diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cb3d3eb..5d57bcb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -26,18 +26,18 @@ luarocks install pending.nvim
 
 ## Icons
 
-All display characters are configurable. Defaults produce markdown-style checkboxes (`[ ]`, `[x]`, `[!]`):
+pending.nvim renders task status and metadata using configurable icon characters. The defaults are ASCII-only (no unicode or nerd font required):
 
 ```lua
 vim.g.pending = {
   icons = {
-    pending = ' ', done = 'x', priority = '!',
-    due = '.', recur = '~', category = '#',
+    pending = '-', done = 'x', priority = '!',
+    header = '>', due = '.', recur = '~', category = '#',
   },
 }
 ```
 
-See `:help pending.Icons` for nerd font examples.
+See `:help pending.Icons` for unicode and nerd font examples.
 
 ## Acknowledgements
 
diff --git a/assets/.gitkeep b/assets/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/doc/pending.txt b/doc/pending.txt
index 01728a3..b811288 100644
--- a/doc/pending.txt
+++ b/doc/pending.txt
@@ -663,18 +663,14 @@ Fields: ~
                          table. Currently only `gcal` is built-in.
 
     {icons}              (table)                          *pending.Icons*
-                         Icon characters displayed in the buffer. The
-                         {pending}, {done}, and {priority} characters
-                         appear inside brackets (`[icon]`) as an overlay
-                         on the checkbox. The {category} character
-                         prefixes both header lines and EOL category
-                         labels. Fields:
-                           {pending}   Pending task character. Default: ' '
-                           {done}      Done task character. Default: 'x'
-                           {priority}  Priority task character. Default: '!'
+                         Icon characters displayed in the buffer. Fields:
+                           {pending}   Uncompleted task icon. Default: '-'
+                           {done}      Completed task icon. Default: 'x'
+                           {priority}  Priority task icon. Default: '!'
+                           {header}    Category header prefix. Default: '>'
                            {due}       Due date prefix. Default: '.'
                            {recur}     Recurrence prefix. Default: '~'
-                           {category}  Category prefix. Default: '#'
+                           {category}  Category label prefix. Default: '#'
 
 ==============================================================================
 STORE RESOLUTION                                    *pending-store-resolution*
@@ -848,9 +844,84 @@ Event-driven statusline refresh: >lua
     })
 <
 
+mini.ai integration: ~                                        *pending-mini-ai*
+mini.ai (from mini.nvim) maps `a` and `i` as single-key handlers in
+operator-pending and visual modes. It captures the next keystroke internally
+rather than routing it through Neovim's mapping system, which means the
+buffer-local `at`, `it`, `aC`, and `iC` maps never fire for users who have
+mini.ai installed.
+
+The fix is to register pending.nvim's text objects as mini.ai custom
+textobjects via `vim.b.miniai_config` in a `FileType` autocmd. mini.ai's
+`custom_textobjects` spec expects each entry to be a function returning
+`{ from = { line, col }, to = { line, col } }` (1-indexed, col is
+byte-offset from 1).
+
+pending.nvim's `textobj.inner_task_range(line)` returns the start and end
+column offsets within the current line. Combine it with the cursor row and
+the buffer line to build the region tables mini.ai expects: >lua
+
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd('FileType', {
+      pattern = 'pending',
+      callback = function()
+        local function task_inner()
+          local textobj = require('pending.textobj')
+          local row = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(0)[1]
+          local line = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(0, row - 1, row, false)[1]
+          if not line then return end
+          local s, e = textobj.inner_task_range(line)
+          if s > e then return end
+          return { from = { line = row, col = s }, to = { line = row, col = e } }
+        end
+
+        local function category_inner()
+          local textobj = require('pending.textobj')
+          local buffer = require('pending.buffer')
+          local meta = buffer.meta()
+          if not meta then return end
+          local row = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(0)[1]
+          local header_row, last_row = textobj.category_bounds(row, meta)
+          if not header_row then return end
+          local first_task, last_task
+          for r = header_row + 1, last_row do
+            if meta[r] and meta[r].type == 'task' then
+              if not first_task then first_task = r end
+              last_task = r
+            end
+          end
+          if not first_task then return end
+          local first_line = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(0, first_task - 1, first_task, false)[1] or ''
+          local last_line = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(0, last_task - 1, last_task, false)[1] or ''
+          return {
+            from = { line = first_task, col = 1 },
+            to   = { line = last_task,  col = #last_line },
+          }
+        end
+
+        vim.b.miniai_config = {
+          custom_textobjects = { t = task_inner, C = category_inner },
+        }
+      end,
+    })
+<
+
+Note that the default `keymaps.a_task = 'at'` and friends still work in
+standard Neovim operator-pending mode for users who do not have mini.ai. The
+`vim.b.miniai_config` block is only needed when mini.ai is active.
+
+`aC` (outer category) is not exposed here because mini.ai does not support
+the linewise selection that `aC` requires. Use the buffer-local `aC` key
+directly, or disable `a_category` in `keymaps` and handle it via a
+`vim.b.miniai_config` entry that returns a linewise region if mini.ai's
+spec allows it in your version.
+
 Nerd font icons: >lua
     vim.g.pending = {
       icons = {
+        pending  = '',
+        done     = '',
+        priority = '',
+        header   = '',
         due      = '',
         recur    = '󰁯',
         category = '',
@@ -858,6 +929,20 @@ Nerd font icons: >lua
     }
 <
 
