diff --git a/src/patterns/aurora.py b/src/patterns/aurora.py
index a7aa2ea..f9341d2 100644
--- a/src/patterns/aurora.py
+++ b/src/patterns/aurora.py
@@ -26,13 +26,13 @@ class Aurora:
                     c = self.driver.apply_brightness(colors[idx], preset.b)
                     w = 255 - abs(128 - ((i * 8 + phase) & 255)) * 2
                     w = max(0, min(255, w + shimmer))
-                    self.driver.n[i] = (
+                    self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = (
                         (c[0] * w) // 255,
                         (c[1] * w) // 255,
                         (c[2] * w) // 255,
                     )
                 self.driver.n.write()
-                phase = (phase + 1) & 255
+                phase = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, 1)) & 255
                 self.driver.step = phase
                 last = utime.ticks_add(last, d)
                 if not preset.a:
@@ -76,9 +76,9 @@ class Aurora:
                     peak = lerp3(colors[fi], colors[fi + 1], frac)
                     peak = self.driver.apply_brightness(peak, preset.b)
                     mixf = min(255, int(w * contrast * 2) >> 1)
-                    self.driver.n[i] = lerp3(bg, peak, mixf)
+                    self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = lerp3(bg, peak, mixf)
                 self.driver.n.write()
-                phase = (phase + drift) % 256
+                phase = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, drift)) % 256
                 last = utime.ticks_add(last, d)
                 if not preset.a:
                     yield
diff --git a/src/patterns/blizzard.py b/src/patterns/blizzard.py
index a04849a..e3c2ab3 100644
--- a/src/patterns/blizzard.py
+++ b/src/patterns/blizzard.py
@@ -46,12 +46,14 @@ class Blizzard:
                 for pos, ci, wj in flakes:
                     p = pos
                     lateral = wind + (wj if wj else 0)
-                    p -= speed
-                    p += lateral
+                    p -= self.driver.signed(preset, speed)
+                    p += self.driver.signed(preset, lateral)
                     if p < -2 or p >= nled + 2:
                         continue
                     pi = max(0, min(nled - 1, int(p)))
-                    self.driver.n[pi] = self.driver.apply_brightness(colors[ci], preset.b)
+                    self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, pi)] = self.driver.apply_brightness(
+                        colors[ci], preset.b
+                    )
                     nf.append([p, ci, wj])
                 flakes = nf
 
diff --git a/src/patterns/chase.py b/src/patterns/chase.py
index 9a01bfb..19697d6 100644
--- a/src/patterns/chase.py
+++ b/src/patterns/chase.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class Chase:
     def _run_marquee(self, preset, colors):
         on_len = max(1, int(preset.n1) if int(preset.n1) > 0 else 3)
         off_len = max(1, int(preset.n2) if int(preset.n2) > 0 else 2)
-        step = max(1, int(preset.n3) if int(preset.n3) > 0 else 1)
+        step = max(1, abs(self.driver.signed(preset, int(preset.n3) if int(preset.n3) > 0 else 1)))
         phase = self.driver.step % (on_len + off_len)
         last = utime.ticks_ms()
         while True:
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ class Chase:
                 bg_color = self.driver.apply_brightness(preset.background_or(colors), preset.b)
                 for i in range(self.driver.num_leds):
                     m = (i + phase) % (on_len + off_len)
-                    self.driver.n[i] = c if m < on_len else bg_color
+                    self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = c if m < on_len else bg_color
                 self.driver.n.write()
-                phase = (phase + step) % (on_len + off_len)
+                phase = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, step)) % (on_len + off_len)
                 self.driver.step = phase
                 last = utime.ticks_add(last, d)
                 if not preset.a:
@@ -66,8 +66,8 @@ class Chase:
 
         n1 = max(1, int(preset.n1))  # LEDs of color 0
         n2 = max(1, int(preset.n2))  # LEDs of color 1
-        n3 = int(preset.n3)  # Step movement on even steps (can be negative)
-        n4 = int(preset.n4)  # Step movement on odd steps (can be negative)
+        n3 = self.driver.signed(preset, int(preset.n3))  # Step movement on even steps
+        n4 = self.driver.signed(preset, int(preset.n4))  # Step movement on odd steps
 
         segment_length = n1 + n2
 
@@ -101,9 +101,9 @@ class Chase:
 
