diff --git a/docs/PROTOCOL.md b/docs/PROTOCOL.md
index dad2b48..5cfc689 100644
--- a/docs/PROTOCOL.md
+++ b/docs/PROTOCOL.md
@@ -189,3 +189,144 @@ Fichero-branded printers:
 4. Traced the device class hierarchy: D11s -> AiYinNormalDevice -> BaseNormalDevice
 5. Found the AiYin-specific enable/stop commands that were different from the base class
 6. Tested every discovered command against the actual hardware and documented which ones work
+
+---
+
+## HTTP API (`fichero/api.py`)
+
+A FastAPI-based REST server that wraps the printer logic.
+
+### Installation
+
+```bash
+pip install 'fichero-printer[api]'
+```
+
+### Starting the server
+
+```bash
+fichero-server [--host HOST] [--port PORT] [--address BLE_ADDR] [--classic] [--channel N]
+```
+
+Default: `http://127.0.0.1:8765`.  
+The BLE address can also be set via the `FICHERO_ADDR` environment variable.  
+Interactive docs available at `http://127.0.0.1:8765/docs`.
+
+---
+
+### `GET /status`
+
+Returns the real-time printer status.
+
+**Query parameters** (all optional):
+
+| Parameter | Type    | Default          | Description                         |
+|-----------|---------|------------------|-------------------------------------|
+| `address` | string  | `FICHERO_ADDR`   | BLE address (skips scanning)        |
+| `classic` | boolean | `false`          | Use Classic Bluetooth RFCOMM        |
+| `channel` | integer | `1`              | RFCOMM channel                      |
+
+**Response `200`:**
+```json
+{
+  "ok": true,
+  "printing": false,
+  "cover_open": false,
+  "no_paper": false,
+  "low_battery": false,
+  "overheated": false,
+  "charging": false,
+  "raw": 0
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+### `GET /info`
+
+Returns static and dynamic printer information (model, firmware, serial, battery, …).
+
+Same query parameters as `/status`.
+
+**Response `200`:** JSON object with all info keys returned by the printer.
+
+---
+
+### `POST /print/text`
+
+Print a plain-text label. Sends `multipart/form-data`.
+
+**Form fields:**
+
+| Field          | Type    | Default | Required | Description                                      |
+|----------------|---------|---------|----------|--------------------------------------------------|
+| `text`         | string  | —       | ✓        | Text to print                                    |
+| `density`      | integer | `2`     |          | Print density: 0=light, 1=medium, 2=dark         |
+| `paper`        | string  | `gap`   |          | Paper type: `gap`, `black`, `continuous` (0-2)   |
+| `copies`       | integer | `1`     |          | Number of copies (1–99)                          |
+| `font_size`    | integer | `30`    |          | Font size in points                              |
+| `label_length` | integer | —       |          | Label length in mm (overrides `label_height`)    |
+| `label_height` | integer | `240`   |          | Label height in pixels                           |
+| `address`      | string  | —       |          | BLE address override                             |
+| `classic`      | boolean | —       |          | Use Classic Bluetooth RFCOMM                     |
+| `channel`      | integer | —       |          | RFCOMM channel                                   |
+
+**Response `200`:**
+```json
+{ "ok": true, "copies": 1, "text": "Hello World" }
+```
+
+**Example (`curl`):**
+```bash
+curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:8765/print/text \
+  -F text="Hello World" \
+  -F density=2 \
+  -F paper=gap \
+  -F label_length=30
+```
+
+---
+
+### `POST /print/image`
+
+Print an image file. Sends `multipart/form-data`.