+ASCII fallback icons: >lua
+    vim.g.pending = {
+      icons = {
+        pending  = '-',
+        done     = 'x',
+        priority = '!',
+        header   = '>',
+        due      = '@',
+        recur    = '~',
+        category = '+',
+      },
+    }
+<
+
 Open tasks in a new tab on startup: >lua
     vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd('VimEnter', {
       callback = function()
diff --git a/lua/pending/buffer.lua b/lua/pending/buffer.lua
index 8fdcbe1..8b661a0 100644
--- a/lua/pending/buffer.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/buffer.lua
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ local function setup_syntax(bufnr)
     vim.cmd([[
       syntax clear
       syntax match taskId /^\/\d\+\// conceal
-      syntax match taskHeader /^# .*$/ contains=taskId
+      syntax match taskHeader /^## .*$/ contains=taskId
       syntax match taskCheckbox /\[!\]/ contained containedin=taskLine
       syntax match taskLine /^\/\d\+\/- \[.\] .*$/ contains=taskId,taskCheckbox
     ]])
@@ -205,8 +205,9 @@ local function apply_extmarks(bufnr, line_meta)
       else
         icon, icon_hl = icons.pending, 'Normal'
       end
+      local icon_padded = icon .. '  '
       vim.api.nvim_buf_set_extmark(bufnr, task_ns, row, bracket_col, {
-        virt_text = { { '[' .. icon .. ']', icon_hl } },
+        virt_text = { { icon_padded, icon_hl } },
         virt_text_pos = 'overlay',
         priority = 100,
       })
@@ -217,7 +218,7 @@ local function apply_extmarks(bufnr, line_meta)
         hl_group = 'PendingHeader',
       })
       vim.api.nvim_buf_set_extmark(bufnr, task_ns, row, 0, {
-        virt_text = { { icons.category .. ' ', 'PendingHeader' } },
+        virt_text = { { icons.header .. '  ', 'PendingHeader' } },
         virt_text_pos = 'overlay',
         priority = 100,
       })
diff --git a/lua/pending/config.lua b/lua/pending/config.lua
index 09c5cf0..dfc3052 100644
--- a/lua/pending/config.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/config.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 ---@field pending string
 ---@field done string
 ---@field priority string
+---@field header string
 ---@field due string
 ---@field recur string
 ---@field category string
@@ -81,9 +82,10 @@ local defaults = {
   },
   sync = {},
   icons = {
-    pending = ' ',
+    pending = '-',
     done = 'x',
     priority = '!',
+    header = '>',
     due = '.',
     recur = '~',
     category = '#',
diff --git a/lua/pending/diff.lua b/lua/pending/diff.lua
index 7ebbfe1..e5a93e5 100644
--- a/lua/pending/diff.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/diff.lua
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ function M.parse_buffer(lines)
           lnum = i,
         })
       end
-    elseif line:match('^# (.+)$') then
-      current_category = line:match('^# (.+)$')
+    elseif line:match('^## (.+)$') then
+      current_category = line:match('^## (.+)$')
       table.insert(result, { type = 'header', category = current_category, lnum = i })
     end
   end
diff --git a/lua/pending/views.lua b/lua/pending/views.lua
index 87fcee1..286db9a 100644
--- a/lua/pending/views.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/views.lua
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ function M.category_view(tasks)
       table.insert(lines, '')
       table.insert(meta, { type = 'blank' })
     end
-    table.insert(lines, '# ' .. cat)
+    table.insert(lines, '## ' .. cat)
     table.insert(meta, { type = 'header', category = cat })
 
     local all = {}
diff --git a/spec/diff_spec.lua b/spec/diff_spec.lua
index c2a0406..2322ded 100644
--- a/spec/diff_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/diff_spec.lua
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ describe('diff', function()
   describe('parse_buffer', function()
     it('parses headers and tasks', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# School',
+        '## School',
         '/1/- [ ] Do homework',
         '/2/- [!] Read chapter 5',
         '',
-        '# Errands',
+        '## Errands',
         '/3/- [ ] Buy groceries',
       }
       local result = diff.parse_buffer(lines)
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
 
     it('handles new tasks without ids', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '- [ ] New task here',
       }
       local result = diff.parse_buffer(lines)
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
 
     it('inline cat: token overrides header category', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Buy milk cat:Work',
       }
       local result = diff.parse_buffer(lines)
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
 
     it('extracts rec: token from buffer line', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Take trash out rec:weekly',
       }
       local result = diff.parse_buffer(lines)
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
 
     it('extracts rec: with completion mode', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Water plants rec:!daily',
       }
       local result = diff.parse_buffer(lines)
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
 
