diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 1b7012f..3e7eb16 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -5,12 +5,9 @@ project(CLeonOS NONE)
 set(NO_COLOR 0 CACHE STRING "Disable colored log output when set to 1")
 include("${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/log.cmake")
 if(NO_COLOR)
-    set(BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX "[STEP]")
-    set(BUILD_LOG_INFO_PREFIX "[INFO]")
+    set(BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT --no-color)
 else()
-    string(ASCII 27 BUILD_LOG_ESC)
-    set(BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX "${BUILD_LOG_ESC}[1;35m[STEP]${BUILD_LOG_ESC}[0m")
-    set(BUILD_LOG_INFO_PREFIX "${BUILD_LOG_ESC}[1;36m[INFO]${BUILD_LOG_ESC}[0m")
+    set(BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT)
 endif()
 
 set(CC "x86_64-elf-gcc" CACHE STRING "Kernel C compiler")
@@ -274,7 +271,6 @@ function(add_kernel_asm_object SRC OUTPUT_LIST_VAR)
     add_custom_command(
         OUTPUT "${OBJ_PATH}"
         COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E make_directory "${OBJ_DIR}"
-        COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} assembling ${SRC}"
         COMMAND ${CC} ${ASFLAGS_COMMON} ${ARCH_CFLAGS} -c "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/${SRC}" -o "${OBJ_PATH}"
         DEPENDS "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/${SRC}"
         VERBATIM
@@ -326,7 +322,6 @@ endforeach()
 add_custom_command(
     OUTPUT "${USER_RUST_LIB}"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E make_directory "${USER_LIB_DIR}"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} building rust user lib"
     COMMAND ${RUSTC} --crate-type staticlib -C panic=abort -O "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/cleonos/rust/src/lib.rs" -o "${USER_RUST_LIB}"
     DEPENDS "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/cleonos/rust/src/lib.rs"
     VERBATIM
@@ -413,7 +408,7 @@ add_custom_target(userapps DEPENDS ${USER_APP_OUTPUTS})
 add_custom_command(
     TARGET userapps
     POST_BUILD
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_INFO_PREFIX} user elf apps ready"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --cyan "[INFO] user elf apps ready"
 )
 
 file(GLOB_RECURSE RAMDISK_FILES CONFIGURE_DEPENDS "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/ramdisk/*")
@@ -434,7 +429,6 @@ endforeach()
 
 add_custom_command(
     OUTPUT "${RAMDISK_ROOT_STAMP}"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} staging ramdisk root -> ${RAMDISK_ROOT}"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E rm -rf "${RAMDISK_ROOT}"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E make_directory "${RAMDISK_ROOT}"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy_directory "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/ramdisk" "${RAMDISK_ROOT}"
@@ -451,7 +445,6 @@ add_dependencies(ramdisk-root userapps)
 add_custom_command(
     OUTPUT "${RAMDISK_IMAGE}"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E make_directory "${BUILD_ROOT}"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} packing ramdisk -> ${RAMDISK_IMAGE}"
     COMMAND ${TAR} -C "${RAMDISK_ROOT}" -cf "${RAMDISK_IMAGE}" .
     DEPENDS "${RAMDISK_ROOT_STAMP}"
     VERBATIM
@@ -500,11 +493,10 @@ add_custom_target(setup-limine
 add_dependencies(setup-limine setup-tools)
 
 add_custom_target(setup DEPENDS setup-tools setup-limine)
-add_custom_command(TARGET setup POST_BUILD COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_INFO_PREFIX} environment ready")
+add_custom_command(TARGET setup POST_BUILD COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --cyan "[INFO] environment ready")
 