+
+**Form fields:**
+
+| Field          | Type    | Default | Required | Description                                      |
+|----------------|---------|---------|----------|--------------------------------------------------|
+| `file`         | file    | —       | ✓        | Image file (PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, WEBP)     |
+| `density`      | integer | `2`     |          | Print density: 0=light, 1=medium, 2=dark         |
+| `paper`        | string  | `gap`   |          | Paper type: `gap`, `black`, `continuous` (0-2)   |
+| `copies`       | integer | `1`     |          | Number of copies (1–99)                          |
+| `dither`       | boolean | `true`  |          | Apply Floyd-Steinberg dithering                  |
+| `label_length` | integer | —       |          | Max label length in mm (overrides `label_height`)|
+| `label_height` | integer | `240`   |          | Max label height in pixels                       |
+| `address`      | string  | —       |          | BLE address override                             |
+| `classic`      | boolean | —       |          | Use Classic Bluetooth RFCOMM                     |
+| `channel`      | integer | —       |          | RFCOMM channel                                   |
+
+**Response `200`:**
+```json
+{ "ok": true, "copies": 1, "filename": "label.png" }
+```
+
+**Example (`curl`):**
+```bash
+curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:8765/print/image \
+  -F file=@label.png \
+  -F density=2 \
+  -F dither=true \
+  -F label_length=40
+```
+
+---
+
+### Error responses
+
+| Status | Meaning                                                 |
+|--------|---------------------------------------------------------|
+| `404`  | Printer not found (BLE scan failed or address invalid)  |
+| `422`  | Validation error (bad parameter value or empty file)    |
+| `502`  | Printer communication error                             |
+| `504`  | Printer timed out                                       |
diff --git a/fichero/api.py b/fichero/api.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac3ef28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fichero/api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+"""HTTP REST API for the Fichero D11s thermal label printer.
+
+Start with:
+    fichero-server [--host HOST] [--port PORT]
+or:
+    python -m fichero.api
+
+Endpoints:
+    GET  /status           – Printer status
+    GET  /info             – Printer info (model, firmware, battery, …)
+    POST /print/text       – Print a text label
+    POST /print/image      – Print an uploaded image file
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import asyncio
+import io
+import os
+from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
+from typing import Annotated
+
+from fastapi import FastAPI, File, Form, HTTPException, UploadFile
+from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
+from PIL import Image
+
+from fichero.cli import DOTS_PER_MM, do_print
+from fichero.imaging import text_to_image
+from fichero.printer import (
+    PAPER_GAP,
+    PrinterError,
+    PrinterNotFound,
+    PrinterTimeout,
+    connect,
+)
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Global connection settings  (env vars or CLI flags at startup)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_DEFAULT_ADDRESS: str | None = os.environ.get("FICHERO_ADDR")
+_DEFAULT_CLASSIC: bool = os.environ.get("FICHERO_TRANSPORT", "").lower() == "classic"
+_DEFAULT_CHANNEL: int = int(os.environ.get("FICHERO_CHANNEL", "1"))
+
+_PAPER_MAP = {"gap": 0, "black": 1, "continuous": 2}
+
+
+def _parse_paper(value: str) -> int:
+    if value in _PAPER_MAP:
+        return _PAPER_MAP[value]
+    try:
+        val = int(value)
+        if 0 <= val <= 2:
+            return val
+    except ValueError:
+        pass
+    raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail=f"Invalid paper type '{value}'. Use gap, black, continuous or 0-2.")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# FastAPI app
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+@asynccontextmanager
+async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):  # noqa: ARG001
+    yield
+
+
+app = FastAPI(
+    title="Fichero Printer API",
+    description="REST API for the Fichero D11s (AiYin) thermal label printer.",
+    version="0.1.0",
+    lifespan=lifespan,
+)
+
+app.add_middleware(
+    CORSMiddleware,
+    allow_origins=["*"],
+    allow_methods=["*"],
+    allow_headers=["*"],
+)
+
+
+def _address(address: str | None) -> str | None:
+    """Return the effective BLE address (request value overrides env default)."""
+    return address or _DEFAULT_ADDRESS
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Endpoints
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@app.get(
+    "/status",
+    summary="Get printer status",
+    response_description="Current printer status flags",
+)
+async def get_status(
+    address: str | None = None,
+    classic: bool = _DEFAULT_CLASSIC,
+    channel: int = _DEFAULT_CHANNEL,
+):
+    """Return the real-time status of the printer (paper, battery, heat, …)."""
