instead I'm planning on just having 4 good screws into the wall.
Meaning what? If you're going to use battens I recommend putting up one side batten first, then cut/plane/sand the shelf to size, put it level in the alcove and mark the position of the other side batten, fit the other side batten, check the shelf fit and then fit the back batten (which just needs to go straight between the back end of the side battens). That way you avoid any problems of "twist" between the side battens that will inevitably occur if you try to get them all level with a spirit-level. You can then pin, screw or dowel the shelf to the batten if you're concerned.
You can also put a thin board underneath the batten and a nosing piece to make the shelves "float", like the bottom image here.
You're unlikely to ever get the fit millimetre perfect, although you can use each shelf as a test/guide for the next (since the alcove may not be square all the way up). If you're painting the shelves a bit of caulk will hide any gap between them and the wall.
Meaning what? If you're going to use battens I recommend putting up one side batten first, then cut/plane/sand the shelf to size, put it level in the alcove and mark the position of the other side batten, fit the other side batten, check the shelf fit and then fit the back batten (which just needs to go straight between the back end of the side battens). That way you avoid any problems of "twist" between the side battens that will inevitably occur if you try to get them all level with a spirit-level. You can then pin, screw or dowel the shelf to the batten if you're concerned.
You can also put a thin board underneath the batten and a nosing piece to make the shelves "float", like the bottom image here.
You're unlikely to ever get the fit millimetre perfect, although you can use each shelf as a test/guide for the next (since the alcove may not be square all the way up). If you're painting the shelves a bit of caulk will hide any gap between them and the wall.