 add_custom_command(
     OUTPUT "${ISO_IMAGE}"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} assembling iso root"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E rm -rf "${ISO_ROOT}"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E make_directory "${ISO_ROOT}/boot/limine"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy "${KERNEL_ELF}" "${ISO_ROOT}/boot/clks_kernel.elf"
@@ -514,7 +506,7 @@ add_custom_command(
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy "${LIMINE_BIN_DIR_ABS}/limine-bios-cd.bin" "${ISO_ROOT}/boot/limine/limine-bios-cd.bin"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy "${LIMINE_BIN_DIR_ABS}/limine-uefi-cd.bin" "${ISO_ROOT}/boot/limine/limine-uefi-cd.bin"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E make_directory "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/build"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} building iso -> ${ISO_IMAGE}"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --magenta "[STEP] building iso -> ${ISO_IMAGE}"
     COMMAND ${XORRISO} -as mkisofs
         -b boot/limine/limine-bios-cd.bin
         -no-emul-boot
@@ -526,9 +518,9 @@ add_custom_command(
         --protective-msdos-label
         "${ISO_ROOT}"
         -o "${ISO_IMAGE}"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} installing limine boot sectors"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --magenta "[STEP] installing limine boot sectors"
     COMMAND "${LIMINE_BIN_DIR_ABS}/limine" bios-install "${ISO_IMAGE}"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_INFO_PREFIX} iso ready: ${ISO_IMAGE}"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --cyan "[INFO] iso ready: ${ISO_IMAGE}"
     DEPENDS "${KERNEL_ELF}" "${RAMDISK_IMAGE}" "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/configs/limine.conf"
     VERBATIM
 )
@@ -537,29 +529,29 @@ add_custom_target(iso ALL DEPENDS "${ISO_IMAGE}")
 add_dependencies(iso setup-tools setup-limine kernel ramdisk)
 
 add_custom_target(run
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} launching qemu run"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --magenta "[STEP] launching qemu run"
     COMMAND ${QEMU_X86_64} -M q35 -m 1024M -cdrom "${ISO_IMAGE}" -serial stdio
     DEPENDS iso
     USES_TERMINAL
 )
 
 add_custom_target(debug
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} launching qemu debug (-s -S)"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --magenta "[STEP] launching qemu debug (-s -S)"
     COMMAND ${QEMU_X86_64} -M q35 -m 1024M -cdrom "${ISO_IMAGE}" -serial stdio -s -S
     DEPENDS iso
     USES_TERMINAL
 )
 
 add_custom_target(clean-x86
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} cleaning ${BUILD_ROOT}"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --magenta "[STEP] cleaning ${BUILD_ROOT}"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E rm -rf "${BUILD_ROOT}"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_INFO_PREFIX} clean done"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --cyan "[INFO] clean done"
 )
 
 add_custom_target(clean-all
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_STEP_PREFIX} cleaning build"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --magenta "[STEP] cleaning build"
     COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E rm -rf "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/build"
-    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo "${BUILD_LOG_INFO_PREFIX} clean-all done"
+    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E cmake_echo_color ${BUILD_LOG_COLOR_OPT} --cyan "[INFO] clean-all done"
 )
 
 add_custom_target(cleonos-help
diff --git a/cleonos/c/apps/shell_main.c b/cleonos/c/apps/shell_main.c
index f1afa0b..dc03a7d 100644
--- a/cleonos/c/apps/shell_main.c
+++ b/cleonos/c/apps/shell_main.c
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-#include <cleonos_rust_bridge.h>
 #include <cleonos_syscall.h>
 
-#define SHELL_CMD_MAX 24ULL
-#define SHELL_ARG_MAX 160ULL
-#define SHELL_LINE_MAX 320ULL
-#define SHELL_CAT_MAX 224ULL
-#define SHELL_SCRIPT_MAX 1024ULL
+#define SHELL_CMD_MAX      32ULL
+#define SHELL_ARG_MAX      160ULL
+#define SHELL_LINE_MAX     192ULL
+#define SHELL_CAT_MAX      512ULL
+#define SHELL_SCRIPT_MAX   1024ULL
+#define SHELL_CLEAR_LINES   56ULL
 
 static u64 shell_strlen(const char *str) {
     u64 len = 0ULL;
@@ -42,66 +42,52 @@ static int shell_is_space(char ch) {
     return (ch == ' ' || ch == '\t' || ch == '\r' || ch == '\n') ? 1 : 0;
 }
 
-static void shell_append_char(char *dst, u64 *cursor, u64 dst_size, char ch) {
-    if (*cursor + 1ULL >= dst_size) {
+static int shell_is_printable(char ch) {
+    return (ch >= 32 && ch <= 126) ? 1 : 0;
+}
+
+static void shell_copy(char *dst, u64 dst_size, const char *src) {
+    u64 i = 0ULL;
+
+    if (dst == (char *)0 || src == (const char *)0 || dst_size == 0ULL) {
         return;
     }
 
