diff --git a/cmd/joyful-config/main.go b/cmd/joyful-config/main.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ca321a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/joyful-config/main.go
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+
+	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/configparser"
+	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/logger"
+	flag "github.com/spf13/pflag"
+)
+
+func getConfigDir(dir string) string {
+	configDir := strings.ReplaceAll(dir, "~", "${HOME}")
+	return os.ExpandEnv(configDir)
+}
+
+func main() {
+	var configDir string
+	flag.StringVarP(&configDir, "config", "c", "~/.config/joyful", "Directory to read configuration from.")
+	flag.Parse()
+	configDir = getConfigDir(configDir)
+
+	config, err := configparser.ParseConfig(configDir)
+	switch err.(type) {
+	case *configparser.EmptyConfigError:
+		config = &configparser.Config{}
+	default:
+		logger.FatalIfError(err, "Fatal error reading config")
+	}
+
+	fmt.Printf("Config: %v\n", config)
+}
diff --git a/cmd/joyful/config.go b/cmd/joyful/config.go
index 64d6b2d..2b43380 100644
--- a/cmd/joyful/config.go
+++ b/cmd/joyful/config.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
 	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/configparser"
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@ func initPhysicalDevices(conf *configparser.Config) map[string]*evdev.InputDevic
 	pDeviceMap := make(map[string]*evdev.InputDevice)
 
 	for _, devConfig := range conf.Devices {
-		if devConfig.Type != configparser.DeviceTypePhysical {
+		if strings.ToLower(devConfig.Type) != configparser.DeviceTypePhysical {
 			continue
 		}
 
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ func initVirtualBuffers(config *configparser.Config) (map[string]*evdev.InputDev
 	vBuffersByDevice := make(map[*evdev.InputDevice]*virtualdevice.EventBuffer)
 
 	for _, devConfig := range config.Devices {
-		if devConfig.Type != configparser.DeviceTypeVirtual {
+		if strings.ToLower(devConfig.Type) != configparser.DeviceTypeVirtual {
 			continue
 		}
 
diff --git a/docs/examples/multiple_files/axes.yml b/docs/examples/multiple_files/axes.yml
index 6f7947d..3056df3 100644
--- a/docs/examples/multiple_files/axes.yml
+++ b/docs/examples/multiple_files/axes.yml
@@ -92,9 +92,8 @@ rules:
     input:
       device: left-stick
       axis: RY
-      deadzones:
-        - start: 0
-          end: 30500
+      deadzone_start: 0
+      deadzone_end: 30500
     output:
       device: mouse
       axis: REL_WHEEL
@@ -109,9 +108,8 @@ rules:
     input:
       device: left-stick
       axis: RY
-      deadzones:
-        - start: 29500
-          end: 64000
+      deadzone_start: 29500
+      deadzone_end: 64000
       inverted: true
     output:
       device: mouse
diff --git a/docs/examples/multiple_files/devices.yml b/docs/examples/multiple_files/devices.yml
index 779f0f5..391e4c8 100644
--- a/docs/examples/multiple_files/devices.yml
+++ b/docs/examples/multiple_files/devices.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 devices:
   - name: primary
-    type: Virtual
+    type: virtual
     preset: joystick
   - name: secondary
     type: virtual
diff --git a/docs/examples/ruletypes.yml b/docs/examples/ruletypes.yml
index 8bc0fe8..7cb4b3a 100644
--- a/docs/examples/ruletypes.yml
+++ b/docs/examples/ruletypes.yml
@@ -18,9 +18,8 @@ rules:
     input:
       device: flightstick
       # To find reasonable values for your device's deadzones, use the evtest command
-      deadzones:
-        - start: 28000
-          end: 30000
+      deadzone_start: 28000
+      deadzone_end: 30000
       inverted: false
       axis: ABS_X
     output:
@@ -34,9 +33,8 @@ rules:
       # size value. This will create a deadzone that covers a range of deadzone_size,
       # centered on the center value. Note that if your deadzone_center is at the lower or upper end
       # of the axis, the total size will still be as given; the deadzone will be "shifted" into bounds.
-      deadzones:
-        - center: 29000
-          size: 2000
+      deadzone_center: 29000
+      deadzone_size: 2000
       inverted: false
       axis: Y # The ABS_ prefix is optional
     output:
@@ -48,9 +46,8 @@ rules:
       device: flightstick
       # A final way to specify deadzones is to use a size percentage instead of an absolute size.
       # This works exactly like deadzone_size, but calculates a percentage of the axis' total range.
-      deadzones:
-        - center: 29000
-          size_percent: 5
+      deadzone_center: 29000
+      deadzone_size_percent: 5
       inverted: false
       axis: Y # The ABS_ prefix is optional
     output:
@@ -70,17 +67,6 @@ rules:
       device: main
       axis: RZ
 
-  # Hat mapping. Hats are technically an axis, but only output -1, 0, or 1, so we don't normalize
-  # them to an output range, we just pass them through mostly unmodified
-  - type: hat
-    input:
-      device: flightstick
-      inverted: true # hats do support inversion. As with other rule types, this only has an effect on *inputs*.
-      hat: hat0x # a typical joystick hat actually has 2 hat axes: x and y
-    output:
-      device: main
-      hat: hat0x
-
   # Straightforward button mapping
   - type: button
     input:
@@ -122,9 +108,8 @@ rules:
     input:
       device: flightstick
       axis: ABS_RY # This axis commonly represents thumbsticks
-      deadzones:
-        - start: 0
-          end: 30000
+      deadzone_start: 0
+      deadzone_end: 30000
     output:
       device: main
       button: BTN_BASE4
@@ -141,9 +126,8 @@ rules:
     input:
       device: flightstick
       axis: ABS_Z
-      deadzones:
-        - start: 0
-          end: 500
+      deadzone_start: 0
+      deadzone_end: 500
     output:
       device: mouse
       button: REL_WHEEL
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/readme.md b/docs/readme.md
index 7ac1945..f6e7f37 100644
--- a/docs/readme.md
+++ b/docs/readme.md
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ All `rules` must have a `type` parameter. Valid values for this parameter are:
 * `axis-combined` - a mapping that combines 2 input axes into a single output axis.
 * `axis-to-button` - causes an axis input to produce a button output. This can be repeated with variable speed proportional to the axis' input value
 * `axis-to-relaxis` - like axis-to-button, but produces a "relative axis" output value. This is useful for simulating mouse scrollwheel and movement events.
-* `hat` - a special type of axis with ternary output. Each joystick hat will typically be 2 hat axes named `ABS_HAT0X` / `ABS_HAT0Y`, where the `0` is an index between 0 - 3. So for a typical hat you would define 2 `hat` rules.
 
 Configuration options for each rule type vary. See [examples/ruletypes.yml](examples/ruletypes.yml) for an example of each type with all options specified.
 
@@ -74,17 +73,13 @@ evtest | grep BTN_
 
 **NOTE: For most axis mappings, you probably don't want to specify a deadzone!** Use deadzone configurations in your target game instead. Joyful-configured deadzones are intended to be used in conjunction with the `axis-to-button` and `axis-to-relaxis` input types, or when splitting an axis into multiple outputs. Using them with standard `axis` mappings may result in a loss of fidelity and "stuck" inputs.
 
