diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 40b878d..9909d06 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
-node_modules/
\ No newline at end of file
+node_modules/
+positions.db
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/categories.json b/categories.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c79cd74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/categories.json
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+[
+  {
+    "name": "Ted's Team",
+    "fruits": [
+      "Brandon Brunson",
+      "Eric Smithson",
+      "John Hammer",
+      "Seth Lima",
+      "Rick Sanchez"
+    ]
+  },
+  {
+    "name": "Ariel's Team",
+    "fruits": [
+      "Jerry Smith",
+      "Charles Carmichael",
+      "Michael Westen",
+      "Shawn Spencer",
+      "Eliot Alderson",
+      "Brian D"
+    ]
+  },
+  {
+    "name": "Elsa's Team",
+    "fruits": [
+      "John Dorian",
+      "Harvey Spectre",
+      "Juliet O'Hara",
+      "Fiona Glenanne"
+    ]
+  },
+  {
+    "name": "Ana's Team",
+    "fruits": [
+      "Neal Caffrey",
+      "Chuck Bartowski",
+      "Gus Burton",
+      "Mike Ross"
+    ]
+  }
+]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/positions.db b/positions.db
index bb43a70..7a9d483 100644
Binary files a/positions.db and b/positions.db differ
diff --git a/public/index.html b/public/index.html
index abb5a8f..3020a4f 100644
--- a/public/index.html
+++ b/public/index.html
@@ -26,59 +26,8 @@
     </div>
     
     <!-- sidebar with the categories -->
-    <div class="sidebar">
-      <div class="categories">
-        <div class="category-header">
-          <h4>Ted's Team</h4>
-          <button class="category-toggle" type="button">▼</button>
-        </div>
-        <div class="category-content">
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Brandon Brunson">Brandon Brunson</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Eric Smithson">Eric Smithson</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="John Hammer">John Hammer</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Seth Lima">Seth Lima</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Ed Edington">Ed Edington</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Rick Sanchez">Rick Sanchez</div>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-      <div class="categories">
-        <div class="category-header">
-          <h4>Ariel's Team</h4>
-          <button class="category-toggle" type="button">▼</button>
-        </div>
-        <div class="category-content">
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Jerry Smith">Jerry Smith</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Charles Carmichael">Charles Carmichael</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Michael Westen">Michael Westen</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Shawn Spencer">Shawn Spencer</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Eliot Alderson">Eliot Alderson</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Brian D">Brian D</div>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-      <div class="categories">
-        <div class="category-header">
-          <h4>Elsa's Team</h4>
-          <button class="category-toggle" type="button">▼</button>
-        </div>
-        <div class="category-content">
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="John Dorian">John Dorian</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Harvey Spectre">Harvey Spectre</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Juliet O'Hara">Juliet O'Hara</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Fiona Glenanne">Fiona Glenanne</div>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-      <div class="categories">
-        <div class="category-header">
-          <h4>Ana's Team</h4>
-          <button class="category-toggle" type="button">▼</button>
-        </div>
-        <div class="category-content">
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Neal Caffrey">Neal Caffrey</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Chuck Bartowski">Chuck Bartowski</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Gus Burton">Gus Burton</div>
-          <div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="Mike Ross">Mike Ross</div>
-        </div>
-      </div>
+    <div class="sidebar" id="sidebar">
+      <!-- Categories will be dynamically loaded here -->
     </div>
   </div>
 
