diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
index 8b6b211..de11f10 100644
--- a/docs/README.md
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -14,12 +14,7 @@ MeatSlicer is an endless top-down arena roguelite. You are the Butcher, descendi
 | [Perks](perks.md) | All 23 Mutation Draft perks, XP curve, draft mechanics |
 | [Enemies](enemies.md) | All 11 enemy types, elites, drops, wave and scaling formulas |
 | [Bosses](bosses.md) | All 9 bosses: rotation, scaling, full attack patterns, counters |
-
-For developers:
-
-| Doc | Contents |
-|---|---|
-| [Debug Console](dev-debug.md) | Hidden dev-only cheat/inspection toolset (backtick `` ` `` key, `--dev` flag): all 8 tabs, run tainting, stat-rebuild internals |
+| [Debug Console](dev-debug.md) | In-game cheat/inspection toolset (backtick `` ` `` key, `--dev` flag): all 8 tabs, run tainting, stat-rebuild internals |
 | [Changelog](CHANGELOG.md) | Release history by version |
 
 ### Quick numbers
@@ -64,6 +59,15 @@ npm test
 
 Runs the smoke test (`test/smoke.js`).
 
+### Debug console
+
+An in-game cheat/inspection panel is available in dev builds. Launch with the
+dev flag — `MeatSlicer.exe --dev`, `npm start -- --dev`, or `play-dev.bat` /
+`http://localhost:8123/?dev=1` in a browser — then press the **backtick `` ` ``**
+key in play or pause. Eight tabs cover health, weapons, items, perks, pressure,
+spawning enemies/bosses, timescale, visualizers, and a live stats readout. Using
+mutating actions voids the run's best score. See [Debug Console](dev-debug.md).
+
 ## Tech overview
 
 - **Stack:** plain JavaScript + HTML5 canvas, no framework. Electron wrapper for desktop.
diff --git a/docs/dev-debug.md b/docs/dev-debug.md
index f7da314..a2afc81 100644
--- a/docs/dev-debug.md
+++ b/docs/dev-debug.md
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
-# Debug Console (dev only)
+# Debug Console
 
-A hidden in-game cheat / inspection toolset. Not linked from the player-facing
-help manual — it is meant to stay undiscovered in normal play.
+An in-game cheat / inspection toolset. It is gated behind a dev launch flag so
+it doesn't interfere with normal play, and it's documented here because the
+game is still in development — testers and players are welcome to use it.
 
 ## Enabling it
 
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 3cef805..2e8a8c0 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -6,32 +6,32 @@
 <meta name="theme-color" content="#0a0305">
 <link rel="icon" href="data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 viewBox=%220 0 64 64%22><text y=%2252%22 x=%2250%22 text-anchor=%22middle%22 dominant-baseline=%22middle%22 font-size=%2252%22>🔪</text></svg>">
 <title>MEATSLICER</title>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="css/style.css?v=49">
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="css/style.css?v=51">
 </head>
 <body>
 <div id="wrap">
   <canvas id="game" width="960" height="640"></canvas>
 </div>
-<script src="js/utils.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/state.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/input.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/sfx.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/sfxbank.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/audio.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/sprites.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/particles.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/weapons.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/bullets.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/pickups.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/items.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/perks.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/enemies.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/bosses.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/rooms.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/player.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/hud.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/help.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/debug.js?v=49"></script>
-<script src="js/main.js?v=49"></script>
+<script src="js/utils.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/state.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/input.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/sfx.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/sfxbank.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/audio.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/sprites.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/particles.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/weapons.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/bullets.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/pickups.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/items.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/perks.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/enemies.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/bosses.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/rooms.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/player.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/hud.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/help.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/debug.js?v=51"></script>
+<script src="js/main.js?v=51"></script>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/js/help.js b/js/help.js
index 7b9c699..af06aec 100644
--- a/js/help.js
+++ b/js/help.js
@@ -105,6 +105,10 @@ function drawHelpControls(ctx, px, py) {
       'ENTER / SPACE / CLICK — START RUN · R / ENTER — RESTART AFTER DEATH',
       'PICKUPS ARE COLLECTED BY WALKING OVER THEM — NO INTERACT KEY',
     ] },
+    { head: 'DEBUG CONSOLE (DEV BUILD)', lines: [
+      '` / ~ — CHEAT & INSPECTION PANEL · ENABLE WITH --dev OR ?dev=1',
+      'SET STATS / ITEMS / PRESSURE, SPAWN ENEMIES & BOSSES — SEE docs/dev-debug.md',
+    ] },
   ], HELP_PANEL.w - 80);
 }
 
diff --git a/js/sfxbank.js b/js/sfxbank.js
index 8ef54b2..2ad8586 100644
--- a/js/sfxbank.js
+++ b/js/sfxbank.js
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ const SfxBank = {
     if (this.buffers.has(name) || this.pending.has(name) || this.failed.has(name)) return;
     const file = this.FILES[name];
     if (!file || !this.ctx || typeof fetch !== 'function') return;
-    const job = fetch('/assets/sfx/' + encodeURIComponent(file) + '?v=49')
+    const job = fetch('/assets/sfx/' + encodeURIComponent(file) + '?v=51')
       .then(r => { if (!r.ok) throw new Error('HTTP ' + r.status); return r.arrayBuffer(); })
       .then(bytes => this.ctx.decodeAudioData(bytes))
       .then(buffer => this.buffers.set(name, this.trim(buffer)))
diff --git a/js/sprites.js b/js/sprites.js
index 8b3eef0..a5d87e3 100644
--- a/js/sprites.js
+++ b/js/sprites.js
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ const Sprites = {
       const img = new Image();
       img.onload = () => { this.imgs[name] = img; if (--pending === 0) G.imagesLoaded = true; };
       img.onerror = () => { if (--pending === 0) G.imagesLoaded = true; };
-      img.src = 'assets/' + name + '.png?v=49';
+      img.src = 'assets/' + name + '.png?v=51';
     }
   },