diff --git a/common.go b/common.go
index 8b4daa5..f4c769e 100644
--- a/common.go
+++ b/common.go
@@ -7,11 +7,25 @@ import (
 
 var (
 	user32 = syscall.NewLazyDLL("user32.dll")
+	kernel32 = syscall.NewLazyDLL("kernel32.dll")
 )
 
-type HWND uintptr
+type HANDLE uintptr
+type HWND HANDLE
+type HBRUSH HANDLE
 
 const (
 	NULL = 0
 )
 
+type ATOM uint16
+
+// TODO pull the thanks for these three from the old wingo source
+type WPARAM uintptr
+type LPARAM uintptr
+type LRESULT uintptr
+
+// microsoft's header files do this
+func MAKEINTRESOURCE(what uint16) uintptr {
+	return uintptr(what)
+}
diff --git a/cursors.go b/cursors.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78fb1f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cursors.go
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+// 8 february 2014
+package main
+
+import (
+//	"syscall"
+//	"unsafe"
+)
+
+// Predefined cursor resource IDs.
+const (
+	IDC_APPSTARTING = 32650
+	IDC_ARROW = 32512
+	IDC_CROSS = 32515
+	IDC_HAND = 32649
+	IDC_HELP = 32651
+	IDC_IBEAM = 32513
+//	IDC_ICON = 32641		// [Obsolete for applications marked version 4.0 or later.]
+	IDC_NO = 32648
+//	IDC_SIZE = 32640		// [Obsolete for applications marked version 4.0 or later. Use IDC_SIZEALL.]
+	IDC_SIZEALL = 32646
+	IDC_SIZENESW = 32643
+	IDC_SIZENS = 32645
+	IDC_SIZENWSE = 32642
+	IDC_SIZEWE = 32644
+	IDC_UPARROW = 32516
+	IDC_WAIT = 32514
+)
+
+var (
+	loadCursor = user32.NewProc("LoadCursorW")
+)
+
+func LoadCursor_ResourceID(hInstance HANDLE, lpCursorName uint16) (cursor HANDLE, err error) {
+	r1, _, err := loadCursor.Call(
+		uintptr(hInstance),
+		MAKEINTRESOURCE(lpCursorName))
+	if r1 == 0 {		// failure
+		return NULL, err
+	}
+	return HANDLE(r1), nil
+}
diff --git a/icons.go b/icons.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c28f158
--- /dev/null
+++ b/icons.go
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+// 8 february 2014
+package main
+
+import (
+//	"syscall"
+//	"unsafe"
+)
+
+// Predefined icon resource IDs.
+const (
+	IDI_APPLICATION = 32512
+	IDI_ASTERISK = 32516
+	IDI_ERROR = 32513
+	IDI_EXCLAMATION = 32515
+	IDI_HAND = 32513
+	IDI_INFORMATION = 32516
+	IDI_QUESTION = 32514
+	IDI_SHIELD = 32518
+	IDI_WARNING = 32515
+	IDI_WINLOGO = 32517
+)
+
+var (
+	loadIcon = user32.NewProc("LoadIconW")
+)
+
+func LoadIcon_ResourceID(hInstance HANDLE, lpIconName uint16) (icon HANDLE, err error) {
+	r1, _, err := loadIcon.Call(
+		uintptr(hInstance),
+		MAKEINTRESOURCE(lpIconName))
+	if r1 == 0 {		// failure
+		return NULL, err
+	}
+	return HANDLE(r1), nil
+}
diff --git a/windows.go b/windows.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5cfa53d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/windows.go
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+// 8 february 2014
+package main
+
+import (
+	"syscall"
+	"unsafe"
+)
+
+// Extended window styles.
+const (
+	WS_EX_ACCEPTFILES = 0x00000010
+	WS_EX_APPWINDOW = 0x00040000
+	WS_EX_CLIENTEDGE = 0x00000200
+//	WS_EX_COMPOSITED = 0x02000000	// [Windows 2000:This style is not supported.]