-    dst[*cursor] = ch;
-    (*cursor)++;
+    while (src[i] != '\0' && i + 1ULL < dst_size) {
+        dst[i] = src[i];
+        i++;
+    }
+
+    dst[i] = '\0';
 }
 
-static void shell_append_text(char *dst, u64 *cursor, u64 dst_size, const char *text) {
-    u64 i = 0ULL;
+static void shell_write(const char *text) {
+    u64 len;
 
     if (text == (const char *)0) {
         return;
     }
 
-    while (text[i] != '\0') {
-        shell_append_char(dst, cursor, dst_size, text[i]);
-        i++;
+    len = shell_strlen(text);
+
+    if (len == 0ULL) {
+        return;
     }
+
+    (void)cleonos_sys_tty_write(text, len);
 }
 
-static void shell_append_hex_u64(char *dst, u64 *cursor, u64 dst_size, u64 value) {
-    int nibble;
-
-    shell_append_text(dst, cursor, dst_size, "0X");
-
-    for (nibble = 15; nibble >= 0; nibble--) {
-        u64 shift = (u64)nibble * 4ULL;
-        u64 current = (value >> shift) & 0x0FULL;
-        char out = (current < 10ULL) ? (char)('0' + (char)current) : (char)('A' + (char)(current - 10ULL));
-        shell_append_char(dst, cursor, dst_size, out);
-    }
+static void shell_write_char(char ch) {
+    (void)cleonos_sys_tty_write_char(ch);
 }
 
-static void shell_log_text(const char *text) {
-    u64 len = cleonos_rust_guarded_len((const unsigned char *)text, (usize)511U);
-    cleonos_sys_log_write(text, len);
+static void shell_writeln(const char *text) {
+    shell_write(text);
+    shell_write_char('\n');
 }
 
-static void shell_log_prefixed(const char *prefix, const char *value) {
-    char line[SHELL_LINE_MAX];
-    u64 cursor = 0ULL;
-
-    shell_append_text(line, &cursor, (u64)sizeof(line), prefix);
-    shell_append_text(line, &cursor, (u64)sizeof(line), value);
-    line[cursor] = '\0';
-
-    shell_log_text(line);
-}
-
-static void shell_log_hex_prefixed(const char *prefix, u64 value) {
-    char line[SHELL_LINE_MAX];
-    u64 cursor = 0ULL;
-
-    shell_append_text(line, &cursor, (u64)sizeof(line), prefix);
-    shell_append_hex_u64(line, &cursor, (u64)sizeof(line), value);
-    line[cursor] = '\0';
-
-    shell_log_text(line);
+static void shell_prompt(void) {
+    shell_write("cleonos(user)> ");
 }
 
 static void shell_trim_line(char *line) {
@@ -142,6 +128,9 @@ static void shell_parse_line(const char *line, char *out_cmd, u64 cmd_size, char
         return;
     }
 
+    out_cmd[0] = '\0';
+    out_arg[0] = '\0';
+
     while (line[i] != '\0' && shell_is_space(line[i]) != 0) {
         i++;
     }
@@ -169,8 +158,98 @@ static void shell_parse_line(const char *line, char *out_cmd, u64 cmd_size, char
     out_arg[arg_pos] = '\0';
 }
 
