diff --git a/data/art/border-medium.png b/data/art/border-medium.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..529a60ee4
Binary files /dev/null and b/data/art/border-medium.png differ
diff --git a/data/art/border-panel.png b/data/art/border-panel.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..52b24b919
Binary files /dev/null and b/data/art/border-panel.png differ
diff --git a/data/art/border-thin.png b/data/art/border-thin.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..71fa59a3e
Binary files /dev/null and b/data/art/border-thin.png differ
diff --git a/data/art/border-window.png b/data/art/border-window.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..34747d69b
Binary files /dev/null and b/data/art/border-window.png differ
diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index 5e114c5e2..073837eff 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ changelog.txt uses a syntax similar to RST, with a few special sequences:
 ## Misc Improvements
 - A new cross-compile build script was added for building the Windows files from a Linux Docker builder (see the Compile instructions in the docs)
 - `hotkeys`: clicking on the DFHack logo no longer closes the popup menu
+- `gui/launcher`: sped up initialization time for faster load of the UI
 - `orders`: orders plugin functionality is now offered via an overlay widget when the manager orders screen is open
 
 ## Documentation
@@ -47,6 +48,8 @@ changelog.txt uses a syntax similar to RST, with a few special sequences:
 ## API
 
 ## Lua
+- `helpdb`: new function: ``helpdb.refresh()`` to force a refresh of the database. Call if you are a developer adding new scripts, loading new plugins, or changing help text during play
+- `helpdb`: changed from auto-refreshing every 60 seconds to only refreshing on explicit call to ``helpdb.refresh()``. docs very rarely change during a play session, and the automatic database refreshes were slowing down the startup of `gui/launcher`
 - ``widgets.Label``: ``label.scroll()`` now understands ``home`` and ``end`` keywords for scrolling to the top or bottom
 
 ## Removed
diff --git a/docs/dev/Lua API.rst b/docs/dev/Lua API.rst
index c696248ab..ad1e6ae3a 100644
--- a/docs/dev/Lua API.rst	
+++ b/docs/dev/Lua API.rst	
@@ -3319,17 +3319,20 @@ function:
   argument specifies the indentation step size in spaces. For
   the other arguments see the original documentation link above.
 
+.. _helpdb:
+
 helpdb
 ======
 
 Unified interface for DFHack tool help text. Help text is read from the rendered
-text in ``hack/docs/docs/``. If no rendered text exists, help is read from the
-script sources (for scripts) or the string passed to the ``PluginCommand``
+text in ``hack/docs/docs/tools``. If no rendered text exists, help is read from
+the script sources (for scripts) or the string passed to the ``PluginCommand``
 initializer (for plugins). See `documentation` for details on how DFHack's help
 system works.
 
-The database is lazy-loaded when an API method is called. It rechecks its help
-sources for updates if an API method has not been called in the last 60 seconds.
+The database is loaded when DFHack initializes, but can be explicitly refreshed
+with a call to ``helpdb.refresh()`` if docs are added/changed during a play
+session.
 
 Each entry has several properties associated with it:
 
@@ -3345,6 +3348,10 @@ Each entry has several properties associated with it:
 - Long help, the entire contents of the associated help file.
 - A list of tags that define the groups that the entry belongs to.
 
+* ``helpdb.refresh()``
+
+  Scan for changes in available commands and their documentation.
+
 * ``helpdb.is_entry(str)``, ``helpdb.is_entry(list)``
 
   Returns whether the given string (or list of strings) is an entry (are all
@@ -4224,18 +4231,21 @@ A framed screen has the following attributes:
 
 There are the following predefined frame style tables:
 
-* ``GREY_FRAME``
+* ``WINDOW_FRAME``
+
+  A frame suitable for a draggable, optionally resizable window.
 
-  A plain grey-colored frame.
+* ``PANEL_FRAME``
 
-* ``BOUNDARY_FRAME``
+  A frame suitable for a static (non-draggable, non-resizable) panel.
 
-  The same frame as used by the usual full-screen DF views, like dwarfmode.
+* ``MEDIUM_FRAME``
 
-* ``GREY_LINE_FRAME``
+  A frame suitable for overlay widget panels.
 
