diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7aebe61..c089561 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 - Static files served from `pub/`
 - Page-based routing to `.tsx` files that export a `JSX` function in `./src/pages`
 - Transpile `.ts` files in `src/client/blah.ts` via `website.com/client/blah.ts`
-- Helpers like `css` and `js` template tags.
 - Default, simple HTML5 layout with working frontend transpilation/bundling, or supply your own.
 - Optional CSS reset.
 - Optional pico.css.
@@ -115,25 +114,6 @@ CSS can be accessed via `/css/main.css`:
 <link href="/css/main.css" rel="stylesheet" />
 ```
 
-Or written inline using the `css` template tag:
-
-```tsx
-import { css } from "hype"
-
-export default () => (
-  <div>
-    {css`
-      * {
-        color: red;
-      }
-    `}
-    <h1>Hello</h1>
-  </div>
-)
-```
-
-Install the `vscode-styled-components` VSCode extension to highlight inline `css` tags!
-
 ### css reset
 
 To use reset.css with the default layout, create `Hype` with `{ reset: true }`:
@@ -165,27 +145,6 @@ import { initAbout } from "./about"
 import utils from "./shared/utils"
 ```
 
-Or written inline as transpiled typescript using the `js` template tag:
-
-```tsx
-import { js } from "hype"
-
-export default () => (
-  <div>
-    {js`
-      window.onload = () => alert(welcomeMsg(Date.now()))
-
-      function welcomeMsg(time: number): string {
-        return "Welcome to my website!"
-      }
-    `}
-    <h1>Hello!</h1>
-  </div>
-)
-```
-
-Install the `vscode-styled-components` VSCode extension to highlight inline `js` tags!
-
 ### pub
 
 Anything in `pub/` is served as-is. Simple stuff.
@@ -249,10 +208,8 @@ curl -N http://localhost:3000/api/time
 `hype` includes helpful utils for your webapp:
 
 - `capitalize(str: string): string` - Capitalizes a word
-- `css` Template Tag - Lets you inline CSS in your TSX. Returns a `<style>` tag
 - `darkenColor(hex: string, opacity: number): string` - Darken a hex color by blending with black. opacity 1 = original, 0 = black
 - `isDarkMode(): boolean` - Check if the user prefers dark mode
-- `js` Template Tag - Lets you inline JavaScript in your TSX. Transpiles and returns a `<script>` tag
 - `lightenColor(hex: string, opacity: number): string` - Lighten a hex color by blending with white. opacity 1 = original, 0 = white
 - `rand(end = 2, startAtZero = false): number` - Generate random integer. `rand(2)` flips a coin, `rand(6)` rolls a die, `rand(20)` rolls d20
 - `randIndex<T>(list: T[]): number | undefined` - Get a random index from an array. `randIndex([5, 7, 9])` returns `0`, `1`, or `2`
diff --git a/docs/GUIDE.md b/docs/GUIDE.md
index bbaaa2c..491d406 100644
--- a/docs/GUIDE.md
+++ b/docs/GUIDE.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Guide to Writing Hype Apps
 
-Hype is a thin, opinionated wrapper around [Hono](https://hono.dev) for fast prototyping with Bun. It gives you file-based routing, automatic TypeScript transpilation, SSE, inline CSS/JS helpers, and a default HTML5 layout — all without a build step.
+Hype is a thin, opinionated wrapper around [Hono](https://hono.dev) for fast prototyping with Bun. It gives you file-based routing, automatic TypeScript transpilation, SSE, and a default HTML5 layout — all without a build step.
 
 Since `Hype extends Hono`, every Hono API (`get`, `post`, `use`, `on`, etc.) works out of the box.
 