@@ -110,6 +59,31 @@
       });
       mapEl.appendChild(rowEl);
     });
+
+    // Dynamically load categories and fruits
+    async function loadCategories() {
+      const sidebar = document.getElementById('sidebar');
+      const res = await fetch('/api/categories');
+      const categories = await res.json();
+      sidebar.innerHTML = '';
+      categories.forEach(cat => {
+        const catDiv = document.createElement('div');
+        catDiv.className = 'categories';
+        catDiv.innerHTML = `
+          <div class="category-header">
+            <h4>${cat.name}</h4>
+            <button class="category-toggle" type="button">▼</button>
+          </div>
+          <div class="category-content">
+            ${cat.fruits.map(fruit =>
+              `<div class="fruit" draggable="true" data-fruit="${fruit}">${fruit}</div>`
+            ).join('')}
+          </div>
+        `;
+        sidebar.appendChild(catDiv);
+      });
+    }
+    loadCategories();
   </script>
   <script src="/socket.io/socket.io.js"></script>
   <script src="script.js"></script>
diff --git a/public/script.js b/public/script.js
index a2f9eb9..43bce58 100644
--- a/public/script.js
+++ b/public/script.js
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ function createDragImage(el) {
 
 // helper to place a fruit div inside a square div
 function placeFruitInSquare(squareEl, fruitName) {
-  // clear existing content
+  // clear existing content except the square number
+  const squareNumber = squareEl.dataset.squareId;
   squareEl.innerHTML = '';
   // record the fruit in the square for tracking
   squareEl.dataset.fruit = fruitName;
@@ -45,6 +46,11 @@ function placeFruitInSquare(squareEl, fruitName) {
     e.stopPropagation(); // prevent event bubbling
     squareEl.innerHTML = '';
     delete squareEl.dataset.fruit;
+    // re-add the square number after clearing
+    const numDiv = document.createElement('div');
+    numDiv.className = 'square-number';
+    numDiv.textContent = squareNumber;
+    squareEl.appendChild(numDiv);
     const squareId = squareEl.dataset.squareId;
     await fetch('/api/positions', {
       method: 'POST',
@@ -53,88 +59,286 @@ function placeFruitInSquare(squareEl, fruitName) {
     });
   });
   squareEl.appendChild(clearBtn);
+
+  // add the square number in the bottom right
+  const numDiv = document.createElement('div');
+  numDiv.className = 'square-number';
+  numDiv.textContent = squareNumber;
+  squareEl.appendChild(numDiv);
 }
 
-// initialize drag & drop on fruits
-document.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(el => {
-  el.addEventListener('dragstart', e => {
-    e.dataTransfer.setData('text/plain', el.dataset.fruit);
-    const dragImg = createDragImage(el);
-    e.dataTransfer.setDragImage(dragImg, dragImg.offsetWidth / 2, dragImg.offsetHeight / 2);
-    // cleanup after drag
-    el.addEventListener('dragend', () => {
-      dragImg.remove();
-    }, { once: true });
-  });
-  
-  // updated mouseover event
-  el.addEventListener('mouseover', e => {
-    const parentCategory = el.closest('.categories');
-    if (parentCategory) {
-      // Unhighlight all squares for fruits in this category first
-      parentCategory.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(sib => {
-        const sq = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${sib.dataset.fruit}"]`);
-        if (sq) sq.classList.remove('highlight');
-      });
-    }
-    // Now highlight only the hovered fruit's square
-    const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${el.dataset.fruit}"]`);
-    if (square) square.classList.add('highlight');
-    updateHighlightedBorders();
-  });
-  
-  // updated mouseout event
-  el.addEventListener('mouseout', e => {
-    // Remove highlight from the hovered fruit's square
-    const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${el.dataset.fruit}"]`);
-    if (square) square.classList.remove('highlight');
-    // If still inside the category container, restore highlighting to all fruits there
-    const parentCategory = el.closest('.categories');
-    if (parentCategory && parentCategory.contains(e.relatedTarget)) {
-      parentCategory.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(sib => {
-        const sq = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${sib.dataset.fruit}"]`);
-        if (sq) sq.classList.add('highlight');
-      });
-    }
-    updateHighlightedBorders();
-  });
-});
+// Helper to show an input box for custom fruit name
+function showCustomFruitInput(squareEl) {
+  // Prevent multiple inputs
+  if (squareEl.querySelector('.custom-fruit-input')) return;
 
