diff --git a/engine/layers.py b/engine/layers.py
index aa8fd59..4997c82 100644
--- a/engine/layers.py
+++ b/engine/layers.py
@@ -258,3 +258,103 @@ def get_effect_chain() -> EffectChain | None:
     if _effect_chain is None:
         init_effects()
     return _effect_chain
+
+
+def render_figment_overlay(
+    figment_state,
+    w: int,
+    h: int,
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Render figment overlay as ANSI cursor-positioning commands.
+
+    Args:
+        figment_state: FigmentState with phase, progress, rows, gradient, centering.
+        w: terminal width
+        h: terminal height
+
+    Returns:
+        List of ANSI strings to append to display buffer.
+    """
+    from engine.render import _color_codes_to_ansi
+
+    rows = figment_state.rows
+    if not rows:
+        return []
+
+    phase = figment_state.phase
+    progress = figment_state.progress
+    gradient = figment_state.gradient
+    center_row = figment_state.center_row
+    center_col = figment_state.center_col
+
+    cols = _color_codes_to_ansi(gradient)
+
+    # Build a list of non-space cell positions
+    cell_positions = []
+    for r_idx, row in enumerate(rows):
+        for c_idx, ch in enumerate(row):
+            if ch != " ":
+                cell_positions.append((r_idx, c_idx))
+
+    n_cells = len(cell_positions)
+    if n_cells == 0:
+        return []
+
+    # Use a deterministic seed so the reveal/dissolve pattern is stable per-figment
+    rng = random.Random(hash(tuple(rows[0][:10])) if rows[0] else 42)
+    shuffled = list(cell_positions)
+    rng.shuffle(shuffled)
+
+    # Phase-dependent visibility
+    from effects_plugins.figment import FigmentPhase
+
+    if phase == FigmentPhase.REVEAL:
+        visible_count = int(n_cells * progress)
+        visible = set(shuffled[:visible_count])
+    elif phase == FigmentPhase.HOLD:
+        visible = set(cell_positions)
+        # Strobe: dim some cells periodically
+        if int(progress * 20) % 3 == 0:
+            dim_count = int(n_cells * 0.3)
+            visible -= set(shuffled[:dim_count])
+    elif phase == FigmentPhase.DISSOLVE:
+        remaining_count = int(n_cells * (1.0 - progress))
+        visible = set(shuffled[:remaining_count])
+    else:
+        visible = set(cell_positions)
+
+    # Build overlay commands
+    overlay: list[str] = []
+    n_cols = len(cols)
+    max_x = max((len(r.rstrip()) for r in rows if r.strip()), default=1)
+
+    for r_idx, row in enumerate(rows):
+        scr_row = center_row + r_idx + 1  # 1-indexed
+        if scr_row < 1 or scr_row > h:
+            continue
+
+        line_buf: list[str] = []
+        has_content = False
+
+        for c_idx, ch in enumerate(row):
+            scr_col = center_col + c_idx + 1
+            if scr_col < 1 or scr_col > w:
+                continue
+
+            if ch != " " and (r_idx, c_idx) in visible:
+                # Apply gradient color
+                shifted = (c_idx / max(max_x - 1, 1)) % 1.0
+                idx = min(round(shifted * (n_cols - 1)), n_cols - 1)
+                line_buf.append(f"{cols[idx]}{ch}{RST}")
+                has_content = True
+            else:
+                line_buf.append(" ")
+
+        if has_content:
+            line_str = "".join(line_buf).rstrip()
+            if line_str.strip():
+                overlay.append(
+                    f"\033[{scr_row};{center_col + 1}H{line_str}{RST}"
+                )
+
+    return overlay
diff --git a/tests/test_figment_overlay.py b/tests/test_figment_overlay.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e5b728
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_figment_overlay.py
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+"""Tests for render_figment_overlay in engine.layers."""
+
+from effects_plugins.figment import FigmentPhase, FigmentState
+from engine.layers import render_figment_overlay
+
+
+def _make_state(phase=FigmentPhase.HOLD, progress=0.5):
+    return FigmentState(
+        phase=phase,
+        progress=progress,
+        rows=["█▀▄ █", " ▄█▀ ", "█   █"],
+        gradient=[46, 40, 34, 28, 22, 22, 34, 40, 46, 82, 118, 231],
+        center_row=10,
+        center_col=37,
+    )
+
+
+class TestRenderFigmentOverlay:
+    def test_returns_list_of_strings(self):
+        state = _make_state()
+        result = render_figment_overlay(state, 80, 24)
+        assert isinstance(result, list)
+        assert all(isinstance(s, str) for s in result)
+
+    def test_contains_ansi_positioning(self):
+        state = _make_state()
+        result = render_figment_overlay(state, 80, 24)
+        # Should contain cursor positioning escape codes
+        assert any("\033[" in s for s in result)
+
+    def test_reveal_phase_partial(self):
+        state = _make_state(phase=FigmentPhase.REVEAL, progress=0.0)
+        result = render_figment_overlay(state, 80, 24)
+        # At progress 0.0, very few cells should be visible
+        # Result should still be a valid list
+        assert isinstance(result, list)
+
+    def test_hold_phase_full(self):
+        state = _make_state(phase=FigmentPhase.HOLD, progress=0.5)
+        result = render_figment_overlay(state, 80, 24)
+        # During hold, content should be present
+        assert len(result) > 0
+
+    def test_dissolve_phase(self):
+        state = _make_state(phase=FigmentPhase.DISSOLVE, progress=0.9)
+        result = render_figment_overlay(state, 80, 24)
+        # At high dissolve progress, most cells are gone
+        assert isinstance(result, list)
+
+    def test_empty_rows(self):
+        state = FigmentState(
+            phase=FigmentPhase.HOLD,
+            progress=0.5,
+            rows=[],
+            gradient=[46] * 12,
+            center_row=0,
+            center_col=0,
+        )
+        result = render_figment_overlay(state, 80, 24)
+        assert result == []