diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index a1033f3..acf3357 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ View (hiccup) → Render (ANSI string) → Terminal (raw mode I/O)
 2. Runtime renders initial view
 3. Input loop reads keys, puts messages on channel
 4. Update function processes messages, may return commands
-5. Commands execute async (ticks, batches), put results back on channel
+5. Commands execute async (timers, batches), put results back on channel
 6. Loop until `[:quit]` command
 
 ### Command Types
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 25a6749..7cbeaa4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ Commands are returned from your `update` function to trigger side effects:
 | Command | Description |
 |---------|-------------|
 | `tui/quit` | Exit the application |
-| `(tui/tick ms)` | Send `:tick` after ms milliseconds |
+| `(tui/after ms msg)` | Send `msg` after ms milliseconds |
 | `(tui/batch c1 c2)` | Run commands in parallel |
 | `(tui/sequentially c1 c2)` | Run commands sequentially |
 | `(fn [] msg)` | Custom async function returning a message |
diff --git a/docs/api-reference.md b/docs/api-reference.md
index 33d3c03..09c413f 100644
--- a/docs/api-reference.md
+++ b/docs/api-reference.md
@@ -70,18 +70,19 @@ Constant value returned as a command to exit the application.
     [model nil]))
 ```
 
-### tick
+### after
 
 ```clojure
-(tick ms)
+(after ms msg)
 ```
 
-Create a command that sends `:tick` message after a delay.
+Create a command that sends `msg` after a delay.
 
 **Parameters:**
 - `ms` - Delay in milliseconds
+- `msg` - Message to send after the delay
 
-**Returns:** A tick command
+**Returns:** An async command
 
 **Example:**
 
@@ -89,14 +90,14 @@ Create a command that sends `:tick` message after a delay.
 ;; Start a 1-second timer
 (defn update-fn [model msg]
   (case msg
-    :tick [(update model :seconds inc) (tui/tick 1000)]
+    :timer-tick [(update model :seconds inc) (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)]
     [model nil]))
 
-;; Initial tick
+;; Initial timer
 (tui/run {:init {:seconds 0}
           :update update-fn
           :view view
-          :init-cmd (tui/tick 1000)})
+          :init-cmd (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)})
 ```
 
 ### batch
diff --git a/docs/examples.md b/docs/examples.md
index e8d86e0..387748a 100644
--- a/docs/examples.md
+++ b/docs/examples.md
@@ -125,10 +125,10 @@ r: reset  q: quit
 
 ## Timer
 
-A countdown timer demonstrating async commands with `tick`.
+A countdown timer demonstrating async commands with `after`.
 
 **Features:**
-- Async tick command
+- Async timer command
 - State machine (running/paused/done)
 - Conditional rendering
 - Pause/resume functionality
@@ -153,21 +153,21 @@ A countdown timer demonstrating async commands with `tick`.
       [model nil]
       (let [paused (not (:paused model))]
         [(assoc model :paused paused)
-         (when-not paused (tui/tick 1000))]))
+         (when-not paused (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick))]))
 
     ;; Reset with 'r'
     (tui/key= msg "r")
     [{:seconds initial-seconds :paused false :done false}
-     (tui/tick 1000)]
+     (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)]
 
-    ;; Handle tick
-    (= msg :tick)
+    ;; Handle timer tick
+    (= msg :timer-tick)
     (if (:paused model)
       [model nil]
       (let [new-seconds (dec (:seconds model))]
         (if (pos? new-seconds)
           [{:seconds new-seconds :paused false :done false}
-           (tui/tick 1000)]
+           (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)]
           [{:seconds 0 :paused false :done true} nil])))
 
