diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index a87d6fa..621ea6d 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 project('layeredfs', 'c', 'cpp', version: '4.1',
     default_options: [
-        'cpp_std=c++23',
+        'cpp_std=c++26',
         'buildtype=release',
         'strip=true',
         'werror=true',
diff --git a/src/arc.cpp b/src/arc.cpp
index 831f302..c07f1a7 100644
--- a/src/arc.cpp
+++ b/src/arc.cpp
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ std::optional<ArcArchive> ArcArchive::from_stream(std::istream &stream) {
         return std::nullopt;
     }
     if (hdr.magic != ARC_MAGIC) {
-        log_warning("arc: bad magic %08x", hdr.magic);
+        log_warning("arc: bad magic {:08x}", hdr.magic);
         return std::nullopt;
     }
     if (hdr.compression != ARC_COMPRESSION_NONE && hdr.compression != ARC_COMPRESSION_AVSLZ) {
-        log_warning("arc: unknown compression %u", hdr.compression);
+        log_warning("arc: unknown compression {}", hdr.compression);
         return std::nullopt;
     }
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ std::optional<ArcArchive> ArcArchive::from_stream(std::istream &stream) {
         stream.seekg(e.file_offset);
         std::vector<uint8_t> packed(e.packed_size);
         if (!stream.read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(packed.data()), e.packed_size)) {
-            log_warning("arc: couldn't read data for '%s'", name.c_str());
+            log_warning("arc: couldn't read data for '{}'", name);
             return std::nullopt;
         }
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ std::optional<ArcArchive> ArcArchive::from_stream(std::istream &stream) {
             size_t out_size = e.unpacked_size;
             auto raw = lz_decompress(packed.data(), packed.size(), &out_size);
             if (!raw || out_size != e.unpacked_size) {
-                log_warning("arc: decompression failed for '%s'", name.c_str());
+                log_warning("arc: decompression failed for '{}'", name);
                 if (raw) free(raw);
                 return std::nullopt;
             }
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ static uint32_t align_up(uint32_t v, uint32_t align) {
 bool ArcArchive::save(const char* path) {
     std::ofstream f(path, std::ios::binary);
     if (!f) {
-        log_warning("arc: couldn't open '%s' for writing", path);
+        log_warning("arc: couldn't open '{}' for writing", path);
         return false;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/avs.cpp b/src/avs.cpp
index a88563c..3356a9c 100644
--- a/src/avs.cpp
+++ b/src/avs.cpp
@@ -209,12 +209,6 @@ const avs_exports_t avs_exports[] = {
 FOREACH_AVS_FUNC(AVS_FUNC_PTR)
 FOREACH_AVS_FUNC_OPTIONAL(AVS_FUNC_PTR)
 
-/*void* (*avs_fs_mount)(char* mountpoint, char* fsroot, char* fstype, int a5);
-void* hook_avs_fs_mount(char* mountpoint, char* fsroot, char* fstype, int a5) {
-    log_misc("Mounting %s at %s with type %s", fsroot, mountpoint, fstype);
-    return avs_fs_mount(mountpoint, fsroot, fstype, a5);
-}*/
-
 #define TEST_HOOK_AND_APPLY(func) if (MH_CreateHookApi(dll_name, avs_exports[i].func, (LPVOID)hook_ ## func, (LPVOID*)&func) != MH_OK || func == NULL) continue
 #define LOAD_FUNC(func) if( (func = (decltype(func))GetProcAddress(mod_handle, avs_exports[i].func)) == NULL) continue
 #define CHECK_UNIQUE(func) if( avs_exports[i].func != NULL && GetProcAddress(mod_handle, avs_exports[i].func) == NULL) continue
@@ -227,7 +221,7 @@ bool init_avs(void) {
 
 #ifdef _DEBUG
     for (int i = 0; i < lenof(avs_exports); i++) {
-#define VERBOSE_EXPORT_CHECK(ret_type, name, ...) if(avs_exports[i]. ## name == NULL) log_warning("MISSING EXPORT %d: %s", i, #name);
+#define VERBOSE_EXPORT_CHECK(ret_type, name, ...) if(avs_exports[i]. ## name == NULL) log_warning("MISSING EXPORT {}: {}", i, #name);
         FOREACH_AVS_FUNC(VERBOSE_EXPORT_CHECK)
         FOREACH_AVS_FUNC_OPTIONAL(VERBOSE_EXPORT_CHECK)
     }
@@ -291,7 +285,7 @@ property_t prop_from_file_handle(AVS_FILE f) {
         avs_fs_lseek(f, 0, SEEK_SET);
         memsize = property_read_query_memsize(avs_fs_read, f, NULL, NULL);
         if (memsize < 0) {
-            log_warning("Couldn't get memsize %08X (%s)", memsize, get_prop_error_str(memsize));
+            log_warning("Couldn't get memsize {:08X} ({})", memsize, get_prop_error_str(memsize));
             goto FAIL;
         }
     }
@@ -305,7 +299,7 @@ property_t prop_from_file_handle(AVS_FILE f) {
     prop = property_create(flags, prop_buffer, memsize);
     if (!prop) {
         // double cast to squash truncation warning
-        log_warning("Couldn't create prop (%s)", get_prop_error_str((int32_t)(size_t)prop));
+        log_warning("Couldn't create prop ({})", get_prop_error_str((int32_t)(size_t)prop));
         goto FAIL;
     }
 
@@ -314,7 +308,7 @@ property_t prop_from_file_handle(AVS_FILE f) {
     avs_fs_close(f);
 
     if (ret < 0) {
-        log_warning("Couldn't read prop (%s)", get_prop_error_str(ret));
+        log_warning("Couldn't read prop ({})", get_prop_error_str(ret));
         goto FAIL;
     }
 