-Axis inputs can define a list of deadzones. Each deadzone can be specified a few ways:
+There are three ways to specify deadzones:
 
-* Define `start` and `end` to explicitly set the deadzone bounds.
-* Define `center` and `size`; this will create a deadzone of the indicated size centered at the given axis position.
-* Define `center` and `size_percent` to use a percentage of the total axis size.
+* Define `deadzone_start` and `deadzone_end` to explicitly set the deadzone bounds.
+* Define `deadzone_center` and `deadzone_size`; this will create a deadzone of the indicated size centered at the given axis position.
+* Define `deadzone_center` and `deadzone_size_percent` to use a percentage of the total axis size.
 
-In addition, deadzones can set `emit` to `true` and `emit_value` to a value that should be emitted when inside the deadzone.
-
-**Note**: The `emit_value` is the final output value and should be between -32,768 and 32,767.
-
-See the <examples/> directory for usage examples.
+See <examples/ruletypes.yml> for usage examples.
 
 ## Modes
 
diff --git a/internal/configparser/configparser.go b/internal/configparser/configparser.go
index 3daa217..deceb8a 100644
--- a/internal/configparser/configparser.go
+++ b/internal/configparser/configparser.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func getConfigFilePaths(directory string) ([]string, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, errors.New("failed to create config directory at " + directory)
 		} else {
-			return nil, errors.New("no config files found at " + directory)
+			return nil, &EmptyConfigError{directory}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -63,5 +63,9 @@ func getConfigFilePaths(directory string) ([]string, error) {
 		paths = append(paths, filepath.Join(directory, file.Name()))
 	}
 
+	if len(paths) == 0 {
+		return nil, &EmptyConfigError{directory}
+	}
+
 	return paths, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/configparser/deviceconfig.go b/internal/configparser/deviceconfig.go
deleted file mode 100644
index eafd8ca..0000000
--- a/internal/configparser/deviceconfig.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,31 +0,0 @@
-package configparser
-
-// These top-level structs use custom unmarshaling to unpack each available sub-type
-type DeviceConfig struct {
-	Type   DeviceType
-	Config interface{}
-}
-
-func (dc *DeviceConfig) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
-	metaConfig := &struct {
-		Type DeviceType
-	}{}
-	err := unmarshal(metaConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	dc.Type = metaConfig.Type
-
-	err = nil
-	switch metaConfig.Type {
-	case DeviceTypePhysical:
-		config := DeviceConfigPhysical{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case DeviceTypeVirtual:
-		config := DeviceConfigVirtual{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	}
-	return err
-}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/deviceconfigphysical.go b/internal/configparser/deviceconfigphysical.go
deleted file mode 100644
index ecb5255..0000000
--- a/internal/configparser/deviceconfigphysical.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-package configparser
-
-type DeviceConfigPhysical struct {
-	Name       string
-	DeviceName string `yaml:"device_name,omitempty"`
-	DevicePath string `yaml:"device_path,omitempty"`
-	Lock       bool
-}
-
-// TODO: custom yaml unmarshaling is obtuse; do we really need to do all of this work
-// just to set a single default value?
-func (dc *DeviceConfigPhysical) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
-	var raw struct {
-		Name       string
-		DeviceName string `yaml:"device_name"`
-		DevicePath string `yaml:"device_path"`
-		Lock       bool   `yaml:"lock,omitempty"`
-	}
-
-	// Set non-standard defaults
-	raw.Lock = true
-
-	err := unmarshal(&raw)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	*dc = DeviceConfigPhysical{
-		Name:       raw.Name,
-		DeviceName: raw.DeviceName,
-		DevicePath: raw.DevicePath,
-		Lock:       raw.Lock,
-	}
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/devicetype.go b/internal/configparser/devicetype.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 7640304..0000000
--- a/internal/configparser/devicetype.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,40 +0,0 @@
-package configparser
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"strings"
-)
-
-type DeviceType string
-
-const (
-	DeviceTypeNone     DeviceType = ""
-	DeviceTypePhysical DeviceType = "physical"
-	DeviceTypeVirtual  DeviceType = "virtual"
-)
-
-var (
-	deviceTypeMap = map[string]DeviceType{
-		"physical": DeviceTypePhysical,
-		"virtual":  DeviceTypeVirtual,
-	}
-)
-
-func ParseDeviceType(in string) (DeviceType, error) {
-	deviceType, ok := deviceTypeMap[strings.ToLower(in)]
-	if !ok {
-		return DeviceTypeNone, fmt.Errorf("invalid rule type '%s'", in)
-	}
-	return deviceType, nil
-}
-
-func (rt *DeviceType) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
-	var raw string
-	err := unmarshal(&raw)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	*rt, err = ParseDeviceType(raw)
-	return err
-}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/errors.go b/internal/configparser/errors.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4698152
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/configparser/errors.go
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+package configparser
+
+import "fmt"
+
+type EmptyConfigError struct {
+	directory string
+}
+
+func (e *EmptyConfigError) Error() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("no config files found at %s", e.directory)
+}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/ruleconfig.go b/internal/configparser/ruleconfig.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 53c3c35..0000000
--- a/internal/configparser/ruleconfig.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,64 +0,0 @@
-package configparser
-
-type RuleConfig struct {
-	Type   RuleType
-	Name   string
-	Modes  []string
-	Config interface{}
-}
-
-func (dc *RuleConfig) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
-	metaConfig := &struct {
-		Type  RuleType
-		Name  string
-		Modes []string
-	}{}
-	err := unmarshal(metaConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	dc.Type = metaConfig.Type
-	dc.Name = metaConfig.Name
-	dc.Modes = metaConfig.Modes
-
-	switch dc.Type {
-	case RuleTypeButton:
-		config := RuleConfigButton{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeButtonCombo:
-		config := RuleConfigButtonCombo{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeButtonLatched:
-		config := RuleConfigButtonLatched{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeAxis:
-		config := RuleConfigAxis{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeAxisCombined:
-		config := RuleConfigAxisCombined{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeAxisToButton:
-		config := RuleConfigAxisToButton{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis:
-		config := RuleConfigAxisToRelaxis{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeModeSelect:
-		config := RuleConfigModeSelect{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	case RuleTypeHat:
-		config := RuleConfigHat{}
-		err = unmarshal(&config)
-		dc.Config = config
-	}
-
-	return err
-}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/ruletarget.go b/internal/configparser/ruletarget.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 2a2a12a..0000000
--- a/internal/configparser/ruletarget.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-package configparser
-
-type RuleTargetConfigButton struct {
-	Device   string
-	Button   string
-	Inverted bool
-}
-
-type RuleTargetConfigAxis struct {
-	Device    string
-	Axis      string
-	Inverted  bool
-	Deadzones []DeadzoneConfig
-}
-
-type DeadzoneConfig struct {
-	Center      int32 `yaml:"center,omitempty"`
-	Size        int32 `yaml:"size,omitempty"`
-	SizePercent int32 `yaml:"size_percent,omitempty"`
-	Start       int32 `yaml:"start,omitempty"`
-	End         int32 `yaml:"end,omitempty"`
-	Emit        bool  `yaml:"emit,omitempty"`
-	Value       int32 `yaml:"emit_value,omitempty"`
-}
-
-type RuleTargetConfigRelaxis struct {
-	Device string
-	Axis   string
-}
-
-type RuleTargetConfigModeSelect struct {
-	Modes []string
-}
-
-type RuleTargetConfigHat struct {
-	Device   string
-	Hat      string
-	Inverted bool
-}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/ruletype.go b/internal/configparser/ruletype.go
deleted file mode 100644
index d305570..0000000
--- a/internal/configparser/ruletype.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,55 +0,0 @@
-package configparser
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"strings"
-)
-
-// TODO: maybe these want to live somewhere other than configparser?
-type RuleType string
-
-const (
-	RuleTypeNone          RuleType = ""
-	RuleTypeButton        RuleType = "button"
-	RuleTypeButtonCombo   RuleType = "button-combo"
-	RuleTypeButtonLatched RuleType = "button-latched"
-	RuleTypeAxis          RuleType = "axis"
-	RuleTypeAxisCombined  RuleType = "axis-combined"
-	RuleTypeAxisToButton  RuleType = "axis-to-button"
-	RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis RuleType = "axis-to-relaxis"
-	RuleTypeModeSelect    RuleType = "mode-select"
-	RuleTypeHat           RuleType = "hat"
-)
-
-var (
-	ruleTypeMap = map[string]RuleType{
-		"button":          RuleTypeButton,
-		"button-combo":    RuleTypeButtonCombo,
-		"button-latched":  RuleTypeButtonLatched,
-		"axis":            RuleTypeAxis,
-		"axis-combined":   RuleTypeAxisCombined,
-		"axis-to-button":  RuleTypeAxisToButton,
-		"axis-to-relaxis": RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis,
-		"mode-select":     RuleTypeModeSelect,
-		"hat":             RuleTypeHat,
-	}
-)
-
-func ParseRuleType(in string) (RuleType, error) {
-	ruleType, ok := ruleTypeMap[strings.ToLower(in)]
-	if !ok {
-		return RuleTypeNone, fmt.Errorf("invalid rule type '%s'", in)
-	}
-	return ruleType, nil
-}
-
-func (rt *RuleType) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
-	var raw string
-	err := unmarshal(&raw)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	*rt, err = ParseRuleType(raw)
-	return err
-}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/schema.go b/internal/configparser/schema.go
index 55ddb24..8b70521 100644
--- a/internal/configparser/schema.go
+++ b/internal/configparser/schema.go
@@ -1,13 +1,38 @@
-// These types comprise the YAML schema that doesn't need custom unmarshalling.
+// These types comprise the YAML schema for configuring Joyful.
+// The config files will be combined and then unmarshalled into this
 