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ Since `Hype extends Hono`, every Hono API (`get`, `post`, `use`, `on`, etc.) wor
 - [Client-Side JavaScript](#client-side-javascript)
 - [Styling](#styling)
 - [Server-Sent Events (SSE)](#server-sent-events-sse)
-- [The `fe()` Helper](#the-fe-helper)
-- [Inline `css` and `js` Tags](#inline-css-and-js-tags)
 - [Custom API Routes](#custom-api-routes)
 - [Sub-Routers](#sub-routers)
 - [Static Files](#static-files)
@@ -593,32 +591,6 @@ Or include it in a custom layout:
 const app = new Hype({ pico: true, reset: true })
 ```
 
-### Inline CSS
-
-Use the `css` template tag for scoped inline styles in any page:
-
-```tsx
-import { css } from '@because/hype'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    {css`
-      .hero {
-        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea, #764ba2);
-        color: white;
-        padding: 4rem 2rem;
-        text-align: center;
-      }
-    `}
-    <div class="hero">
-      <h1>Welcome</h1>
-    </div>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-This renders a `<style>` tag inline. Install the `vscode-styled-components` extension for syntax highlighting.
-
 ---
 
 ## Server-Sent Events (SSE)
@@ -662,30 +634,31 @@ Return a cleanup function to handle client disconnection.
 
 ```tsx
 // src/pages/sse.tsx
-import { js } from '@because/hype'
-
 export default () => (
   <section>
     <h1>SSE Demo</h1>
     <div id="time" style="font-size: 2em; font-family: monospace;"></div>
 
-    {js`
-      const timeEl = document.getElementById('time')
-      const events = new EventSource('/api/time')
-
-      events.onmessage = (e) => {
-        const data = JSON.parse(e.data)
-        timeEl.textContent = new Date(data.time).toLocaleTimeString()
-      }
-
-      events.onerror = () => {
-        timeEl.textContent = 'Disconnected'
-      }
-    `}
+    <script src="/client/main.ts" type="module"></script>
   </section>
 )
 ```
 
+```ts
+// src/client/main.ts
+const timeEl = document.getElementById('time')
+const events = new EventSource('/api/time')
+
+events.onmessage = (e) => {
+  const data = JSON.parse(e.data)
+  timeEl!.textContent = new Date(data.time).toLocaleTimeString()
+}
+
+events.onerror = () => {
+  timeEl!.textContent = 'Disconnected'
+}
+```
+
 ### Named events
 
 ```ts
@@ -717,149 +690,6 @@ curl -N http://localhost:3000/api/time
 
 ---
 
-## The `fe()` Helper
-
-`fe()` (short for "frontend") lets you define JavaScript functions on the server and use them as inline event handlers in SSR pages. The function bodies are automatically extracted and injected as a `<script>` before `</body>`.
-
-### Basic usage
-
-```tsx
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
-
-const showAlert = fe(() => {
-  alert('ding dong')
-})
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    <button onclick={showAlert}>Click me</button>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-`fe()` returns a string like `"frontendFn0()"` which works as an `onclick` attribute value. The actual function is injected once in a `<script>` tag at the end of the page.
-
-### Passing arguments
-
-Pass server data to frontend functions:
-
-```tsx
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
-
-const greet = (name: string) => fe((args) => {
-  alert(`Hello, ${args.name}!`)
-}, { name })
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    <button onclick={greet('Chris')}>Greet Chris</button>
-    <button onclick={greet('Alex')}>Greet Alex</button>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-Arguments are JSON-serialized and passed at call time. The function body is deduplicated — if the same function is used with different arguments, only one copy of the function is injected.
-
-### Deduplication
-
-`fe()` deduplicates by function body. If you call `fe()` with the same function multiple times, it only injects one copy:
-
-```tsx
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
-
-const handleClick = fe(() => {
-  console.log('clicked!')
-})
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    {/* Both buttons share the same injected function */}
-    <button onclick={handleClick}>Button 1</button>
-    <button onclick={handleClick}>Button 2</button>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
----
-
-## Inline `css` and `js` Tags
-
-### `css` template tag
-
-Returns a `<style>` element. Use it anywhere in your JSX:
-
-```tsx
-import { css } from '@because/hype'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    {css`
-      .card {
-        border: 1px solid #ccc;
-        border-radius: 8px;
-        padding: 1rem;
-      }
-    `}
-    <div class="card">
-      <h2>Card Title</h2>
-      <p>Card content</p>
-    </div>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-### `js` template tag
-
-Returns a `<script>` element. The content is **transpiled from TypeScript** on the server using Bun's transpiler, so you can write TypeScript directly:
-
-```tsx
-import { js } from '@because/hype'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    <div id="output"></div>
-
-    {js`
-      interface TimeData {
-        formatted: string
-        timestamp: number
-      }
-
-      function formatTime(ts: number): TimeData {
-        return {
-          formatted: new Date(ts).toLocaleTimeString(),
-          timestamp: ts
-        }
-      }
-
-      const el = document.getElementById('output')!
-      setInterval(() => {
-        el.textContent = formatTime(Date.now()).formatted
-      }, 1000)
-    `}
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-### Interpolation
-
-Both tags support template literal interpolation:
-
-```tsx
-const primaryColor = '#3498db'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    {css`
-      h1 { color: ${primaryColor}; }
-    `}
-    <h1>Styled heading</h1>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
----
-
 ## Custom API Routes
 
