diff --git a/src/zzt/elements.rs b/src/zzt/elements.rs
index 4553f9a..3fc8016 100644
--- a/src/zzt/elements.rs
+++ b/src/zzt/elements.rs
@@ -217,6 +217,54 @@ impl Element {
             _ => None,
         }
     }
+
+    /// Map alias name to parameter number (1, 2, or 3) based on element type.
+    pub fn alias_to_param(self, alias: &str) -> Option<u8> {
+        if self.p1_alias() == Some(alias) {
+            Some(1)
+        } else if self.p2_alias() == Some(alias) {
+            Some(2)
+        } else if self.p3_alias() == Some(alias) {
+            Some(3)
+        } else {
+            None
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Resolve alias name to parameter number, with optional element context.
+/// Falls back to checking all known aliases if element is None.
+pub fn resolve_alias(alias: &str, element: Option<Element>) -> Option<u8> {
+    // If we have an element, use its specific alias mapping
+    if let Some(elem) = element {
+        if let Some(param) = elem.alias_to_param(alias) {
+            return Some(param);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Fallback: check all known aliases
+    // p1 aliases
+    if matches!(
+        alias,
+        "char" | "sensitivity" | "intelligence" | "start_time"
+    ) {
+        return Some(1);
+    }
+
+    // p2 aliases
+    if matches!(
+        alias,
+        "rate" | "period" | "resting_time" | "speed" | "firing_rate" | "deviance"
+    ) {
+        return Some(2);
+    }
+
+    // p3 aliases
+    if matches!(alias, "destination" | "firing_type") {
+        return Some(3);
+    }
+
+    None
 }
 
 /// Get the human-readable name for an element ID, or describe unknown elements.
diff --git a/src/zzt/error.rs b/src/zzt/error.rs
index a491bbd..dcce8b5 100644
--- a/src/zzt/error.rs
+++ b/src/zzt/error.rs
@@ -23,6 +23,12 @@ pub enum ParseError {
 
     #[error("parse error: {0}")]
     ParseError(String),
+
+    #[error("text parse error: {message}")]
+    TextParseError { message: String },
+
+    #[error("invalid hex in terrain: {0}")]
+    InvalidHex(String),
 }
 
 impl<I> NomParseError<I> for ParseError {
diff --git a/src/zzt/mod.rs b/src/zzt/mod.rs
index 95b3268..cc7b79e 100644
--- a/src/zzt/mod.rs
+++ b/src/zzt/mod.rs
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ mod text;
 pub use encoding::{decode_multiline, decode_oneline, encode_multiline, encode_oneline};
 pub use error::ParseError;
 pub use parse::{Board, Program, Stat, Tile, World};
-pub use text::{board_to_text, world_to_text};
+pub use text::{board_to_text, text_to_board, text_to_world, world_to_text};
diff --git a/src/zzt/text.rs b/src/zzt/text.rs
index aa42cc6..69de195 100644
--- a/src/zzt/text.rs
+++ b/src/zzt/text.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,17 @@
 use std::fmt::Write;
 
-use super::elements::{Element, element_name};
+use nom::{
+    IResult, Parser,
+    branch::alt,
+    bytes::complete::{tag, take_until, take_while, take_while1},
+    character::complete::{char, digit1, line_ending, multispace0, multispace1, not_line_ending},
+    combinator::{map, map_res, opt, recognize, value},
+    multi::many0,
+    sequence::pair,
+};
+
+use super::elements::{Element, element_name, resolve_alias};
+use super::error::ParseError;
 use super::parse::{Board, Program, Stat, Tile, World};
 
 /// Write key = value if value != default.
@@ -214,3 +225,675 @@ fn write_param(output: &mut String, value: u8, generic_name: &str, alias: Option
     let name = alias.unwrap_or(generic_name);
     writeln!(output, "{} = {}", name, value).unwrap();
 }
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Text Parsing
+// ============================================================================
+
+/// Parsed value from a key-value pair.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+enum Value {
+    Int(i64),
+    Bool(bool),
+    String(String),
+    StringArray(Vec<String>),
+    Tuple2(u8, u8),
+    TripleQuotedString(String),
+}
+
+/// Skip a comment (# to end of line).