+static int shell_has_suffix(const char *name, const char *suffix) {
+    u64 name_len;
+    u64 suffix_len;
+    u64 i;
+
+    if (name == (const char *)0 || suffix == (const char *)0) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    name_len = shell_strlen(name);
+    suffix_len = shell_strlen(suffix);
+
+    if (suffix_len > name_len) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    for (i = 0ULL; i < suffix_len; i++) {
+        if (name[name_len - suffix_len + i] != suffix[i]) {
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static int shell_resolve_exec_path(const char *arg, char *out_path, u64 out_size) {
+    u64 cursor = 0ULL;
+    u64 i;
+
+    if (arg == (const char *)0 || out_path == (char *)0 || out_size == 0ULL) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    if (arg[0] == '\0') {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    out_path[0] = '\0';
+
+    if (arg[0] == '/') {
+        shell_copy(out_path, out_size, arg);
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    {
+        static const char prefix[] = "/shell/";
+        u64 prefix_len = (u64)(sizeof(prefix) - 1U);
+
+        if (prefix_len + 1ULL >= out_size) {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        for (i = 0ULL; i < prefix_len; i++) {
+            out_path[cursor++] = prefix[i];
+        }
+    }
+
+    i = 0ULL;
+    while (arg[i] != '\0' && cursor + 1ULL < out_size) {
+        out_path[cursor++] = arg[i++];
+    }
+
+    out_path[cursor] = '\0';
+
+    if (arg[i] != '\0') {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    if (shell_has_suffix(out_path, ".elf") == 0) {
+        static const char suffix[] = ".elf";
+
+        for (i = 0ULL; suffix[i] != '\0'; i++) {
+            if (cursor + 1ULL >= out_size) {
+                return 0;
+            }
+            out_path[cursor++] = suffix[i];
+        }
+
+        out_path[cursor] = '\0';
+    }
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
 static void shell_cmd_help(void) {
-    shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] commands: help ls <dir> cat <file> run <elf> stats");
+    shell_writeln("commands:");
+    shell_writeln("  help");
+    shell_writeln("  ls [dir]");
+    shell_writeln("  cat <file>");
+    shell_writeln("  exec <path|name>");
+    shell_writeln("  clear");
+    shell_writeln("  stats");
 }
 
 static void shell_cmd_ls(const char *arg) {
@@ -185,12 +264,14 @@ static void shell_cmd_ls(const char *arg) {
     count = cleonos_sys_fs_child_count(path);
 
     if (count == (u64)-1) {
-        shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] ls failed");
+        shell_writeln("ls: directory not found");
         return;
     }
 
-    shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] ls ", path);
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] ls count: ", count);
+    if (count == 0ULL) {
+        shell_writeln("(empty)");
+        return;
+    }
 
     for (i = 0ULL; i < count; i++) {
         char name[CLEONOS_FS_NAME_MAX];
@@ -201,7 +282,7 @@ static void shell_cmd_ls(const char *arg) {
             continue;
         }
 
-        shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] - ", name);
+        shell_writeln(name);
     }
 }
 
@@ -210,14 +291,14 @@ static void shell_cmd_cat(const char *arg) {
     u64 got;
 
     if (arg == (const char *)0 || arg[0] == '\0') {
-        shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] cat requires path");
+        shell_writeln("cat: file path required");
         return;
     }
 
     got = cleonos_sys_fs_read(arg, cat_buf, SHELL_CAT_MAX);
 
     if (got == 0ULL) {
-        shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] cat failed");
+        shell_writeln("cat: file not found");
         return;
     }
 
@@ -226,43 +307,38 @@ static void shell_cmd_cat(const char *arg) {
     }
 
     cat_buf[got] = '\0';
-
-    shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] cat ", arg);
-    shell_log_text(cat_buf);
+    shell_writeln(cat_buf);
 }
 
-static void shell_cmd_run(const char *arg) {
+static void shell_cmd_exec(const char *arg) {
+    char path[SHELL_LINE_MAX];
     u64 status;
 
-    if (arg == (const char *)0 || arg[0] == '\0') {
-        shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] run requires path");
+    if (shell_resolve_exec_path(arg, path, (u64)sizeof(path)) == 0) {
+        shell_writeln("exec: invalid target");
         return;
     }
 
-    status = cleonos_sys_exec_path(arg);
+    status = cleonos_sys_exec_path(path);
 
     if (status == 0ULL) {
-        shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] run ok ", arg);
+        shell_writeln("exec: request accepted");
     } else {
-        shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] run failed ", arg);
+        shell_writeln("exec: request failed");
+    }
+}
+
+static void shell_cmd_clear(void) {
+    u64 i;
+
+    for (i = 0ULL; i < SHELL_CLEAR_LINES; i++) {
+        shell_write_char('\n');
     }
 }
 
