diff --git a/packages/dataverse/src/Atom.ts b/packages/dataverse/src/Atom.ts
index d7056fc..5ecb27d 100644
--- a/packages/dataverse/src/Atom.ts
+++ b/packages/dataverse/src/Atom.ts
@@ -150,14 +150,20 @@ export default class Atom<State> implements IdentityPrismProvider {
     this._checkUpdates(this._rootScope, oldState, newState)
   }
 
-  get() {
+  get(): State {
     return this._currentState
   }
 
+  getByPointer<S>(fn: (p: Pointer<State>) => Pointer<S>): S {
+    const pointer = fn(this.pointer)
+    const path = getPointerParts(pointer).path
+    return this._getIn(path) as S
+  }
+
   /**
    * Gets the state of the atom at `path`.
    */
-  getIn(path: (string | number)[]): unknown {
+  private _getIn(path: (string | number)[]): unknown {
     return path.length === 0 ? this.get() : get(this.get(), path)
   }
 
@@ -230,7 +236,7 @@ export default class Atom<State> implements IdentityPrismProvider {
     const subscribe = (listener: (val: unknown) => void) =>
       this._onPathValueChange(path, listener)
 
-    const getValue = () => this.getIn(path)
+    const getValue = () => this._getIn(path)
 
     return prism(() => {
       return prism.source(subscribe, getValue)
diff --git a/packages/dataverse/src/Ticker.test.ts b/packages/dataverse/src/Ticker.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c15b2a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/dataverse/src/Ticker.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import {Ticker} from '@theatre/dataverse'
+import {EMPTY_TICKS_BEFORE_GOING_DORMANT} from './Ticker'
+
+describe(`Ticker`, () => {
+  test(`Usage of Ticker`, async () => {
+    const ticker = new Ticker()
+    const listener = jest.fn()
+
+    ticker.onNextTick(listener)
+
+    ticker.tick()
+    expect(listener).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    ticker.tick()
+    expect(listener).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  test(`Tickers go dormant`, () => {
+    const onDormant = jest.fn()
+    const onActive = jest.fn()
+    const ticker = new Ticker({onDormant, onActive})
+    expect(ticker.dormant).toBe(true)
+
+    const listener = jest.fn()
+    ticker.onNextTick(listener)
+    expect(ticker.dormant).toBe(false)
+    expect(onActive).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    ticker.tick()
+    expect(listener).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    // at this point, the ticker is active, but after a few ticks, it should go dormant
+    for (let i = 0; i < EMPTY_TICKS_BEFORE_GOING_DORMANT; i++) {
+      ticker.tick()
+      if (i < EMPTY_TICKS_BEFORE_GOING_DORMANT - 1) {
+        expect(ticker.dormant).toBe(false)
+        expect(onDormant).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+      }
+    }
+
+    expect(ticker.dormant).toBe(true)
+    expect(onDormant).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    // after going dormant, it should stay dormant
+    ticker.tick()
+    expect(ticker.dormant).toBe(true)
+    expect(onDormant).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    // but if we schedule a callback, it should go active again
+    ticker.onNextTick(listener)
+    expect(ticker.dormant).toBe(false)
+    expect(onActive).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+  })
+
+  test(`Ticker.onThisOrNextTick()`, () => {
+    const ticker = new Ticker()
+    const mainListener = jest.fn(() => {
+      ticker.onNextTick(thisWillBeCalledOnTheNextTick)
+      ticker.onThisOrNextTick(thisWillBeCalledOnTheSameTick)
+    })
+    const thisWillBeCalledOnTheSameTick = jest.fn()
+    const thisWillBeCalledOnTheNextTick = jest.fn()
+
+    ticker.onThisOrNextTick(mainListener)
+    expect(mainListener).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+    expect(thisWillBeCalledOnTheSameTick).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+    expect(thisWillBeCalledOnTheNextTick).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    ticker.tick()
+    expect(mainListener).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(thisWillBeCalledOnTheSameTick).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(thisWillBeCalledOnTheNextTick).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    ticker.tick()
+    expect(mainListener).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(thisWillBeCalledOnTheSameTick).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(thisWillBeCalledOnTheNextTick).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/packages/dataverse/src/Ticker.ts b/packages/dataverse/src/Ticker.ts
index f0032c5..89462db 100644
--- a/packages/dataverse/src/Ticker.ts
+++ b/packages/dataverse/src/Ticker.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ type ICallback = (t: number) => void
  *
  * Perhaps counting ticks vs. time is not the best way to do this. But it's a start.
  */
-const EMPTY_TICKS_BEFORE_GOING_DORMANT = 60 /*fps*/ * 3 /*seconds*/ // on a 60fps screen, 3 seconds should pass before the ticker goes dormant
+export const EMPTY_TICKS_BEFORE_GOING_DORMANT = 60 /*fps*/ * 3 /*seconds*/ // on a 60fps screen, 3 seconds should pass before the ticker goes dormant
 
