diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 50afafd..382b97b 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #    ██║     ██║   ██║██████╔╝ █████╔╝██║  ██║
 #    ██║     ██║   ██║██╔══██╗ ╚═══██╗██║  ██║
 #    ╚██████╗╚██████╔╝██████╔╝██████╔╝██████╔╝
-#     ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚ ╚═════╝
+#     ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝
 
 # === general configuration ===
 NAME = cub3D
@@ -27,6 +27,12 @@ INC_DIR = -Iincludes -I$(LIBFT_DIR)/includes -I$(MLX_DIR)
 
 # === source files ===
 SRC =	src/main.c \
+		src/events/cleanup_exit.c \
+		src/events/events_handler.c \
+		src/events/hooks.c \
+		src/events/player_actions_rotate.c \
+		src/events/player_actions_move.c \
+		src/events/mouse_handler.c \
 		src/init/init_data.c \
 		src/init/init_mlx.c \
 		src/parsing/file_validations.c \
@@ -35,6 +41,7 @@ SRC =	src/main.c \
 		src/render/draw_pixels.c \
 		src/parsing/player_setup.c \
 		src/parsing/player_setup_utils.c \
+		src/utils/ascii_art.c \
 		src/utils/print_errors.c \
 
 # object files preserving subdirectory structure
diff --git a/includes/cub3d.h b/includes/cub3d.h
index b5df856..74188fd 100644
--- a/includes/cub3d.h
+++ b/includes/cub3d.h
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 # include <X11/keysym.h>
 # include <math.h>
 # include <stdio.h>
+# include <stdbool.h>
 
 /* =========================== */
 /*         DEFINE              */
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@
 /* game elements */
 # define WINDOWS_X 800
 # define WINDOWS_Y 600
-# define WINDOWS_MSG "Welcome to cub3D"
+# define WINDOWS_MSG "Welcome to CUB3D"
 
 /* =========================== */
 /*        STRUCTURES           */
@@ -59,7 +60,18 @@ typedef struct s_map
 	int		ceiling_color;	// rgb color for the ceiling, converted to int (0xRRGGBB)
 }	t_map;
 
-/* Represents the player’s state in the game */
+/* Tracks which keys are currently pressed */
+typedef struct s_keys
+{
+	bool	w_pressed;
+	bool	a_pressed;
+	bool	s_pressed;
+	bool	d_pressed;
+	bool	left_arrow_pressed;
+	bool	right_arrow_pressed;
+}	t_keys;
+
+/* Represents the player's state in the game */
 typedef struct s_player
 {
 	double	pos_x;
@@ -87,6 +99,10 @@ typedef struct s_game
 	// === Game state ===
 	t_player	player;		// player data (position, direction, camera plane)
 	t_map		map;			// map data (grid, size, textures paths, colors)
+	t_keys		keys;		// tracks which keys are currently pressed
+		// === Mouse ===
+	int			last_mouse_x;	// last mouse X position for delta calculation
+	int			last_mouse_y;	// last mouse Y position for delta calculation
 }	t_game;
 
 /* player orientation struct for the look up table */
@@ -99,50 +115,91 @@ typedef struct s_orientation
 	double	plane_y;
 }	t_orientation;
 
+/* key binding struct for mapping keys to actions */
+typedef struct s_key_binding
+{
+	int		keycode; // X11 keycode for this specific key (ex: XK_w, XK_Left)
+	void	(*action)(t_game *); // function pointer to the action that should be executed
+	bool	*flag_ptr;  // Pointer to the boolean flag that represents whether this key is currently pressed (true) or released (false)
+}	t_key_binding;
+
+/* =========================== */
+/*           EVENT             */
+/* =========================== */
+
+/* cleanup_exit.c */
+void			cleanup_exit(t_game *game);
+
+/* events handlers.c */
+int				handle_keypress(int keycode, void *param);
+int				handle_keyrelease(int keycode, void *param);
+int				handle_close(void *param);
+int				game_loop(void *param);
+t_key_binding	*get_key_bindings(t_game *game);
+
+/* mouse_handler.c */
+int				handle_mouse_move(int x, int y, void *param);
+
+/* hooks.c */
+void			setup_hooks(t_game *game);
+
+/* player_actions_rotate.c */
+void			rotate_left(t_game *game);
+void			rotate_right(t_game *game);
+
+/* player_actions_move.c */
+void			move_forward(t_game *game);
+void			move_backward(t_game *game);
+void			strafe_left(t_game *game);
+void			strafe_right(t_game *game);
+
 /* =========================== */
 /*           INIT              */
 /* =========================== */
 