+fn comment(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, ()> {
+    value((), pair(char('#'), not_line_ending)).parse(input)
+}
+
+/// Skip whitespace and comments.
+fn ws(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, ()> {
+    value(
+        (),
+        many0(alt((value((), multispace1), comment))),
+    ).parse(input)
+}
+
+/// Parse a section header like [world], [board 0], [stat 1].
+/// Returns the optional index.
+fn section_header<'a>(name: &'a str) -> impl FnMut(&'a str) -> IResult<&'a str, Option<usize>> {
+    move |input: &'a str| {
+        let (input, _) = ws(input)?;
+        let (input, _) = char('[').parse(input)?;
+        let (input, _) = tag(name).parse(input)?;
+        let (input, idx) = opt((multispace1, map_res(digit1, |s: &str| s.parse())))
+            .map(|opt| opt.map(|(_, n)| n))
+            .parse(input)?;
+        let (input, _) = char(']').parse(input)?;
+        // Consume rest of line (including any comment)
+        let (input, _) = opt(pair(take_while(|c| c == ' ' || c == '\t'), comment)).parse(input)?;
+        let (input, _) = opt(line_ending).parse(input)?;
+        Ok((input, idx))
+    }
+}
+
+/// Parse an identifier (key name).
+fn identifier(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, &str> {
+    take_while1(|c: char| c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '_').parse(input)
+}
+
+/// Parse a quoted string value (handles escape sequences).
+fn quoted_string(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, String> {
+    let (input, _) = char('"').parse(input)?;
+    let mut result = String::new();
+    let mut chars = input.chars().peekable();
+    let mut consumed = 0;
+
+    loop {
+        match chars.next() {
+            Some('"') => {
+                consumed += 1;
+                break;
+            }
+            Some('\\') => {
+                consumed += 1;
+                match chars.next() {
+                    Some('n') => {
+                        result.push('\n');
+                        consumed += 1;
+                    }
+                    Some('r') => {
+                        result.push('\r');
+                        consumed += 1;
+                    }
+                    Some('t') => {
+                        result.push('\t');
+                        consumed += 1;
+                    }
+                    Some('\\') => {
+                        result.push('\\');
+                        consumed += 1;
+                    }
+                    Some('"') => {
+                        result.push('"');
+                        consumed += 1;
+                    }
+                    Some(c) => {
+                        // Unknown escape, keep as-is
+                        result.push('\\');
+                        result.push(c);
+                        consumed += 1;
+                    }
+                    None => break,
+                }
+            }
+            Some(c) => {
+                result.push(c);
+                consumed += c.len_utf8();
+            }
+            None => break,
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok((&input[consumed..], result))
+}
+
+/// Parse a triple-quoted string ("""...""").
+fn triple_quoted_string(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, String> {
+    let (input, _) = tag("\"\"\"").parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = opt(line_ending).parse(input)?;
+    let (input, content) = take_until("\"\"\"").parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = tag("\"\"\"").parse(input)?;
+    // Trim trailing newline from content if present
+    let content = content.strip_suffix('\n').unwrap_or(content);
+    Ok((input, content.to_string()))
+}
+
+/// Parse an integer (possibly negative).
+fn integer(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, i64> {
+    map_res(
+        recognize(pair(opt(char('-')), digit1)),
+        |s: &str| s.parse(),
+    ).parse(input)
+}
+
+/// Parse a boolean value.
+fn boolean(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, bool> {
+    alt((value(true, tag("true")), value(false, tag("false")))).parse(input)
+}
+
+/// Parse a tuple like (element, color).
+fn tuple2(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, (u8, u8)> {
+    let (input, _) = char('(').parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+    let (input, a) = map_res(digit1, |s: &str| s.parse::<u8>()).parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = char(',').parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+    let (input, b) = map_res(digit1, |s: &str| s.parse::<u8>()).parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = char(')').parse(input)?;
+    Ok((input, (a, b)))
+}
+
+/// Parse a string array like ["foo", "bar", ""].