-// make each square a drop target
-document.querySelectorAll('.square').forEach(sq => {
-  sq.addEventListener('dragover', e => e.preventDefault());
-  sq.addEventListener('drop', async e => {
-    e.preventDefault();
-    const fruit = e.dataTransfer.getData('text/plain');
+  const squareNumber = squareEl.dataset.squareId;
+  squareEl.innerHTML = '';
+  const input = document.createElement('input');
+  input.type = 'text';
+  input.placeholder = 'Enter name...';
+  input.className = 'custom-fruit-input';
+  input.style.width = '90%';
+  input.style.fontSize = '1em';
+  input.style.textAlign = 'center';
+  input.style.marginTop = '30px';
+  squareEl.appendChild(input);
 
-    // check if the fruit is already placed in another square
-    const existingSquare = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${fruit}"]`);
-    if (existingSquare && existingSquare !== sq) {
-      existingSquare.innerHTML = '';
-      delete existingSquare.dataset.fruit;
-      const existingSquareId = existingSquare.dataset.squareId;
+  // Add the square number in the bottom right
+  const numDiv = document.createElement('div');
+  numDiv.className = 'square-number';
+  numDiv.textContent = squareNumber;
+  squareEl.appendChild(numDiv);
+
+  input.focus();
+
+  // Handler for when user presses Enter
+  input.addEventListener('keydown', function (e) {
+    if (e.key === 'Enter') {
+      input.blur();
+    }
+  });
+
+  input.addEventListener('blur', function () {
+    const customName = input.value.trim();
+    if (!customName) {
+      // Restore square if nothing entered
+      squareEl.innerHTML = '';
+      squareEl.appendChild(numDiv);
+      return;
+    }
+    // Wait for category selection
+    waitForCategorySelection(customName, squareEl, squareNumber);
+  });
+}
+
+// Wait for user to click a category, then send to server
+function waitForCategorySelection(customName, squareEl, squareNumber) {
+  // Highlight categories and show a message
+  document.querySelectorAll('.categories').forEach(cat => {
+    cat.classList.add('category-selectable');
+  });
+  const msg = document.createElement('div');
+  msg.textContent = 'Click a category to add "' + customName + '"';
+  msg.className = 'category-select-msg';
+  msg.style.position = 'absolute';
+  msg.style.top = '40%';
+  msg.style.left = '50%';
+  msg.style.transform = 'translate(-50%, -50%)';
+  msg.style.background = 'rgba(0,0,0,0.8)';
+  msg.style.color = 'white';
+  msg.style.padding = '8px 16px';
+  msg.style.borderRadius = '8px';
+  msg.style.zIndex = '1000';
+  msg.style.fontSize = '1.1em';
+  document.body.appendChild(msg);
+
+  // Handler for category click
+  function onCategoryClick(e) {
+    e.stopPropagation();
+    document.querySelectorAll('.categories').forEach(cat => {
+      cat.classList.remove('category-selectable');
+      cat.removeEventListener('click', onCategoryClick, true);
+    });
+    document.body.removeChild(msg);
+
+    // Find category name
+    const catHeader = e.currentTarget.querySelector('.category-header h4');
+    const categoryName = catHeader ? catHeader.textContent : null;
+    if (!categoryName) return;
+
+    // Send to server to add fruit to category
+    fetch('/api/add-fruit', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ category: categoryName, fruit: customName })
+    })
+    .then(res => res.json())
+    .then(async data => {
+      if (data.success) {
+        // Reload categories in sidebar
+        if (window.loadCategories) await window.loadCategories();
+        initializeFruitAndCategoryEvents();
+        // Place the fruit in the square
+        placeFruitInSquare(squareEl, customName);
+        // Save the new fruit's position to the database
+        const squareId = squareEl.dataset.squareId;
+        await fetch('/api/positions', {
+          method: 'POST',
+          headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+          body: JSON.stringify({ squareId, fruit: customName }),
+        });
+      } else {
+        alert('Could not add fruit: ' + (data.error || 'Unknown error'));
+        // Restore square
+        squareEl.innerHTML = '';
+        const numDiv = document.createElement('div');
+        numDiv.className = 'square-number';
+        numDiv.textContent = squareNumber;
+        squareEl.appendChild(numDiv);
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
