diff --git a/engine/legacy/__init__.py b/engine/legacy/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d2e91b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/legacy/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+"""
+Legacy rendering modules for backwards compatibility.
+
+This package contains deprecated rendering code from the old pipeline architecture.
+These modules are maintained for backwards compatibility with adapters and tests,
+but should not be used in new code.
+
+New code should use the Stage-based pipeline architecture instead.
+
+Modules:
+- render: Legacy font/gradient rendering functions
+- layers: Legacy layer compositing and effect application
+
+All modules in this package are marked deprecated and will be removed in a future version.
+"""
diff --git a/engine/layers.py b/engine/legacy/layers.py
similarity index 98%
rename from engine/layers.py
rename to engine/legacy/layers.py
index 7d4ff68..dff972c 100644
--- a/engine/layers.py
+++ b/engine/legacy/layers.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ from engine.effects import (
     vis_offset,
     vis_trunc,
 )
-from engine.render import big_wrap, lr_gradient, lr_gradient_opposite
+from engine.legacy.render import big_wrap, lr_gradient, lr_gradient_opposite
 from engine.terminal import RST, W_COOL
 
 MSG_META = "\033[38;5;245m"
diff --git a/engine/render.py b/engine/legacy/render.py
similarity index 100%
rename from engine/render.py
rename to engine/legacy/render.py