 /* init_data.c */
-void	init_data(t_game *game);
+void			init_data(t_game *game);
 
 /* init_mlx.c */
-int		init_game_data(t_game *game);
+int				init_game_data(t_game *game);
 
 /* =========================== */
 /*         PARSING             */
 /* =========================== */
 
 /* file_validations.c */
-int		validate_argument(char *filename);
+int				validate_argument(char *filename);
 
 /*parse_map.c */
-int		parse_map(const char *path, t_map *map);
+int				parse_map(const char *path, t_map *map);
 
 /*parse_map_utils.c */
-int		open_cub_file(const char *path);
-void	print_map_grid(t_map *map);
-void	free_map(t_map *map);
-void	free_partial_grid(t_map *map, int filled_rows);
+int				open_cub_file(const char *path);
+void			print_map_grid(t_map *map);
+void			free_map(t_map *map);
+void			free_partial_grid(t_map *map, int filled_rows);
 
 /* player_setup_utils.c */
-void	print_player_info(t_player *player);
+void			print_player_info(t_player *player);
 
 /* player_setup.c */
-int		init_player(t_game *game);
+int				init_player(t_game *game);
 
 /* =========================== */
 /*           RENDERS           */
 /* =========================== */
 
 /* draw_pixels.c*/
-void	draw_pixel_in_buffer(t_game *game, int x, int y, int color);
+void			draw_pixel_in_buffer(t_game *game, int x, int y, int color);
 
