diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index de34e2f..cf63c2d 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -34,6 +34,11 @@
 -- Module-level state (all local — no globals)
 -- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+-- Module-table declared early so closures in module-local helpers below
+-- can reference M.X functions. Method assignments (function M.x() ... end)
+-- still land further down once the public surface section starts.
+local M = {}
+
 local widgets             = {}      -- widget_id (string) → widget_def table
 local active              = nil     -- active widget_id or nil
 local theme               = {}      -- merged DEFAULT_THEME + overrides
@@ -187,11 +192,8 @@ local function _dispatch_event(event)
 end
 
 -- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Public module table
+-- Public API (M declared at top of file so closures above can reference it)
 -- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-local M = {}
-
 -- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 -- Registry / Lifecycle
 -- -----------------------------------------------------------------------