 Since Hype extends Hono, use any Hono routing method:
diff --git a/docs/HYPE+FORGE.md b/docs/HYPE+FORGE.md
index 3f56415..20a8a10 100644
--- a/docs/HYPE+FORGE.md
+++ b/docs/HYPE+FORGE.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 A complete guide to building web apps with Hype and Forge.
 
-**Hype** is a thin wrapper around [Hono](https://hono.dev) for building web apps with Bun. It provides file-based routing, automatic TypeScript transpilation, SSE, inline CSS/JS helpers, and a default HTML5 layout — all without a build step. Since `Hype extends Hono`, every Hono API works out of the box.
+**Hype** is a thin wrapper around [Hono](https://hono.dev) for building web apps with Bun. It provides file-based routing, automatic TypeScript transpilation, SSE, and a default HTML5 layout — all without a build step. Since `Hype extends Hono`, every Hono API works out of the box.
 
 **Forge** is a component library that generates real CSS from JSX definitions. Each `define()` call produces a typed component with scoped CSS classes. It works on both server and client — on the server it collects CSS for `<Styles />` to inline, in the browser it auto-injects a `<style>` tag.
 
@@ -20,8 +20,6 @@ A complete guide to building web apps with Hype and Forge.
 - [Client-Side JavaScript](#client-side-javascript)
 - [Styling](#styling)
 - [Server-Sent Events (SSE)](#server-sent-events-sse)
-- [The `fe()` Helper](#the-fe-helper)
-- [Inline `css` and `js` Tags](#inline-css-and-js-tags)
 - [Custom API Routes](#custom-api-routes)
 - [Sub-Routers](#sub-routers)
 - [Static Files](#static-files)
@@ -538,30 +536,31 @@ Return a cleanup function to handle client disconnection.
 
 ```tsx
 // src/pages/sse.tsx
-import { js } from '@because/hype'
-
 export default () => (
   <section>
     <h1>SSE Demo</h1>
     <div id="time" style="font-size: 2em; font-family: monospace;"></div>
 
-    {js`
-      const timeEl = document.getElementById('time')
-      const events = new EventSource('/api/time')
-
-      events.onmessage = (e) => {
-        const data = JSON.parse(e.data)
-        timeEl.textContent = new Date(data.time).toLocaleTimeString()
-      }
-
-      events.onerror = () => {
-        timeEl.textContent = 'Disconnected'
-      }
-    `}
+    <script src="/client/main.ts" type="module"></script>
   </section>
 )
 ```
 
