diff --git a/piker/brokers/ib.py b/piker/brokers/ib.py
index 9f1bd49b..ab440ffe 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/ib.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/ib.py
@@ -517,9 +517,9 @@ class Client:
         contract, ticker, details = await self.get_sym_details(symbol)
 
         # ensure a last price gets filled in before we deliver quote
-        for _ in range(1):
+        for _ in range(100):
             if isnan(ticker.last):
-                await asyncio.sleep(0.1)
+                await asyncio.sleep(0.01)
                 log.warning(f'Quote for {symbol} timed out: market is closed?')
                 ticker = await ticker.updateEvent
             else:
@@ -792,7 +792,7 @@ async def load_aio_clients(
     try_ports = list(ports.values())
     ports = try_ports if port is None else [port]
     # we_connected = []
-    connect_timeout = 1 if platform.system() != 'Windows' else 2
+    connect_timeout = 2
     combos = list(itertools.product(hosts, ports))
 
     # allocate new and/or reload disconnected but cached clients
@@ -1428,8 +1428,14 @@ async def stream_quotes(
     '''
     # TODO: support multiple subscriptions
     sym = symbols[0]
+    details: Optional[dict] = None
 
-    with trio.fail_after(16):
+    contract, first_ticker, details = await _trio_run_client_method(
+        method='get_sym_details',
+        symbol=sym,
+    )
+
+    with trio.move_on_after(1):
         contract, first_ticker, details = await _trio_run_client_method(
             method='get_quote',
             symbol=sym,
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_allocate.py b/piker/clearing/_allocate.py
index 7b61a4bd..6ef38692 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_allocate.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_allocate.py
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ from ._messages import BrokerdPosition, Status
 
 
 class Position(BaseModel):
-    '''Basic pp (personal position) model with attached fills history.
+    '''
+    Basic pp (personal position) model with attached fills history.
 
     This type should be IPC wire ready?
 
@@ -61,6 +62,15 @@ class Position(BaseModel):
         self.avg_price = avg_price
         self.size = size
 
+    @property
+    def dsize(self) -> float:
+        '''
+        The "dollar" size of the pp, normally in trading (fiat) unit
+        terms.
+
+        '''
+        return self.avg_price * self.size
+
 
 _size_units = bidict({
     'currency': '$ size',
@@ -114,7 +124,8 @@ class Allocator(BaseModel):
     def step_sizes(
         self,
     ) -> (float, float):
-        '''Return the units size for each unit type as a tuple.
+        '''
+        Return the units size for each unit type as a tuple.
 
         '''
         slots = self.slots
@@ -142,7 +153,8 @@ class Allocator(BaseModel):
         action: str,
 
     ) -> dict:
-        '''Generate order request info for the "next" submittable order
+        '''
+        Generate order request info for the "next" submittable order
         depending on position / order entry config.
 
         '''
@@ -250,7 +262,8 @@ class Allocator(BaseModel):
         pp: Position,
 
     ) -> float:
-        '''Calc and return the number of slots used by this ``Position``.
+        '''
+        Calc and return the number of slots used by this ``Position``.
 
         '''
         abs_pp_size = abs(pp.size)
diff --git a/piker/ui/_forms.py b/piker/ui/_forms.py
index 1f1a7cd5..3b33e032 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_forms.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_forms.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Text entry "forms" widgets (mostly for configuration and UI user input).
 from __future__ import annotations
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from functools import partial
+from math import floor
 from typing import (
     Optional, Any, Callable, Awaitable
 )
@@ -542,7 +543,7 @@ class FillStatusBar(QProgressBar):
 
     '''
     border_px: int = 2
-    slot_margin_px: int = 2
+    slot_margin_px: int = 1
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -553,7 +554,11 @@ class FillStatusBar(QProgressBar):
 
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__(parent=parent)
-        self.approx_h = approx_height_px
+
+        self.approx_h = int(round(approx_height_px))
+        self.setMinimumHeight(self.approx_h)
+        self.setMaximumHeight(self.approx_h)
+
         self.font_size = font_size
 
         self.setFormat('')  # label format
@@ -567,17 +572,12 @@ class FillStatusBar(QProgressBar):
 
     ) -> None:
 
-        approx_h = self.approx_h
-        # TODO: compute "used height" thus far and mostly fill the rest
-        tot_slot_h, r = divmod(
-            approx_h,
-            slots,
-        )
-        clipped = int(slots * tot_slot_h + 2*self.border_px)
-        self.setMaximumHeight(clipped)
-        slot_height_px = tot_slot_h - 2*self.slot_margin_px
-
         self.setOrientation(Qt.Vertical)
+        h = self.height()
+
+        # TODO: compute "used height" thus far and mostly fill the rest
+        tot_slot_h, r = divmod(h, slots)
+
         self.setStyleSheet(
             f"""
             QProgressBar {{
@@ -592,21 +592,28 @@ class FillStatusBar(QProgressBar):
                 border: {self.border_px}px solid {hcolor('default_light')};
                 border-radius: 2px;
             }}
-
             QProgressBar::chunk {{
 
                 background-color: {hcolor('default_spotlight')};
                 color: {hcolor('bracket')};
 
                 border-radius: 2px;
-
-                margin: {self.slot_margin_px}px;
-                height: {slot_height_px}px;
-
             }}
             """
         )
 
