diff --git a/code.py b/code.py
index 4c8478c..c2ba390 100644
--- a/code.py
+++ b/code.py
@@ -6,87 +6,69 @@ import digitalio
 import microcontroller
 
 num_pixels = 10
-
-pixels = neopixel.NeoPixel(board.GP5, num_pixels)
+pixels = neopixel.NeoPixel(board.GP5, num_pixels, auto_write=False)
 encoder = rotaryio.IncrementalEncoder(board.GP19, board.GP18)
 button = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.GP17)
 button.direction = digitalio.Direction.INPUT
 button.pull = digitalio.Pull.UP
 
-# Predefined colors
+# Predefined colors and brightness levels
 colors = [
-    (255, 0, 0),  # Red
-    (0, 255, 0),  # Green
-    (0, 0, 255),  # Blue
-    (255, 255, 255),  # White
-    (200, 255, 200),  # Cold white
-    (255, 20, 100),  # Warm white
+    (255, 0, 0), (0, 255, 0), (0, 0, 255), (255, 255, 255),
+    (200, 255, 200), (255, 20, 100), (0, 0, 0)
 ]
+brightness_levels = [i / 10 for i in range(11)]
 
-# Brightness levels (6 steps, including 0 for off)
-brightness_levels = [0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0]
+# Check and initialize non-volatile memory (NVM)
+if len(microcontroller.nvm) < 2:
+    microcontroller.nvm = bytearray(2)
+    microcontroller.nvm[0] = 8  # Default brightness index
+    microcontroller.nvm[1] = 0  # Default color index
 
-# Check and initialize non-volatile memory
-if len(microcontroller.nvm) < 5:
-    microcontroller.nvm = bytearray(5)  # Initialize with 5 bytes
-    microcontroller.nvm[0:4] = b"0.80"  # Default brightness
-    microcontroller.nvm[4:5] = (0).to_bytes(1, "little")  # Default color index
-
-# Load settings from non-volatile memory
-try:
-    brightness_index = int(float(microcontroller.nvm[0:4].decode()) * 5)
-    color_index = int.from_bytes(microcontroller.nvm[4:5], "little")
-    if color_index >= len(colors):
-        color_index = 0  # Reset to default if out of range
-except ValueError:
-    brightness_index = 4  # Default brightness (0.8)
-    color_index = 0  # Default color index (red)
+brightness_index = min(microcontroller.nvm[0], len(brightness_levels) - 1)
+color_index = min(microcontroller.nvm[1], len(colors) - 1)
 
 pixels.brightness = brightness_levels[brightness_index]
-current_color = colors[color_index]
-pixels.fill(current_color)
+pixels.fill(colors[color_index])
+pixels.show()
 
-button_state = None
 last_encoder_pos = encoder.position
+button_state = False
 
-def fade_colors(start_color, end_color, steps=50, delay=0.02):
-    """Smoothly fade between two colors."""
-    for step in range(steps):
+def fade_colors(start_color, end_color, steps=20, delay=0.01):
+    """Smoothly transition between two colors."""
+    for step in range(steps + 1):
         ratio = step / steps
-        interpolated_color = tuple(
+        pixels.fill(tuple(
             int(start_color[i] * (1 - ratio) + end_color[i] * ratio) for i in range(3)
-        )
-        pixels.fill(interpolated_color)
+        ))
+        pixels.show()
         time.sleep(delay)
 
 while True:
-    # Read encoder position for brightness control
+    # Handle encoder movement for brightness adjustment
     enc_pos = encoder.position
     if enc_pos != last_encoder_pos:
-        step_change = enc_pos - last_encoder_pos
-        last_encoder_pos = enc_pos
-        brightness_index = min(max(brightness_index + step_change, 0), len(brightness_levels) - 1)
+        brightness_index = min(max(brightness_index + (enc_pos - last_encoder_pos), 0), len(brightness_levels) - 1)
         pixels.brightness = brightness_levels[brightness_index]
+        pixels.show()
+        last_encoder_pos = enc_pos
         print(f"Brightness: {brightness_levels[brightness_index]:.2f}")
 
-    # Handle button press to cycle colors
-    if not button.value and button_state is None:
-        button_state = "pressed"
-    elif button.value and button_state == "pressed":
-        new_color_index = (color_index + 1) % len(colors)
-        fade_colors(colors[color_index], colors[new_color_index])
-        color_index = new_color_index
-        current_color = colors[color_index]  # Update current_color
-        pixels.fill(current_color)  # Apply the new color
-        print(f"Selected color: {current_color}")
-        button_state = None
-
-    # Set the pixels to the current color (if not transitioning)
-    if brightness_levels[brightness_index] > 0.0:  # Only fill if brightness > 0
-        pixels.fill(current_color)
-
-    # Save settings to non-volatile memory
-    brightness_value = brightness_levels[brightness_index]
-    microcontroller.nvm[0:4] = f"{brightness_value:.2f}".encode()  # Save brightness as a string (e.g., "0.80")
-    microcontroller.nvm[4:5] = color_index.to_bytes(1, "little")  # Save color index as a single byte
+    # Handle button press for color change
+    if not button.value:
+        if not button_state:
+            new_color_index = (color_index + 1) % len(colors)
+            fade_colors(colors[color_index], colors[new_color_index])
+            color_index = new_color_index
+            pixels.fill(colors[color_index])
+            pixels.show()
+            print(f"Selected color: {colors[color_index]}")
+            button_state = True  # Prevent multiple detections
+    else:
+        button_state = False  # Reset when button is released
 
+    # Save settings only if they have changed
+    if microcontroller.nvm[0] != brightness_index or microcontroller.nvm[1] != color_index:
+        microcontroller.nvm[0] = brightness_index
+        microcontroller.nvm[1] = color_index
diff --git a/neopixel.mpy b/neopixel.mpy
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5291001
Binary files /dev/null and b/neopixel.mpy differ