     :else
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ A countdown timer demonstrating async commands with `tick`.
   (tui/run {:init {:seconds initial-seconds :paused false :done false}
             :update update-fn
             :view view
-            :init-cmd (tui/tick 1000)}))
+            :init-cmd (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)}))
 ```
 
 ### Output
@@ -242,10 +242,10 @@ space: pause/resume  r: reset  q: quit
 
 ### Key Concepts
 
-1. **Tick command**: `(tui/tick 1000)` sends `:tick` after 1 second
-2. **Initial command**: `:init-cmd` starts the first tick
+1. **After command**: `(tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)` sends `:timer-tick` after 1 second
+2. **Initial command**: `:init-cmd` starts the first timer
 3. **State machine**: Track `paused` and `done` states
-4. **Conditional ticks**: Only schedule next tick when not paused
+4. **Pause control**: Only schedule next `after` when not paused
 
 ---
 
@@ -373,11 +373,11 @@ j/k: move  space: toggle  enter: confirm  q: quit
 
 ## Spinner
 
-An animated loading spinner demonstrating fast tick-based animation.
+An animated loading spinner demonstrating fast timer-based animation.
 
 **Features:**
 - Multiple spinner styles
-- Fast animation (80ms ticks)
+- Fast animation (80ms intervals)
 - Tab to cycle styles
 - State machine (loading/done)
 
@@ -419,10 +419,10 @@ An animated loading spinner demonstrating fast tick-based animation.
     ;; Reset with 'r'
     (tui/key= msg "r")
     [{:style-idx (:style-idx model) :frame 0 :done false}
-     (tui/tick 80)]
+     (tui/after 80 :spinner-frame)]
 
-    ;; Handle tick
-    (= msg :tick)
+    ;; Handle spinner frame
+    (= msg :spinner-frame)
     (if (:done model)
       [model nil]
       (let [style-key (nth spinner-order (:style-idx model))
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ An animated loading spinner demonstrating fast tick-based animation.
             interval (get-in spinners [style-key :interval])
             next-frame (mod (inc (:frame model)) (count frames))]
         [(assoc model :frame next-frame)
-         (tui/tick interval)]))
+         (tui/after interval :spinner-frame)]))
 
     :else
     [model nil]))
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ An animated loading spinner demonstrating fast tick-based animation.
   (tui/run {:init {:style-idx 0 :frame 0 :done false}
             :update update-fn
             :view view
-            :init-cmd (tui/tick 80)}))
+            :init-cmd (tui/after 80 :spinner-frame)}))
 ```
 
 ### Output
@@ -498,10 +498,10 @@ tab: change style  space: complete  r: restart  q: quit
 
 ### Key Concepts
 
-1. **Fast ticks**: Use short intervals (80-100ms) for smooth animation
+1. **Fast timers**: Use short intervals (80-100ms) for smooth animation
 2. **Frame-based animation**: Cycle through an array of frames
 3. **Multiple styles**: Store different spinner configurations
-4. **Stop animation**: Stop scheduling ticks when done
+4. **Stop animation**: Stop scheduling timers when done
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/docs/getting-started.md b/docs/getting-started.md
index 976076f..4b4930f 100644
--- a/docs/getting-started.md
+++ b/docs/getting-started.md
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ Commands are how your application performs side effects.
 | Command | Description |
 |---------|-------------|
 | `tui/quit` | Exit the application |
-| `(tui/tick ms)` | Send `:tick` message after delay |
+| `(tui/after ms msg)` | Send `msg` after delay |
 | `(tui/batch cmd1 cmd2 ...)` | Run commands in parallel |
 | `(tui/sequentially cmd1 cmd2 ...)` | Run commands in sequence |
 
@@ -284,9 +284,9 @@ Commands are returned as the second element of the update function's return vect
     (tui/key= msg "q")
     [model tui/quit]
 
-    ;; Return tick command (async runtime only)
+    ;; Return after command (async runtime only)
     (tui/key= msg "s")
-    [{:started true} (tui/tick 1000)]
+    [{:started true} (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)]
 
     ;; No command
     :else
@@ -304,11 +304,11 @@ Commands are returned as the second element of the update function's return vect
     (tui/key= msg "q")
     [model tui/quit]
 
-    ;; Handle tick message
-    (= msg :tick)
+    ;; Handle timer tick message
+    (= msg :timer-tick)
     (let [new-count (dec (:count model))]
       (if (pos? new-count)
-        [{:count new-count} (tui/tick 1000)]
+        [{:count new-count} (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)]
         [{:count 0 :done true} nil]))
 
     :else
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ Commands are returned as the second element of the update function's return vect
   (tui/run {:init {:count 10 :done false}
             :update update-fn
             :view view
-            :init-cmd (tui/tick 1000)}))  ;; Start first tick
+            :init-cmd (tui/after 1000 :timer-tick)}))  ;; Start first timer
 ```
 
 ## Configuration Options