 static void shell_cmd_stats(void) {
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] fs nodes: ", cleonos_sys_fs_node_count());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] task count: ", cleonos_sys_task_count());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] service count: ", cleonos_sys_service_count());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] service ready: ", cleonos_sys_service_ready_count());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] context switches: ", cleonos_sys_context_switches());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] kelf count: ", cleonos_sys_kelf_count());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] kelf runs: ", cleonos_sys_kelf_runs());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] user shell ready: ", cleonos_sys_user_shell_ready());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] user exec requested: ", cleonos_sys_user_exec_requested());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] user launch tries: ", cleonos_sys_user_launch_tries());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] user launch ok: ", cleonos_sys_user_launch_ok());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] user launch fail: ", cleonos_sys_user_launch_fail());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] exec requests: ", cleonos_sys_exec_request_count());
-    shell_log_hex_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] exec success: ", cleonos_sys_exec_success_count());
+    (void)cleonos_sys_task_count();
+    shell_writeln("stats: use kernel log channel for full counters");
 }
 
 static void shell_execute_line(const char *line) {
@@ -271,9 +347,6 @@ static void shell_execute_line(const char *line) {
     char line_buf[SHELL_LINE_MAX];
     u64 i = 0ULL;
 
-    cmd[0] = '\0';
-    arg[0] = '\0';
-
     if (line == (const char *)0) {
         return;
     }
@@ -290,7 +363,6 @@ static void shell_execute_line(const char *line) {
         return;
     }
 
-    shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL]$ ", line_buf);
     shell_parse_line(line_buf, cmd, (u64)sizeof(cmd), arg, (u64)sizeof(arg));
 
     if (shell_streq(cmd, "help") != 0) {
@@ -308,8 +380,13 @@ static void shell_execute_line(const char *line) {
         return;
     }
 
-    if (shell_streq(cmd, "run") != 0) {
-        shell_cmd_run(arg);
+    if (shell_streq(cmd, "exec") != 0 || shell_streq(cmd, "run") != 0) {
+        shell_cmd_exec(arg);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (shell_streq(cmd, "clear") != 0) {
+        shell_cmd_clear();
         return;
     }
 
@@ -318,24 +395,7 @@ static void shell_execute_line(const char *line) {
         return;
     }
 
-    shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] unknown command: ", cmd);
-}
-
-static void shell_run_default_script(void) {
-    static const char *script[] = {
-        "help",
-        "stats",
-        "ls /",
-        "ls /system",
-        "cat /README.txt",
-        "run /system/elfrunner.elf",
-        "run /system/memc.elf"
-    };
-    u64 i;
-
-    for (i = 0ULL; i < (u64)(sizeof(script) / sizeof(script[0])); i++) {
-        shell_execute_line(script[i]);
-    }
+    shell_writeln("unknown command; type 'help'");
 }
 
 static int shell_run_script_file(const char *path) {
@@ -360,7 +420,6 @@ static int shell_run_script_file(const char *path) {
     }
 
     script[got] = '\0';
-    shell_log_prefixed("[USER][SHELL] script ", path);
 
     for (i = 0ULL; i <= got; i++) {
         char ch = script[i];
@@ -384,14 +443,78 @@ static int shell_run_script_file(const char *path) {
     return 1;
 }
 
-int cleonos_app_main(void) {
-    shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] shell.elf command framework online");
+static char shell_read_char_blocking(void) {
+    for (;;) {
+        u64 ch = cleonos_sys_kbd_get_char();
 
-    if (shell_run_script_file("/shell/init.cmd") == 0) {
-        shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] /shell/init.cmd missing, using default script");
-        shell_run_default_script();
+        if (ch != (u64)-1) {
+            return (char)(ch & 0xFFULL);
+        }
+
+        __asm__ volatile("pause");
+    }
+}
+
+static void shell_read_line(char *out_line, u64 out_size) {
+    u64 cursor = 0ULL;
+
+    if (out_line == (char *)0 || out_size == 0ULL) {
+        return;
     }
 