@@ -349,7 +343,7 @@ char* prop_to_xml_string(property_t prop, rapidxml::xml_document<>& allocator) {
     }
     else {
         xml[0] = '\0';
-        log_warning("property_mem_write failed (%s)", get_prop_error_str(written));
+        log_warning("property_mem_write failed ({})", get_prop_error_str(written));
     }
 
     return xml;
diff --git a/src/avs.h b/src/avs.h
index 1b0ee0f..0b1ec3c 100644
--- a/src/avs.h
+++ b/src/avs.h
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ bool rapidxml_from_avs_file(
     try {
         doc.parse<Flags>(xml);
     } catch (const rapidxml::parse_error& e) {
-        log_warning("Couldn't parse xml (%s byte %d)", e.what(), (int)(e.where<char>() - xml));
+        log_warning("Couldn't parse xml ({} byte {})", e.what(), (int)(e.where<char>() - xml));
         auto f = fopen("debug.xml", "wb");
         fwrite(xml, strlen(xml), 1, f);
         return false;
diff --git a/src/avs_standalone.cpp b/src/avs_standalone.cpp
index a9e122b..3b149c9 100644
--- a/src/avs_standalone.cpp
+++ b/src/avs_standalone.cpp
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ LONG WINAPI exc_handler(_EXCEPTION_POINTERS *ExceptionInfo) {
         case DBG_PRINTEXCEPTION_C:
             break;
         default:
-            log_warning("Unhandled exception code 0x%lX at %p\n",
+            log_warning("Unhandled exception code {:#x} at {:p}",
                 ExceptionInfo->ExceptionRecord->ExceptionCode,
                 ExceptionInfo->ExceptionRecord->ExceptionAddress
             );
diff --git a/src/config.cpp b/src/config.cpp
index 2491d23..7cee754 100644
--- a/src/config.cpp
+++ b/src/config.cpp
@@ -120,13 +120,14 @@ void load_config(void) {
 }
 
 void print_config(void) {
-    log_info("Options: %s=%d %s=%d %s=%d %s=%s %s=%s %s=%s %s=%s",
+    log_info("Options: {}={} {}={} {}={} {}={} {}={} {}={} {}={}",
         VERBOSE_FLAG, config.verbose_logs,
         DEVMODE_FLAG, config.developer_mode,
         DISABLE_FLAG, config.disable,
-        LOGFILE_FLAG, config.logfile,
-        ALLOWLIST_FLAG, allowlist,
-        BLOCKLIST_FLAG, blocklist,
+        // TODO: std::optional
+        LOGFILE_FLAG, config.logfile ? config.logfile : "(null)",
+        ALLOWLIST_FLAG, allowlist ? allowlist : "(null)",
+        BLOCKLIST_FLAG, blocklist ? blocklist : "(null)",
         MOD_FOLDER_FLAG, config.get_mod_folder().c_str()
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/hook.cpp b/src/hook.cpp
index d0aa74f..c927da6 100644
--- a/src/hook.cpp
+++ b/src/hook.cpp
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class PkfsHookFile final : public HookFile {
         log_if_modfile();
         auto ret = pkfs_fs_open(get_path_to_open().c_str());
         if(ret == 0) {
-            log_verbose("pkfs_fs_open(%s) failed in call_real", get_path_to_open().c_str());
+            log_verbose("pkfs_fs_open({}) failed in call_real", get_path_to_open());
         }
         return ret;
     }
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class PkfsHookFile final : public HookFile {
             // This of course is racey, so if there is a *real* error in another
             // thread, this resets it. But it's a tight race, and I'll take that
             // chance.
-            log_verbose("pkfs_open(%s) failed in load_to_vec, clearing HDD error", get_path_to_open().c_str());
+            log_verbose("pkfs_open({}) failed in load_to_vec, clearing HDD error", get_path_to_open());
             pkfs_clear_hdd_error();
             return nullopt;
         }
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ void handle_arc(HookFile &file) {
         }
         arc = std::move(*_arc);
     } else {
-        log_info("arc: no original file, creating from scratch: \"%s\"", file.norm_path.c_str());
+        log_info("arc: no original file, creating from scratch: \"{}\"", file.norm_path);
     }
 
     auto out_folder = out.substr(0, out.rfind("/"));
@@ -296,13 +296,13 @@ void handle_arc(HookFile &file) {
 
             auto out_folder = xml_orig.substr(0, xml_orig.rfind("/"));
             if (!mkdir_p(out_folder)) {
-                log_warning("Couldn't create arc xml cache folder %s", out_folder.c_str());
+                log_warning("Couldn't create arc xml cache folder {}", out_folder);
                 continue;
             }
 
             FILE *f = fopen(xml_orig.c_str(), "wb");
             if (!f) {
-                log_warning("Couldn't create arc xml base at %s", xml_orig.c_str());
+                log_warning("Couldn't create arc xml base at {}", xml_orig);
                 continue;
             }
             fwrite(arc_file.second.data(), 1, arc_file.second.size(), f);
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ void handle_arc(HookFile &file) {
 
         auto data = f.load_to_vec();
         if (!data) {
-            log_warning("arc: couldn't load mod file '%s'", path.first.c_str());
+            log_warning("arc: couldn't load mod file '{}'", path.first);
             continue;
         }
         arc.add_or_replace(name, std::move(*data));
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ void handle_arc(HookFile &file) {
     cache_hasher.commit();
     file.mod_path = out;
 
-    log_misc("arc generation took %d ms", time() - start);
+    log_misc("arc generation took {} ms", time() - start);
 }
 
 void handle_texbin(HookFile &file) {
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ void handle_texbin(HookFile &file) {
         }
         texbin = *_texbin;
     } else {
-        log_info("Found texbin mods but no original file, creating from scratch: \"%s\"", file.norm_path.c_str());
+        log_info("Found texbin mods but no original file, creating from scratch: \"{}\"", file.norm_path);
     }
 
     auto folder_terminator = out.rfind("/");
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ void handle_texbin(HookFile &file) {
     cache_hasher.commit();
     file.mod_path = out;
 
-    log_misc("Texbin generation took %d ms", time() - start);
+    log_misc("Texbin generation took {} ms", time() - start);
 }
 
 uint32_t handle_file_open(HookFile &file) {
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ uint32_t handle_file_open(HookFile &file) {
     if(file.ramfs_demangle()) {
         ramfs_demangler_on_fs_open(file.path, ret);
     }
-    // log_verbose("(returned %d)", ret);
+    // log_verbose("(returned {})", ret);
     return ret;
 }
 
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ int hook_avs_fs_lstat(const char* name, struct avs_stat *st) {
     if (name == NULL)
         return avs_fs_lstat(name, st);
 
-    log_verbose("statting %s", name);
+    log_verbose("statting {}", name);
     string path = name;
 
     // can it be modded ie is it under /data ?
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ int hook_avs_fs_convert_path(char dest_name[256], const char *name) {
     if (name == NULL)
         return avs_fs_convert_path(dest_name, name);
 
-    log_verbose("convert_path %s", name);
+    log_verbose("convert_path {}", name);
     string path = name;
 
     // can it be modded ie is it under /data ?
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ int hook_avs_fs_convert_path(char dest_name[256], const char *name) {
 }
 
 int hook_avs_fs_mount(const char* mountpoint, const char* fsroot, const char* fstype, const char* args) {
-    log_verbose("mounting %s to %s with type %s and args %s", fsroot, mountpoint, fstype, args);
+    log_verbose("mounting {} to {} with type {} and args {}", fsroot, mountpoint, fstype, args ? args : "(null)");
     ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount(mountpoint, fsroot, fstype, args);
 