+```ts
+// src/client/main.ts
+const timeEl = document.getElementById('time')
+const events = new EventSource('/api/time')
+
+events.onmessage = (e) => {
+  const data = JSON.parse(e.data)
+  timeEl!.textContent = new Date(data.time).toLocaleTimeString()
+}
+
+events.onerror = () => {
+  timeEl!.textContent = 'Disconnected'
+}
+```
+
 ### Named events
 
 ```ts
@@ -593,149 +592,6 @@ curl -N http://localhost:3000/api/time
 
 ---
 
-## The `fe()` Helper
-
-`fe()` (short for "frontend") lets you define JavaScript functions on the server and use them as inline event handlers in SSR pages. The function bodies are automatically extracted and injected as a `<script>` before `</body>`.
-
-### Basic usage
-
-```tsx
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
-
-const showAlert = fe(() => {
-  alert('ding dong')
-})
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    <button onclick={showAlert}>Click me</button>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-`fe()` returns a string like `"frontendFn0()"` which works as an `onclick` attribute value. The actual function is injected once in a `<script>` tag at the end of the page.
-
-### Passing arguments
-
-Pass server data to frontend functions:
-
-```tsx
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
-
-const greet = (name: string) => fe((args) => {
-  alert(`Hello, ${args.name}!`)
-}, { name })
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    <button onclick={greet('Chris')}>Greet Chris</button>
-    <button onclick={greet('Alex')}>Greet Alex</button>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-Arguments are JSON-serialized and passed at call time. The function body is deduplicated — if the same function is used with different arguments, only one copy of the function is injected.
-
-### Deduplication
-
-`fe()` deduplicates by function body. If you call `fe()` with the same function multiple times, it only injects one copy:
-
-```tsx
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
-
-const handleClick = fe(() => {
-  console.log('clicked!')
-})
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    {/* Both buttons share the same injected function */}
-    <button onclick={handleClick}>Button 1</button>
-    <button onclick={handleClick}>Button 2</button>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
----
-
-## Inline `css` and `js` Tags
-
-### `css` template tag
-
-Returns a `<style>` element. Use it anywhere in your JSX:
-
-```tsx
-import { css } from '@because/hype'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    {css`
-      .card {
-        border: 1px solid #ccc;
-        border-radius: 8px;
-        padding: 1rem;
-      }
-    `}
-    <div class="card">
-      <h2>Card Title</h2>
-      <p>Card content</p>
-    </div>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-### `js` template tag
-
-Returns a `<script>` element. The content is **transpiled from TypeScript** on the server using Bun's transpiler, so you can write TypeScript directly:
-
-```tsx
-import { js } from '@because/hype'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    <div id="output"></div>
-
-    {js`
-      interface TimeData {
-        formatted: string
-        timestamp: number
-      }
-
-      function formatTime(ts: number): TimeData {
-        return {
-          formatted: new Date(ts).toLocaleTimeString(),
-          timestamp: ts
-        }
-      }
-
-      const el = document.getElementById('output')!
-      setInterval(() => {
-        el.textContent = formatTime(Date.now()).formatted
-      }, 1000)
-    `}
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
-### Interpolation
-
-Both tags support template literal interpolation:
-
-```tsx
-const primaryColor = '#3498db'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    {css`
-      h1 { color: ${primaryColor}; }
-    `}
-    <h1>Styled heading</h1>
-  </section>
-)
-```
-
----
-
 ## Custom API Routes
 
 Since Hype extends Hono, use any Hono routing method:
@@ -1852,43 +1708,25 @@ export default () => (
 
 ### Adding client interactivity to SSR
 
-For light interactivity on SSR pages, use Hype's `fe()` helper alongside Forge components:
+For interactivity on SSR pages, use a client-side script alongside Forge components:
 
 ```tsx
 // src/pages/index.tsx
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
 import { Button } from '@components'
 
-const handleClick = fe(() => {
-  alert('Clicked!')
-})
-
 export default () => (
   <section>
-    <Button intent="primary" onclick={handleClick}>Click me</Button>
+    <Button intent="primary" id="my-btn">Click me</Button>
+    <script src="/client/main.ts" type="module"></script>
   </section>
 )
 ```
 
-Or use Hype's `js` tag for inline scripts:
-
-```tsx
-import { js } from '@because/hype'
-import { Card } from '@components'
-
-export default () => (
-  <section>
-    <Card title="Live Clock">
-      <span id="clock">--:--:--</span>
-    </Card>
-    {js`
-      setInterval(() => {
-        document.getElementById('clock')!.textContent =
-          new Date().toLocaleTimeString()
-      }, 1000)
-    `}
-  </section>
-)
+```ts
+// src/client/main.ts
+document.getElementById('my-btn')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+  alert('Clicked!')
+})
 ```
 