+    try:
+        async with connect(_address(address), classic=classic, channel=channel) as pc:
+            status = await pc.get_status()
+    except PrinterNotFound as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterTimeout as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=502, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+
+    return {
+        "ok": status.ok,
+        "printing": status.printing,
+        "cover_open": status.cover_open,
+        "no_paper": status.no_paper,
+        "low_battery": status.low_battery,
+        "overheated": status.overheated,
+        "charging": status.charging,
+        "raw": status.raw,
+    }
+
+
+@app.get(
+    "/info",
+    summary="Get printer info",
+    response_description="Model, firmware, serial number and battery level",
+)
+async def get_info(
+    address: str | None = None,
+    classic: bool = _DEFAULT_CLASSIC,
+    channel: int = _DEFAULT_CHANNEL,
+):
+    """Return static and dynamic printer information."""
+    try:
+        async with connect(_address(address), classic=classic, channel=channel) as pc:
+            info = await pc.get_info()
+            info.update(await pc.get_all_info())
+    except PrinterNotFound as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterTimeout as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=502, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+
+    return info
+
+
+@app.post(
+    "/print/text",
+    summary="Print a text label",
+    status_code=200,
+)
+async def print_text(
+    text: Annotated[str, Form(description="Text to print on the label")],
+    density: Annotated[int, Form(description="Print density: 0=light, 1=medium, 2=dark", ge=0, le=2)] = 2,
+    paper: Annotated[str, Form(description="Paper type: gap, black, or continuous")] = "gap",
+    copies: Annotated[int, Form(description="Number of copies", ge=1, le=99)] = 1,
+    font_size: Annotated[int, Form(description="Font size in points", ge=6, le=200)] = 30,
+    label_length: Annotated[int | None, Form(description="Label length in mm (overrides label_height)", ge=5, le=500)] = None,
+    label_height: Annotated[int, Form(description="Label height in pixels", ge=40, le=4000)] = 240,
+    address: Annotated[str | None, Form(description="BLE address (optional, overrides FICHERO_ADDR)")] = None,
+    classic: Annotated[bool, Form(description="Use Classic Bluetooth RFCOMM")] = _DEFAULT_CLASSIC,
+    channel: Annotated[int, Form(description="RFCOMM channel")] = _DEFAULT_CHANNEL,
+):
+    """Print a plain-text label.
+
+    The text is rendered as a 96 px wide, 1-bit image and sent to the printer.
+    """
+    paper_val = _parse_paper(paper)
+    max_rows = (label_length * DOTS_PER_MM) if label_length is not None else label_height
+
+    img = text_to_image(text, font_size=font_size, label_height=max_rows)
+
+    try:
+        async with connect(_address(address), classic=classic, channel=channel) as pc:
+            ok = await do_print(pc, img, density=density, paper=paper_val, copies=copies,
+                                dither=False, max_rows=max_rows)
+    except PrinterNotFound as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterTimeout as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=502, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+
+    if not ok:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=502, detail="Printer did not confirm completion.")
+
+    return {"ok": True, "copies": copies, "text": text}
+
+
+@app.post(
+    "/print/image",
+    summary="Print an image",
+    status_code=200,
+)
+async def print_image(
+    file: Annotated[UploadFile, File(description="Image file to print (PNG, JPEG, BMP, …)")],
+    density: Annotated[int, Form(description="Print density: 0=light, 1=medium, 2=dark", ge=0, le=2)] = 2,
+    paper: Annotated[str, Form(description="Paper type: gap, black, or continuous")] = "gap",
+    copies: Annotated[int, Form(description="Number of copies", ge=1, le=99)] = 1,
+    dither: Annotated[bool, Form(description="Apply Floyd-Steinberg dithering")] = True,
+    label_length: Annotated[int | None, Form(description="Max label length in mm (overrides label_height)", ge=5, le=500)] = None,
+    label_height: Annotated[int, Form(description="Max label height in pixels", ge=40, le=4000)] = 240,
+    address: Annotated[str | None, Form(description="BLE address (optional, overrides FICHERO_ADDR)")] = None,
+    classic: Annotated[bool, Form(description="Use Classic Bluetooth RFCOMM")] = _DEFAULT_CLASSIC,
+    channel: Annotated[int, Form(description="RFCOMM channel")] = _DEFAULT_CHANNEL,
+):
+    """Print an image file.