 package configparser
 
+import (
+	"fmt"
+)
+
 type Config struct {
 	Devices []DeviceConfig
 	Modes   []string
 	Rules   []RuleConfig
 }
 
+// These top-level structs use custom unmarshaling to unpack each available sub-type
+type DeviceConfig struct {
+	Type   string
+	Config interface{}
+}
+
+type RuleConfig struct {
+	Type   string
+	Name   string
+	Modes  []string
+	Config interface{}
+}
+
+type DeviceConfigPhysical struct {
+	Name       string
+	DeviceName string `yaml:"device_name,omitempty"`
+	DevicePath string `yaml:"device_path,omitempty"`
+	Lock       bool
+}
+
 // TODO: configure custom unmarshaling so we can overload Buttons, Axes, and RelativeAxes...
 type DeviceConfigVirtual struct {
 	Name            string
@@ -40,11 +65,6 @@ type RuleConfigAxis struct {
 	Output RuleTargetConfigAxis
 }
 
-type RuleConfigHat struct {
-	Input  RuleTargetConfigHat
-	Output RuleTargetConfigHat
-}
-
 type RuleConfigAxisCombined struct {
 	InputLower RuleTargetConfigAxis `yaml:"input_lower,omitempty"`
 	InputUpper RuleTargetConfigAxis `yaml:"input_upper,omitempty"`
@@ -70,3 +90,136 @@ type RuleConfigModeSelect struct {
 	Input  RuleTargetConfigButton
 	Output RuleTargetConfigModeSelect
 }
+
+type RuleTargetConfigButton struct {
+	Device   string
+	Button   string
+	Inverted bool
+}
+
+type RuleTargetConfigAxis struct {
+	Device              string
+	Axis                string
+	DeadzoneCenter      int32 `yaml:"deadzone_center,omitempty"`
+	DeadzoneSize        int32 `yaml:"deadzone_size,omitempty"`
+	DeadzoneSizePercent int32 `yaml:"deadzone_size_percent,omitempty"`
+	DeadzoneStart       int32 `yaml:"deadzone_start,omitempty"`
+	DeadzoneEnd         int32 `yaml:"deadzone_end,omitempty"`
+	Inverted            bool
+}
+
+type RuleTargetConfigRelaxis struct {
+	Device string
+	Axis   string
+}
+
+type RuleTargetConfigModeSelect struct {
+	Modes []string
+}
+
+func (dc *DeviceConfig) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
+	metaConfig := &struct {
+		Type string
+	}{}
+	err := unmarshal(metaConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	dc.Type = metaConfig.Type
+
+	err = nil
+	switch metaConfig.Type {
+	case DeviceTypePhysical:
+		config := DeviceConfigPhysical{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case DeviceTypeVirtual:
+		config := DeviceConfigVirtual{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	default:
+		err = fmt.Errorf("invalid device type '%s'", dc.Type)
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+func (dc *RuleConfig) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
+	metaConfig := &struct {
+		Type  string
+		Name  string
+		Modes []string
+	}{}
+	err := unmarshal(metaConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	dc.Type = metaConfig.Type
+	dc.Name = metaConfig.Name
+	dc.Modes = metaConfig.Modes
+
+	switch dc.Type {
+	case RuleTypeButton:
+		config := RuleConfigButton{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case RuleTypeButtonCombo:
+		config := RuleConfigButtonCombo{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case RuleTypeButtonLatched:
+		config := RuleConfigButtonLatched{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case RuleTypeAxis:
+		config := RuleConfigAxis{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case RuleTypeAxisCombined:
+		config := RuleConfigAxisCombined{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case RuleTypeAxisToButton:
+		config := RuleConfigAxisToButton{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis:
+		config := RuleConfigAxisToRelaxis{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	case RuleTypeModeSelect:
+		config := RuleConfigModeSelect{}
+		err = unmarshal(&config)
+		dc.Config = config
+	default:
+		err = fmt.Errorf("invalid rule type '%s'", dc.Type)
+	}
+
+	return err
+}
+
+// TODO: custom yaml unmarshaling is obtuse; do we really need to do all of this work
+// just to set a single default value?
+func (dc *DeviceConfigPhysical) UnmarshalYAML(unmarshal func(data interface{}) error) error {
+	var raw struct {
+		Name       string
+		DeviceName string `yaml:"device_name"`
+		DevicePath string `yaml:"device_path"`
+		Lock       bool   `yaml:"lock,omitempty"`
+	}
+
+	// Set non-standard defaults
+	raw.Lock = true
+
+	err := unmarshal(&raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	*dc = DeviceConfigPhysical{
+		Name:       raw.Name,
+		DeviceName: raw.DeviceName,
+		DevicePath: raw.DevicePath,
+		Lock:       raw.Lock,
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/configparser/variables.go b/internal/configparser/variables.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77e2b9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/configparser/variables.go
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package configparser
+
+const (
+	DeviceTypePhysical = "physical"