 ### SSR with Forge + SSE
@@ -1914,7 +1752,6 @@ export default app.defaults
 
 ```tsx
 // src/pages/index.tsx
-import { js } from '@because/hype'
 import { Card, Badge } from '@components'
 
 export default () => (
@@ -1922,17 +1759,20 @@ export default () => (
     <Card title="Live Counter">
       Count: <Badge><span id="count">--</span></Badge>
     </Card>
-    {js`
-      const el = document.getElementById('count')!
-      const events = new EventSource('/api/counter')
-      events.onmessage = (e) => {
-        el.textContent = JSON.parse(e.data).count
-      }
-    `}
+    <script src="/client/main.ts" type="module"></script>
   </section>
 )
 ```
 
+```ts
+// src/client/main.ts
+const el = document.getElementById('count')!
+const events = new EventSource('/api/counter')
+events.onmessage = (e) => {
+  el.textContent = JSON.parse(e.data).count
+}
+```
+
 ---
 
 ## SPA with Forge
@@ -2316,7 +2156,7 @@ Hype's bundler handles the import in both cases. On the server, `define()` regis
 | | SSR | SPA |
 |---|---|---|
 | **Styles** | `<Styles />` in the layout head | Auto-injected by Forge in browser |
-| **Interactivity** | `fe()`, `js` tag, or link to client scripts | Full `hono/jsx/dom` with hooks |
+| **Interactivity** | Client scripts via `/client/main.ts` | Full `hono/jsx/dom` with hooks |
 | **Routing** | File-based, one page per route | Client-side, single HTML shell |
 | **Data** | Fetch in page components (`c`, `req`) | Fetch in `useEffect`, SSE, etc. |
 | **Best for** | Content sites, dashboards, forms | Interactive apps, real-time UIs |
diff --git a/examples/ssr/src/pages/js-test.tsx b/examples/ssr/src/pages/js-test.tsx
index 2a8d45e..fcc49af 100644
--- a/examples/ssr/src/pages/js-test.tsx
+++ b/examples/ssr/src/pages/js-test.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,5 @@
-import { fe } from '@because/hype'
-
-const test = fe(() => {
-  alert('ding dong')
-})
-
 export default () => (
   <section>
-    <a href="#" onclick={test}>test</a>
+    <a href="#" onclick="alert('ding dong')">test</a>
   </section>
-)
\ No newline at end of file
+)
diff --git a/examples/ssr/src/pages/sse.tsx b/examples/ssr/src/pages/sse.tsx
index 1020159..e0f637e 100644
--- a/examples/ssr/src/pages/sse.tsx
+++ b/examples/ssr/src/pages/sse.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-import { js } from '@because/hype'
-
 export default () => (
   <section>
     <h1>SSE Demo</h1>
@@ -12,7 +10,8 @@ export default () => (
       <a href="/">Back to Home</a>
     </p>
 