 /**
  * The Ticker class helps schedule callbacks. Scheduled callbacks are executed per tick. Ticks can be triggered by an
diff --git a/packages/dataverse/src/integration.test.ts b/packages/dataverse/src/integration.test.ts
index 6a23b9e..09fa695 100644
--- a/packages/dataverse/src/integration.test.ts
+++ b/packages/dataverse/src/integration.test.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import Atom, {val} from './Atom'
 import prism from './prism/prism'
 import Ticker from './Ticker'
 
-describe(`v2 atom`, () => {
+describe(`integration`, () => {
   describe(`identity pointers`, () => {
     it(`should work`, () => {
       const data = {foo: 'hi', bar: 0}
diff --git a/packages/dataverse/src/prism/newPrism.test.ts b/packages/dataverse/src/prism/newPrism.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d2fff18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/dataverse/src/prism/newPrism.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,329 @@
+import {prism} from '@theatre/dataverse'
+
+describe(`prism()`, () => {
+  // these tests are going will act as a guide on how to use prisms.
+
+  // prisms are a way to create a value that depends on other values.
+  // prisms can be hot or cold, they have dependencies and dependents, and hot prisms can be stale or fresh.
+
+  // let's start with a simple example:
+  test(`using a pretty useless prism`, async () => {
+    // each prism has a calculate function that it runs to calculate its value. let's make a simple function that just returns 1
+    const calculate = jest.fn(() => 1)
+
+    // now we can make a prism out of it
+    const pr = prism(calculate)
+
+    // now, this prism is pretty useless. it doesn't depend on anything, and it doesn't have any dependents.
+    // but we can already illustrate some of the concepts that are important to understand prisms.
+
+    // `calculate` won't be called until it's needed
+    expect(calculate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+
+    // we can get the value of the prism, which will be what `calculate` returned
+    expect(pr.getValue()).toBe(1)
+
+    // now the calculate function will have be called
+    expect(calculate).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    // now, you might expect that if we call `getValue()` again, the calculate function won't be called again.
+    // but that's not the case. the calculate function will be called again, because the prism is cold.
+    // we'll talk about cold/hot in a bit, but let's just say that cold prisms are calculated every time they're read.
+
+    pr.getValue()
+    expect(calculate).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+
+    // we can even check whether a prism is hot or cold. Ours is cold.
+    expect(pr.isHot).toBe(false)
+
+    // we'll get to hot prisms soon, but let's talk about dependencies and dependents first.
+  })
+
+  // prisms can depend on other prisms. let's make a prism that depends on another prism.
+  test(`prisms can depend on other prisms`, async () => {
+    const calculateA = jest.fn(() => 1)
+    const a = prism(calculateA)
+
+    const calculateATimesTwo = jest.fn(() => a.getValue() * 2)
+    const aTimesTwo = prism(calculateATimesTwo)
+
+    // clear the count of mocks
+    function clearMocks() {
+      calculateA.mockClear()
+      calculateATimesTwo.mockClear()
+    }
+
+    // now, `aTimesTwo` depends on `a`.
+    // In our parlance, `aTimesTwo` is a dependent of `a`, and `a` is a dependency of `aTimesTwo`.
+
+    // now if we read the value of `aTimesTwo`, it will call `calculateATimesTwo`, which will call `calculateA`:
+    expect(aTimesTwo.getValue()).toBe(2)
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // and like we saw in the previous test, if we read the value of `aTimesTwo` again, it will call both of our calculate functions again:
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // but if we read the value of `a`, it won't call `calculateATimesTwo`:
+    a.getValue()
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // now let's see what happens if we make our prism hot.
+
+    // one way to do this, is to add an `onStale` listener to our prism.
+    const onStale = jest.fn()
+    const unsubscribe = aTimesTwo.onStale(onStale)
+
+    // as soon as we do this, the prism will become hot.
+    expect(aTimesTwo.isHot).toBe(true)
+
+    // and so will its dependencies:
+    expect(a.isHot).toBe(true)
+
+    // so let's see what happens when we read the value of `aTimesTwo` again:
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+    // `calculateATimesTwo` will be called again,