-    shell_log_text("[USER][SHELL] script done");
-    return 0;
+    out_line[0] = '\0';
+
+    for (;;) {
+        char ch = shell_read_char_blocking();
+
+        if (ch == '\r') {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if (ch == '\n') {
+            shell_write_char('\n');
+            break;
+        }
+
+        if (ch == '\b' || ch == 127) {
+            if (cursor > 0ULL) {
+                cursor--;
+                out_line[cursor] = '\0';
+                shell_write_char('\b');
+            }
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if (ch == '\t') {
+            ch = ' ';
+        }
+
+        if (shell_is_printable(ch) == 0) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if (cursor + 1ULL >= out_size) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        out_line[cursor++] = ch;
+        out_line[cursor] = '\0';
+        shell_write_char(ch);
+    }
 }
+
+int cleonos_app_main(void) {
+    char line[SHELL_LINE_MAX];
+
+    shell_writeln("[USER][SHELL] interactive framework online");
+
+    if (shell_run_script_file("/shell/init.cmd") == 0) {
+        shell_writeln("[USER][SHELL] /shell/init.cmd missing");
+    }
+
+    for (;;) {
+        shell_prompt();
+        shell_read_line(line, (u64)sizeof(line));
+        shell_execute_line(line);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cleonos/c/include/cleonos_syscall.h b/cleonos/c/include/cleonos_syscall.h
index 92c21af..469450f 100644
--- a/cleonos/c/include/cleonos_syscall.h
+++ b/cleonos/c/include/cleonos_syscall.h
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ typedef unsigned long long usize;
 #define CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_COUNT           21ULL
 #define CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_ACTIVE          22ULL
 #define CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_SWITCH          23ULL
+#define CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE           24ULL
+#define CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE_CHAR      25ULL
+#define CLEONOS_SYSCALL_KBD_GET_CHAR        26ULL
 
 u64 cleonos_syscall(u64 id, u64 arg0, u64 arg1, u64 arg2);
 u64 cleonos_sys_log_write(const char *message, u64 length);
@@ -55,6 +58,8 @@ u64 cleonos_sys_user_launch_fail(void);
 u64 cleonos_sys_tty_count(void);
 u64 cleonos_sys_tty_active(void);
 u64 cleonos_sys_tty_switch(u64 tty_index);
+u64 cleonos_sys_tty_write(const char *text, u64 length);
+u64 cleonos_sys_tty_write_char(char ch);
+u64 cleonos_sys_kbd_get_char(void);
 
-#endif
-
+#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cleonos/c/src/syscall.c b/cleonos/c/src/syscall.c
index 791cc80..a0762d9 100644
--- a/cleonos/c/src/syscall.c
+++ b/cleonos/c/src/syscall.c
@@ -105,3 +105,14 @@ u64 cleonos_sys_tty_switch(u64 tty_index) {
     return cleonos_syscall(CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_SWITCH, tty_index, 0ULL, 0ULL);
 }
 
+u64 cleonos_sys_tty_write(const char *text, u64 length) {
+    return cleonos_syscall(CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE, (u64)text, length, 0ULL);
+}
+
+u64 cleonos_sys_tty_write_char(char ch) {
+    return cleonos_syscall(CLEONOS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE_CHAR, (u64)(unsigned char)ch, 0ULL, 0ULL);
+}
+
+u64 cleonos_sys_kbd_get_char(void) {
+    return cleonos_syscall(CLEONOS_SYSCALL_KBD_GET_CHAR, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/include/clks/keyboard.h b/clks/include/clks/keyboard.h
index 8bba403..9a9e19b 100644
--- a/clks/include/clks/keyboard.h
+++ b/clks/include/clks/keyboard.h
@@ -6,5 +6,7 @@
 void clks_keyboard_init(void);
 void clks_keyboard_handle_scancode(u8 scancode);
 u64 clks_keyboard_hotkey_switch_count(void);
+clks_bool clks_keyboard_pop_char(char *out_ch);
+u64 clks_keyboard_buffered_count(void);
 