     // In new jubeat, a modded IFS file will be loaded as such:
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ DWORD WINAPI hook_GetLongPathNameA(LPCSTR lpszShortPath, LPSTR lpszLongPath, DWO
 AVS_FILE hook_avs_fs_open(const char* name, uint16_t mode, int flags) {
     if(name == NULL || inside_pkfs_hook)
         return avs_fs_open(name, mode, flags);
-    log_verbose("opening %s mode %d flags %d", name, mode, flags);
+    log_verbose("opening {} mode {} flags {}", name, mode, flags);
     // only touch reads
     if (mode != avs_open_mode_read()) {
         return avs_fs_open(name, mode, flags);
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ AVS_FILE hook_avs_fs_open(const char* name, uint16_t mode, int flags) {
 }
 
 unsigned int hook_pkfs_open(const char *name) {
-    log_verbose("pkfs_open %s", name);
+    log_verbose("pkfs_open {}", name);
 
     string path = name;
 
@@ -630,7 +630,8 @@ static void dump_loaded_dll_info() {
     bool first = true;
     for(auto mod = head; mod && (first || mod != head); mod = mod->Flink) {
         auto ldr = reinterpret_cast<PLDR_DATA_TABLE_ENTRY>(mod);
-        log_verbose("  %.*ls", ldr->FullDllName.Length, ldr->FullDllName.Buffer);
+        std::string narrow_dll_name(ldr->FullDllName.Buffer, ldr->FullDllName.Buffer + ldr->FullDllName.Length);
+        log_verbose("  {}", narrow_dll_name);
         first = false;
     }
 }
@@ -667,7 +668,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #ifdef SPECIAL_VER
         log_info("Build config: " SPECIAL_VER);
 #endif
-        log_info("AVS DLL detected: %s", avs_loaded_dll_name);
+        log_info("AVS DLL detected: {}", avs_loaded_dll_name);
         print_config();
 #ifdef UNPAK
         log_info(".pak dumper mode enabled");
@@ -714,7 +715,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
         log_info("Detected mod folders:");
         for (auto &p : available_mods()) {
-            log_info("%s", p.c_str());
+            log_info("{}", p);
         }
 
         return 0;
diff --git a/src/hook.h b/src/hook.h
index 4b9fa5c..c082199 100644
--- a/src/hook.h
+++ b/src/hook.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class HookFile {
 
     void log_if_modfile() {
         if (mod_path) {
-            log_verbose("Using %s", mod_path->c_str());
+            log_verbose("Using {}", *mod_path);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/imagefs.cpp b/src/imagefs.cpp
index 06ec1c6..263d120 100644
--- a/src/imagefs.cpp
+++ b/src/imagefs.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ bool add_images_to_list(string_set &extra_pngs, rapidxml::xml_node<> *texturelis
     vector<Bitmap*> textures;
 
     for (auto it = extra_pngs.begin(); it != extra_pngs.end(); ++it) {
-        log_verbose("New image: %s", it->c_str());
+        log_verbose("New image: {}", *it);
 
         string png_tex = *it + ".png";
         auto png_loc = find_first_modfile(ifs_mod_path + "/" + png_tex);
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ bool add_images_to_list(string_set &extra_pngs, rapidxml::xml_node<> *texturelis
         log_warning("Couldn't pack textures :(");
         return false;
     }
-    log_misc("Texture packing %d ms", time() - pack_start);
+    log_misc("Texture packing {} ms", time() - pack_start);
 
     // because the property API, being
     // a) written by Konami
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ bool add_images_to_list(string_set &extra_pngs, rapidxml::xml_node<> *texturelis
         }
     }
 
-    log_misc("Texture extend total time %d ms", time() - start);
+    log_misc("Texture extend total time {} ms", time() - start);
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ void parse_texturelist(HookFile &file) {
     auto ifs_path = file.norm_path;
     // truncate
     ifs_path.resize(ifs_path.size() - strlen("/tex/texturelist.xml"));
-    // log_misc("Reading ifs %s", ifs_path.c_str());
+    // log_misc("Reading ifs {}", ifs_path);
     auto ifs_mod_path = ifs_path;
     string_replace(ifs_mod_path, ".ifs", "_ifs");
 
@@ -240,14 +240,14 @@ void parse_texturelist(HookFile &file) {
 
         auto format = texture->first_attribute("format");
         if (!format) {
-            log_warning("Texture missing format %s", path_to_open.c_str());
+            log_warning("Texture missing format {}", path_to_open);
             continue;
         }
 
         //<size __type="2u16">128 128</size>
         auto size = texture->first_node("size");
         if (!size) {
-            log_warning("Texture missing size %s", path_to_open.c_str());
+            log_warning("Texture missing size {}", path_to_open);
             continue;
         }
 
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ void parse_texturelist(HookFile &file) {
             image = image->next_sibling("image")) {
             auto name = image->first_attribute("name");
             if (!name) {
-                log_warning("Texture missing name %s", path_to_open.c_str());
+                log_warning("Texture missing name {}", path_to_open);
                 continue;
             }
 
@@ -271,14 +271,14 @@ void parse_texturelist(HookFile &file) {
             auto imgrect = image->first_node("imgrect");
             auto uvrect = image->first_node("uvrect");
             if (!imgrect || !uvrect) {
-                log_warning("Texture missing dimensions %s", path_to_open.c_str());
+                log_warning("Texture missing dimensions {}", path_to_open);
                 continue;
             }
 
             // it's a 4u16
             sscanf(imgrect->value(), "%" SCNu16 " %" SCNu16 " %" SCNu16 " %" SCNu16, &dimensions[0], &dimensions[1], &dimensions[2], &dimensions[3]);
 
-            // log_misc("Image '%s' compress %d format %d", name->value(), compress, format_type);
+            // log_misc("Image '{}' compress {} format {}", name->value(), compress, format_type);
             image_t image_info;
             image_info.name = name->value();
             MD5 md5;
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ void parse_texturelist(HookFile &file) {
         }
     }
 
-    log_verbose("%d added PNGs", extra_pngs.size());
+    log_verbose("{} added PNGs", extra_pngs.size());
     if (extra_pngs.size() > 0) {
         if (add_images_to_list(extra_pngs, texturelist_node, ifs_path, ifs_mod_path, compress))
             prop_was_rewritten = true;
@@ -341,12 +341,12 @@ bool cache_texture(string const&png_path, image_t const&tex) {
 
     error = lodepng_decode32_file(&image, &width, &height, png_path.c_str());
     if (error) {
-        log_warning("can't load png %u: %s\n", error, lodepng_error_text(error));
+        log_warning("can't load png {}: {}\n", error, lodepng_error_text(error));
         return false;
     }
 
     if ((int)width != tex.width || (int)height != tex.height) {
-        log_warning("Loaded png (%dx%d) doesn't match texturelist.xml (%dx%d), ignoring", width, height, tex.width, tex.height);
+        log_warning("Loaded png ({}x{}) doesn't match texturelist.xml ({}x{}), ignoring", width, height, tex.width, tex.height);
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ void parse_afplist(HookFile &file) {
     auto ifs_path = file.norm_path;
     // truncate
     ifs_path.resize(ifs_path.size() - strlen("/tex/afplist.xml"));
-    // log_misc("Reading ifs %s", ifs_path.c_str());
+    // log_misc("Reading ifs {}", ifs_path);
     auto ifs_mod_path = ifs_path;
     string_replace(ifs_mod_path, ".ifs", "_ifs");
 