+	WS_EX_CONTEXTHELP = 0x00000400
+	WS_EX_CONTROLPARENT = 0x00010000
+	WS_EX_DLGMODALFRAME = 0x00000001
+	WS_EX_LAYERED = 0x00080000
+	WS_EX_LAYOUTRTL = 0x00400000
+	WS_EX_LEFT = 0x00000000
+	WS_EX_LEFTSCROLLBAR = 0x00004000
+	WS_EX_LTRREADING = 0x00000000
+	WS_EX_MDICHILD = 0x00000040
+	WS_EX_NOACTIVATE = 0x08000000
+	WS_EX_NOINHERITLAYOUT = 0x00100000
+	WS_EX_NOPARENTNOTIFY = 0x00000004
+	WS_EX_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW = (WS_EX_WINDOWEDGE | WS_EX_CLIENTEDGE)
+	WS_EX_PALETTEWINDOW = (WS_EX_WINDOWEDGE | WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | WS_EX_TOPMOST)
+	WS_EX_RIGHT = 0x00001000
+	WS_EX_RIGHTSCROLLBAR = 0x00000000
+	WS_EX_RTLREADING = 0x00002000
+	WS_EX_STATICEDGE = 0x00020000
+	WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW = 0x00000080
+	WS_EX_TOPMOST = 0x00000008
+	WS_EX_TRANSPARENT = 0x00000020
+	WS_EX_WINDOWEDGE = 0x00000100
+)
+
+// TODO CW_USEDEFAULT
+
+// GetSysColor values. These can be cast to HBRUSH (after adding 1) for WNDCLASS as well.
+const (
+	COLOR_3DDKSHADOW = 21
+	COLOR_3DFACE = 15
+	COLOR_3DHIGHLIGHT = 20
+	COLOR_3DHILIGHT = 20
+	COLOR_3DLIGHT = 22
+	COLOR_3DSHADOW = 16
+	COLOR_ACTIVEBORDER = 10
+	COLOR_ACTIVECAPTION = 2
+	COLOR_APPWORKSPACE = 12
+	COLOR_BACKGROUND = 1
+	COLOR_BTNFACE = 15
+	COLOR_BTNHIGHLIGHT = 20
+	COLOR_BTNHILIGHT = 20
+	COLOR_BTNSHADOW = 16
+	COLOR_BTNTEXT = 18
+	COLOR_CAPTIONTEXT = 9
+	COLOR_DESKTOP = 1
+	COLOR_GRADIENTACTIVECAPTION = 27
+	COLOR_GRADIENTINACTIVECAPTION = 28
+	COLOR_GRAYTEXT = 17
+	COLOR_HIGHLIGHT = 13
+	COLOR_HIGHLIGHTTEXT = 14
+	COLOR_HOTLIGHT = 26
+	COLOR_INACTIVEBORDER = 11
+	COLOR_INACTIVECAPTION = 3
+	COLOR_INACTIVECAPTIONTEXT = 19
+	COLOR_INFOBK = 24
+	COLOR_INFOTEXT = 23
+	COLOR_MENU = 4
+//	COLOR_MENUHILIGHT = 29	// [Windows 2000:This value is not supported.]
+//	COLOR_MENUBAR = 30		// [Windows 2000:This value is not supported.]
+	COLOR_MENUTEXT = 7
+	COLOR_SCROLLBAR = 0
+	COLOR_WINDOW = 5
+	COLOR_WINDOWFRAME = 6
+	COLOR_WINDOWTEXT = 8
+)
+
+var (
+	createWindowEx = user32.NewProc("CreateWindowExW")
+)
+
+// TODO use lpParam
+func CreateWindowEx(dwExStyle uint32, lpClassName string, lpWindowName string, dwStyle uint32, x int, y int, nWidth int, nHeight int, hwndParent HWND, hMenu HANDLE, hInstance HANDLE, lpParam interface{}) (hwnd HWND, err error) {
+	r1, _, err := createWindowEx.Call(
+		uintptr(dwExStyle),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(syscall.StringToUTF16Ptr(lpClassName))),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(syscall.StringToUTF16Ptr(lpWindowName))),
+		uintptr(dwStyle),
+		uintptr(x),
+		uintptr(y),
+		uintptr(nWidth),
+		uintptr(nHeight),
+		uintptr(hwndParent),
+		uintptr(hMenu),
+		uintptr(hInstance),
+		uintptr(0))
+	if r1 == 0 {		// failure
+		return NULL, err
+	}
+	return HWND(r1), nil
+}
diff --git a/winmain.go b/winmain.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b79ad81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/winmain.go
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+// 8 february 2014
+package main
+
+import (
+//	"syscall"
+	"unsafe"
+)
+
+// this provides the hInstance and nCmdShow that are normally passed to WinMain()
+
+const (
+	STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW = 0x00000001
+)
+
+var (
+	getModuleHandle = kernel32.NewProc("GetModuleHandleW")
+	getStartupInfo = kernel32.NewProc("GetStartupInfoW")
+)
+
+// TODO is this trick documented in MSDN?