                 # Determine which color based on position in segment
                 if relative_pos < n1:
-                    self.driver.n[i] = color0
+                    self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = color0
                 else:
-                    self.driver.n[i] = color1
+                    self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = color1
 
             self.driver.n.write()
             print("[chase] step", step_count)
@@ -147,9 +147,9 @@ class Chase:
 
                     # Determine which color based on position in segment
                     if relative_pos < n1:
-                        self.driver.n[i] = color0
+                        self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = color0
                     else:
-                        self.driver.n[i] = color1
+                        self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = color1
 
                 self.driver.n.write()
                 print("[chase] step", step_count)
diff --git a/src/patterns/colour_cycle.py b/src/patterns/colour_cycle.py
index 105acb2..fb13859 100644
--- a/src/patterns/colour_cycle.py
+++ b/src/patterns/colour_cycle.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class ColourCycle:
         pos -= 170
         return (0, pos * 3, 255 - pos * 3)
 
-    def _render_gradient(self, colors, phase, brightness):
+    def _render_gradient(self, preset, colors, phase, brightness):
         num_leds = self.driver.num_leds
         color_count = len(colors)
         if num_leds <= 0 or color_count <= 0:
@@ -40,14 +40,16 @@ class ColourCycle:
                 c1[1] + ((c2[1] - c1[1]) * frac) // 256,
                 c1[2] + ((c2[2] - c1[2]) * frac) // 256,
             )
-            self.driver.n[i] = self.driver.apply_brightness(blended, brightness)
+            self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = self.driver.apply_brightness(
+                blended, brightness
+            )
         self.driver.n.write()
 
-    def _render_rainbow(self, phase, brightness):
+    def _render_rainbow(self, preset, phase, brightness):
         num_leds = self.driver.num_leds
         for i in range(num_leds):
             rc_index = (i * 256 // max(1, num_leds)) + phase
-            self.driver.n[i] = self.driver.apply_brightness(
+            self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = self.driver.apply_brightness(
                 self._wheel(rc_index & 255), brightness
             )
         self.driver.n.write()
@@ -64,8 +66,8 @@ class ColourCycle:
 
         if mode == 1:
             if not preset.a:
-                self._render_rainbow(phase, preset.b)
-                self.driver.step = (phase + step_amount) % 256
+                self._render_rainbow(preset, phase, preset.b)
+                self.driver.step = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, step_amount)) % 256
                 yield
                 return
             last_update = utime.ticks_ms()
@@ -73,16 +75,16 @@ class ColourCycle:
                 delay_ms = max(1, int(preset.d))
                 now = utime.ticks_ms()
                 if utime.ticks_diff(now, last_update) >= delay_ms:
-                    self._render_rainbow(phase, preset.b)
-                    phase = (phase + step_amount) % 256
+                    self._render_rainbow(preset, phase, preset.b)
+                    phase = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, step_amount)) % 256
                     self.driver.step = phase
                     last_update = utime.ticks_add(last_update, delay_ms)
                 yield
 
         colors = preset.c if preset.c else [(255, 0, 0), (0, 0, 255)]
         if not preset.a:
-            self._render_gradient(colors, phase, preset.b)
-            self.driver.step = (phase + step_amount) % 256
+            self._render_gradient(preset, colors, phase, preset.b)
+            self.driver.step = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, step_amount)) % 256
             yield
             return
 
@@ -91,8 +93,8 @@ class ColourCycle:
             delay_ms = max(1, int(preset.d))
             now = utime.ticks_ms()
             if utime.ticks_diff(now, last_update) >= delay_ms:
-                self._render_gradient(colors, phase, preset.b)
-                phase = (phase + step_amount) % 256
+                self._render_gradient(preset, colors, phase, preset.b)
+                phase = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, step_amount)) % 256
                 self.driver.step = phase
                 last_update = utime.ticks_add(last_update, delay_ms)
             yield
diff --git a/src/patterns/icicles.py b/src/patterns/icicles.py
index 23071c7..8a64887 100644
--- a/src/patterns/icicles.py
+++ b/src/patterns/icicles.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class Icicles:
                         if idx >= nled:
                             break
                         br = ((k + 1) * 255) // max(1, ic_len)
-                        self.driver.n[idx] = (
+                        self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, idx)] = (
                             (tip[0] * br + bg[0] * (255 - br)) // 255,
                             (tip[1] * br + bg[1] * (255 - br)) // 255,
                             (tip[2] * br + bg[2] * (255 - br)) // 255,
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class Icicles:
                     aidx += 1
 