@@ -452,14 +452,14 @@ void parse_afplist(HookFile &file) {
 
         auto name = afp->first_attribute("name");
         if (!name) {
-            log_warning("AFP missing name %s", path_to_open.c_str());
+            log_warning("AFP missing name {}", path_to_open);
             continue;
         }
 
         // <geo __type="u16" __count="5">5 8 11 16 19</geo>
         auto geo = afp->first_node("geo");
         if (!geo) {
-            log_warning("AFP missing geo %s", path_to_open.c_str());
+            log_warning("AFP missing geo {}", path_to_open);
             continue;
         }
 
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ void parse_afplist(HookFile &file) {
                 .mod_path = ifs_mod_path + folder + file,
             });
             mapped++;
-            // log_info("AFP %s -> %s", md5_path.c_str(), (ifs_mod_path + folder + file).c_str());
+            // log_info("AFP {} -> {}", md5_path, ifs_mod_path + folder + file);
         };
 
         std::lock_guard lock(afp_md5_names_mtx);
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ void parse_afplist(HookFile &file) {
         }
     }
 
-    log_verbose("Mapped %d AFP filenames", mapped);
+    log_verbose("Mapped {} AFP filenames", mapped);
 }
 
 std::optional<std::tuple<std::string, std::shared_ptr<image_t>>> lookup_png_from_md5(HookFile &file) {
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ std::optional<std::tuple<std::string, std::shared_ptr<image_t>>> lookup_png_from
         return std::nullopt;
     }
 
-    //log_misc("Mapped file %s is found!", norm_path.c_str());
+    //log_misc("Mapped file {} is found!", norm_path);
     auto tex = tex_search->second;
     lock.unlock(); // is it safe to unlock this early? Time will tell...
 
@@ -519,15 +519,15 @@ void handle_texture(HookFile &file) {
     auto &[png_path, tex] = *lookup;
 
     if (tex->compression == UNSUPPORTED_COMPRESS) {
-        log_warning("Unsupported compression for %s", png_path.c_str());
+        log_warning("Unsupported compression for {}", png_path);
         return;
     }
     if (tex->format == UNSUPPORTED_FORMAT) {
-        log_warning("Unsupported texture format for %s", png_path.c_str());
+        log_warning("Unsupported texture format for {}", png_path);
         return;
     }
 
-    log_verbose("Mapped file %s found!", png_path.c_str());
+    log_verbose("Mapped file {} found!", png_path);
     if (cache_texture(png_path, *tex)) {
         file.mod_path = tex->cache_file();
     }
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ std::optional<std::string> lookup_afp_from_md5(HookFile &file) {
         return std::nullopt;
     }
 
-    //log_misc("Mapped file %s is found!", norm_path.c_str());
+    //log_misc("Mapped file {} is found!", norm_path);
     auto afp = afp_search->second;
     lock.unlock(); // is it safe to unlock this early? Time will tell...
 
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ void handle_afp(HookFile &file) {
     if(!lookup)
         return;
 
-    log_verbose("Mapped file %s found!", lookup->c_str());
+    log_verbose("Mapped file {} found!", *lookup);
     file.mod_path = *lookup;
     return;
 }
@@ -584,9 +584,9 @@ void merge_xmls(HookFile &file) {
     auto cache_hasher = CacheHasher(out_hashed);
 
     cache_hasher.add(starting); // don't forget to take the input into account
-    log_info("Merging into %s", starting.c_str());
+    log_info("Merging into {}", starting);
     for (auto &path : to_merge) {
-        log_info("  %s", path.c_str());
+        log_info("  {}", path);
         cache_hasher.add(path);
     }
     cache_hasher.finish();
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ void merge_xmls(HookFile &file) {
 
     auto first_result = rapidxml_from_avs_filepath(starting, merged_xml, merged_xml);
     if (!first_result) {
-        log_warning("Couldn't merge (can't load first xml %s)", starting.c_str());
+        log_warning("Couldn't merge (can't load first xml {})", starting);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ void merge_xmls(HookFile &file) {
         rapidxml::xml_document<> rapid_to_merge;
         auto merge_load_result = rapidxml_from_avs_filepath(path, rapid_to_merge, merged_xml);
         if (!merge_load_result) {
-            log_warning("Couldn't merge (can't load xml) %s", path.c_str());
+            log_warning("Couldn't merge (can't load xml) {}", path);
             return;
         }
 
@@ -630,5 +630,5 @@ void merge_xmls(HookFile &file) {
     cache_hasher.commit();
     file.mod_path = out;
 
-    log_misc("Merge took %d ms", time() - start);
+    log_misc("Merge took {} ms", time() - start);
 }
diff --git a/src/log.hpp b/src/log.hpp
index c5c31ce..e6ba270 100644
--- a/src/log.hpp
+++ b/src/log.hpp
@@ -1,24 +1,35 @@
+#pragma once
+
 #include "config.hpp" // since log_verbose uses it
+#include <format>
 
 #ifndef LOG_MODULE
 #define LOG_MODULE "layeredfs"
 #endif
 
+inline constexpr char _log_module[] = LOG_MODULE;
+
+using log_formatter_t = void (*)(const char *module, const char *fmt, ...);
+
+template<log_formatter_t* Logger, const char *Module, class... Args>
+void log_base(std::format_string<Args...> fmt, Args&&... args) {
+    (*Logger)(Module, "%s", std::format(fmt, std::forward<Args>(args)...).c_str());
+}
+
+
 // functions that default to file output, but will be overriden to point to AVS
 // logging functions if the user doesn't specify their own log file
-#define log_fatal(...) imp_log_body_fatal(LOG_MODULE, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define log_warning(...) imp_log_body_warning(LOG_MODULE, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define log_info(...) imp_log_body_info(LOG_MODULE, __VA_ARGS__)
-#define log_misc(...) imp_log_body_misc(LOG_MODULE, __VA_ARGS__)
+extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_fatal;
+extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_warning;
+extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_info;
+extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_misc;
+
+#define log_fatal(...) log_base<&imp_log_body_fatal, _log_module>(__VA_ARGS__);
+#define log_warning(...) log_base<&imp_log_body_warning, _log_module>(__VA_ARGS__);
+#define log_info(...) log_base<&imp_log_body_info, _log_module>(__VA_ARGS__);
+#define log_misc(...) log_base<&imp_log_body_misc, _log_module>(__VA_ARGS__);
 // layeredfs super-verbose (since most people have loglevel misc already)
 #define log_verbose(...) if(config.verbose_logs) {log_misc(__VA_ARGS__);}
 