+  // Listen for click on any category (use capture to get before toggle)
+  document.querySelectorAll('.categories').forEach(cat => {
+    cat.addEventListener('click', onCategoryClick, true);
+  });
+}
+
+// Wrap all fruit/category event logic in a function so it can be called after dynamic loading
+function initializeFruitAndCategoryEvents() {
+  // initialize drag & drop on fruits
+  document.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(el => {
+    el.addEventListener('dragstart', e => {
+      e.dataTransfer.setData('text/plain', el.dataset.fruit);
+      const dragImg = createDragImage(el);
+      e.dataTransfer.setDragImage(dragImg, dragImg.offsetWidth / 2, dragImg.offsetHeight / 2);
+      // cleanup after drag
+      el.addEventListener('dragend', () => {
+        dragImg.remove();
+      }, { once: true });
+    });
+    
+    // updated mouseover event
+    el.addEventListener('mouseover', e => {
+      const parentCategory = el.closest('.categories');
+      if (parentCategory) {
+        // Unhighlight all squares for fruits in this category first
+        parentCategory.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(sib => {
+          const sq = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${sib.dataset.fruit}"]`);
+          if (sq) sq.classList.remove('highlight');
+        });
+      }
+      // Now highlight only the hovered fruit's square
+      const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${el.dataset.fruit}"]`);
+      if (square) square.classList.add('highlight');
+      updateHighlightedBorders();
+    });
+    
+    // updated mouseout event
+    el.addEventListener('mouseout', e => {
+      // Remove highlight from the hovered fruit's square
+      const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${el.dataset.fruit}"]`);
+      if (square) square.classList.remove('highlight');
+      // If still inside the category container, restore highlighting to all fruits there
+      const parentCategory = el.closest('.categories');
+      if (parentCategory && parentCategory.contains(e.relatedTarget)) {
+        parentCategory.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(sib => {
+          const sq = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${sib.dataset.fruit}"]`);
+          if (sq) sq.classList.add('highlight');
+        });
+      }
+      updateHighlightedBorders();
+    });
+
+    // Add click handler for delete popup (sidebar only)
+    el.addEventListener('click', function(e) {
+      // Only trigger for sidebar fruits (not dropped-fruit)
+      if (!el.classList.contains('fruit') || el.classList.contains('dropped-fruit')) return;
+      // Find category name
+      const catDiv = el.closest('.categories');
+      if (!catDiv) return;
+      const catHeader = catDiv.querySelector('.category-header h4');
+      const categoryName = catHeader ? catHeader.textContent : null;
+      if (!categoryName) return;
+      showDeleteFruitPopup(el.dataset.fruit, categoryName);
+      e.stopPropagation();
+    });
+  });
+
+  // make each square a drop target
+  document.querySelectorAll('.square').forEach(sq => {
+    sq.addEventListener('dragover', e => e.preventDefault());
+    sq.addEventListener('drop', async e => {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      const fruit = e.dataTransfer.getData('text/plain');
+
+      // check if the fruit is already placed in another square
+      const existingSquare = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${fruit}"]`);
+      if (existingSquare && existingSquare !== sq) {
+        existingSquare.innerHTML = '';
+        delete existingSquare.dataset.fruit;
+        const existingSquareId = existingSquare.dataset.squareId;
+        await fetch('/api/positions', {
+          method: 'POST',
+          headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+          body: JSON.stringify({ squareId: existingSquareId, fruit: '' }),
+        });
+      }
+
+      placeFruitInSquare(sq, fruit);
+
+      // save to server
+      const squareId = sq.dataset.squareId;
       await fetch('/api/positions', {
         method: 'POST',
         headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-        body: JSON.stringify({ squareId: existingSquareId, fruit: '' }),
+        body: JSON.stringify({ squareId, fruit }),
       });
-    }
+    });
 