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    // and so will `calculateA`,
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // but if we read `aTimesTwo` again, none of the calculate functions will be called again.
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // this behavior propogates up the dependency chain, so if we read `a` again, `calculateA` won't be called again,
+    // because its value is already fresh.
+    a.getValue()
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // at this point, since none of our prisms depend on a prism whose value will change, they'll remain
+    // fresh forever.
+    a.getValue()
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+    a.getValue()
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // but as soon as we unsubscribe from our `onStale()` listener, the prisms will become cold again.
+    unsubscribe()
+    expect(aTimesTwo.isHot).toBe(false)
+    expect(a.isHot).toBe(false)
+
+    // and they'll return back to their cold behavior.
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // now, one more thing before we move on. What will if we make `a` hot, but not `aTimesTwo`?
+    // let's try it out.
+    const unsubcribeFromAOnStale = a.onStale(() => {})
+    // a will go hot
+    expect(a.isHot).toBe(true)
+    // but aTimesTwo will stay cold
+    expect(aTimesTwo.isHot).toBe(false)
+
+    // now let's read the value of `a`
+    a.getValue()
+
+    // `calculateA` will be called
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    // and obviously `calculateATimesTwo` won't be called
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // and if we re-read the value of `a`, `calculateA` won't be called again, becuase `a` is hot and its value is fresh.
+    a.getValue()
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // but if we read the value of `aTimesTwo`, `calculateATimesTwo` will be called, because `aTimesTwo` is cold.
+    aTimesTwo.getValue()
+    expect(calculateATimesTwo).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    // yet `calculateA` won't be called, because `a` is hot and its value is fresh.
+    expect(calculateA).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+    clearMocks()
+
+    // in conclusion, if we make a prism hot, it'll make its dependencies hot too.
+    // if we read the value of a cold prism, it'll call its calculate function, which will
+    // call the calculate functions of its dependencies, and so on.
+    // but if we read the value of a hot prism, it'll only call its calculate function if its value is stale.
+
+    // le'ts wrap up this part by unsubscribing from `a`'s `onStale` listener to not have any lingering listeners.
+    unsubcribeFromAOnStale()
+  })
+
+  // so far, our prisms have not depended on any changing values, so in turn, _their_ values have never changed either.
+  // but what if we want to create a prism that depends on a changing value?
+  // we call those values "sources", and we can create them using the `prism.source()` hook:
+  test('prism.source()', () => {
+    // let's say we want to create a prism that depends on this value:
+    let value = 0
+
+    {
+      // the _wrong_ way to do this, is to create a prism that directly reads this value
+      const p = prism(() => value)
+
+      // this will actually work if the prism is cold:
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(0)
+      value = 1
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(1)
+
+      // but if we make the prism hot, it'll never update its value, because it's not subscribed to any sources.
+      const unsubscribe = p.onStale(() => {})
+      expect(p.isHot).toBe(true)
+      // on first read, it'll give us the current value of `value`, which is 1.
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(1)
+      // but if we change `value` again, the prism won't know
+      value = 2
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(1)
+      // and so it'll keep returning the old value.
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(1)
+
+      unsubscribe()
+    }
+
+    // so, the _right_ way to do this, is to use the `source` hook:
+    {
+      // the source hook requires a `listen` function, and a `get` function.
+      // let's skip the `listen` function for now, and just focus on the `getValue` function.
+      const listen = jest.fn(() => () => {})
+      // the `getValue` function should return the current value of the source.
+      const get = jest.fn(() => value)
+
+      const p = prism(() => {