 // for the playpen
 void log_to_stdout(void);
-
-typedef void (*log_formatter_t)(const char *module, const char *fmt, ...);
-
-extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_fatal;
-extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_warning;
-extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_info;
-extern log_formatter_t imp_log_body_misc;
diff --git a/src/modpath_handler.cpp b/src/modpath_handler.cpp
index e8a0ee9..6671fff 100644
--- a/src/modpath_handler.cpp
+++ b/src/modpath_handler.cpp
@@ -39,13 +39,13 @@ std::set<string, CaseInsensitiveCompare> walk_dir(const string &path, const stri
                     log_warning("\"data\" folder detected in mod root. Move all files inside to the mod root, or it will not work");
                 }
                 result_path = root + ffd.cFileName + "/";
-                log_verbose("  %s", result_path.c_str());
+                log_verbose("  {}", result_path);
                 auto subdir_walk = walk_dir(path + "/" + ffd.cFileName, result_path);
                 result.insert(subdir_walk.begin(), subdir_walk.end());
             }
             else {
                 result_path = root + ffd.cFileName;
-                log_verbose("  %s", result_path.c_str());
+                log_verbose("  {}", result_path);
             }
             result.insert(result_path);
         } while (FindNextFileA(contents, &ffd) != 0);
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ void cache_mods(void) {
     config.developer_mode = devmode;
 
     for (auto &dir : avail_mods) {
-        log_verbose("Walking %s", dir.c_str());
+        log_verbose("Walking {}", dir);
         mod_contents_t mod;
         mod.name = dir;
         // even in developer mode we want to walk the mods directory for effective logging
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ static vector<string> game_folders;
 void init_modpath_handler(void) {
     log_verbose("Top level folders:");
     for (auto folder : folders_in_folder(".")) {
-        log_verbose("  %s", folder.c_str());
+        log_verbose("  {}", folder);
 
         // data is the normal case we transparently handle
         if (!strcasecmp(folder.c_str(), "data")) {
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ vector<string> available_mods() {
             // if there is an allowlist, is this mod on it?
             if (!config.allowlist.empty() && config.allowlist.find(folder) == config.allowlist.end()) {
                 if (first_search)
-                    log_info("Ignoring non-allowlisted mod %s", folder.c_str());
+                    log_info("Ignoring non-allowlisted mod {}", folder);
 
                 continue;
             }
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ vector<string> available_mods() {
             // is this mod in the blocklist?
             if (config.blocklist.find(folder) != config.blocklist.end()) {
                 if (first_search)
-                    log_info("Ignoring blocklisted mod %s", folder.c_str());
+                    log_info("Ignoring blocklisted mod {}", folder);
 
                 continue;
             }
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ optional<string> find_first_cached_item(const string &norm_path) {
 }
 
 optional<string> find_first_modfile(const string &norm_path) {
-    //log_verbose("%s(%s)", __FUNCTION__, norm_path.c_str());
+    //log_verbose("{}({})", __FUNCTION__, norm_path);
     if (config.developer_mode) {
         for (auto &dir : available_mods()) {
             auto mod_path = dir + "/" + norm_path;
diff --git a/src/playpen.cpp b/src/playpen.cpp
index c39eb65..ba82d5a 100644
--- a/src/playpen.cpp
+++ b/src/playpen.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ void lz_unfuck(uint8_t *buf, size_t len) {
         }
     }
 
-    log_info("unfucked %d bytes", repl);
+    log_info("unfucked {} bytes", repl);
 }
 
 optional<std::vector<uint8_t>> readFile(const char* filename)
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ optional<std::vector<uint8_t>> readFile(const char* filename)
     std::ifstream file(filename, std::ios::binary);
 
     if(!file) {
-        log_warning("Couldn't open %s", filename);
+        log_warning("Couldn't open {}", filename);
         return nullopt;
     }
 
@@ -96,16 +96,16 @@ void avs_playpen() {
     //     return;
     // }
     // auto debug = *_debug;
-    // log_info("Loaded %d bytes", debug.size());
+    // log_info("Loaded {} bytes", debug.size());
 
     // // lz_unfuck(&debug[8], comp_sz);
     // // auto decomp = lz_decompress(&debug[8], comp_sz, &decomp_sz);
     // auto decomp = texbin_lz77_decompress(debug);
-    // log_info("Decomp to %u", decomp.size());
+    // log_info("Decomp to {}", decomp.size());
     // auto comp = texbin_lz77_compress(decomp);
-    // log_info("Comp again to %u", comp.size());
+    // log_info("Comp again to {}", comp.size());
     // auto decomp2 = texbin_lz77_decompress(comp);
-    // log_info("Final decomp to %u", decomp2.size());
+    // log_info("Final decomp to {}", decomp2.size());
 
     // auto f = fopen("debug.out.bin", "wb");
     // fwrite(&decomp[0], 1, decomp.size(), f);
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ void avs_playpen() {
 