-  A frame consisting of grey lines, similar to the one used by titan announcements.
+* ``THIN_FRAME``
 
+  A frame suitable for light accent elements.
 
 gui.widgets
 ===========
diff --git a/library/Core.cpp b/library/Core.cpp
index e2c983116..bdd38799f 100644
--- a/library/Core.cpp
+++ b/library/Core.cpp
@@ -2114,6 +2114,7 @@ void Core::onStateChange(color_ostream &out, state_change_event event)
         {
             auto L = Lua::Core::State;
             Lua::StackUnwinder top(L);
+            Lua::CallLuaModuleFunction(con, L, "helpdb", "refresh");
             Lua::CallLuaModuleFunction(con, L, "script-manager", "reload");
         }
         break;
diff --git a/library/LuaApi.cpp b/library/LuaApi.cpp
index ceb79556f..439ed5d15 100644
--- a/library/LuaApi.cpp
+++ b/library/LuaApi.cpp
@@ -1693,6 +1693,10 @@ static const LuaWrapper::FunctionReg dfhack_textures_module[] = {
     WRAPM(Textures, getGreenPinTexposStart),
     WRAPM(Textures, getRedPinTexposStart),
     WRAPM(Textures, getIconsTexposStart),
+    WRAPM(Textures, getThinBordersTexposStart),
+    WRAPM(Textures, getMediumBordersTexposStart),
+    WRAPM(Textures, getPanelBordersTexposStart),
+    WRAPM(Textures, getWindowBordersTexposStart),
     { NULL, NULL }
 };
 
diff --git a/library/include/modules/Textures.h b/library/include/modules/Textures.h
index e3e5a8ec0..e01003704 100644
--- a/library/include/modules/Textures.h
+++ b/library/include/modules/Textures.h
@@ -41,5 +41,13 @@ DFHACK_EXPORT long getRedPinTexposStart();
  */
 DFHACK_EXPORT long getIconsTexposStart();
 
+/**
+ * Get the first texpos for the DFHack borders. Each is a 7x3 grid.
+ */
+DFHACK_EXPORT long getThinBordersTexposStart();
+DFHACK_EXPORT long getMediumBordersTexposStart();
+DFHACK_EXPORT long getPanelBordersTexposStart();
+DFHACK_EXPORT long getWindowBordersTexposStart();
+
 }
 }
diff --git a/library/lua/gui.lua b/library/lua/gui.lua
index 530848f61..4b6bf6517 100644
--- a/library/lua/gui.lua
+++ b/library/lua/gui.lua
@@ -789,29 +789,23 @@ end
 --------------------------
 
 -- Plain grey-colored frame.
+-- deprecated
 GREY_FRAME = {
     frame_pen = to_pen{ ch = ' ', fg = COLOR_BLACK, bg = COLOR_GREY },
     title_pen = to_pen{ fg = COLOR_BLACK, bg = COLOR_WHITE },
     signature_pen = to_pen{ fg = COLOR_BLACK, bg = COLOR_GREY },
 }
 
--- The usual boundary used by the DF screens. Often has fancy pattern in tilesets.
+-- The boundary used by the pre-steam DF screens.
+-- deprecated
 BOUNDARY_FRAME = {
     frame_pen = to_pen{ ch = 0xDB, fg = COLOR_GREY, bg = COLOR_BLACK },
     title_pen = to_pen{ fg = COLOR_BLACK, bg = COLOR_GREY },
     signature_pen = to_pen{ fg = COLOR_BLACK, bg = COLOR_GREY },
 }
 
-GREY_LINE_FRAME = {
+local BASE_FRAME = {
     frame_pen = to_pen{ ch=206, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    t_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=902, ch=205, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    l_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=908, ch=186, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    b_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=916, ch=205, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    r_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=910, ch=186, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    lt_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=901, ch=201, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    lb_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=915, ch=200, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    rt_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=903, ch=187, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
-    rb_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=917, ch=188, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
     title_pen = to_pen{ fg=COLOR_BLACK, bg=COLOR_GREY },
     inactive_title_pen = to_pen{ fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
     signature_pen = to_pen{ fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK },
@@ -819,6 +813,35 @@ GREY_LINE_FRAME = {
     unpinned_pen = to_pen{tile=782, ch=216, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK},
 }
 
