 14, but being punished and picking up the ball will
-       add 1, and some quest artifacts have an an #invoke property that's
-       tracked via obj->owornmask so could add more; if hero ends up with
-       more than 15 in-use items, some will be left out;
-       Qt's "paper doll" adds first lit lamp/candle and first active
-       leash; those aren't tracked via owornmask so we don't notice them */
-    if ((ttyinvmode & InvInUse) != 0)
-        minrow = 1 + 15 + 1; /* top border + 15 lines + bottom border */
-
-    if (newwin->rows < minrow || newwin->cols < tty_pi_mincol) {
-        tty_destroy_nhwindow(newid); /* sets g.tty_invent_win to WIN_ERR */
+    if (!assesstty(ttyinvmode,
+                  &newwin->offx, &newwin->offy, &newwin->rows, &newwin->cols,
+                  &newwin->maxcol, &minrow, &newwin->maxrow)) {
+        tty_destroy_nhwindow(newid); /* sets g.perm_invent_win to WIN_ERR */
         pline("%s.", "tty perm_invent could not be enabled");
         pline(
    "tty perm_invent needs a terminal that is at least %dx%d, yours is %dx%d.",
-              minrow + 1 + ROWNO + 3, tty_pi_mincol,
+              (int) (minrow + 1 + ROWNO + 3), tty_pi_mincol,
               ttyDisplay->rows, ttyDisplay->cols);
         tty_wait_synch();
         set_option_mod_status("perm_invent", set_gameview);
@@ -1739,10 +1728,11 @@ ttyinv_create_window(int newid, struct WinDesc *newwin)
                 newwin->cells[r][c].glyph = 1;
             }
         }
-
+    if (!done_tty_perm_invent_init)
+        tty_invent_box_glyph_init(newwin);
     return newid;
 }
-#endif
+#endif  /* TTY_PERM_INVENT */
 
 static void
 erase_menu_or_text(winid window, struct WinDesc *cw, boolean clear)
@@ -2739,7 +2729,7 @@ tty_destroy_nhwindow(winid window)
     if (cw->type == NHW_MAP)
         clear_screen();
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-    if (cw->type == NHW_TTYINVENT) {
+    if (cw->type == NHW_PERMINVENT) {
         int r, c;
 
         if (cw->cells) {
@@ -2762,7 +2752,7 @@ tty_destroy_nhwindow(winid window)
             cw->rows = cw->cols = 0;
         }
         cw->maxrow = cw->maxcol = 0;
-        g.tty_invent_win = WIN_ERR;
+        g.perm_invent_win = WIN_ERR;
     }
 #endif
     free_window_info(cw, TRUE);
@@ -2887,7 +2877,7 @@ tty_putsym(winid window, int x, int y, char ch)
     case NHW_STATUS:
 #endif
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-    case NHW_TTYINVENT:
+    case NHW_PERMINVENT:
 #endif
     case NHW_MAP:
     case NHW_BASE:
@@ -2959,7 +2949,7 @@ tty_putstr(winid window, int attr, const char *str)
         return;
     if (cw->type != NHW_MESSAGE
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-        && window != g.tty_invent_win
+        && window != g.perm_invent_win
 #endif
        )
         str = compress_str(str);
@@ -3457,8 +3447,6 @@ tty_select_menu(winid window, int how, menu_item **menu_list)
     return n;
 }
 
-RESTORE_WARNING_FORMAT_NONLITERAL
-
 /* special hack for treating top line --More-- as a one item menu */
 char
 tty_message_menu(char let, int how, const char *mesg)
@@ -3491,32 +3479,34 @@ tty_message_menu(char let, int how, const char *mesg)
     return ((how == PICK_ONE && morc == let) || morc == '\033') ? morc : '\0';
 }
 
-#ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
-static boolean done_tty_perm_invent_init = FALSE;
-static void ttyinv_populate_slot(struct WinDesc *, int, int, const char *);
-#ifndef NOINVSYM /* invent.c */
-#define NOINVSYM '#'
-#endif
-DISABLE_WARNING_FORMAT_NONLITERAL
-#endif
-
 /* update persistent inventory window */
 void
 tty_update_inventory(int arg UNUSED)
 {
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
+#ifndef CORE_INVENT
     static char Empty[1] = { '\0' };
     struct WinDesc *cw;
     struct tty_perminvent_cell *cell;
     struct obj *obj;
     char invbuf[BUFSZ], *text, nxtlet;
     int row, col, side, slot, maxslot;
-    winid window = g.tty_invent_win;
+    winid window = g.perm_invent_win;
     boolean force_redraw = g.program_state.in_docrt ? TRUE : FALSE,
             show_gold = (ttyinvmode & InvShowGold) != 0,
             inuse_only = (ttyinvmode & InvInUse) != 0,
             sparse = (ttyinvmode & InvSparse) != 0;
 