+	DeviceTypeVirtual  = "virtual"
+
+	RuleTypeButton        = "button"
+	RuleTypeButtonCombo   = "button-combo"
+	RuleTypeButtonLatched = "button-latched"
+	RuleTypeAxis          = "axis"
+	RuleTypeAxisCombined  = "axis-combined"
+	RuleTypeAxisToButton  = "axis-to-button"
+	RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis = "axis-to-relaxis"
+	RuleTypeModeSelect    = "mode-select"
+)
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/deadzone.go b/internal/mappingrules/deadzone.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 23af465..0000000
--- a/internal/mappingrules/deadzone.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,98 +0,0 @@
-package mappingrules
-
-import (
-	"errors"
-	"fmt"
-
-	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/configparser"
-	"github.com/holoplot/go-evdev"
-)
-
-// TODO: need tests for multiple deadzones
-// TODO: need tests for emitting deadzones
-
-type Deadzone struct {
-	Start     int32
-	End       int32
-	Size      int32
-	Emit      bool
-	EmitValue int32
-}
-
-// DeadzoneState indicates whether a value is in a Deadzone and, if it is, whether the deadzone
-// should emit an event
-type DeadzoneState int
-
-const (
-	// DeadzoneClear indicates the value is *not* in the deadzone.
-	DeadzoneClear DeadzoneState = iota
-	DeadzoneEmit
-	DeadzoneNoEmit
-)
-
-// calculateDeadzones produces the deadzone start and end values in absolute terms
-func NewDeadzoneFromConfig(dzConfig configparser.DeadzoneConfig, device Device, axis evdev.EvCode) (Deadzone, error) {
-	dz := Deadzone{}
-	dz.Emit = dzConfig.Emit
-	dz.EmitValue = dzConfig.Value
-
-	var min, max int32
-	absInfoMap, err := device.AbsInfos()
-
-	if err != nil {
-		return dz, err
-	} else {
-		absInfo := absInfoMap[axis]
-		min = absInfo.Minimum
-		max = absInfo.Maximum
-	}
-
-	if dzConfig.Start != 0 || dzConfig.End != 0 {
-		dz.Start = Clamp(dzConfig.Start, min, max)
-		dz.End = Clamp(dzConfig.End, min, max)
-		if dz.Start > dz.End {
-			return dz, errors.New("deadzone end must be greater than deadzone start")
-		}
-	} else {
-		center := Clamp(dzConfig.Center, min, max)
-		var deadzoneSize int32
-
-		switch {
-		case dzConfig.Size != 0:
-			deadzoneSize = dzConfig.Size
-		case dzConfig.SizePercent != 0:
-			deadzoneSize = (max - min) / dzConfig.SizePercent
-		default:
-			return dz, fmt.Errorf("deadzone configured incorrectly; must define start and end or center and size")
-		}
-
-		dz.Start = center - deadzoneSize/2
-		dz.End = center + deadzoneSize/2
-		dz.Start, dz.End = clampAndShift(dz.Start, dz.End, min, max)
-	}
-
-	dz.Size = dz.End - dz.Start
-	return dz, nil
-}
-
-func CalculateDeadzoneSize(dzs []Deadzone) int32 {
-	var size int32
-
-	for _, dz := range dzs {
-		size += dz.Size
-	}
-
-	return size
-}
-
-// Match checks whether the target value is inside the deadzone.
-// It returns a DeadzoneState enum and possibly an int32.
-func (dz Deadzone) Match(value int32) (DeadzoneState, int32) {
-	if value < dz.Start || value > dz.End {
-		return DeadzoneClear, value
-	}
-	if dz.Emit {
-		return DeadzoneEmit, dz.EmitValue
-	}
-	return DeadzoneNoEmit, value
-}
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/init_rule_targets_test.go b/internal/mappingrules/init_rule_targets_test.go
index 3b349e9..168b02d 100644
--- a/internal/mappingrules/init_rule_targets_test.go
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/init_rule_targets_test.go
@@ -125,12 +125,8 @@ func (t *MakeRuleTargetsTests) TestMakeRuleTargetAxis() {
 	t.Run("Invalid deadzone", func() {
 		config := configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis{Device: "test"}
 		config.Axis = "x"
-		config.Deadzones = []configparser.DeadzoneConfig{
-			{
-				End:   100,
-				Start: 1000,
-			},
-		}
+		config.DeadzoneEnd = 100
+		config.DeadzoneStart = 1000
 		_, err := NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(config, t.devs)
 		t.NotNil(err)
 	})
@@ -149,21 +145,30 @@ func (t *MakeRuleTargetsTests) TestMakeRuleTargetAxis() {
 	for _, tc := range relDeadzoneTestCases {
 		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("Relative Deadzone %d +- %d", tc.inCenter, tc.inSize), func() {
 			config := configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis{
-				Device: "test",
-				Axis:   "x",
-				Deadzones: []configparser.DeadzoneConfig{{
-					Center: tc.inCenter,
-					Size:   tc.inSize,
-				}},
+				Device:         "test",
+				Axis:           "x",
+				DeadzoneCenter: tc.inCenter,
+				DeadzoneSize:   tc.inSize,
 			}
 			rule, err := NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(config, t.devs)
 
 			t.Nil(err)
-			t.Equal(tc.outStart, rule.Deadzones[0].Start)
-			t.Equal(tc.outEnd, rule.Deadzones[0].End)
+			t.Equal(tc.outStart, rule.DeadzoneStart)
+			t.Equal(tc.outEnd, rule.DeadzoneEnd)
 		})
 	}
 