+local function make_frame(name, double_line)
+    local texpos = dfhack.textures['get'..name..'BordersTexposStart']()
+    local tp = function(offset)
+        if texpos == -1 then return nil end
+        return texpos + offset
+    end
+
+    local frame = copyall(BASE_FRAME)
+    frame.t_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(1), ch=double_line and 205 or 196, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    frame.l_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(7), ch=double_line and 186 or 179, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    frame.b_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(15), ch=double_line and 205 or 196, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    frame.r_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(9), ch=double_line and 186 or 179, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    frame.lt_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(0), ch=double_line and 201 or 218, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    frame.lb_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(14), ch=double_line and 200 or 192, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    frame.rt_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(2), ch=double_line and 187 or 191, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    frame.rb_frame_pen = to_pen{ tile=tp(16), ch=double_line and 188 or 217, fg=COLOR_GREY, bg=COLOR_BLACK }
+    return frame
+end
+
+WINDOW_FRAME = make_frame('Window', true)
+PANEL_FRAME = make_frame('Panel', false)
+MEDIUM_FRAME = make_frame('Medium', false)
+THIN_FRAME = make_frame('Thin', false)
+
+-- for compatibility with pre-steam code
+GREY_LINE_FRAME = WINDOW_FRAME
+BOUNDARY_FRAME = PANEL_FRAME
+GREY_FRAME = MEDIUM_FRAME
+
 function paint_frame(dc,rect,style,title,show_pin,pinned,inactive)
     local pen = style.frame_pen
     local x1,y1,x2,y2 = dc.x1+rect.x1, dc.y1+rect.y1, dc.x1+rect.x2, dc.y1+rect.y2
diff --git a/library/lua/gui/dialogs.lua b/library/lua/gui/dialogs.lua
index 0b923e7c0..3b2470114 100644
--- a/library/lua/gui/dialogs.lua
+++ b/library/lua/gui/dialogs.lua
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ MessageBox = defclass(MessageBox, gui.FramedScreen)
 MessageBox.focus_path = 'MessageBox'
 
 MessageBox.ATTRS{
-    frame_style = gui.GREY_LINE_FRAME,
+    frame_style = gui.WINDOW_FRAME,
     frame_inset = 1,
     -- new attrs
     on_accept = DEFAULT_NIL,
diff --git a/library/lua/gui/widgets.lua b/library/lua/gui/widgets.lua
index f0129ffe3..4538c39df 100644
--- a/library/lua/gui/widgets.lua
+++ b/library/lua/gui/widgets.lua
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ end
 Window = defclass(Window, Panel)
 
 Window.ATTRS {
-    frame_style = gui.GREY_LINE_FRAME,
+    frame_style = gui.WINDOW_FRAME,
     frame_background = gui.CLEAR_PEN,
     frame_inset = 1,
     draggable = true,
diff --git a/library/lua/helpdb.lua b/library/lua/helpdb.lua
index 711555a78..df5482aec 100644
--- a/library/lua/helpdb.lua
+++ b/library/lua/helpdb.lua
@@ -1,23 +1,9 @@
 -- The help text database and query interface.
---
--- Help text is read from the rendered text in hack/docs/docs/. If no rendered
--- text exists, it is read from the script sources (for scripts) or the string
--- passed to the PluginCommand initializer (for plugins).
---
--- There should be one help file for each plugin that contains a summary for the
--- plugin itself and help for all the commands that plugin provides (if any).
--- Each script should also have one documentation file.
---
--- The database is lazy-loaded when an API method is called. It rechecks its
--- help sources for updates if an API method has not been called in the last
--- 60 seconds.
 
 local _ENV = mkmodule('helpdb')
 
 local argparse = require('argparse')
 
-local MAX_STALE_MS = 60000
-
 -- paths
 local RENDERED_PATH = 'hack/docs/docs/tools/'
 local TAG_DEFINITIONS = 'hack/docs/docs/Tags.txt'
@@ -415,13 +401,12 @@ local function index_tags()
     end
 end
 
--- ensures the db is up to date by scanning all help sources. does not do
--- anything if it has already been run within the last MAX_STALE_MS milliseconds
-local last_refresh_ms = 0
+local needs_refresh = true
+
+-- ensures the db is loaded
 local function ensure_db()
-    local now_ms = dfhack.getTickCount()
-    if now_ms - last_refresh_ms <= MAX_STALE_MS then return end
-    last_refresh_ms = now_ms
+    if not needs_refresh then return end
+    needs_refresh = false
 
     local old_db = textdb
     textdb, entrydb, tag_index = {}, {}, {}
@@ -433,6 +418,11 @@ local function ensure_db()
     index_tags()
 end
 
