TUI Input Handling, Raw Mode, Keyboard, Mouse, Paste, and Focus

Use this skill when a TUI reads keys, handles shortcuts, supports mouse, edits text, manages focus, or needs safe paste behavior.

Input contract

• Only enter raw or cbreak mode for interactive TTY sessions.
• Provide non-interactive alternatives for scripts, pipes, and CI.
• Keep input decoding separate from application actions.
• Make every action reachable by keyboard.
• Treat mouse support as optional progressive enhancement.
• Preserve expected terminal shortcuts unless the user can rebind them.

Raw mode rules

Raw mode disables line discipline and changes signal behavior. Centralize it and restore it reliably. Verify behavior for Ctrl-C, Ctrl-Z/suspend where supported, EOF, resize, terminal close, and fatal exceptions. Passwords and tokens must not echo.

Keybinding design