-    {js`
+    <script dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
+      __html: `
       const statusEl = document.getElementById('status')
       const timeEl = document.getElementById('time')
       const countEl = document.getElementById('count')
@@ -36,6 +35,6 @@ export default () => (
         statusEl.textContent = 'Disconnected'
         statusEl.style.color = 'red'
       }
-    `}
+    `}} />
   </section>
 )
diff --git a/src/frontend.ts b/src/frontend.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 4ff25a8..0000000
--- a/src/frontend.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,48 +0,0 @@
-import { AsyncLocalStorage } from 'async_hooks'
-
-export const fnStorage = new AsyncLocalStorage<{
-  fns: Map<string, string>
-  counter: number
-}>()
-
-export function fe<T extends Record<string, unknown>>(
-  fn: (args?: T) => void,
-  args?: T
-): string {
-  const store = fnStorage.getStore()
-  if (!store) {
-    // Fallback to IIFE if outside request context
-    return args
-      ? `(${fn.toString()})(${JSON.stringify(args)})`
-      : `(${fn.toString()})()`
-  }
-
-  const fnStr = fn.toString()
-
-  // Dedupe by function body
-  for (const [name, body] of store.fns)
-    if (body === fnStr)
-      return args ? `${name}(${JSON.stringify(args)})` : `${name}()`
-
-  const name = `frontendFn${store.counter++}`
-  store.fns.set(name, fnStr)
-
-  return args ? `${name}(${JSON.stringify(args)})` : `${name}()`
-}
-
-export function feFunctions(): string[] {
-  const store = fnStorage.getStore()
-  if (!store?.fns.size) return []
-
-  return [...store.fns.entries()].map(([name, body]) => {
-    // Handle arrow functions vs regular functions
-    if (body.startsWith('(') || body.startsWith('async ('))
-      return `const ${name} = ${body};`
-
-    // Named function - rename it
-    return body.replace(/^(async\s+)?function\s*\w*/, `$1function ${name}`)
-  })
-}
-
-// Keep for backwards compat
-export const frontend = fe
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/index.tsx b/src/index.tsx
index 9140304..2945bc5 100644
--- a/src/index.tsx
+++ b/src/index.tsx
@@ -7,14 +7,12 @@ import color from 'kleur'
 
 import { transpile } from './utils'
 import defaultLayout from './layout'
-import { feFunctions, fnStorage } from './frontend'
 
 const SHOW_HTTP_LOG = true
 const CSS_RESET = await Bun.file(join(import.meta.dir, '/css/reset.css')).text()
 const PICO_CSS = await Bun.file(join(import.meta.dir, '/css/pico.css')).text()
 
 export * from './utils'
-export { frontend, frontend as fe } from './frontend'
 export type { Context } from 'hono'
 
 const pageCache = new Map()
@@ -146,26 +144,6 @@ export class Hype<
     if (this.props.ok) 
       this.get('/ok', c => c.text('ok'))
 
-    // serve frontend js
-    this.use('*', async (c, next) => {
-      await fnStorage.run({ fns: new Map(), counter: 0 }, async () => {
-        await next()
-
-        const contentType = c.res.headers.get('content-type')
-        if (!contentType?.includes('text/html')) return
-
-        const fns = feFunctions()
-        if (!fns.length) return
-
-        const res = c.res.clone()
-        const html = await res.text()
-        const newHtml = html.replace('</body>', `<script>${fns.join('\n')}</script></body>`)
-        const headers = new Headers(c.res.headers)
-        headers.delete('content-length')
-        c.res = new Response(newHtml, { status: c.res.status, headers })
-      })
-    })
-
     // css reset
     this.get('/css/reset.css', async c => new Response(CSS_RESET, { headers: { 'Content-Type': 'text/css' } }))
 
diff --git a/src/utils.tsx b/src/utils.tsx
index 179bb35..0a0bd5c 100644
--- a/src/utils.tsx
+++ b/src/utils.tsx
@@ -1,22 +1,6 @@
 import { type Context } from 'hono'
 import { stat } from 'fs/promises'
 
-// template literal tag for inline CSS. returns a <style> tag
-export function css(strings: TemplateStringsArray, ...values: any[]) {
-  return <style dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
-    __html: String.raw({ raw: strings }, ...values)
-  }} />
-}
-
-const transpiler = new Bun.Transpiler({ loader: 'tsx' })
-
-// template literal tag for inline JS. transpiles and returns a <script> tag
-export function js(strings: TemplateStringsArray, ...values: any[]) {
-  return <script dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
-    __html: transpiler.transformSync(String.raw({ raw: strings }, ...values))
-  }} />
-}
-
 // lighten a hex color by blending with white. opacity 1 = original, 0 = white
 export function lightenColor(hex: string, opacity: number): string {
   // Remove # if present