+fn string_array(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, Vec<String>> {
+    let (input, _) = char('[').parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+
+    let mut items = Vec::new();
+    let mut input = input;
+
+    // Check for empty array
+    if let Ok((next, _)) = char::<_, nom::error::Error<&str>>(']').parse(input) {
+        return Ok((next, items));
+    }
+
+    // Parse first item
+    let (next, first) = quoted_string(input)?;
+    items.push(first);
+    input = next;
+
+    // Parse remaining items
+    loop {
+        let (next, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+        if let Ok((next, _)) = char::<_, nom::error::Error<&str>>(']').parse(next) {
+            return Ok((next, items));
+        }
+        let (next, _) = char(',').parse(next)?;
+        let (next, _) = multispace0.parse(next)?;
+        let (next, item) = quoted_string(next)?;
+        items.push(item);
+        input = next;
+    }
+}
+
+/// Parse a value (any type).
+fn parse_value(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, Value> {
+    alt((
+        map(triple_quoted_string, Value::TripleQuotedString),
+        map(string_array, Value::StringArray),
+        map(quoted_string, Value::String),
+        map(tuple2, |(a, b)| Value::Tuple2(a, b)),
+        map(boolean, Value::Bool),
+        map(integer, Value::Int),
+    )).parse(input)
+}
+
+/// Parse a key = value pair.
+fn parse_key_value(input: &str) -> IResult<&str, (&str, Value)> {
+    let (input, _) = ws(input)?;
+    let (input, key) = identifier(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = char('=').parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = multispace0.parse(input)?;
+    let (input, value) = parse_value(input)?;
+    // Consume rest of line (including any comment)
+    let (input, _) = opt(pair(take_while(|c| c == ' ' || c == '\t'), comment)).parse(input)?;
+    let (input, _) = opt(line_ending).parse(input)?;
+    Ok((input, (key, value)))
+}
+
+/// Parse 25 rows of hex data (60 columns each, 2 hex digits per value).
+fn parse_hex_grid(input: &str) -> Result<(&str, Vec<u8>), ParseError> {
+    let mut result = Vec::with_capacity(1500);
+    let mut input = input;
+
+    for _ in 0..25 {
+        // Skip whitespace/comments before the row
+        let (next, _) = ws(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+            message: format!("hex grid whitespace: {:?}", e),
+        })?;
+        input = next;
+
+        // Parse 60 hex pairs
+        for _ in 0..60 {
+            if input.len() < 2 {
+                return Err(ParseError::InvalidHex("unexpected end of hex data".to_string()));
+            }
+            let hex_str = &input[..2];
+            let byte = u8::from_str_radix(hex_str, 16)
+                .map_err(|_| ParseError::InvalidHex(hex_str.to_string()))?;
+            result.push(byte);
+            input = &input[2..];
+        }
+
+        // Consume newline if present
+        if input.starts_with('\n') {
+            input = &input[1..];
+        } else if input.starts_with("\r\n") {
+            input = &input[2..];
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok((input, result))
+}
+
+/// Parse terrain: element grid followed by color grid.
+fn parse_terrain(input: &str) -> Result<(&str, Vec<Tile>), ParseError> {
+    let (input, elements) = parse_hex_grid(input)?;
+    let (input, colors) = parse_hex_grid(input)?;
+
+    let tiles: Vec<Tile> = elements
+        .into_iter()
+        .zip(colors)
+        .map(|(element, color)| Tile { element, color })
+        .collect();
+
+    Ok((input, tiles))
+}
+
+/// Parse keys string like "bgcr" into bool array.
+fn parse_keys(s: &str) -> [bool; 7] {
+    let key_chars = ['b', 'g', 'c', 'r', 'p', 'y', 'w'];
+    let mut keys = [false; 7];
+    for (i, c) in key_chars.iter().enumerate() {
+        keys[i] = s.contains(*c);
+    }
+    keys
+}
+
+/// Check if the next non-whitespace is a section header.