     auto memsize = property_read_query_memsize(avs_fs_read, f, NULL, NULL);
     if (memsize < 0) {
-        log_warning("Couldn't get memsize %08X", memsize);
+        log_warning("Couldn't get memsize {:08X}", memsize);
         goto FAIL;
     }
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ FAIL:
         return;
     }
     for (char* n = avs_fs_readdir(d); n; n = avs_fs_readdir(d))
-        log_info("dir %s", n);
+        log_info("dir {}", n);
     avs_fs_closedir(d);*/
     //char name[64];
     //auto playpen = prop_from_file("playpen.xml");
@@ -188,15 +188,15 @@ FAIL:
     //print_node(end);
     /*for (int i = 0; i <= 8; i++) {
         if (i == 6 || i == 3) continue;
-        log_info("Traverse: %d", i);
+        log_info("Traverse: {}", i);
         auto node = property_search(playpen, NULL, "/root/t2");
         auto nnn = property_node_traversal(node, 8);
         auto nna = property_node_traversal(nnn, TRAVERSE_FIRST_ATTR);
         property_node_name(nna, name, 64);
-        log_info("bloop %s", name);
+        log_info("bloop {}", name);
         for (;node;node = property_node_traversal(node, i)) {
             if (!property_node_name(node, name, 64)) {
-                log_info("    %s", name);
+                log_info("    {}", name);
             }
         }
     }*/
diff --git a/src/ramfs_demangler.cpp b/src/ramfs_demangler.cpp
index adb10ce..f1a588e 100644
--- a/src/ramfs_demangler.cpp
+++ b/src/ramfs_demangler.cpp
@@ -110,11 +110,11 @@ void ramfs_demangler_register_arc_inner_ifs(const std::string& basename, const s
 	std::lock_guard lock(mangling_mtx);
 	auto existing = arc_inner_by_basename.find(basename);
 	if (existing != arc_inner_by_basename.end() && existing->second != demangled_path) {
-		log_warning("arc demangle: basename collision for '%s' (%s vs %s), later one wins",
-			basename.c_str(), existing->second.c_str(), demangled_path.c_str());
+		log_warning("arc demangle: basename collision for '{}' ({} vs {}), later one wins",
+			basename, existing->second, demangled_path);
 	}
 	arc_inner_by_basename[basename] = demangled_path;
-	log_verbose("arc inner basename '%s' -> %s", basename.c_str(), demangled_path.c_str());
+	log_verbose("arc inner basename '{}' -> {}", basename, demangled_path);
 }
 
 void ramfs_demangler_on_fs_read(AVS_FILE context, void* dest) {
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ void ramfs_demangler_on_fs_read(AVS_FILE context, void* dest) {
 	if (find != open_file_map.end()) {
 		auto path = find->second;
 		// even this is too verbose
-		//log_verbose("Mapped %p to %s", dest, path.c_str());
+		// log_verbose("Mapped {:p} to {}", dest, path);
 		ram_load_map[dest] = path;
 
 		auto cleanup = cleanup_map.find(path);
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ void ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount(const char* mountpoint, const char* fsroot, con
 		auto find = ram_load_map.find(buffer);
 		if (find != ram_load_map.end()) {
 			auto orig_path = find->second;
-			log_verbose("ramfs mount mapped to %s", orig_path.c_str());
+			log_verbose("ramfs mount mapped to {}", orig_path);
 			ramfs_map[mount_path.c_str()] =  orig_path;
 
 			auto cleanup = cleanup_map.find(orig_path);
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ void ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount(const char* mountpoint, const char* fsroot, con
 			                          : arc_inner_by_basename.find(bn);
 			if (by_name != arc_inner_by_basename.end()) {
 				auto orig_path = by_name->second;
-				log_verbose("ramfs mount basename '%s' mapped to %s", bn.c_str(), orig_path.c_str());
+				log_verbose("ramfs mount basename '{}' mapped to {}", bn, orig_path);
 				ramfs_map[mount_path.c_str()] = orig_path;
 				// No cleanup_map entry: we never saw the open for this inner ifs.
 			}
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ void ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount(const char* mountpoint, const char* fsroot, con
 		auto find = ramfs_map.find(fsroot);
 		if (find != ramfs_map.end()) {
 			auto orig_path = *find;
-			log_verbose("link mount mapped to %s", orig_path.c_str());
+			log_verbose("link mount mapped to {}", orig_path);
 			ramfs_map[mountpoint] = orig_path;
 
 			auto cleanup = cleanup_map.find(orig_path);
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ void ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount(const char* mountpoint, const char* fsroot, con
 		auto find = ramfs_map.longest_prefix(fsroot);
 		if (find != ramfs_map.end()) {
 			auto orig_path = *find;
-			log_verbose("imagefs mount mapped to %s", orig_path.c_str());
+			log_verbose("imagefs mount mapped to {}", orig_path);
 			mangling_map[mountpoint] = orig_path;
 
 			auto cleanup = cleanup_map.find(orig_path);
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ void ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount(const char* mountpoint, const char* fsroot, con
 			string root = (string)fsroot;
 			ramfs_demangler_demangle_if_possible_nolock(root);
 			if (normalise_path(root, /* demangle */ false)) {
-				log_verbose("imagefs mount mapped to %s", root.c_str());
+				log_verbose("imagefs mount mapped to {}", root);
 				mangling_map[mountpoint] = root;
 			}
 		}
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ void ramfs_demangler_demangle_if_possible(std::string& raw_path) {
 
 	auto search = mangling_map.longest_prefix(raw_path);
 	if (search != mangling_map.end()) {
-		// log_verbose("can demangle %s to %s", search.key().c_str(), search->c_str());
+		// log_verbose("can demangle {} to {}", search.key(), *search);
 		string_replace(raw_path, search.key().c_str(), search->c_str());
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/tests.cpp b/src/tests.cpp
index fdeb5ee..620b752 100644
--- a/src/tests.cpp
+++ b/src/tests.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ FOREACH_EXTRA_FUNC(AVS_FUNC_PTR)
 
 class LogTestName : public testing::EmptyTestEventListener {
     void OnTestStart(const testing::TestInfo& info) override {
-        log_misc("--------- Running %s.%s", info.test_suite_name(), info.name());
+        log_misc("--------- Running {}.{}", info.test_suite_name(), info.name());
     }
 };
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ TEST(ImageFs, MD5DemanglingWorks) {
       if(!norm) return std::string();
 
       TestHookFile file(path, *norm);
-      log_info("Lookup %s norm %s", path.c_str(), norm->c_str());
+      log_info("Lookup {} norm {}", path, *norm);
       auto lookup = lookup_png_from_md5(file);
       EXPECT_NE(lookup, std::nullopt);
       if(!lookup) return std::string();
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ TEST(ImageFs, MD5DemanglingWorks) {
       if(!norm) return std::string();
 
       TestHookFile file(path, *norm);
-      log_info("Lookup %s norm %s", path.c_str(), norm->c_str());
+      log_info("Lookup {} norm {}", path, *norm);
       auto lookup = lookup_afp_from_md5(file);
       EXPECT_NE(lookup, std::nullopt);
       if(!lookup) return std::string();
@@ -230,9 +230,8 @@ TEST(RamFs, DemanglingWorks) {
     ramfs_demangler_on_fs_open("./data/test.ifs", fake_handle);
 
     ramfs_demangler_on_fs_read(fake_handle, fake_buffer);
-    char* flags = snprintf_auto("base=0x%llx", (unsigned long long)(uintptr_t)fake_buffer);
-    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/sd0", "test.ifs", "ramfs", flags);
-    free(flags);
+    std::string flags = std::format("base={:#x}", (uintptr_t)fake_buffer);
+    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/sd0", "test.ifs", "ramfs", flags.c_str());
 
     ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/game/test", "/sd0/test.ifs", "imagefs", nullptr);
 