+    if (g.perm_invent_win == WIN_ERR
+        && !done_tty_perm_invent_init && iflags.perm_invent) {
+        g.perm_invent_win = create_nhwindow(NHW_PERMINVENT);
+        if (g.perm_invent_win == WIN_ERR) {
+            tty_perm_invent_toggled(TRUE); /* TRUE means negated */
+            return;
+        }
+        display_nhwindow(g.perm_invent_win, FALSE);
+        window = g.perm_invent_win;
+    }
     /* we just return if the window creation failed, probably due to
        not meeting size requirements */
     if (window == WIN_ERR)
@@ -3624,29 +3614,155 @@ tty_update_inventory(int arg UNUSED)
             }
         }
     calling_from_update_inventory = FALSE;
-#endif
+#endif  /* CORE_INVENT */
+#endif  /* TTY_PERM_INVENT */
     return;
 }
 
 perminvent_info *
 tty_update_invent_slot(
-    winid window UNUSED,  /* window to use, must be of type NHW_MENU */
-    int inventory_slot UNUSED,          /* slot id: 0 - info return to core */
-                                        /*          1 - gold slot */
-                                        /*          2 - 29 obj slots */
-    perminvent_info *pi UNUSED)
+    winid window,  /* window to use, must be of type NHW_MENU */
+    int slot,
+    perminvent_info *pi)
 {
+#if !defined(TTY_PERM_INVENT) || !defined(CORE_INVENT)
     return (perminvent_info *) 0;
+    nhUse(window);
+    nhUse(slot);
+    nhUse(pi);
+#else
+    boolean force_redraw, tty_ok, show_gold, inuse_only;
+    int row, col, side, maxslot;
+    /* winid window = g.perm_invent_win; */
+    struct WinDesc *cw;
+    struct tty_perminvent_cell *cell;
+    /* these types are set match the wintty.h field declarations */
+    long minrow;    /* long to match maxrow declaration in wintty.h */
+    short offx, offy;
+    long rows, cols, maxrow, maxcol;
+
+    if (!pi)
+        return (perminvent_info *) 0;
+    if (!done_tty_perm_invent_init
+        && pi->fromcore.core_request != request_settings) {
+        pi->tocore.tocore_flags |= no_init_done;
+        return pi;
+    }
+
+    switch(pi->fromcore.core_request) {
+    case request_settings: {
+        pi->tocore = zero_tocore;
+        ttyinvmode = pi->fromcore.invmode;
+        inuse_only = (ttyinvmode & InvInUse) != 0;
+        tty_ok = assesstty(pi->fromcore.invmode,
+                           &offx, &offy, &rows, &cols,
+                           &maxcol, &minrow, &maxrow);
+        pi->tocore.needrows = (int) (minrow + 1 + ROWNO + 3);
+        pi->tocore.needcols = (int) tty_pi_mincol;
+        pi->tocore.haverows = (int) ttyDisplay->rows;
+        pi->tocore.havecols = (int) ttyDisplay->cols;
+        if (!tty_ok) {
+            pi->tocore.tocore_flags |= prohibited;  /* prohibited */
+            return pi;
+        }
+        maxslot = (maxrow - 2) * (!inuse_only ? 2 : 1);
+        pi->tocore.maxslot = maxslot;
+        return pi;
+        break;
+    }
+    case update_slot:
+        if ((cw = wins[window]) == (struct WinDesc *) 0)
+            panic(winpanicstr, window);
+        slot -= 1;  /* 0 is used for commands */
+        show_gold = (ttyinvmode & InvShowGold) != 0;
+        row = (slot % (!show_gold ? 26 : 27)) + 1; /* +1: top border */
+        /* side: left side panel or right side panel, not a window column */
+        side = slot < (!show_gold ? 26 : 27) ? 0 : 1;
+        ttyinv_populate_slot(cw, row, side, pi->fromcore.text);
+        break;
+    case render:
+        if ((cw = wins[window]) == (struct WinDesc *) 0)
+            panic(winpanicstr, window);
+        /* render to the display */
+        force_redraw = pi->fromcore.force_redraw;
+//        show_gold = (ttyinvmode & InvShowGold) != 0;
+//        inuse_only = (ttyinvmode & InvInUse) != 0;
+//        sparse = (ttyinvmode & InvSparse) != 0;
+//        if (!done_tty_perm_invent_init)
+        calling_from_update_inventory = TRUE;
+        for (row = 0; row < cw->maxrow; ++row)
+            for (col = 0; col < cw->maxcol; ++col) {
+                cell = &cw->cells[row][col];
+                if (cell->refresh || force_redraw) {
+                    if (cell->glyph) {
+                        tty_print_glyph(window, col + 1, row,
+                                    cell->content.gi, &nul_glyphinfo);
+                        end_glyphout();
+                    } else {
+                        if (col != cw->curx || row != cw->cury)
+                        tty_curs(window, col + 1, row);
+                        (void) putchar(cell->content.ttychar);
+                        ttyDisplay->curx++;
+                        cw->curx++;
+                    }
+                    cell->refresh = 0;
+                }
+            }
+        calling_from_update_inventory = FALSE;
+        break;
+    default:
+        impossible("invalid request to tty_update_invent_slot %u",
+                   pi->fromcore.core_request);
+    }
+    return pi;
+#endif
 }
 