+fn peek_section(input: &str) -> bool {
+    let trimmed = input.trim_start();
+    trimmed.starts_with('[')
+}
+
+/// Check if input is at end or only has whitespace/comments.
+fn at_end(input: &str) -> bool {
+    match ws(input) {
+        Ok((rest, _)) => rest.is_empty(),
+        Err(_) => false,
+    }
+}
+
+/// Parse the [world] section properties.
+fn parse_world_section(input: &str) -> Result<(&str, World), ParseError> {
+    let (input, _) = section_header("world")(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+        message: format!("expected [world] section: {:?}", e),
+    })?;
+
+    let mut world = World {
+        health: 100,
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
+
+    let mut input = input;
+    while !at_end(input) && !peek_section(input) {
+        let (next, (key, value)) =
+            parse_key_value(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+                message: format!("world property: {:?}", e),
+            })?;
+        input = next;
+
+        match key {
+            "name" => {
+                if let Value::String(s) = value {
+                    world.name = s;
+                }
+            }
+            "health" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.health = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "ammo" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.ammo = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "gems" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.gems = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "torches" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.torches = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "score" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.score = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "keys" => {
+                if let Value::String(s) = value {
+                    world.keys = parse_keys(&s);
+                }
+            }
+            "starting_board" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.starting_board = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "saved_game" => {
+                if let Value::Bool(b) = value {
+                    world.locked = b;
+                }
+            }
+            "flags" => {
+                if let Value::StringArray(arr) = value {
+                    for (i, flag) in arr.into_iter().take(10).enumerate() {
+                        world.flags[i] = flag;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            "torch_cycles" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.torch_cycles = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "energizer_cycles" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.energizer_cycles = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "time" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.time = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "time_ticks" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    world.time_ticks = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            _ => {} // Ignore unknown keys
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok((input, world))
+}
+
+/// Get element at (x, y) from tiles array.
+fn element_at(tiles: &[Tile], x: u8, y: u8) -> Option<u8> {
+    if x == 0 || y == 0 || x > 60 || y > 25 {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let index = ((y as usize - 1) * 60) + (x as usize - 1);
+    tiles.get(index).map(|t| t.element)
+}
+
+/// Parse a [stat N] section.
+fn parse_stat_section<'a>(input: &'a str, tiles: &[Tile]) -> Result<(&'a str, Stat), ParseError> {
+    let (input, _) = section_header("stat")(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+        message: format!("expected [stat] section: {:?}", e),
+    })?;
+
+    // First pass: collect all key-value pairs
+    let mut pairs: Vec<(&str, Value)> = Vec::new();
+    let mut input = input;
+    while !at_end(input) && !peek_section(input) {
+        let (next, pair) = parse_key_value(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+            message: format!("stat property: {:?}", e),
+        })?;
+        pairs.push(pair);
+        input = next;
+    }
+
+    // Extract x, y first to determine element type
+    let mut x: u8 = 0;
+    let mut y: u8 = 0;
+    for (key, value) in &pairs {
+        match *key {
+            "x" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    x = *n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "y" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    y = *n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
+    let element = element_at(tiles, x, y).and_then(Element::from_u8);
+
+    // Build stat with defaults
+    let mut stat = Stat {
+        x,
+        y,
+        x_step: 0,
+        y_step: 0,
+        cycle: 0,
+        p1: 0,
+        p2: 0,
+        p3: 0,
+        follower: -1,
+        leader: -1,
+        under: Tile {
+            element: 0,
+            color: 0,
+        },
+        instruction_pointer: 0,
+        program: Program::Own(String::new()),
+    };
+
+    // Second pass: apply all properties
+    for (key, value) in pairs {
+        match key {
+            "x" | "y" => {} // Already handled
+            "cycle" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.cycle = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "x_step" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.x_step = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "y_step" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.y_step = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "under" => {
+                if let Value::Tuple2(e, c) = value {
+                    stat.under = Tile {
+                        element: e,
+                        color: c,
+                    };
+                }
+            }
+            "follower" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.follower = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "leader" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.leader = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "instruction_pointer" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.instruction_pointer = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "p1" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.p1 = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "p2" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.p2 = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "p3" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.p3 = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "code" => {
+                if let Value::TripleQuotedString(s) = value {
+                    stat.program = Program::Own(s);
+                }
+            }
+            "bind" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    stat.program = Program::Bound(n as u16);
+                }
+            }
+            other => {
+                // Check if it's a parameter alias
+                if let Some(param_num) = resolve_alias(other, element) {
+                    if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                        match param_num {
+                            1 => stat.p1 = n as u8,
+                            2 => stat.p2 = n as u8,
+                            3 => stat.p3 = n as u8,
+                            _ => {}
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                // Ignore unknown keys
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok((input, stat))
+}
+
+/// Parse a [board N] section.