+	t.Run("Deadzone center/size invalid center", func() {
+		config := configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis{
+			Device:         "test",
+			Axis:           "x",
+			DeadzoneCenter: 20000,
+			DeadzoneSize:   500,
+		}
+		_, err := NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(config, t.devs)
+		t.NotNil(err)
+	})
+
 	relDeadzonePercentTestCases := []struct {
 		inCenter      int32
 		inSizePercent int32
@@ -178,20 +183,29 @@ func (t *MakeRuleTargetsTests) TestMakeRuleTargetAxis() {
 	for _, tc := range relDeadzonePercentTestCases {
 		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("Relative percent deadzone %d +- %d%%", tc.inCenter, tc.inSizePercent), func() {
 			config := configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis{
-				Device: "test",
-				Axis:   "x",
-				Deadzones: []configparser.DeadzoneConfig{{
-					Center:      tc.inCenter,
-					SizePercent: tc.inSizePercent,
-				}},
+				Device:              "test",
+				Axis:                "x",
+				DeadzoneCenter:      tc.inCenter,
+				DeadzoneSizePercent: tc.inSizePercent,
 			}
 			rule, err := NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(config, t.devs)
 
 			t.Nil(err)
-			t.Equal(tc.outStart, rule.Deadzones[0].Start)
-			t.Equal(tc.outEnd, rule.Deadzones[0].End)
+			t.Equal(tc.outStart, rule.DeadzoneStart)
+			t.Equal(tc.outEnd, rule.DeadzoneEnd)
 		})
 	}
+
+	t.Run("Deadzone center/percent invalid center", func() {
+		config := configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis{
+			Device:              "test",
+			Axis:                "x",
+			DeadzoneCenter:      20000,
+			DeadzoneSizePercent: 10,
+		}
+		_, err := NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(config, t.devs)
+		t.NotNil(err)
+	})
 }
 
 func (t *MakeRuleTargetsTests) TestMakeRuleTargetRelaxis() {
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/init_rules.go b/internal/mappingrules/init_rules.go
index 28d4ea8..7ea0ea4 100644
--- a/internal/mappingrules/init_rules.go
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/init_rules.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"slices"
+	"strings"
 
 	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/configparser"
 	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/logger"
@@ -32,27 +33,24 @@ func NewRule(config configparser.RuleConfig, pDevs map[string]Device, vDevs map[
 
 	base := NewMappingRuleBase(config.Name, config.Modes)
 
-	switch config.Type {
-	case configparser.RuleTypeButton:
+	switch strings.ToLower(config.Type) {
+	case RuleTypeButton:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleButton(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigButton), pDevs, vDevs, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeButtonCombo:
+	case RuleTypeButtonCombo:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleButtonCombo(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigButtonCombo), pDevs, vDevs, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeButtonLatched:
+	case RuleTypeButtonLatched:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleButtonLatched(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigButtonLatched), pDevs, vDevs, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeAxis:
+	case RuleTypeAxis:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleAxis(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigAxis), pDevs, vDevs, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeAxisCombined:
+	case RuleTypeAxisCombined:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleAxisCombined(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigAxisCombined), pDevs, vDevs, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeAxisToButton:
+	case RuleTypeAxisToButton:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleAxisToButton(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigAxisToButton), pDevs, vDevs, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis:
+	case RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleAxisToRelaxis(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigAxisToRelaxis), pDevs, vDevs, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeModeSelect:
+	case RuleTypeModeSelect:
 		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleModeSelect(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigModeSelect), pDevs, modes, base)
-	case configparser.RuleTypeHat:
-		newRule, err = NewMappingRuleHat(config.Config.(configparser.RuleConfigHat), pDevs, vDevs, base)
 	default:
-		// Shouldn't actually be possible to get here...
 		err = fmt.Errorf("bad rule type '%s' for rule '%s'", config.Type, config.Name)
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/interfaces.go b/internal/mappingrules/interfaces.go
index 96594c6..33b290a 100644
--- a/internal/mappingrules/interfaces.go
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/interfaces.go
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ type RuleTarget interface {
 	// (e.g., inverting the value if Inverted == true)
 	NormalizeValue(int32) int32
 
+	// MatchEvent returns true if the provided device and input event are a match for this rule target
+	ValidateEvent(*evdev.InputDevice, *evdev.InputEvent) bool
+
 	// CreateEvent creates an event that can be emitted on a virtual device.
 	// For RuleTargetModeSelect, this method modifies the active mode and returns nil.
 	//
@@ -32,7 +35,6 @@ type RuleTarget interface {
 	// for most implementations.
 	CreateEvent(int32, *string) *evdev.InputEvent
 
-	// MatchEvent returns true if the provided device and input event are a match for this rule target
 	MatchEvent(device Device, event *evdev.InputEvent) bool
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_combined_test.go b/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_combined_test.go
index 967f454..c514ed7 100644
--- a/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_combined_test.go
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_combined_test.go
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ func TestRunnerMappingRuleAxisCombined(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func (t *MappingRuleAxisCombinedTests) SetupTest() {
-	noDeadzone := make([]Deadzone, 0)
 	mode := "*"
 	t.mode = &mode
 
@@ -38,13 +37,13 @@ func (t *MappingRuleAxisCombinedTests) SetupTest() {
 		evdev.ABS_Y: {Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10000},
 	}, nil)
 
-	t.inputTargetLower, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-input", t.inputDevice, evdev.ABS_X, true, noDeadzone)
+	t.inputTargetLower, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-input", t.inputDevice, evdev.ABS_X, true, 0, 0)
 	t.inputTargetLower.OutputMax = 0
-	t.inputTargetUpper, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-input", t.inputDevice, evdev.ABS_Y, false, noDeadzone)
+	t.inputTargetUpper, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-input", t.inputDevice, evdev.ABS_Y, false, 0, 0)
 	t.inputTargetUpper.OutputMin = 0
 
 	t.outputDevice = &evdev.InputDevice{}
-	t.outputTarget, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-output", t.outputDevice, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+	t.outputTarget, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-output", t.outputDevice, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 
 	t.base = NewMappingRuleBase("", []string{"*"})
 
@@ -68,10 +67,10 @@ func (t *MappingRuleAxisCombinedTests) TestNewMappingRuleAxisCombined() {
 	}, nil)
 
 	rule := &MappingRuleAxisCombined{
-		// MappingRuleBase: t.base,
-		InputLower: t.inputTargetLower,
-		InputUpper: t.inputTargetUpper,
-		// Output:          t.outputTarget,
+		MappingRuleBase: t.base,
+		InputLower:      t.inputTargetLower,
+		InputUpper:      t.inputTargetUpper,
+		Output:          t.outputTarget,
 	}
 	t.EqualValues(0, rule.InputLower.OutputMax)
 	t.EqualValues(0, rule.InputUpper.OutputMin)
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_to_button_test.go b/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_to_button_test.go
index 24fcd64..0da086a 100644
--- a/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_to_button_test.go
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_axis_to_button_test.go
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ func (t *MappingRuleAxisToButtonTests) SetupTest() {
 			Maximum: 10000,
 		},
 	}, nil)
-	t.inputRule, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-input", t.inputDevice, evdev.ABS_X, false, []Deadzone{{Start: 0, End: 1000}})
+	t.inputRule, _ = NewRuleTargetAxis("test-input", t.inputDevice, evdev.ABS_X, false, int32(0), int32(1000))
 