                 self.driver.n.write()
-                phase = (phase + phase_step) % span
+                phase = (phase + self.driver.signed(preset, phase_step)) % span
                 last = utime.ticks_add(last, d_ms)
 
                 if not preset.a:
diff --git a/src/patterns/meteor.py b/src/patterns/meteor.py
index 6f88e28..3f160f3 100644
--- a/src/patterns/meteor.py
+++ b/src/patterns/meteor.py
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ class Meteor:
         base = colors[color_index % len(colors)]
         lit = self.driver.apply_brightness(base, preset.b)
         if 0 <= head < self.driver.num_leds:
-            self.driver.n[head] = lit
+            self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, head)] = lit
         self.driver.n.write()
-        head += direction * speed
+        head += self.driver.signed(preset, direction * speed)
         if head >= self.driver.num_leds + tail_len:
             head = self.driver.num_leds - 1
             direction = -1
@@ -62,14 +62,22 @@ class Meteor:
             i1 = p1 - t
             if 0 <= i1 < self.driver.num_leds:
                 s = (255 * (tail - t)) // max(1, tail)
-                self.driver.n[i1] = ((c1[0] * s) // 255, (c1[1] * s) // 255, (c1[2] * s) // 255)
+                self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i1)] = (
+                    (c1[0] * s) // 255,
+                    (c1[1] * s) // 255,
+                    (c1[2] * s) // 255,
+                )
             i2 = p2 + t
             if 0 <= i2 < self.driver.num_leds:
                 s = (255 * (tail - t)) // max(1, tail)
-                self.driver.n[i2] = ((c2[0] * s) // 255, (c2[1] * s) // 255, (c2[2] * s) // 255)
+                self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i2)] = (
+                    (c2[0] * s) // 255,
+                    (c2[1] * s) // 255,
+                    (c2[2] * s) // 255,
+                )
         self.driver.n.write()
-        p1 += speed
-        p2 -= speed
+        p1 += self.driver.signed(preset, speed)
+        p2 -= self.driver.signed(preset, speed)
         if p1 - tail > self.driver.num_leds and p2 + tail < 0:
             p1 = 0
             p2 = self.driver.num_leds - 1 - gap
@@ -89,10 +97,10 @@ class Meteor:
             if dist < 0:
                 dist = -dist
             if dist > width:
-                self.driver.n[i] = bg_color
+                self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = bg_color
             else:
                 scale = ((width - dist) * 255) // max(1, width)
-                self.driver.n[i] = (
+                self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, i)] = (
                     (base[0] * scale) // 255,
                     (base[1] * scale) // 255,
                     (base[2] * scale) // 255,
@@ -101,7 +109,7 @@ class Meteor:
         if pause_frames > 0:
             pause_frames -= 1
         else:
-            center += direction
+            center += self.driver.signed(preset, direction)
             if center >= self.driver.num_leds - 1:
                 center = self.driver.num_leds - 1
                 direction = -1
@@ -121,7 +129,11 @@ class Meteor:
 
         if mode == 1:
             gap = max(0, int(preset.n3))
-            p1, p2 = 0, self.driver.num_leds - 1 - gap
+            nled = self.driver.num_leds
+            if self.driver.is_reversed(preset):
+                p1, p2 = nled - 1, gap
+            else:
+                p1, p2 = 0, nled - 1 - gap
             last = utime.ticks_ms()
             while True:
                 p1, p2, last, stepped = self._run_comet_dual(preset, colors, p1, p2, last)
@@ -131,7 +143,11 @@ class Meteor:
                 yield
 
         if mode == 2:
-            color_index, center, direction, pause_frames = 0, 0, 1, 0
+            nled = self.driver.num_leds
+            if self.driver.is_reversed(preset):
+                color_index, center, direction, pause_frames = 0, max(0, nled - 1), -1, 0
+            else:
+                color_index, center, direction, pause_frames = 0, 0, 1, 0
             last_update = utime.ticks_ms()
             while True:
                 color_index, center, direction, pause_frames, last_update, stepped = (
@@ -144,7 +160,11 @@ class Meteor:
                     return
                 yield
 