+RESTORE_WARNING_FORMAT_NONLITERAL
+
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
+/*
+ * returns TRUE if things are ok
+ */
+static boolean
+assesstty(
+    enum inv_modes invmode,
+    short *offx, short *offy, long *rows, long *cols,
+    long *maxcol, long *minrow, long *maxrow)
+{
+    boolean show_gold, inuse_only;
+
+    show_gold = (invmode & InvShowGold) != 0;
+    inuse_only = (invmode & InvInUse) != 0;
+
+    *offx = 0;
+    /* topline + map rows + status lines */
+    *offy = 1 + ROWNO + 3; /* 3: + 2 + (iflags.wc2_statuslines > 2) */
+    *rows = (ttyDisplay->rows - (*offy));
+    *cols = ttyDisplay->cols;
+    *minrow = tty_pi_minrow;
+    if (show_gold)
+        *minrow += 1;
+    /* "normal" max for items in use would be 3 weapon + 7 armor + 4
+       accessories == 14, but being punished and picking up the ball will
+       add 1, and some quest artifacts have an an #invoke property that's
+       tracked via obj->owornmask so could add more; if hero ends up with
+       more than 15 in-use items, some will be left out;
+       Qt's "paper doll" adds first lit lamp/candle and first active
+       leash; those aren't tracked via owornmask so we don't notice them */
+    if (inuse_only)
+        *minrow = 1 + 15 + 1; /* top border + 15 lines + bottom border */
+    *maxrow = *minrow;
+    *maxcol = *cols;
+    return !(*rows < *minrow || *cols < tty_pi_mincol);
+}
 
 /* put the formatted object description for one item into a particular row
    and left/right panel, truncating if long or padding with spaces if short */
 static void
 ttyinv_populate_slot(
     struct WinDesc *cw,
-    int row, /* 'row' within the window, not within screen */
+    int row,  /* 'row' within the window, not within screen */
     int side, /* 'side'==0 is left panel or ==1 is right panel */
     const char *text)
 {
@@ -3680,12 +3796,14 @@ ttyinv_populate_slot(
     }
 }
 
+DISABLE_WARNING_FORMAT_NONLITERAL
+
 void
 tty_refresh_inventory(int start, int stop, int y)
 {
     int row = y, col, col_limit = stop;
     struct WinDesc *cw = 0;
-    winid window = g.tty_invent_win;
+    winid window = g.perm_invent_win;
     struct tty_perminvent_cell *cell;
 
     if (window == WIN_ERR || !iflags.perm_invent || y < 0)
@@ -3718,6 +3836,8 @@ tty_refresh_inventory(int start, int stop, int y)
     }
 }
 
+RESTORE_WARNING_FORMAT_NONLITERAL
+
 static void
 tty_invent_box_glyph_init(struct WinDesc *cw)
 {
@@ -3789,22 +3909,20 @@ tty_invent_box_glyph_init(struct WinDesc *cw)
     done_tty_perm_invent_init = TRUE;
 }
 
-RESTORE_WARNING_FORMAT_NONLITERAL
-
 void
 tty_perm_invent_toggled(boolean negated)
 {
     if (negated) {
-        if (g.tty_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
-            destroy_nhwindow(g.tty_invent_win), g.tty_invent_win = WIN_ERR;
+        if (g.perm_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
+            destroy_nhwindow(g.perm_invent_win), g.perm_invent_win = WIN_ERR;
         done_tty_perm_invent_init = FALSE;
     } else {
-        g.tty_invent_win = create_nhwindow(NHW_TTYINVENT);
-        if (g.tty_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
-            display_nhwindow(g.tty_invent_win, FALSE);
+        g.perm_invent_win = create_nhwindow(NHW_PERMINVENT);
+        if (g.perm_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
+            display_nhwindow(g.perm_invent_win, FALSE);
     }
 }
-#endif
+#endif  /* TTY_PERM_INVENT */
 
 void
 tty_mark_synch(void)
@@ -3848,8 +3966,8 @@ docorner(register int xmin, register int ymax, int ystart_between_menu_pages)
 #ifdef TTY_PERM_INVENT
     struct WinDesc *icw = 0;
 
-    if (g.tty_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
-        icw = wins[g.tty_invent_win];
+    if (g.perm_invent_win != WIN_ERR)
+        icw = wins[g.perm_invent_win];
 #endif
 
     HUPSKIP();
@@ -3902,7 +4020,8 @@ docorner(register int xmin, register int ymax, int ystart_between_menu_pages)
     }
 
     end_glyphout();
-    if (ymax >= (int) wins[WIN_STATUS]->offy) {
+    if (ymax >= (int) wins[WIN_STATUS]->offy
+        && !ystart_between_menu_pages) {
         /* we have wrecked the bottom line */
         g.context.botlx = 1;
         bot();