 	t.outputDevice = &evdev.InputDevice{}
 	t.outputRule, _ = NewRuleTargetButton("test-output", t.outputDevice, evdev.ABS_X, false)
@@ -113,16 +113,14 @@ func (t *MappingRuleAxisToButtonTests) TestMatchEvent() {
 			Code:  evdev.ABS_X,
 			Value: 1001,
 		}, t.mode)
-		// Allow leeway since time passes during the test
-		t.True(testRule.nextEvent > time.Duration(650*time.Millisecond))
+		t.True(testRule.nextEvent > time.Duration(700*time.Millisecond))
 
 		testRule.MatchEvent(t.inputDevice, &evdev.InputEvent{
 			Type:  evdev.EV_ABS,
 			Code:  evdev.ABS_X,
 			Value: 5500,
 		}, t.mode)
-		// Allow up to 50 ms leeway since time passes during the test
-		t.InDelta(time.Duration(500*time.Millisecond), testRule.nextEvent, 50000000)
+		t.Equal(time.Duration(500*time.Millisecond), testRule.nextEvent)
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_hat.go b/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_hat.go
deleted file mode 100644
index ba04323..0000000
--- a/internal/mappingrules/mapping_rule_hat.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-package mappingrules
-
-import (
-	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/configparser"
-	"github.com/holoplot/go-evdev"
-)
-
-// A Simple Mapping Rule can map a button to a button or an axis to an axis.
-type MappingRuleHat struct {
-	MappingRuleBase
-	Input  *RuleTargetHat
-	Output *RuleTargetHat
-}
-
-func NewMappingRuleHat(ruleConfig configparser.RuleConfigHat,
-	pDevs map[string]Device,
-	vDevs map[string]Device,
-	base MappingRuleBase) (*MappingRuleHat, error) {
-
-	input, err := NewRuleTargetHatFromConfig(ruleConfig.Input, pDevs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	output, err := NewRuleTargetHatFromConfig(ruleConfig.Output, vDevs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return &MappingRuleHat{
-		MappingRuleBase: base,
-		Input:           input,
-		Output:          output,
-	}, nil
-}
-
-func (rule *MappingRuleHat) MatchEvent(device Device, event *evdev.InputEvent, mode *string) (*evdev.InputDevice, *evdev.InputEvent) {
-	if !rule.MappingRuleBase.modeCheck(mode) ||
-		!rule.Input.MatchEvent(device, event) {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
-
-	// The cast here is safe because the interface is only ever different for unit tests
-	return rule.Output.Device.(*evdev.InputDevice), rule.Output.CreateEvent(rule.Input.NormalizeValue(event.Value), mode)
-}
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis.go b/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis.go
index fcf1dcb..1d92d37 100644
--- a/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis.go
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis.go
@@ -10,15 +10,16 @@ import (
 )
 
 type RuleTargetAxis struct {
-	DeviceName   string
-	Device       Device
-	Axis         evdev.EvCode
-	Inverted     bool
-	Deadzones    []Deadzone
-	OutputMin    int32
-	OutputMax    int32
-	axisSize     int32
-	deadzoneSize int32
+	DeviceName    string
+	Device        Device
+	Axis          evdev.EvCode
+	Inverted      bool
+	DeadzoneStart int32
+	DeadzoneEnd   int32
+	OutputMin     int32
+	OutputMax     int32
+	axisSize      int32
+	deadzoneSize  int32
 }
 
 func NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(targetConfig configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis, devs map[string]Device) (*RuleTargetAxis, error) {
@@ -27,18 +28,18 @@ func NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(targetConfig configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis,
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("non-existent device '%s'", targetConfig.Device)
 	}
 
+	if targetConfig.DeadzoneEnd < targetConfig.DeadzoneStart {
+		return nil, errors.New("deadzone_end must be greater than deadzone_start")
+	}
+
 	eventCode, err := eventcodes.ParseCode(targetConfig.Axis, eventcodes.CodePrefixAxis)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	deadzones := make([]Deadzone, 0)
-	for _, dzConfig := range targetConfig.Deadzones {
-		dz, err := NewDeadzoneFromConfig(dzConfig, device, eventCode)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-		deadzones = append(deadzones, dz)
+	deadzoneStart, deadzoneEnd, err := calculateDeadzones(targetConfig, device, eventCode)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	return NewRuleTargetAxis(
@@ -46,15 +47,58 @@ func NewRuleTargetAxisFromConfig(targetConfig configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis,
 		device,
 		eventCode,
 		targetConfig.Inverted,
-		deadzones,
+		deadzoneStart,
+		deadzoneEnd,
 	)
 }
 
+// calculateDeadzones produces the deadzone start and end values in absolute terms
+func calculateDeadzones(targetConfig configparser.RuleTargetConfigAxis, device Device, axis evdev.EvCode) (int32, int32, error) {
+
+	var deadzoneStart, deadzoneEnd int32
+	deadzoneStart = 0
+	deadzoneEnd = 0
+
+	if targetConfig.DeadzoneStart != 0 || targetConfig.DeadzoneEnd != 0 {
+		return targetConfig.DeadzoneStart, targetConfig.DeadzoneEnd, nil
+	}
+
+	var min, max int32
+	absInfoMap, err := device.AbsInfos()
+
+	if err != nil {
+		min = AxisValueMin
+		max = AxisValueMax
+	} else {
+		absInfo := absInfoMap[axis]
+		min = absInfo.Minimum
+		max = absInfo.Maximum
+	}
+
+	if targetConfig.DeadzoneCenter < min || targetConfig.DeadzoneCenter > max {
+		return 0, 0, fmt.Errorf("deadzone_center '%d' is out of bounds", targetConfig.DeadzoneCenter)
+	}
+
+	switch {
+	case targetConfig.DeadzoneSize != 0:
+		deadzoneStart = targetConfig.DeadzoneCenter - targetConfig.DeadzoneSize/2
+		deadzoneEnd = targetConfig.DeadzoneCenter + targetConfig.DeadzoneSize/2
+	case targetConfig.DeadzoneSizePercent != 0:
+		deadzoneSize := (max - min) / targetConfig.DeadzoneSizePercent
+		deadzoneStart = targetConfig.DeadzoneCenter - deadzoneSize/2
+		deadzoneEnd = targetConfig.DeadzoneCenter + deadzoneSize/2
+	}
+
+	deadzoneStart, deadzoneEnd = clampAndShift(deadzoneStart, deadzoneEnd, min, max)
+	return deadzoneStart, deadzoneEnd, nil
+}
+
 func NewRuleTargetAxis(device_name string,
 	device Device,
 	axis evdev.EvCode,
 	inverted bool,
-	deadzones []Deadzone) (*RuleTargetAxis, error) {
+	deadzoneStart int32,
+	deadzoneEnd int32) (*RuleTargetAxis, error) {
 
 	info, err := device.AbsInfos()
 
@@ -73,7 +117,11 @@ func NewRuleTargetAxis(device_name string,
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("device does not support axis %v", axis)
 	}
 
-	deadzoneSize := CalculateDeadzoneSize(deadzones)
+	if deadzoneStart > deadzoneEnd {
+		return nil, errors.New("deadzone_end must be a higher value than deadzone_start")
+	}
+
+	deadzoneSize := Abs(deadzoneEnd - deadzoneStart)
 