@@ -264,9 +263,8 @@ TEST(RamFs, DemanglingWorksNabla) {
    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_open("/data/graphics/ver07/logo.ifs", fake_handle);
 
    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_read(fake_handle, fake_buffer);
-   char* flags = snprintf_auto("base=0x%llx", (unsigned long long)(uintptr_t)fake_buffer);
-   ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/mnt/bm2d/rmp_89_2714881", "image.bin", "ramfs", flags);
-   free(flags);
+   std::string flags = std::format("base={:#x}", (uintptr_t)fake_buffer);
+   ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/mnt/bm2d/rmp_89_2714881", "image.bin", "ramfs", flags.c_str());
 
    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/mnt/bm2d/rfs88r89/logo.ifs", "/mnt/bm2d/rmp_89_2714881/image.bin", "link", "");
    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/mnt/bm2d/ngp88/logo.ifs", "/mnt/bm2d/rfs88r89/logo.ifs", "imagefs", nullptr);
@@ -382,9 +380,8 @@ TEST(ArcArchive, MergedXmlInsideArcWithOriginalInsideArc) {
 static void exercise_inner_ifs_demangle(std::string const& arc_path) {
     // The buffer pointer doesn't matter — basename lookup is the fallback path
     uint8_t fake_buffer[1];
-    char* flags = snprintf_auto("base=0x%llx", (unsigned long long)(uintptr_t)fake_buffer);
-    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/sd9", "inner.ifs", "ramfs", flags);
-    free(flags);
+    std::string flags = std::format("base={:#x}", (uintptr_t)fake_buffer);
+    ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/sd9", "inner.ifs", "ramfs", flags.c_str());
     ramfs_demangler_on_fs_mount("/game/inner_test", "/sd9/inner.ifs", "imagefs", nullptr);
 
     std::string p = "/game/inner_test/some_subfile";
diff --git a/src/texbin.cpp b/src/texbin.cpp
index 509c7ad..565b434 100644
--- a/src/texbin.cpp
+++ b/src/texbin.cpp
@@ -50,12 +50,12 @@ class TexbinHdr {
     void debug() {
         log_misc("texbin hdr");
 
-        log_misc("  archive size:      %" PRId32, archive_size);
-        log_misc("  file count:        %" PRId32, file_count);
-        log_misc("  data offset:       %" PRId32, data_offset);
-        log_misc("  rect offset:       %" PRId32, rect_offset);
-        log_misc("  name offset:       %" PRId32, name_offset);
-        log_misc("  data entry offset: %" PRId32, data_entry_offset);
+        log_misc("  archive size:      {}", archive_size);
+        log_misc("  file count:        {}", file_count);
+        log_misc("  data offset:       {}", data_offset);
+        log_misc("  rect offset:       {}", rect_offset);
+        log_misc("  name offset:       {}", name_offset);
+        log_misc("  data entry offset: {}", data_entry_offset);
     }
 };
 
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ class TexbinNamesHdr {
     void debug() {
         log_misc("texbin names hdr");
 
-        log_misc("  section size:      %" PRId32, sect_size);
-        log_misc("  names count:       %" PRId32, names_count);
+        log_misc("  section size:      {}", sect_size);
+        log_misc("  names count:       {}", names_count);
     }
 };
 
@@ -90,10 +90,10 @@ class TexbinRectHdr {
     void debug() {
         log_misc("texbin rect hdr");
 
-        log_misc("  section size:      %" PRId32, sect_size);
-        log_misc("  image count:       %" PRId32, image_count);
-        log_misc("  name offset:       %" PRId32, name_offset);
-        log_misc("  entries offset:    %" PRId32, rect_entry_offset);
+        log_misc("  section size:      {}", sect_size);
+        log_misc("  image count:       {}", image_count);
+        log_misc("  name offset:       {}", name_offset);
+        log_misc("  entries offset:    {}", rect_entry_offset);
     }
 };
 
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ static vector<string> load_names(istream &f, uint32_t name_offset) {
     TexbinNameEntry entry;
     for(uint32_t i = 0; i < name_hdr.names_count; i++) {
         if(!f.read((char*)&entry, sizeof(entry))) {
-            log_warning("bad name entry at %" PRId32, i);
+            log_warning("bad name entry at {}", i);
             return ret;
         }
         auto pos = f.tellg();
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ static vector<string> load_names(istream &f, uint32_t name_offset) {
             name += ch;
         }
         if(!f) {
-            log_warning("bad name entry at %" PRId32, i);
+            log_warning("bad name entry at {}", i);
             return ret;
         }
         ret[entry.id] = name;
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ static vector<vector<uint8_t>> load_data(istream &f, const TexbinHdr& hdr) {
     TexbinDataEntry entry;
     for(uint32_t i = 0; i < hdr.file_count; i++) {
         if(!f.read((char*)&entry, sizeof(entry))) {
-            log_warning("bad data entry at %" PRId32, i);
+            log_warning("bad data entry at {}", i);
             return ret;
         }
         auto pos = f.tellg();
@@ -274,9 +274,7 @@ static vector<vector<uint8_t>> load_data(istream &f, const TexbinHdr& hdr) {
         // actual data len, so they're not broken.
         uint32_t sizes[2];
         if(!f.read((char*)&sizes[0], sizeof(sizes))) {
-            log_warning("can't read data at i %" PRId32 " offset %" PRId32,
-                i, entry.offset
-            );
+            log_warning("can't read data at i {} offset {}", i, entry.offset);
             return ret;
         }
 
@@ -293,9 +291,7 @@ static vector<vector<uint8_t>> load_data(istream &f, const TexbinHdr& hdr) {
         vector<uint8_t> data;
         data.resize(entry.size);
         if(!f.read((char*)&data[0], entry.size)) {
-            log_warning("can't read data at i %" PRId32 " offset %" PRId32 " len %" PRId32,
-                i, entry.offset, entry.size
-            );
+            log_warning("can't read data at i {} offset {} len {}", i, entry.offset, entry.size);
             return ret;
         }
         ret.push_back(data);
@@ -388,7 +384,7 @@ bool Texbin::add_or_replace_image(const char *image_name, const char *png_path)
     unsigned width, height;
     error = lodepng::decode(image, width, height, png_path);
     if (error) {
-        log_warning("Can't load png %u: %s\n", error, lodepng_error_text(error));
+        log_warning("Can't load png {}: {}", error, lodepng_error_text(error));
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -397,25 +393,25 @@ bool Texbin::add_or_replace_image(const char *image_name, const char *png_path)
     // rect image names may shadow normal image names, so check them first
     if(existing_rect != rects.end()) {
         if(width != existing_rect->second.w || height != existing_rect->second.h) {
-            log_info("Replacement rect image %s has dimensions %dx%d but original is %dx%d, ignoring",
+            log_info("Replacement rect image {} has dimensions {}x{} but original is {}x{}, ignoring",
                 image_name, width, height, existing_rect->second.w, existing_rect->second.h
             );
             return false;
         }
-        log_info("Replacing rect image %s", image_name);
+        log_info("Replacing rect image {}", image_name);
         existing_rect->second.dirty_data = image;
     } else if(existing_image != images.end()) {
         auto [w, h] = existing_image->second.peek_dimensions();
         if(width != w || height != h) {
-            log_info("Replacement image %s has dimensions %dx%d but original is %dx%d, repacking anyway",
+            log_info("Replacement image {} has dimensions {}x{} but original is {}x{}, repacking anyway",
                 image_name, width, height, w, h
             );
         }
 