     it('inline due: token is parsed', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Buy milk due:2026-03-15',
       }
       local result = diff.parse_buffer(lines)
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
   describe('apply', function()
     it('creates new tasks from buffer lines', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '- [ ] First task',
         '- [ ] Second task',
       }
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Delete me' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Keep me',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Original' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Renamed',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       t.modified = '2020-01-01T00:00:00Z'
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Renamed',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Original' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Original',
         '/1/- [ ] Copy of original',
       }
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Moving task', category = 'Inbox' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Work',
+        '## Work',
         '/1/- [ ] Moving task',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Stable task', category = 'Inbox' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Stable task',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Pay bill', due = '2026-03-15' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Pay bill',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
 
     it('stores recur field on new tasks from buffer', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '- [ ] Take out trash rec:weekly',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Task', recur = 'daily' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Todo',
+        '## Todo',
         '/1/- [ ] Task rec:weekly',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Task', recur = 'daily' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Todo',
+        '## Todo',
         '/1/- [ ] Task',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
 
     it('parses rec: with completion mode prefix', function()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '- [ ] Water plants rec:!weekly',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Task name', priority = 1 })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
+        '## Inbox',
         '/1/- [ ] Task name',
       }
       diff.apply(lines, s)
diff --git a/spec/icons_spec.lua b/spec/icons_spec.lua
index 47b518c..d6569cc 100644
--- a/spec/icons_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/icons_spec.lua
@@ -15,42 +15,45 @@ describe('icons', function()
 
   it('has default icon values', function()
     local icons = config.get().icons
-    assert.equals(' ', icons.pending)
+    assert.equals('-', icons.pending)
     assert.equals('x', icons.done)
     assert.equals('!', icons.priority)
+    assert.equals('>', icons.header)
     assert.equals('.', icons.due)
     assert.equals('~', icons.recur)
     assert.equals('#', icons.category)
   end)
 
   it('allows overriding individual icons', function()
-    vim.g.pending = { icons = { pending = '*', done = '+' } }
+    vim.g.pending = { icons = { pending = '○', done = '✓' } }
     config.reset()
     local icons = config.get().icons
-    assert.equals('*', icons.pending)
-    assert.equals('+', icons.done)
+    assert.equals('○', icons.pending)
+    assert.equals('✓', icons.done)
     assert.equals('!', icons.priority)
-    assert.equals('#', icons.category)
+    assert.equals('>', icons.header)
   end)
 
   it('allows overriding all icons', function()
     vim.g.pending = {
       icons = {
         pending = '-',
-        done = '+',
-        priority = '*',
+        done = 'x',
+        priority = '!',
+        header = '>',
         due = '@',
-        recur = '^',
-        category = '&',
+        recur = '~',
+        category = '+',
       },
     }
     config.reset()
     local icons = config.get().icons
     assert.equals('-', icons.pending)
-    assert.equals('+', icons.done)
-    assert.equals('*', icons.priority)
+    assert.equals('x', icons.done)
+    assert.equals('!', icons.priority)
+    assert.equals('>', icons.header)
     assert.equals('@', icons.due)
-    assert.equals('^', icons.recur)
-    assert.equals('&', icons.category)
+    assert.equals('~', icons.recur)
+    assert.equals('+', icons.category)
   end)
 end)
diff --git a/spec/views_spec.lua b/spec/views_spec.lua
index ede9de9..c9785f9 100644
--- a/spec/views_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/views_spec.lua
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ describe('views', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Task A', category = 'Work' })
       s:add({ description = 'Task B', category = 'Work' })
       local lines, meta = views.category_view(s:active_tasks())
-      assert.are.equal('# Work', lines[1])
+      assert.are.equal('## Work', lines[1])
       assert.are.equal('header', meta[1].type)
       assert.is_true(lines[2]:find('Task A') ~= nil)
       assert.is_true(lines[3]:find('Task B') ~= nil)
@@ -243,8 +243,8 @@ describe('views', function()
           end
         end
       end
-      assert.are.equal('# Work', first_header)
-      assert.are.equal('# Inbox', second_header)
+      assert.are.equal('## Work', first_header)
+      assert.are.equal('## Inbox', second_header)
     end)
 
     it('appends categories not in category_order after ordered ones', function()
@@ -259,8 +259,8 @@ describe('views', function()
           table.insert(headers, lines[i])
         end
       end
-      assert.are.equal('# Work', headers[1])
-      assert.are.equal('# Errands', headers[2])
+      assert.are.equal('## Work', headers[1])
+      assert.are.equal('## Errands', headers[2])
     end)
 
     it('preserves insertion order when category_order is empty', function()
@@ -273,8 +273,8 @@ describe('views', function()
           table.insert(headers, lines[i])
         end
       end
-      assert.are.equal('# Alpha', headers[1])
-      assert.are.equal('# Beta', headers[2])
+      assert.are.equal('## Alpha', headers[1])
+      assert.are.equal('## Beta', headers[2])
     end)
   end)