 	// Our output range is limited to 16 bits, but we represent values internally with 32 bits.
 	// As a result, we shouldn't need to worry about integer overruns
@@ -84,15 +132,16 @@ func NewRuleTargetAxis(device_name string,
 	}
 
 	return &RuleTargetAxis{
-		DeviceName:   device_name,
-		Device:       device,
-		Axis:         axis,
-		Inverted:     inverted,
-		OutputMin:    AxisValueMin,
-		OutputMax:    AxisValueMax,
-		Deadzones:    deadzones,
-		deadzoneSize: deadzoneSize,
-		axisSize:     axisSize,
+		DeviceName:    device_name,
+		Device:        device,
+		Axis:          axis,
+		Inverted:      inverted,
+		OutputMin:     AxisValueMin,
+		OutputMax:     AxisValueMax,
+		DeadzoneStart: deadzoneStart,
+		DeadzoneEnd:   deadzoneEnd,
+		deadzoneSize:  deadzoneSize,
+		axisSize:      axisSize,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -101,17 +150,9 @@ func NewRuleTargetAxis(device_name string,
 // Axis inputs are normalized to the full signed int32 range to match the virtual device's axis
 // characteristics.
 //
-// If the raw value is inside the deadzone, we either emit no event, or we emit the deadzoneValue.
 // Typically this function is called after RuleTargetAxis.MatchEvent, which checks whether we are
 // in the deadzone, among other things.
 func (target *RuleTargetAxis) NormalizeValue(value int32) int32 {
-	for _, dz := range target.Deadzones {
-		state, dzValue := dz.Match(value)
-		if state == DeadzoneEmit {
-			return Clamp(dzValue, target.OutputMin, target.OutputMax)
-		}
-	}
-
 	axisStrength := target.GetAxisStrength(value)
 	return LerpInt(target.OutputMin, target.OutputMax, axisStrength)
 }
@@ -137,30 +178,19 @@ func (target *RuleTargetAxis) MatchEventDeviceAndCode(device Device, event *evde
 		event.Code == target.Axis
 }
 
-// InDeadZone checks each deadzone for whether the target value falls within it.
-// If *any* non-emitting deadzone matches, we return true.
 // TODO: Add tests
 func (target *RuleTargetAxis) InDeadZone(value int32) bool {
-	for _, dz := range target.Deadzones {
-		state, _ := dz.Match(value)
-		if state == DeadzoneNoEmit {
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
+	return target.deadzoneSize > 0 && value >= target.DeadzoneStart && value <= target.DeadzoneEnd
 }
 
 // GetAxisStrength returns a float between 0.0 and 1.0, representing the proportional
 // position along the axis' full range. (after factoring in deadzones)
 // Calling this function with `value` inside the deadzone range will produce undefined behavior
 func (target *RuleTargetAxis) GetAxisStrength(value int32) float64 {
-	adjValue := value
-	for _, dz := range target.Deadzones {
-		if value > dz.End {
-			adjValue -= dz.Size
-		}
+	if value > target.DeadzoneEnd {
+		value -= target.deadzoneSize
 	}
-	strength := float64(adjValue) / float64(target.axisSize)
+	strength := float64(value) / float64(target.axisSize)
 	if target.Inverted {
 		strength = 1.0 - strength
 	}
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis_test.go b/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis_test.go
index 6e1d3c3..5125b94 100644
--- a/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis_test.go
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_axis_test.go
@@ -38,42 +38,42 @@ func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TearDownTest() {
 }
 
 func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestNewRuleTargetAxis() {
-	noDeadzone := make([]Deadzone, 0)
-
 	// RuleTargets should get created
-	ruleTarget, err := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+	ruleTarget, err := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 	t.Nil(err)
 	t.EqualValues(10000, ruleTarget.axisSize)
 
-	ruleTarget, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Y, false, noDeadzone)
+	ruleTarget, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Y, false, 0, 0)
 	t.Nil(err)
 	t.EqualValues(20000, ruleTarget.axisSize)
 
 	// Creating a rule with a deadzone should work and reduce the axisSize
-	ruleTarget, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Y, false, []Deadzone{{Start: -500, End: 500, Size: 1000}})
+	ruleTarget, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Y, false, -500, 500)
 	t.Nil(err)
 	t.EqualValues(19000, ruleTarget.axisSize)
-	t.EqualValues(-500, ruleTarget.Deadzones[0].Start)
-	t.EqualValues(500, ruleTarget.Deadzones[0].End)
+	t.EqualValues(-500, ruleTarget.DeadzoneStart)
+	t.EqualValues(500, ruleTarget.DeadzoneEnd)
+
+	// Creating a rule with a deadzone should fail if end > start
+	_, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Y, false, 500, -500)
+	t.NotNil(err)
 
 	// Creating a rule on a non-existent axis should err
-	_, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Z, false, noDeadzone)
+	_, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Z, false, 0, 0)
 	t.NotNil(err)
 
 	// If Absinfo has an error, we should create a device with permissive bounds
 	t.call.Unset()
 	t.mock.On("AbsInfos").Return(map[evdev.EvCode]evdev.AbsInfo{}, errors.New("Test Error"))
-	ruleTarget, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+	ruleTarget, err = NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 	t.Nil(err)
 	t.Equal(AxisValueMax-AxisValueMin, ruleTarget.axisSize)
 }
 
 func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestNormalizeValue() {
-	noDeadzone := make([]Deadzone, 0)
-
 	// Basic normalization should work
 	t.Run("Simple normalization", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 		t.Equal(AxisValueMax, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(10000)))
 		t.Equal(AxisValueMin, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(0)))
 		t.EqualValues(0, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(5000)))
@@ -81,26 +81,26 @@ func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestNormalizeValue() {
 
 	// Normalization with a deadzone should work
 	t.Run("With Deadzone", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, []Deadzone{{Start: 0, End: 5000, Size: 5000}})
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 5000)
 		t.Equal(AxisValueMax, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(10000)))
-		t.InDelta(int32(-32000), ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(5001)), 1000)
+		t.True(ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(5001)) < int32(-31000))
 		t.EqualValues(0, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(7500)))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Inverted", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, noDeadzone)
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, 0, 0)
 		t.Equal(AxisValueMax, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(0)))
 		t.Equal(AxisValueMin, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(10000)))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Out of bounds", func() { // Normalization past the stated axis bounds should clamp
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 		t.Equal(AxisValueMin, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(-30000)))
 		t.Equal(AxisValueMax, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(30000)))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("With partial output range", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 		ruleTarget.OutputMin = 0
 		ruleTarget.OutputMax = AxisValueMax
 		t.EqualValues(0, ruleTarget.NormalizeValue(int32(0)))
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestNormalizeValue() {
 }
 
 func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestMatchEvent() {
-	ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Y, false, []Deadzone{{Start: -500, End: 500}})
+	ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_Y, false, -500, 500)
 	validEvent := &evdev.InputEvent{
 		Type:  evdev.EV_ABS,
 		Code:  evdev.ABS_Y,
@@ -133,9 +133,7 @@ func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestMatchEvent() {
 }
 