-        color_index, head, direction = 0, 0, 1
+        nled = self.driver.num_leds
+        if self.driver.is_reversed(preset):
+            color_index, head, direction = 0, max(0, nled - 1), -1
+        else:
+            color_index, head, direction = 0, 0, 1
         last_update = utime.ticks_ms()
         while True:
             color_index, head, direction, last_update, stepped = self._run_meteor(
diff --git a/src/patterns/particles.py b/src/patterns/particles.py
index e84fb5f..dc4d23d 100644
--- a/src/patterns/particles.py
+++ b/src/patterns/particles.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class Particles:
 
     def _run_snowfall(self, preset, colors, flakes, last):
         density = max(1, int(preset.n1) if int(preset.n1) > 0 else 20)
-        speed = max(1, int(preset.n2) if int(preset.n2) > 0 else 1)
+        speed = max(1, abs(self.driver.signed(preset, int(preset.n2) if int(preset.n2) > 0 else 1)))
         d = max(1, int(preset.d))
         now = utime.ticks_ms()
         if utime.ticks_diff(now, last) < d:
@@ -25,8 +25,10 @@ class Particles:
         nf = []
         for pos, ci in flakes:
             if 0 <= pos < self.driver.num_leds:
-                self.driver.n[pos] = self.driver.apply_brightness(colors[ci], preset.b)
-            pos -= speed
+                self.driver.n[self.driver.led_i(preset, pos)] = self.driver.apply_brightness(
+                    colors[ci], preset.b
+                )
+            pos -= self.driver.signed(preset, speed)
             if pos >= -1:
                 nf.append([pos, ci])
         self.driver.n.write()
@@ -34,7 +36,7 @@ class Particles:
 
     def _run_starfall(self, preset, colors, stars, last):
         rate = max(1, min(255, int(preset.n1) if int(preset.n1) > 0 else 14))
-        speed = max(1, int(preset.n2) if int(preset.n2) > 0 else 2)
+        speed = max(1, abs(self.driver.signed(preset, int(preset.n2) if int(preset.n2) > 0 else 2)))
         tail = max(2, int(preset.n3) if int(preset.n3) > 0 else 10)
         max_stars = 4
         d = max(1, int(preset.d))
@@ -65,13 +67,14 @@ class Particles:
                         (base[2] * fade) // 255,
                     )
                     lit = self.driver.apply_brightness(lit, preset.b)
-                    o = self.driver.n[idx]
-                    self.driver.n[idx] = (
+                    pix = self.driver.led_i(preset, idx)
+                    o = self.driver.n[pix]
+                    self.driver.n[pix] = (
                         max(o[0], lit[0]),
                         max(o[1], lit[1]),
                         max(o[2], lit[2]),
                     )
-            h -= speed
+            h -= self.driver.signed(preset, speed)
             if h >= -tail:
                 s["h"] = h
                 ns.append(s)
diff --git a/src/patterns/pattern_direction.py b/src/patterns/pattern_direction.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c337a81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/patterns/pattern_direction.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+"""Strip install direction: n5 bit 0 reverses along-strip motion (upside-down wiring)."""
+
+
+def is_reversed(preset):
+    return bool(int(getattr(preset, "n5", 0) or 0) & 1)
+
+
+def led_i(driver, preset, logical_index):
+    """Map a logical strip index (0 = pattern start) to a physical pixel index."""
+    n = int(driver.num_leds)
+    i = int(logical_index)
+    if 0 <= i < n and is_reversed(preset):
+        return n - 1 - i
+    return i
+
+
+def signed(preset, value):
+    v = int(value)
+    return -v if is_reversed(preset) else v
diff --git a/src/patterns/pulse.py b/src/patterns/pulse.py
index 1a74ce5..1f05469 100644
--- a/src/patterns/pulse.py
+++ b/src/patterns/pulse.py
@@ -13,13 +13,8 @@ class Pulse:
         bg_base = preset.background_or(colors)
         self.driver.fill(self.driver.apply_brightness(bg_base, preset.b))
 