+        # to set a discrete "block" per slot...
+        # XXX: couldn't get the discrete math to work here such
+        # that it was always correctly showing a discretized value
+        # up to the limit; not sure if it's the ``.setRange()``
+        # / ``.setValue()`` api or not but i was able to get something
+        # close screwing with the divmod above above but after so large
+        # a value it would always be less chunks then the correct
+        # value..
+        # margin: {self.slot_margin_px}px;
+        # height: {slot_height_px}px;
+
+
         # margin-bottom: {slot_margin_px*2}px;
         # margin-top: {slot_margin_px*2}px;
         # color: #19232D;
diff --git a/piker/ui/_position.py b/piker/ui/_position.py
index e057154e..0abb6459 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_position.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_position.py
@@ -71,10 +71,10 @@ async def update_pnl_from_feed(
     log.info(f'Starting pnl display for {pp.alloc.account}')
 
     if live.size < 0:
-        types = ('ask', 'last', 'last', 'utrade')
+        types = ('ask', 'last', 'last', 'dark_trade')
 
     elif live.size > 0:
-        types = ('bid', 'last', 'last', 'utrade')
+        types = ('bid', 'last', 'last', 'dark_trade')
 
     else:
         log.info(f'No position (yet) for {tracker.alloc.account}@{key}')
@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@ async def update_pnl_from_feed(
 
 @dataclass
 class SettingsPane:
-    '''Composite set of widgets plus an allocator model for configuring
+    '''
+    Composite set of widgets plus an allocator model for configuring
     order entry sizes and position limits per tradable instrument.
 
     '''
@@ -151,7 +152,8 @@ class SettingsPane:
         key: str,
 
     ) -> None:
-        '''Called on any order pane drop down selection change.
+        '''
+        Called on any order pane drop down selection change.
 
         '''
         log.info(f'selection input {key}:{text}')
@@ -164,7 +166,8 @@ class SettingsPane:
         value: str,
 
     ) -> bool:
-        '''Called on any order pane edit field value change.
+        '''
+        Called on any order pane edit field value change.
 
         '''
         mode = self.order_mode
@@ -219,16 +222,36 @@ class SettingsPane:
             else:
                 value = puterize(value)
                 if key == 'limit':
+                    pp = mode.current_pp.live_pp
+
                     if size_unit == 'currency':
+                        dsize = pp.dsize
+                        if dsize > value:
+                            log.error(
+                                f'limit must > then current pp: {dsize}'
+                            )
+                            raise ValueError
+
                         alloc.currency_limit = value
+
                     else:
+                        size = pp.size
+                        if size > value:
+                            log.error(
+                                f'limit must > then current pp: {size}'
+                            )
+                            raise ValueError
+
                         alloc.units_limit = value
 
                 elif key == 'slots':
+                    if value <= 0:
+                        raise ValueError('slots must be > 0')
                     alloc.slots = int(value)
 
                 else:
-                    raise ValueError(f'Unknown setting {key}')
+                    log.error(f'Unknown setting {key}')
+                    raise ValueError
 
             log.info(f'settings change: {key}: {value}')
 
@@ -363,7 +386,8 @@ def position_line(
     marker: Optional[LevelMarker] = None,
 
 ) -> LevelLine:
-    '''Convenience routine to create a line graphic representing a "pp"
+    '''
+    Convenience routine to create a line graphic representing a "pp"
     aka the acro for a,
     "{piker, private, personal, puny, <place your p-word here>} position".
 
@@ -417,7 +441,8 @@ def position_line(
 
 
 class PositionTracker:
-    '''Track and display real-time positions for a single symbol
+    '''
+    Track and display real-time positions for a single symbol
     over multiple accounts on a single chart.
 
     Graphically composed of a level line and marker as well as labels
@@ -497,7 +522,8 @@ class PositionTracker:
 
     @property
     def pane(self) -> FieldsForm:
-        '''Return handle to pp side pane form.
+        '''
+        Return handle to pp side pane form.
 
         '''
         return self.chart.linked.godwidget.pp_pane
@@ -507,7 +533,8 @@ class PositionTracker:
         marker: LevelMarker
 
     ) -> None:
-        '''Update all labels.
+        '''
+        Update all labels.
 
         Meant to be called from the maker ``.paint()``
         for immediate, lag free label draws.
diff --git a/piker/ui/order_mode.py b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
index 437e4ca5..9f4dbadb 100644
--- a/piker/ui/order_mode.py
+++ b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
@@ -107,7 +107,8 @@ def on_level_change_update_next_order_info(
 
 @dataclass
 class OrderMode:
-    '''Major UX mode for placing orders on a chart view providing so
+    '''
+    Major UX mode for placing orders on a chart view providing so
     called, "chart trading".
 
     This is the other "main" mode that pairs with "view mode" (when