 func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestCreateEvent() {
-	noDeadzone := make([]Deadzone, 0)
-
-	ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+	ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 	expected := &evdev.InputEvent{
 		Type: evdev.EV_ABS,
 		Code: evdev.ABS_X,
@@ -157,45 +155,43 @@ func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestCreateEvent() {
 }
 
 func (t *RuleTargetAxisTests) TestGetAxisStrength() {
-	noDeadzone := make([]Deadzone, 0)
-
 	t.Run("With no deadzone", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, noDeadzone)
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 0)
 		t.Equal(0.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(0))
 		t.Equal(1.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(10000))
 		t.Equal(0.5, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(5000))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("With low deadzone", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, []Deadzone{{Start: 0, End: 5000, Size: 5000}})
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 0, 5000)
 		t.InDelta(0.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(5001), 0.01)
 		t.InDelta(0.5, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(7500), 0.01)
 		t.Equal(1.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(10000))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("With high deadzone", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, []Deadzone{{Start: 5000, End: 10000, Size: 5000}})
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, false, 5000, 10000)
 		t.Equal(0.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(0))
 		t.InDelta(0.5, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(2500), 0.01)
 		t.InDelta(1.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(4999), 0.01)
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Inverted", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, noDeadzone)
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, 0, 0)
 		t.Equal(1.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(0))
 		t.Equal(0.5, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(5000))
 		t.Equal(0.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(10000))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Inverted with low deadzone", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, []Deadzone{{Start: 0, End: 5000, Size: 5000}})
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, 0, 5000)
 		t.InDelta(1.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(5001), 0.01)
 		t.InDelta(0.5, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(7500), 0.01)
 		t.Equal(0.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(10000))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Inverted with high deadzone", func() {
-		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, []Deadzone{{Start: 5000, End: 10000, Size: 5000}})
+		ruleTarget, _ := NewRuleTargetAxis("", t.mock, evdev.ABS_X, true, 5000, 10000)
 		t.InDelta(0.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(4999), 0.01)
 		t.InDelta(0.5, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(2500), 0.01)
 		t.Equal(1.0, ruleTarget.GetAxisStrength(0))
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_hat.go b/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_hat.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 464e559..0000000
--- a/internal/mappingrules/rule_target_hat.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-package mappingrules
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-
-	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/configparser"
-	"git.annabunches.net/annabunches/joyful/internal/eventcodes"
-	"github.com/holoplot/go-evdev"
-)
-
-type RuleTargetHat struct {
-	Device   Device
-	Hat      evdev.EvCode
-	Inverted bool
-}
-
-func NewRuleTargetHatFromConfig(config configparser.RuleTargetConfigHat, devs map[string]Device) (*RuleTargetHat, error) {
-	dev, ok := devs[config.Device]
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("device '%s' not found", config.Device)
-	}
-
-	code, err := eventcodes.ParseCode(config.Hat, eventcodes.CodePrefixAxis)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return &RuleTargetHat{
-		Device:   dev,
-		Hat:      code,
-		Inverted: config.Inverted,
-	}, nil
-}
-
-func (target *RuleTargetHat) NormalizeValue(value int32) int32 {
-	if !target.Inverted {
-		return value
-	}
-
-	return value * -1
-}
-
-func (target *RuleTargetHat) CreateEvent(value int32, _ *string) *evdev.InputEvent {
-	return &evdev.InputEvent{
-		Type:  evdev.EV_ABS,
-		Code:  target.Hat,
-		Value: value,
-	}
-}
-
-func (target *RuleTargetHat) MatchEvent(device Device, event *evdev.InputEvent) bool {
-	return device == target.Device && event.Code == target.Hat
-}
diff --git a/internal/mappingrules/variables.go b/internal/mappingrules/variables.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9a171b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/mappingrules/variables.go
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+package mappingrules
+
+const (
+	RuleTypeButton        = "button"
+	RuleTypeButtonCombo   = "button-combo"
+	RuleTypeButtonLatched = "button-latched"
+	RuleTypeAxis          = "axis"
+	RuleTypeAxisCombined  = "axis-combined"
+	RuleTypeAxisToButton  = "axis-to-button"
+	RuleTypeAxisToRelaxis = "axis-to-relaxis"
+	RuleTypeModeSelect    = "mode-select"
+)
diff --git a/internal/virtualdevice/variables.go b/internal/virtualdevice/variables.go
index 7102bd5..11adb46 100644
--- a/internal/virtualdevice/variables.go
+++ b/internal/virtualdevice/variables.go
@@ -49,15 +49,6 @@ var (
 			evdev.ABS_RZ,
 			evdev.ABS_THROTTLE, // Also called "Slider" or "Slider1"
 			evdev.ABS_RUDDER,   // Also called "Dial", "Slider2", or "RSlider"
-			// Hats
-			evdev.ABS_HAT0X,
-			evdev.ABS_HAT0Y,
-			evdev.ABS_HAT1X,
-			evdev.ABS_HAT1Y,
-			evdev.ABS_HAT2X,
-			evdev.ABS_HAT2Y,
-			evdev.ABS_HAT3X,
-			evdev.ABS_HAT3Y,
 		},
 		evdev.EV_KEY: {
 			evdev.BTN_TRIGGER,
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index afa5c8f..f9c0e88 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@ Joyful is ideal for Linux gamers who enjoy space and flight sims and miss the fe
 
 ### Current Features
 
-* Create virtual devices with up to 8 axes, 4 hats, and 74 buttons.
+* Create virtual devices with up to 8 axes and 74 buttons.
 * Flexible rule system that allows several different types of rules, including:
-    * Simple 1:1 mappings of buttons, axes, and hats: Button1 -> VirtualButtonA
+    * Simple 1:1 mappings of buttons and axes: Button1 -> VirtualButtonA
     * Combination mappings: Button1 + Button2 -> VirtualButtonA
     * "Split" axis mapping: map sections of an axis to different outputs using deadzones.
     * "Combined" axis mapping: map two physical axes to one virtual axis.
-    * Axis -> Button mapping with optional "proportional" repeat speed (i.e. repeat faster as the axis is engaged further)
+    * Axis -> button mapping with optional "proportional" repeat speed (i.e. repeat faster as the axis is engaged further)
     * Axis -> Relative Axis mapping, for converting a joystick axis to mouse movement and scrollwheel events.
 * Define keyboard, mouse, and gamepad outputs in addition to joysticks.
 * Configure per-rule configurable deadzones for axes, with multiple ways to specify deadzones.
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ Joyful is ideal for Linux gamers who enjoy space and flight sims and miss the fe
 
 * Macros - have a single input produce a sequence of button presses with configurable pauses.
 * Sequence combos - Button1, Button2, Button3 -> VirtualButtonA
-* Hat -> Button and Button -> Hat support.
-* HIDRAW support for more button options
+* Hat support
+* HIDRAW support for more button options.
 * Sensitivity Curves?
-* Packaged builds for non-Arch distributions.
+* Packaged builds non-Arch distributions.
 
 ## Configure