-    placeFruitInSquare(sq, fruit);
-
-    // save to server
-    const squareId = sq.dataset.squareId;
-    await fetch('/api/positions', {
-      method: 'POST',
-      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-      body: JSON.stringify({ squareId, fruit }),
+    // Add double-click handler for custom fruit
+    sq.addEventListener('dblclick', e => {
+      // Only allow if square is empty (no fruit)
+      if (!sq.dataset.fruit && !sq.querySelector('.dropped-fruit')) {
+        showCustomFruitInput(sq);
+      }
     });
   });
-});
+
+  // add highlighting for squares based on category hover
+  document.querySelectorAll('.categories').forEach(category => {
+    category.addEventListener('mouseenter', () => {
+      category.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(fruitEl => {
+        const fruitName = fruitEl.dataset.fruit;
+        const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${fruitName}"]`);
+        if (square) {
+          square.classList.add('highlight');
+        }
+      });
+      updateHighlightedBorders();
+    });
+    category.addEventListener('mouseleave', () => {
+      category.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(fruitEl => {
+        const fruitName = fruitEl.dataset.fruit;
+        const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${fruitName}"]`);
+        if (square) {
+          square.classList.remove('highlight');
+        }
+      });
+      updateHighlightedBorders();
+    });
+  });
+
+  // Collapsible categories logic
+  document.querySelectorAll('.categories').forEach(category => {
+    const toggleBtn = category.querySelector('.category-header .category-toggle');
+    const content = category.querySelector('.category-content');
+    if (toggleBtn && content) {
+      toggleBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
+        const isOpen = content.style.display !== 'none';
+        content.style.display = isOpen ? 'none' : '';
+        toggleBtn.textContent = isOpen ? '►' : '▼';
+      });
+    }
+  });
+}
 
 // on load, fetch saved positions and render
 window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', async () => {
   try {
+    // Add square numbers to all squares on initial load
+    document.querySelectorAll('.square').forEach(sq => {
+      // Only add if not already present (avoid duplicates)
+      if (!sq.querySelector('.square-number')) {
+        const numDiv = document.createElement('div');
+        numDiv.className = 'square-number';
+        numDiv.textContent = sq.dataset.squareId;
+        sq.appendChild(numDiv);
+      }
+    });
+
     const res = await fetch('/api/positions');
     const mapping = await res.json();
     for (const [squareId, fruit] of Object.entries(mapping)) {
@@ -148,6 +352,14 @@ window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', async () => {
   } catch (err) {
     console.error('Could not load saved positions', err);
   }
+
+  // After categories are loaded, initialize events
+  if (window.loadCategories) {
+    await window.loadCategories();
+    initializeFruitAndCategoryEvents();
+  } else {
+    initializeFruitAndCategoryEvents();
+  }
 });
 
 // this is the stuff that let's you drag the map around and zoom in and out
@@ -266,30 +478,6 @@ zoomOutBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
 });
 })();
   
-// add highlighting for squares based on category hover
-document.querySelectorAll('.categories').forEach(category => {
-  category.addEventListener('mouseenter', () => {
-    category.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(fruitEl => {
-      const fruitName = fruitEl.dataset.fruit;
-      const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${fruitName}"]`);
-      if (square) {
-        square.classList.add('highlight');
-      }
-    });
-    updateHighlightedBorders();
-  });
-  category.addEventListener('mouseleave', () => {
-    category.querySelectorAll('.fruit').forEach(fruitEl => {
-      const fruitName = fruitEl.dataset.fruit;
-      const square = document.querySelector(`.square[data-fruit="${fruitName}"]`);
-      if (square) {
-        square.classList.remove('highlight');
-      }
-    });
-    updateHighlightedBorders();
-  });
-});
-
 /* 
    this is a helper to update highlighted square borders.
    for each highlighted square, if a neighboring square is also highlighted,
@@ -375,6 +563,11 @@ socket.on('update', data => {
     } else {
       sq.innerHTML = '';
       delete sq.dataset.fruit;
+      // re-add the square number after clearing
+      const numDiv = document.createElement('div');
+      numDiv.className = 'square-number';
+      numDiv.textContent = sq.dataset.squareId;
+      sq.appendChild(numDiv);
     }
     // add highlight and remove after 3 seconds
     sq.classList.add('highlight-update');
@@ -384,15 +577,57 @@ socket.on('update', data => {
   }
 });
 