+function refresh()
+    needs_refresh = true
+    ensure_db()
+end
+
 local function parse_blocks(text)
     local blocks = {}
     for line in text:gmatch('[^\n]*') do
diff --git a/library/modules/Textures.cpp b/library/modules/Textures.cpp
index 78ed53d97..2975dc4d8 100644
--- a/library/modules/Textures.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Textures.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ static long g_dfhack_logo_texpos_start = -1;
 static long g_green_pin_texpos_start = -1;
 static long g_red_pin_texpos_start = -1;
 static long g_icons_texpos_start = -1;
+static long g_thin_borders_texpos_start = -1;
+static long g_medium_borders_texpos_start = -1;
+static long g_panel_borders_texpos_start = -1;
+static long g_window_borders_texpos_start = -1;
 
 // Converts an arbitrary Surface to something like the display format
 // (32-bit RGBA), and converts magenta to transparency if convert_magenta is set
@@ -120,6 +124,14 @@ void Textures::init(color_ostream &out) {
                                           &g_red_pin_texpos_start);
     g_num_dfhack_textures += load_textures(out, "hack/data/art/icons.png",
                                           &g_icons_texpos_start);
+    g_num_dfhack_textures += load_textures(out, "hack/data/art/border-thin.png",
+                                          &g_thin_borders_texpos_start);
+    g_num_dfhack_textures += load_textures(out, "hack/data/art/border-medium.png",
+                                          &g_medium_borders_texpos_start);
+    g_num_dfhack_textures += load_textures(out, "hack/data/art/border-panel.png",
+                                          &g_panel_borders_texpos_start);
+    g_num_dfhack_textures += load_textures(out, "hack/data/art/border-window.png",
+                                          &g_window_borders_texpos_start);
 
     DEBUG(textures,out).print("loaded %ld textures\n", g_num_dfhack_textures);
 
@@ -167,3 +179,19 @@ long Textures::getRedPinTexposStart() {
 long Textures::getIconsTexposStart() {
     return g_icons_texpos_start;
 }
+
+long Textures::getThinBordersTexposStart() {
+    return g_thin_borders_texpos_start;
+}
+
+long Textures::getMediumBordersTexposStart() {
+    return g_medium_borders_texpos_start;
+}
+
+long Textures::getPanelBordersTexposStart() {
+    return g_panel_borders_texpos_start;
+}
+
+long Textures::getWindowBordersTexposStart() {
+    return g_window_borders_texpos_start;
+}
diff --git a/plugins/lua/hotkeys.lua b/plugins/lua/hotkeys.lua
index a6eaf7d81..99ba08a05 100644
--- a/plugins/lua/hotkeys.lua
+++ b/plugins/lua/hotkeys.lua
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ function Menu:init()
         widgets.Panel{
             view_id='list_panel',
             frame=list_frame,
-            frame_style=gui.GREY_LINE_FRAME,
+            frame_style=gui.PANEL_FRAME,
             frame_background=gui.CLEAR_PEN,
             subviews={
                 widgets.List{
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ function Menu:init()
             view_id='help_panel',
             autoarrange_subviews=true,
             frame=help_frame,
-            frame_style=gui.GREY_LINE_FRAME,
+            frame_style=gui.PANEL_FRAME,
             frame_background=gui.CLEAR_PEN,
             subviews={
                 widgets.WrappedLabel{
diff --git a/plugins/lua/orders.lua b/plugins/lua/orders.lua
index aecd940d6..282b5997d 100644
--- a/plugins/lua/orders.lua
+++ b/plugins/lua/orders.lua
@@ -47,10 +47,10 @@ end
 
 OrdersOverlay = defclass(OrdersOverlay, overlay.OverlayWidget)
 OrdersOverlay.ATTRS{
-    default_pos={x=61,y=-6},
+    default_pos={x=53,y=-6},
     viewscreens='dwarfmode',
     frame={w=30, h=4},
-    frame_style=gui.GREY_LINE_FRAME,
+    frame_style=gui.MEDIUM_FRAME,
     frame_background=gui.CLEAR_PEN,
 }