-        log_info("Replacing %s", image_name);
+        log_info("Replacing {}", image_name);
         images[image_name] = ImageEntryParsed(argb8888_to_texture_data(&image[0], width, height));
     } else{
-        log_info("Adding new image %s", image_name);
+        log_info("Adding new image {}", image_name);
         images[image_name] = ImageEntryParsed(argb8888_to_texture_data(&image[0], width, height));
     }
 
@@ -459,7 +455,11 @@ optional<Texbin> Texbin::from_stream(istream &f) {
     }
 
     if(hdr.archive_size != file_len) {
-        log_warning("bad archive size (file said %d stream said %d)", hdr.archive_size, file_len);
+        log_warning("bad archive size (file said {} stream said {})",
+            hdr.archive_size,
+            // TODO: hope that P3374R1 is implemented for C++26?
+            static_cast<std::streamoff>(file_len)
+        );
         return nullopt;
     }
 
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ optional<Texbin> Texbin::from_stream(istream &f) {
             }
 
             if(entry.x1 >= entry.x2 || entry.y1 >= entry.y2) {
-                log_warning("rect entry has invalid dimensions (%d,%d,%d,%d)",
+                log_warning("rect entry has invalid dimensions ({},{},{},{})",
                     entry.x1, entry.x2, entry.y1, entry.y2
                 );
                 return nullopt;
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ optional<Texbin> Texbin::from_stream(istream &f) {
 optional<Texbin> Texbin::from_path(const char *path) {
     // there are a handful of .bin files we might try to parse that *aren't*
     // texbins, so gate all logs before header magic check behind log_verbose
-    log_verbose("Opening %s", path);
+    log_verbose("Opening {}", path);
     ifstream f (path, ios::binary);
     if(!f) {
         log_verbose("cannot open");
@@ -568,21 +568,21 @@ void Texbin::process_dirty_rects() {
     for(auto &[rect_name, rects] : updates) {
         auto _image = images.find(rect_name);
         if(_image == images.end()) {
-            log_warning("Can't update rect %s: no tex???", rect_name.c_str());
+            log_warning("Can't update rect {}: no tex???", rect_name);
             continue;
         }
         auto image = &_image->second;
         auto _tex = image->tex_to_argb8888();
         if(!_tex) {
-            log_warning("Can't update rect %s: cannot load tex", rect_name.c_str());
+            log_warning("Can't update rect {}: cannot load tex", rect_name);
             continue;
         }
         auto [tex, width, height] = *_tex;
 
         for(auto &rect : rects) {
             if(rect->x2() > width || rect->y2() > height) {
-                log_warning("Can't update rect in %s: out of bounds (canvas is %dx%d, rect is x1,x2,y1,y2 %d,%d,%d,%d)",
-                    rect_name.c_str(),
+                log_warning("Can't update rect in {}: out of bounds (canvas is {}x{}, rect is x1,x2,y1,y2 {},{},{},{})",
+                    rect_name,
                     width,
                     height,
                     rect->x, rect->x2(), rect->y, rect->y2()
@@ -657,8 +657,8 @@ bool Texbin::save(const char *dest) {
         for(auto &[name, rect] : rects) {
             auto parent = images.find(rect.parent_name);
             if(parent == images.end()) {
-                log_warning("Rect entry \"%s\" has an invalid parent name \"%s\"",
-                    name.c_str(), rect.parent_name.c_str()
+                log_warning("Rect entry \"{}\" has an invalid parent name \"{}\"",
+                    name, rect.parent_name
                 );
                 return false;
             }
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@ optional<tuple<vector<uint8_t>, uint16_t, uint16_t>> ImageEntryParsed::tex_to_ar
             break;
 
         default:
-            log_warning("Unsupported tex format type 0x%X", hdr->format1 & 0xFF);
+            log_warning("Unsupported tex format type {:#x}", hdr->format1 & 0xFF);
             return nullopt;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/utils.cpp b/src/utils.cpp
index b49e9b7..22d30a6 100644
--- a/src/utils.cpp
+++ b/src/utils.cpp
@@ -4,21 +4,9 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 
 #include "utils.hpp"
-#include "log.hpp"
 #include "avs.h"
 #include "hook.h"
 
-char* snprintf_auto(const char* fmt, ...) {
-    va_list argList;
-
-    va_start(argList, fmt);
-    size_t len = vsnprintf(NULL, 0, fmt, argList);
-    auto s = (char*)malloc(len + 1);
-    vsnprintf(s, len + 1, fmt, argList);
-    va_end(argList);
-    return s;
-}
-
 bool string_ends_with(const char * str, const char * suffix) {
     size_t str_len = strlen(str);
     size_t suffix_len = strlen(suffix);
@@ -227,7 +215,7 @@ uint64_t file_time(const char* path) {
     ULARGE_INTEGER result;
     result.LowPart = mtime.dwLowDateTime;
     result.HighPart = mtime.dwHighDateTime;
-    // log_verbose("file time %lu for %s", result.QuadPart, path);
+    // log_verbose("file time {} for {}", result.QuadPart, path);
     return result.QuadPart;
 
     // NOTE: can't use this method because the DLL time is taken before AVS is
@@ -236,7 +224,7 @@ uint64_t file_time(const char* path) {
     // struct avs_stat st;
     // auto res = avs_fs_lstat(path, &st);
     // if (res) {
-    //     log_verbose("file time %ld for %s", st.st_mtime, path);
+    //     log_verbose("file time {} for {}", st.st_mtime, path);
     //     return st.st_mtime;
     // } else {
     //     return 0;
diff --git a/src/utils.hpp b/src/utils.hpp
index 919beaf..bb0cb53 100644
--- a/src/utils.hpp
+++ b/src/utils.hpp
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 
 #define lenof(x) (sizeof(x) / sizeof(*x))
 
-char* snprintf_auto(const char* fmt, ...);
 bool string_ends_with(const char * str, const char * suffix);
 bool string_ends_with(const std::string &str, const char * suffix);
 // case insensitive