+func getWinMainhInstance() (hInstance HANDLE, err error) {
+	r1, _, err := getModuleHandle.Call(uintptr(NULL))
+	if r1 == 0 {
+		return NULL, err
+	}
+	return HANDLE(r1), nil
+}
+
+// TODO this is what MinGW-w64's crt (svn revision xxx) does; is it best? is any of this documented anywhere on MSDN?
+// TODO I highly doubt Windows API functions ever not fail, so figure out what to do should an error actually occur
+func getWinMainnCmdShow() (nCmdShow int, err error) {
+	var info struct {
+		cb				uint32
+		lpReserved		*uint16
+		lpDesktop			*uint16
+		lpTitle			*uint16
+		dwX				uint32
+		dwY				uint32
+		dwXSize			uint32
+		dwYSzie			uint32
+		dwXCountChars	uint32
+		dwYCountChars	uint32
+		dwFillAttribute		uint32
+		dwFlags			uint32
+		wShowWindow		uint16
+		cbReserved2		uint16
+		lpReserved2		*byte
+		hStdInput			HANDLE
+		hStdOutput		HANDLE
+		hStdError			HANDLE
+	}
+
+	// does not fail according to MSDN
+	getStartupInfo.Call(uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(&info)))
+	if info.dwFlags & STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW != 0 {
+		return int(info.wShowWindow), nil
+	}
+	return SW_SHOWDEFAULT, nil
+}
diff --git a/wndclass.go b/wndclass.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7296369
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wndclass.go
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+// 8 february 2014
+package main
+
+import (
+	"syscall"
+	"unsafe"
+)
+
+type WNDCLASS struct {
+	Style				uint32
+	LpfnWndProc		WNDPROC
+	CbClsExtra		int		// TODO exact Go type for C int? MSDN says C int
+	CbWndExtra		int		// TODO exact Go type for C int? MSDN says C int
+	HInstance			HANDLE	// actually HINSTANCE
+	HIcon			HANDLE	// actually HICON
+	HCursor			HANDLE	// actually HCURSOR
+	HbrBackground	HBRUSH
+	LpszMenuName	*string	// TODO this should probably just be a regular string with "" indicating no name but MSDN doesn't say if that's legal or not
+	LpszClassName	string
+}
+
+type _WNDCLASSW struct {
+	style				uint32
+	lpfnWndProc		WNDPROC
+	cbClsExtra		int
+	cbWndExtra		int
+	hInstance			HANDLE
+	hIcon			HANDLE
+	hCursor			HANDLE
+	hbrBackground	HBRUSH
+	lpszMenuName	*uint16
+	lpszClassName		*uint16
+}
+
+func (w *WNDCLASS) toNative() *_WNDCLASSW {
+	menuName := (*uint16)(nil)
+	if w.LpszMenuName != nil {
+		menuName = syscall.StringToUTF16Ptr(*w.LpszMenuName)
+	}
+	return &_WNDCLASSW{
+		style:			w.Style,
+		lpfnWndProc:		w.LpfnWndProc,
+		cbClsExtra:		w.CbClsExtra,
+		cbWndExtra:		w.CbWndExtra,
+		hInstance:		w.HInstance,
+		hIcon:			w.HIcon,
+		hCursor:			w.HCursor,
+		hbrBackground:	w.HbrBackground,
+		lpszMenuName:	menuName,
+		lpszClassName:	syscall.StringToUTF16Ptr(w.LpszClassName),
+	}
+}
+
+var (
+	registerClass = user32.NewProc("RegisterClassW")
+)
+
+func RegisterClass(lpWndClass *WNDCLASS) (class ATOM, err error) {
+	r1, _, err := registerClass.Call(uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(lpWndClass.toNative())))
+	if r1 == 0 {		// failure
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return ATOM(r1), nil
+}
diff --git a/wndproc.go b/wndproc.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9c13f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wndproc.go
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+// 8 february 2014
+package main
+
+import (
+//	"syscall"
+//	"unsafe"
+)
+
+// TODO error handling
+type WNDPROC func(hwnd HWND, uMsg uint32, wParam WPARAM, lParam LPARAM) LRESULT
+
+var (
+	defWindowProc = user32.NewProc("DefWindowProcW")
+)
+
+// TODO error handling
+func DefWindowProc(hwnd HWND, uMsg uint32, wParam WPARAM, lParam LPARAM) LRESULT {
+	r1, _, _ := defWindowProc.Call(
+		uintptr(hwnd),
+		uintptr(uMsg),
+		uintptr(wParam),
+		uintptr(lParam))
+	return LRESULT(r1)
+}