+
+    The image is resized to 96 px wide, optionally dithered to 1-bit, and sent to the printer.
+    Supported formats: PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, WEBP.
+    """
+    # Validate content type loosely — Pillow will raise on unsupported data
+    data = await file.read()
+    if not data:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail="Uploaded file is empty.")
+
+    try:
+        img = Image.open(io.BytesIO(data))
+        img.load()  # ensure the image is fully decoded
+    except Exception as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail=f"Cannot decode image: {exc}") from exc
+
+    paper_val = _parse_paper(paper)
+    max_rows = (label_length * DOTS_PER_MM) if label_length is not None else label_height
+
+    try:
+        async with connect(_address(address), classic=classic, channel=channel) as pc:
+            ok = await do_print(pc, img, density=density, paper=paper_val, copies=copies,
+                                dither=dither, max_rows=max_rows)
+    except PrinterNotFound as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterTimeout as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=504, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+    except PrinterError as exc:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=502, detail=str(exc)) from exc
+
+    if not ok:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=502, detail="Printer did not confirm completion.")
+
+    return {"ok": True, "copies": copies, "filename": file.filename}
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Entry point
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def main() -> None:
+    """Start the Fichero HTTP API server."""
+    try:
+        import uvicorn  # noqa: PLC0415
+    except ImportError:
+        print("ERROR: uvicorn is required to run the API server.")
+        print("Install it with:  pip install 'fichero-printer[api]'")
+        raise SystemExit(1) from None
+
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Fichero Printer API Server")
+    parser.add_argument("--host", default="127.0.0.1", help="Bind host (default: 127.0.0.1)")
+    parser.add_argument("--port", type=int, default=8765, help="Bind port (default: 8765)")
+    parser.add_argument("--address", default=_DEFAULT_ADDRESS, metavar="BLE_ADDR",
+                        help="Default BLE address (or set FICHERO_ADDR env var)")
+    parser.add_argument("--classic", action="store_true", default=_DEFAULT_CLASSIC,
+                        help="Default to Classic Bluetooth RFCOMM")
+    parser.add_argument("--channel", type=int, default=_DEFAULT_CHANNEL,
+                        help="Default RFCOMM channel (default: 1)")
+    parser.add_argument("--reload", action="store_true", help="Enable auto-reload (development)")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    # Push CLI overrides into module-level defaults so all handlers pick them up
+    global _DEFAULT_ADDRESS, _DEFAULT_CLASSIC, _DEFAULT_CHANNEL
+    _DEFAULT_ADDRESS = args.address
+    _DEFAULT_CLASSIC = args.classic
+    _DEFAULT_CHANNEL = args.channel
+
+    uvicorn.run(
+        "fichero.api:app",
+        host=args.host,
+        port=args.port,
+        reload=args.reload,
+    )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index e012c53..8bee1ce 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -9,6 +9,13 @@ dependencies = [
     "pillow",
 ]
 
+[project.optional-dependencies]
+api = [
+    "fastapi>=0.111",
+    "uvicorn[standard]>=0.29",
+    "python-multipart>=0.0.9",
+]
+
 [build-system]
 requires = ["hatchling"]
 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
@@ -18,3 +25,4 @@ packages = ["fichero"]
 
 [project.scripts]
 fichero = "fichero.cli:main"
+fichero-server = "fichero.api:main"