-// Collapsible categories logic
-document.querySelectorAll('.categories').forEach(category => {
-  const toggleBtn = category.querySelector('.category-header .category-toggle');
-  const content = category.querySelector('.category-content');
-  if (toggleBtn && content) {
-    toggleBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
-      const isOpen = content.style.display !== 'none';
-      content.style.display = isOpen ? 'none' : '';
-      toggleBtn.textContent = isOpen ? '►' : '▼';
+// Helper to show a delete confirmation popup for a fruit
+function showDeleteFruitPopup(fruitName, categoryName) {
+  // Remove any existing popup
+  const existing = document.getElementById('delete-fruit-popup');
+  if (existing) existing.remove();
+
+  const popup = document.createElement('div');
+  popup.id = 'delete-fruit-popup';
+  popup.style.position = 'fixed';
+  popup.style.top = '50%';
+  popup.style.left = '50%';
+  popup.style.transform = 'translate(-50%, -50%)';
+  popup.style.background = '#222';
+  popup.style.color = 'white';
+  popup.style.padding = '24px 32px';
+  popup.style.borderRadius = '12px';
+  popup.style.boxShadow = '0 4px 32px #000b';
+  popup.style.zIndex = '2000';
+  popup.style.textAlign = 'center';
+
+  popup.innerHTML = `
+    <div style="margin-bottom:18px;font-size:1.1em;">
+      Remove "<b>${fruitName}</b>" from <b>${categoryName}</b>?
+    </div>
+    <button id="delete-fruit-confirm" style="margin-right:16px;padding:6px 18px;background:#d103f9;color:white;border:none;border-radius:5px;cursor:pointer;">Delete</button>
+    <button id="delete-fruit-cancel" style="padding:6px 18px;background:#444;color:white;border:none;border-radius:5px;cursor:pointer;">Cancel</button>
+  `;
+
+  document.body.appendChild(popup);
+
+  document.getElementById('delete-fruit-cancel').onclick = () => popup.remove();
+
+  document.getElementById('delete-fruit-confirm').onclick = async () => {
+    // Send delete request
+    await fetch('/api/delete-fruit', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ category: categoryName, fruit: fruitName })
     });
-  }
-});
+    popup.remove();
+    if (window.loadCategories) await window.loadCategories();
+    initializeFruitAndCategoryEvents();
+    // Remove fruit from any square if present
+    document.querySelectorAll(`.square[data-fruit="${fruitName}"]`).forEach(sq => {
+      sq.innerHTML = '';
+      delete sq.dataset.fruit;
+      // re-add the square number after clearing
+      const numDiv = document.createElement('div');
+      numDiv.className = 'square-number';
+      numDiv.textContent = sq.dataset.squareId;
+      sq.appendChild(numDiv);
+    });
+  };
+}
diff --git a/public/style.css b/public/style.css
index 7c53e2b..9d9bc34 100644
--- a/public/style.css
+++ b/public/style.css
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ body, html {
   background: rgb(19, 19, 19);
   overflow-y: auto;    /* make it scrollable */
   width: 12%;       /* fixed width */
+  box-sizing: border-box; /* include padding/border in width */
 }
 
 .sidebar::-webkit-scrollbar {
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ body, html {
   position: absolute;
   top: 2px;
   right: 2px;
-  background: red;
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
   border: none;
   color: white;
   border-radius: 50%;
@@ -118,8 +119,9 @@ body, html {
 .categories {
   /* make sidebar wider */
   padding: 10px;
+  padding-bottom: 0px;
   border: 1px solid white; /* sidebar border color */
-  border-radius: 4px;
+  border-radius: 10px;
 }
 
