diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzlePanel.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzlePanel.java
index 91a3a0660..7f795c31a 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzlePanel.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzlePanel.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: PuzzlePanel.java,v 1.5 2004/08/27 02:20:27 mdb Exp $
+// $Id: PuzzlePanel.java,v 1.6 2004/10/28 18:37:49 mdb Exp $
 //
 // Narya library - tools for developing networked games
 // Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import javax.swing.JPanel;
 import com.samskivert.swing.Controller;
 import com.samskivert.swing.ControllerProvider;
 import com.samskivert.swing.util.SwingUtil;
+import com.samskivert.util.RuntimeAdjust;
 
 import com.threerings.util.KeyTranslator;
 import com.threerings.util.RobotPlayer;
@@ -180,7 +181,8 @@ public abstract class PuzzlePanel extends JPanel
     public void startAction ()
     {
         // make the first player a robot player
-        if (ROBOT_TEST && _controller.getPlayerIndex() == 0) {
+
+        if (_robotTest.getValue() && _controller.getPlayerIndex() == 0) {
             setRobotPlayer(true);
         }
     }
@@ -191,7 +193,7 @@ public abstract class PuzzlePanel extends JPanel
     public void clearAction ()
     {
         // deactivate the robot player
-        if (ROBOT_TEST && _controller.getPlayerIndex() == 0) {
+        if (_robotTest.getValue() && _controller.getPlayerIndex() == 0) {
             setRobotPlayer(false);
         }
     }
@@ -268,4 +270,11 @@ public abstract class PuzzlePanel extends JPanel
 
     /** The puzzle game controller. */
     protected PuzzleController _controller;
+
+    /** A debug hook that toggles activation of the robot test player. */
+    protected static RuntimeAdjust.BooleanAdjust _robotTest =
+        new RuntimeAdjust.BooleanAdjust(
+            "Activates the robot test player which will make random moves " +
+            "in any activated puzzle.", "narya.puzzle.robot_tester",
+            PuzzlePrefs.config, false);
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzlePrefs.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzlePrefs.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7d05450ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzlePrefs.java
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+//
+// $Id: PuzzlePrefs.java,v 1.1 2004/10/28 18:37:49 mdb Exp $
+//
+// Narya library - tools for developing networked games
+// Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
+// http://www.threerings.net/code/narya/
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+
+package com.threerings.puzzle.client;
+
+import com.samskivert.util.Config;
+
+/**
+ * Provides access to runtime configuration parameters for this package
+ * and its subpackages.
+ */
+public class PuzzlePrefs
+{
+    /** Used to load our preferences from a properties file and map them
+     * to the persistent Java preferences repository. */
+    public static Config config = new Config("rsrc/config/puzzle");
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/PuzzleGameCodes.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/PuzzleGameCodes.java
index 88958bfa1..2cd1150d2 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/PuzzleGameCodes.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/PuzzleGameCodes.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: PuzzleGameCodes.java,v 1.2 2004/08/27 02:20:28 mdb Exp $
+// $Id: PuzzleGameCodes.java,v 1.3 2004/10/28 18:37:49 mdb Exp $
 //
 // Narya library - tools for developing networked games
 // Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
@@ -28,6 +28,5 @@ package com.threerings.puzzle.data;
  */
 public interface PuzzleGameCodes
 {
-    /** Enable this flag to test the game with a robot player. */
-    public static final boolean ROBOT_TEST = false;
+    // Nothing at the moment.
 }