+        return prism.source(listen, get) * 2
+      })
+
+      value = 1
+
+      // our prism is cold right now. let's see what happens when we read its value.
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(2)
+      // `get` will be called once, because we're reading the value of the source for the first time.
+      expect(get).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+      // and `listen` won't be called at all
+      expect(listen).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+      get.mockClear()
+
+      // now let's make the prism hot
+      const unsubscribe = p.onStale(() => {})
+      expect(p.isHot).toBe(true)
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(2)
+      // `get` will be called again, because we're reading the value of the source for the second time.
+      expect(get).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+      // and `listen` will be called once, because our prism wants to be notified when the source changes.
+      expect(listen).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+      get.mockClear()
+      listen.mockClear()
+
+      // now, since our `listen` function is a mock, it won't actually do anything,
+      // so the prism still won't know when the source changes.
+      value = 2
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(2)
+      // `get` won't be called again, because the source hasn't changed.
+      expect(get).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0)
+
+      unsubscribe()
+    }
+
+    {
+      let value = 0
+      // now let's implement an actual `listen` function.
+
+      // first, we need to keep track of all the listeners that our source wil have
+      const listeners = new Set<(val: number) => void>()
+
+      // the `listen` function should return an stop function.
+      // the stop function should stop listening to the source.
+      const listen = jest.fn((fn) => {
+        listeners.add(fn)
+
+        return function stop() {
+          listeners.delete(fn)
+        }
+      })
+
+      const get = jest.fn(() => value)
+
+      // and now we need to define a function that will notify all the listeners that the source has changed.
+      const set = (newValue: number) => {
+        if (newValue !== value) {
+          value = newValue
+          listeners.forEach((fn) => fn(value))
+        }
+      }
+
+      // don't worry, there are helpers for this in dataverse. but for now, we'll implement
+      // it manually to understand how it works.
+
+      // now let's create a prism that depends on our source.
+      const p = prism(() => {
+        return prism.source(listen, get) * 2
+      })
+
+      // let's make the prism hot
+      const staleListener = jest.fn()
+      const unsubscribe = p.onStale(staleListener)
+      expect(p.isHot).toBe(true)
+
+      // and let's read its value
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(0)
+      // `get` will be called once, because we're reading the value of the source for the first time.
+      expect(get).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+      // and `listen` will be called once, because our prism wants to be notified when the source changes.
+      expect(listen).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+
+      get.mockClear()
+      listen.mockClear()
+
+      // now let's change the value of the source
+      set(1)
+
+      // this time, our prism will know that the source has changed, and it'll update its value.
+      expect(p.getValue()).toBe(2)
+
+      // and that's how we can create a prism that depends on a changing value.
+
+      unsubscribe()
+    }
+  })
+
+  // in practice, we'll almost never need to use the `source` hook directly,
+  // and we'll never need to provide our own `listen` and `get` functions.
+  // instead, we'll use `Atom`s, which are sources that are already implemented for us.
+  describe(`Basics of Atoms`, () => {
+    // TODO
+  })
+})
diff --git a/packages/dataverse/src/prism/prism.test.ts b/packages/dataverse/src/prism/prism.test.ts
index e86a76e..957cdb1 100644
--- a/packages/dataverse/src/prism/prism.test.ts
+++ b/packages/dataverse/src/prism/prism.test.ts
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ describe('prism', () => {
       return bD.getValue()
     })
     expect(cD.getValue()).toEqual(2)
-    const untap = cD.keepHot()
+    const unsubscribe = cD.keepHot()
     expect((cD as $IntentionalAny)._state.handle._dependencies.size).toEqual(1)
-    untap()
+    unsubscribe()
   })
 
   describe('prism.ref()', () => {