 .fruit {
@@ -231,4 +233,43 @@ body, html {
   height: 28px;
   align-items: center;
   display: flex;
+}
+
+.square-number {
+  position: absolute;
+  bottom: 4px;
+  right: 6px;
+  font-size: 0.9em;
+  color: #bdbdbd;
+  opacity: 0.7;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  z-index: 2;
+}
+
+.custom-fruit-input {
+  border: 1px solid #d103f9;
+  border-radius: 5px;
+  padding: 6px 10px;
+  outline: none;
+  background: #181818;
+  color: white;
+  width: 90%;
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+
+.category-selectable {
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px #d103f9, 0 0 10px 2px #d103f9;
+  border-color: #d103f9 !important;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: box-shadow 0.2s;
+}
+
+.category-select-msg {
+  /* see JS for inline styles */
+}
+
+#delete-fruit-popup {
+  /* see JS for inline styles, but you can add more here if needed */
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 32px #000b;
+  z-index: 2000;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index 0d89cfc..a7ec9d9 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ const sqlite3 = require('sqlite3').verbose();
 const path = require('path');
 const http = require('http');
 const { Server } = require('socket.io');
+const fs = require('fs');
 
 const app = express();
 const server = http.createServer(app);
@@ -63,6 +64,76 @@ app.post('/api/positions', (req, res) => {
   );
 });
 
+// Serve categories and fruits from a JSON file
+app.get('/api/categories', (req, res) => {
+  const categoriesPath = path.join(__dirname, 'categories.json');
+  fs.readFile(categoriesPath, 'utf8', (err, data) => {
+    if (err) return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Could not load categories' });
+    try {
+      const categories = JSON.parse(data);
+      res.json(categories);
+    } catch (e) {
+      res.status(500).json({ error: 'Invalid categories file' });
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+// Add a fruit to a category in categories.json
+app.post('/api/add-fruit', (req, res) => {
+  const { category, fruit } = req.body;
+  if (!category || !fruit) {
+    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'category and fruit required' });
+  }
+  const categoriesPath = path.join(__dirname, 'categories.json');
+  fs.readFile(categoriesPath, 'utf8', (err, data) => {
+    if (err) return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Could not load categories' });
+    let categories;
+    try {
+      categories = JSON.parse(data);
+    } catch (e) {
+      return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Invalid categories file' });
+    }
+    const cat = categories.find(c => c.name === category);
+    if (!cat) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Category not found' });
+    // Prevent duplicates
+    if (cat.fruits.includes(fruit)) {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Fruit already exists in category' });
+    }
+    cat.fruits.push(fruit);
+    fs.writeFile(categoriesPath, JSON.stringify(categories, null, 2), err2 => {
+      if (err2) return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Could not save categories' });
+      res.json({ success: true });
+    });
+  });
+});
+
+// Delete a fruit from a category in categories.json
+app.post('/api/delete-fruit', (req, res) => {
+  const { category, fruit } = req.body;
+  if (!category || !fruit) {
+    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'category and fruit required' });
+  }
+  const categoriesPath = path.join(__dirname, 'categories.json');
+  fs.readFile(categoriesPath, 'utf8', (err, data) => {
+    if (err) return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Could not load categories' });
+    let categories;
+    try {
+      categories = JSON.parse(data);
+    } catch (e) {
+      return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Invalid categories file' });
+    }
+    const cat = categories.find(c => c.name === category);
+    if (!cat) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Category not found' });
+    const idx = cat.fruits.indexOf(fruit);
+    if (idx === -1) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Fruit not found in category' });
+    cat.fruits.splice(idx, 1);
+    fs.writeFile(categoriesPath, JSON.stringify(categories, null, 2), err2 => {
+      if (err2) return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Could not save categories' });
+      res.json({ success: true });
+    });
+  });
+});
+
 // start server
 const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3085;
 server.listen(PORT, () => {