+        manual = not preset.a
         color_index = self.driver.step % max(1, len(colors))
-        if not preset.a:
-            # Manual / beat trigger: each select restarts this generator and resets
-            # cycle_start below. Advancing step here makes each beat the next colour
-            # without requiring a full wall-clock cycle between beats.
-            nclr = max(1, len(colors))
-            self.driver.step = (color_index + 1) % nclr
         cycle_start = utime.ticks_ms()
 
         # State machine based pulse using a single generator loop
@@ -29,7 +24,7 @@ class Pulse:
             attack_ms = max(0, int(preset.n1))  # Attack time in ms
             hold_ms = max(0, int(preset.n2))    # Hold time in ms
             decay_ms = max(0, int(preset.n3))   # Decay time in ms
-            delay_ms = max(0, int(preset.d))
+            delay_ms = 0 if manual else max(0, int(preset.d))
 
             total_ms = attack_ms + hold_ms + decay_ms + delay_ms
             if total_ms <= 0:
@@ -58,12 +53,13 @@ class Pulse:
                 # Delay phase: LEDs off between pulses
                 self.driver.fill(bg_color)
             else:
-                # End of cycle: auto advances colour and loops; manual already
-                # advanced step at run start for the next beat.
-                if not preset.a:
-                    break
-                color_index = (color_index + 1) % max(1, len(colors))
+                # End of cycle: advance colour for the next run, then loop or stop.
+                nclr = max(1, len(colors))
+                color_index = (color_index + 1) % nclr
                 self.driver.step = color_index
+                if manual:
+                    self.driver.fill(bg_color)
+                    break
                 cycle_start = now
                 yield
                 continue
diff --git a/src/preset.py b/src/preset.py
index 1b990dc..b529465 100644
--- a/src/preset.py
+++ b/src/preset.py
@@ -32,6 +32,18 @@ class Preset:
         int_fields = {"d", "b", "n1", "n2", "n3", "n4", "n5", "n6"}
         allowed_fields = {"p", "c", "d", "b", "a", "bg", "n1", "n2", "n3", "n4", "n5", "n6"}
         for key, value in data.items():
+            if key == "reverse":
+                try:
+                    if isinstance(value, bool):
+                        self.n5 = 1 if value else 0
+                    elif isinstance(value, (int, float)):
+                        self.n5 = 1 if int(value) else 0
+                    elif isinstance(value, str):
+                        lowered = value.lower()
+                        self.n5 = 1 if lowered in ("true", "1", "yes", "on") else 0
+                except (TypeError, ValueError):
+                    pass
+                continue
             key = aliases.get(key, key)
             if key not in allowed_fields:
                 continue
diff --git a/src/presets.py b/src/presets.py
index 7a946e5..fe709d9 100644
--- a/src/presets.py
+++ b/src/presets.py
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ class Presets:
                 if (
                     preset_name == self.selected
                     and not preset.a
-                    and preset.p == "chase"
+                    and preset.p in ("chase", "pulse")
                     and self.generator is not None
                 ):
                     while self.generator is not None:
@@ -222,6 +222,21 @@ class Presets:
         self.n = NeoPixel(Pin(pin, Pin.OUT), num_leds)
         self.num_leds = num_leds
 
+    def is_reversed(self, preset):
+        from patterns.pattern_direction import is_reversed as _is_reversed
+
+        return _is_reversed(preset)
+
+    def led_i(self, preset, logical_index):
+        from patterns.pattern_direction import led_i as _led_i
+
+        return _led_i(self, preset, logical_index)
+
+    def signed(self, preset, value):
+        from patterns.pattern_direction import signed as _signed
+
+        return _signed(preset, value)
+
     def apply_brightness(self, color, brightness_override=None):
         # Combine per-preset brightness (override) with global brightness self.b
         local = brightness_override if brightness_override is not None else 255