+fn parse_board_section(input: &str) -> Result<(&str, Board), ParseError> {
+    let (input, _) = section_header("board")(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+        message: format!("expected [board] section: {:?}", e),
+    })?;
+
+    // Parse title first (required before terrain)
+    let (input, (_, title_value)) =
+        parse_key_value(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+            message: format!("expected board title: {:?}", e),
+        })?;
+
+    let title = match title_value {
+        Value::String(s) => s,
+        _ => String::new(),
+    };
+
+    // Parse terrain
+    let (input, tiles) = parse_terrain(input)?;
+
+    // Parse board properties
+    let mut board = Board {
+        name: title,
+        tiles,
+        max_shots: 0,
+        is_dark: false,
+        exit_north: 0,
+        exit_south: 0,
+        exit_west: 0,
+        exit_east: 0,
+        restart_on_zap: false,
+        message: String::new(),
+        enter_x: 0,
+        enter_y: 0,
+        time_limit: 0,
+        stats: Vec::new(),
+    };
+
+    let mut input = input;
+
+    // Parse remaining properties until we hit a stat section or end
+    while !at_end(input) && !peek_section(input) {
+        let (next, (key, value)) =
+            parse_key_value(input).map_err(|e| ParseError::TextParseError {
+                message: format!("board property: {:?}", e),
+            })?;
+        input = next;
+
+        match key {
+            "shots" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.max_shots = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "dark" => {
+                if let Value::Bool(b) = value {
+                    board.is_dark = b;
+                }
+            }
+            "exit_n" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.exit_north = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "exit_s" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.exit_south = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "exit_e" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.exit_east = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "exit_w" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.exit_west = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "reenter" => {
+                if let Value::Bool(b) = value {
+                    board.restart_on_zap = b;
+                }
+            }
+            "time_limit" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.time_limit = n as i16;
+                }
+            }
+            "enter_x" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.enter_x = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "enter_y" => {
+                if let Value::Int(n) = value {
+                    board.enter_y = n as u8;
+                }
+            }
+            "message" => {
+                if let Value::String(s) = value {
+                    board.message = s;
+                }
+            }
+            _ => {} // Ignore unknown keys
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Parse stats
+    while !at_end(input) {
+        // Check if next section is a stat
+        let trimmed = input.trim_start();
+        if !trimmed.starts_with("[stat") {
+            break;
+        }
+        let (next, stat) = parse_stat_section(input, &board.tiles)?;
+        board.stats.push(stat);
+        input = next;
+    }
+
+    Ok((input, board))
+}
+
+/// Convert text to a World.
+pub fn text_to_world(text: &str) -> Result<World, ParseError> {
+    let (input, mut world) = parse_world_section(text)?;
+
+    let mut input = input;
+    while !at_end(input) {
+        let (next, board) = parse_board_section(input)?;
+        world.boards.push(board);
+        input = next;
+    }
+
+    Ok(world)
+}
+
+/// Convert text to a Board.
+pub fn text_to_board(text: &str) -> Result<Board, ParseError> {
+    let (_, board) = parse_board_section(text)?;
+    Ok(board)
+}