 /* =========================== */
 /*           UTILS             */
 /* =========================== */
 
+/* ascii art */
+void			print_ascii_art_hello(void);
+
 /* utils/print_errors.c */
-void	print_errors(char *p1, char *p2, char *p3);
+void			print_errors(char *p1, char *p2, char *p3);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/events/.gitkeep b/src/events/.gitkeep
deleted file mode 100644
index e69de29..0000000
diff --git a/src/events/cleanup_exit.c b/src/events/cleanup_exit.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d32822
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/events/cleanup_exit.c
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#include "cub3d.h"
+
+/**
+  * @brief Cleans up all game resources and exits program
+  *
+  * Destroys MLX resources (image, window, display) and frees game data.
+  * Called when user presses ESC or clicks window close button.
+  *
+  * @param game Pointer to game structure
+*/
+void	cleanup_exit(t_game *game)
+{
+	if (!game)
+		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+	if (game->img)
+		mlx_destroy_image(game->mlx, game->img);
+	if (game->win)
+		mlx_destroy_window(game->mlx, game->win);
+	if (game->mlx)
+	{
+		mlx_destroy_display(game->mlx);
+		free(game->mlx);
+	}
+	if (game->map.grid)
+		free_map(&game->map);
+	exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
diff --git a/src/events/events_handler.c b/src/events/events_handler.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84edae2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/events/events_handler.c
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+#include "cub3d.h"
+
+/**
+ * @brief Returns an array of key bindings mapping keycodes to actions
+ *
+ * This function returns a static array that maps X11 keycodes to their
+ * corresponding action functions and key state flags.
+ *
+ * @param game Pointer to game structure to access key flags
+ * @return Pointer to a static array of key bindings (NULL-terminated)
+ */
+t_key_binding	*get_key_bindings(t_game *game)
+{
+	static t_key_binding	bindings[7];
+
+	bindings[0] = (t_key_binding){XK_w, move_forward, &game->keys.w_pressed};
+	bindings[1] = (t_key_binding){XK_s, move_backward, &game->keys.s_pressed};
+	bindings[2] = (t_key_binding){XK_a, strafe_left, &game->keys.a_pressed};
+	bindings[3] = (t_key_binding){XK_d, strafe_right, &game->keys.d_pressed};
+	bindings[4] = (t_key_binding){XK_Left, rotate_left,
+		&game->keys.left_arrow_pressed};
+	bindings[5] = (t_key_binding){XK_Right, rotate_right,
+		&game->keys.right_arrow_pressed};
+	bindings[6] = (t_key_binding){0, NULL, NULL};
+	return (bindings);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @brief Handles key press events using function pointers
+ *
+ * Iterates through key bindings and sets the corresponding flag to true
+ * when a registered key is pressed.
+ *
+ * @param keycode X11 keycode of the pressed key
+ * @param param Pointer to game structure (void* from MLX, must cast)
+ * @return EXIT_SUCCESS
+ */
+int	handle_keypress(int keycode, void *param)
+{
+	t_game				*game;
+	const t_key_binding	*bindings;
+	int					i;
+
+	game = (t_game *)param;
+	if (keycode == XK_Escape)
+		cleanup_exit(game);
+	bindings = get_key_bindings(game);
+	i = 0;
+	while (bindings[i].action)
+	{
+		if (bindings[i].keycode == keycode)
+		{
+			*bindings[i].flag_ptr = true;
+			return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
+		}
+		i++;
+	}
+	return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @brief Handles key release events using function pointers
+ *
+ * Iterates through key bindings and sets the corresponding flag to false
+ * when a registered key is released.
+ *
+ * @param keycode X11 keycode of the released key
+ * @param param Pointer to game structure (void* from MLX, must cast)
+ * @return EXIT_SUCCESS
+ */
+int	handle_keyrelease(int keycode, void *param)
+{
+	t_game				*game;
+	t_key_binding		*bindings;
+	int					i;
+
+	game = (t_game *)param;
+	bindings = get_key_bindings(game);
+	i = 0;
+	while (bindings[i].action)
+	{
+		if (bindings[i].keycode == keycode)
+		{
+			*bindings[i].flag_ptr = false;
+			return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
+		}
+		i++;
+	}
+	return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @brief Handles window close button (red cross) event
+ *
+ * @param param Pointer to game structure (void* from MLX, must cast)
+ * @return 0/EXIT_SUCCESS (required by MLX)
+ */
+int	handle_close(void *param)
+{
+	t_game	*game;
+
+	game = (t_game *)param;
+	cleanup_exit(game);
+	return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @brief Main game loop - called every frame by MLX (~60 FPS)
+ *
+ * Checks which keys are pressed and calls their corresponding action
+ * functions using the key bindings system.
+ *
+ * @param param Pointer to game structure (void* from MLX, must cast)
+ * @return EXIT_SUCCESS
+ */
+int	game_loop(void *param)
+{
+	t_game				*game;
+	t_key_binding		*bindings;
+	int					i;
+
+	game = (t_game *)param;
+	bindings = get_key_bindings(game);
+	i = 0;
+	while (bindings[i].action)
+	{
+		if (*bindings[i].flag_ptr)
+			bindings[i].action(game);
+		i++;
+	}
+	return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
diff --git a/src/events/hooks.c b/src/events/hooks.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b27ba14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/events/hooks.c
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#include "cub3d.h"
+
+/**
+ * @brief Registers all event hooks for the game window.
+ *
+ * Sets up keyboard press/release events, window close event,
+ * and mouse movement handling. These functions allow the game
+ * to react to player inputs during runtime.
+ *
+ * @param game Pointer to the game structure containing MLX window.
+ */
+void	setup_hooks(t_game *game)
+{
+	mlx_hook(game->win, 2, 1L << 0, handle_keypress, game);
