diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 93080a2..76387bd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -49,3 +49,31 @@ jobs:
       - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
       - uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v2
       - run: cargo test --all-targets
+
+  examples:
+    name: Build Examples
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
+      - uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v2
+      - run: cargo build --release
+      - name: Compile all .ne examples
+        run: |
+          for f in examples/*.ne; do
+            echo "==> Compiling $f"
+            cargo run --release -- build "$f"
+          done
+      - name: Verify ROMs are valid iNES
+        run: |
+          for f in examples/*.nes; do
+            echo "==> Checking $f"
+            # iNES magic: first 4 bytes must be "NES\x1a"
+            header=$(od -A n -t x1 -N 4 "$f" | tr -d ' ')
+            if [ "$header" != "4e45531a" ]; then
+              echo "FAIL: $f is not a valid iNES ROM (header: $header)"
+              exit 1
+            fi
+            size=$(stat -c%s "$f")
+            echo "    OK: $size bytes"
+          done
diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
index 05a5f17..6663d9e 100644
--- a/examples/README.md
+++ b/examples/README.md
@@ -35,10 +35,18 @@ Use the d-pad (arrow keys in most emulators) to move the sprite.
 
 ## What you'll see
 
-The ROM displays a small smiley-face sprite (an 8x8 tile built into the
-compiler's default CHR data). In `hello_sprite`, you control it with the d-pad.
+The ROM displays a small 8x8 smiley-face sprite. This is a default tile built
+into the compiler's CHR data. In `hello_sprite`, you control it with the d-pad.
 In `bouncing_ball`, it moves on its own and bounces off the screen edges.
 
+### About sprite names
+
+In Milestone 1, the name in `draw Smiley at: (x, y)` is parsed but not
+resolved to a specific tile — all draws use CHR tile 0 (the built-in smiley).
+The `draw` syntax is forward-compatible: when `sprite` declarations and the
+asset pipeline arrive in M3, names like `Smiley` will reference actual
+sprite definitions with custom tile data from PNGs.
+
 ## Emulator controls
 
 | NES Button | Typical Key |
diff --git a/examples/bouncing_ball.ne b/examples/bouncing_ball.ne
index 911e949..7ba75ac 100644
--- a/examples/bouncing_ball.ne
+++ b/examples/bouncing_ball.ne
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 //
 // Build:  cargo run -- build examples/bouncing_ball.ne
 // Output: examples/bouncing_ball.nes
+//
+// Note: In M1 the sprite name in `draw` is parsed but not resolved.
+// All sprites use tile 0 from the built-in CHR data (a smiley face).
+// Custom sprite declarations come in M3.
 
 game "Bouncing Ball" {
     mapper: NROM
diff --git a/examples/hello_sprite.ne b/examples/hello_sprite.ne
index b809a65..9b602de 100644
--- a/examples/hello_sprite.ne
+++ b/examples/hello_sprite.ne
@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 // Hello Sprite — the simplest NEScript program.
 //
-// Displays a smiley-face sprite on screen and moves it with the d-pad.
+// Displays a sprite on screen and moves it with the d-pad.
 // Build:  cargo run -- build examples/hello_sprite.ne
 // Output: examples/hello_sprite.nes (open in any NES emulator)
+//
+// Note: In M1 the sprite name in `draw` is parsed but not resolved.
+// All sprites use tile 0 from the built-in CHR data (a smiley face).
+// Sprite declarations with custom tile data come in M3.
 
 game "Hello Sprite" {
     mapper: NROM
diff --git a/src/codegen/mod.rs b/src/codegen/mod.rs
index a756957..4cd02f9 100644
--- a/src/codegen/mod.rs
+++ b/src/codegen/mod.rs
@@ -540,7 +540,10 @@ impl CodeGen {
     fn gen_draw(&mut self, draw: &DrawStmt) {
         // OAM buffer is at $0200-$02FF
         // Each sprite entry: Y, tile, attributes, X
-        // For M1: use OAM slot 0 (bytes $0200-$0203)
+        // For M1: sprite name (draw.sprite_name) is parsed but ignored —
+        // all draws use OAM slot 0 with tile index 0 (the built-in CHR tile).
+        // Sprite name resolution and multiple OAM slots come in M2/M3.
+        let _ = &draw.sprite_name;
         // Y position (stored at $0200)
         self.gen_expr(&draw.y);
         self.emit(STA, AM::Absolute(0x0200));