+	mlx_hook(game->win, 3, 1L << 1, handle_keyrelease, game);
+	mlx_hook(game->win, 17, 0, handle_close, game);
+	mlx_hook(game->win, 6, 1L << 6, handle_mouse_move, game);
+}
diff --git a/src/events/mouse_handler.c b/src/events/mouse_handler.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6b3f4e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/events/mouse_handler.c
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#include "cub3d.h"
+
+/**
+ * @brief Handles mouse movement for horizontal camera rotation (stub)
+ *
+ * Detects horizontal mouse movement and logs rotation direction.
+ * Only handles left/right rotation (yaw), not up/down (pitch).
+ * Currently just logs debug messages, actual rotation logic to be implemented.
+ *
+ * @param x Current mouse X position in window coordinates
+ * @param y Current mouse Y position in window coordinates
+ * @param param Pointer to game structure (void* from MLX, must cast)
+ * @return EXIT_SUCCESS
+ */
+int	handle_mouse_move(int x, int y, void *param)
+{
+	static int	frame_count_left = 0;
+	static int	frame_count_right = 0;
+	t_game		*game;
+	int			delta_x;
+
+	game = (t_game *)param;
+	delta_x = x - game->last_mouse_x;
+	if (delta_x > 0)
+	{
+		frame_count_right++;
+		if (frame_count_right % 60 == 0)
+			printf("DEBUG: Mouse rotating RIGHT (frame %d)\n",
+				frame_count_right);
+	}
+	else if (delta_x < 0)
+	{
+		frame_count_left++;
+		if (frame_count_left % 60 == 0)
+			printf("DEBUG: Mouse rotating LEFT (frame %d)\n", frame_count_left);
+	}
+	game->last_mouse_x = x;
+	game->last_mouse_y = y;
+	return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}
diff --git a/src/events/player_actions_move.c b/src/events/player_actions_move.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0501528
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/events/player_actions_move.c
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#include "cub3d.h"
+
+/**
+  * @brief Moves player forward in current direction
+  *
+  * @param game Pointer to game structure
+*/
+void	move_forward(t_game *game)
+{
+	static int	frame_count = 0;
+
+	(void)game;
+	frame_count++;
+	if (frame_count % 60 == 0)
+		printf("DEBUG: Moving FORWARD (frame %d)\n", frame_count);
+}
+
+/**
+  * @brief Moves player backward (opposite of current direction)
+  *
+  * @param game Pointer to game structure
+*/
+void	move_backward(t_game *game)
+{
+	static int	frame_count = 0;
+
+	(void)game;
+	frame_count++;
+	if (frame_count % 60 == 0)
+		printf("DEBUG: Moving BACKWARD (frame %d)\n", frame_count);
+}
+
+/**
+  * @brief Strafes player to the left (perpendicular to direction)
+  *
+  * @param game Pointer to game structure
+*/
+void	strafe_left(t_game *game)
+{
+	static int	frame_count = 0;
+
+	(void)game;
+	frame_count++;
+	if (frame_count % 60 == 0)
+		printf("DEBUG: Strafing LEFT (frame %d)\n", frame_count);
+}
+
+/**
+  * @brief Strafes player to the right (perpendicular to direction)
+  *
+  * @param game Pointer to game structure
+*/
+void	strafe_right(t_game *game)
+{
+	static int	frame_count = 0;
+
+	(void)game;
+	frame_count++;
+	if (frame_count % 60 == 0)
+		printf("DEBUG: Strafing RIGHT (frame %d)\n", frame_count);
+}
diff --git a/src/events/player_actions_rotate.c b/src/events/player_actions_rotate.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35a6f6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/events/player_actions_rotate.c
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#include "cub3d.h"
+
+/**
+  * @brief Rotates camera to the left
+  *
+  * @param game Pointer to game structure
+*/
+void	rotate_left(t_game *game)
+{
+	static int	frame_count = 0;
+
+	(void)game;
+	frame_count++;
+	if (frame_count % 60 == 0)
+		printf("DEBUG: Rotating LEFT (frame %d)\n", frame_count);
+}
+
+/**
+  * @brief Rotates camera to the right
+  *
+  * @param game Pointer to game structure
+*/
+void	rotate_right(t_game *game)
+{
+	static int	frame_count = 0;
+
+	(void)game;
+	frame_count++;
+	if (frame_count % 60 == 0)
+		printf("DEBUG: Rotating RIGHT (frame %d)\n", frame_count);
+}
diff --git a/src/init/init_data.c b/src/init/init_data.c
index fdc18b1..1cafc73 100644
--- a/src/init/init_data.c
+++ b/src/init/init_data.c
@@ -16,4 +16,7 @@ void	init_data(t_game *game)
 		return ;
 	// Zero out entire struct including any nested structs and its fields
 	ft_bzero(game, sizeof(t_game));
+	// Initialize mouse position to center of window
+	game->last_mouse_x = WINDOWS_X / 2;
+	game->last_mouse_y = WINDOWS_Y / 2;
 }
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 2cc95c7..90fc97d 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -16,7 +16,11 @@ int	main(int argc, char **argv)
 		return (EXIT_FAILURE);
 	if (init_game_data(&game) != EXIT_SUCCESS)
 		return (EXIT_FAILURE);
+	print_ascii_art_hello();
 	print_map_grid(&game.map);
-	free_map(&game.map);
+	setup_hooks(&game);
+	mlx_loop_hook(game.mlx, game_loop, &game);
+	mlx_loop(game.mlx);
+	cleanup_exit(&game);
 	return (EXIT_SUCCESS);
 }
diff --git a/src/utils/ascii_art.c b/src/utils/ascii_art.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c86a58e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/utils/ascii_art.c
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#include "cub3d.h"
+
+void	print_ascii_art_hello(void)
+{
+	printf("Welcome to\n");
+	printf(BR_GRN);
+	printf(" ██████╗██╗   ██╗██████╗ ██████╗ ██████╗\n");
+	printf("██╔════╝██║   ██║██╔══██╗╚════██╗██╔══██╗\n");
+	printf("██║     ██║   ██║██████╔╝ █████╔╝██║  ██║\n");
+	printf("██║     ██║   ██║██╔══██╗ ╚═══██╗██║  ██║\n");
+	printf("╚██████╗╚██████╔╝██████╔╝██████╔╝██████╔╝\n");
+	printf(" ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝\n");
+	printf(RESET);
+	printf(BR_YEL);
+	printf("use WASD to move - left/right arrow to rotate camera\n");
+	printf("press ESC or click the top right window cross to exit game\n\n");
+	printf(RESET);
+}