-#endif
+#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/include/clks/shell.h b/clks/include/clks/shell.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd445cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/clks/include/clks/shell.h
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#ifndef CLKS_SHELL_H
+#define CLKS_SHELL_H
+
+#include <clks/types.h>
+
+void clks_shell_init(void);
+void clks_shell_tick(u64 tick);
+
+#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/include/clks/syscall.h b/clks/include/clks/syscall.h
index 478a042..8f91fca 100644
--- a/clks/include/clks/syscall.h
+++ b/clks/include/clks/syscall.h
@@ -27,10 +27,12 @@
 #define CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_COUNT           21ULL
 #define CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_ACTIVE          22ULL
 #define CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_SWITCH          23ULL
+#define CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE           24ULL
+#define CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE_CHAR      25ULL
+#define CLKS_SYSCALL_KBD_GET_CHAR        26ULL
 
 void clks_syscall_init(void);
 u64 clks_syscall_dispatch(void *frame_ptr);
 u64 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(u64 id, u64 arg0, u64 arg1, u64 arg2);
 
-#endif
-
+#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/kernel/keyboard.c b/clks/kernel/keyboard.c
index 0f2ca09..04f532c 100644
--- a/clks/kernel/keyboard.c
+++ b/clks/kernel/keyboard.c
@@ -3,35 +3,127 @@
 #include <clks/tty.h>
 #include <clks/types.h>
 
-#define CLKS_SC_ALT        0x38U
-#define CLKS_SC_F1         0x3BU
-#define CLKS_SC_F2         0x3CU
-#define CLKS_SC_F3         0x3DU
-#define CLKS_SC_F4         0x3EU
+#define CLKS_SC_ALT         0x38U
+#define CLKS_SC_LSHIFT      0x2AU
+#define CLKS_SC_RSHIFT      0x36U
+#define CLKS_SC_F1          0x3BU
+#define CLKS_SC_F2          0x3CU
+#define CLKS_SC_F3          0x3DU
+#define CLKS_SC_F4          0x3EU
+#define CLKS_SC_EXT_PREFIX  0xE0U
+
+#define CLKS_KBD_INPUT_CAP  256U
+
+static const char clks_kbd_map[128] = {
+    [2] = '1', [3] = '2', [4] = '3', [5] = '4', [6] = '5', [7] = '6', [8] = '7', [9] = '8',
+    [10] = '9', [11] = '0', [12] = '-', [13] = '=', [14] = '\b', [15] = '\t',
+    [16] = 'q', [17] = 'w', [18] = 'e', [19] = 'r', [20] = 't', [21] = 'y', [22] = 'u', [23] = 'i',
+    [24] = 'o', [25] = 'p', [26] = '[', [27] = ']', [28] = '\n',
+    [30] = 'a', [31] = 's', [32] = 'd', [33] = 'f', [34] = 'g', [35] = 'h', [36] = 'j', [37] = 'k',
+    [38] = 'l', [39] = ';', [40] = '\'', [41] = '`', [43] = '\\',
+    [44] = 'z', [45] = 'x', [46] = 'c', [47] = 'v', [48] = 'b', [49] = 'n', [50] = 'm',
+    [51] = ',', [52] = '.', [53] = '/', [57] = ' '
+};
+
+static const char clks_kbd_shift_map[128] = {
+    [2] = '!', [3] = '@', [4] = '#', [5] = '$', [6] = '%', [7] = '^', [8] = '&', [9] = '*',
+    [10] = '(', [11] = ')', [12] = '_', [13] = '+', [14] = '\b', [15] = '\t',
+    [16] = 'Q', [17] = 'W', [18] = 'E', [19] = 'R', [20] = 'T', [21] = 'Y', [22] = 'U', [23] = 'I',
+    [24] = 'O', [25] = 'P', [26] = '{', [27] = '}', [28] = '\n',
+    [30] = 'A', [31] = 'S', [32] = 'D', [33] = 'F', [34] = 'G', [35] = 'H', [36] = 'J', [37] = 'K',
+    [38] = 'L', [39] = ':', [40] = '"', [41] = '~', [43] = '|',
+    [44] = 'Z', [45] = 'X', [46] = 'C', [47] = 'V', [48] = 'B', [49] = 'N', [50] = 'M',
+    [51] = '<', [52] = '>', [53] = '?', [57] = ' '
+};
+
+static char clks_kbd_input_queue[CLKS_KBD_INPUT_CAP];
+static u16 clks_kbd_input_head = 0U;
+static u16 clks_kbd_input_tail = 0U;
+static u16 clks_kbd_input_count = 0U;
 
 static clks_bool clks_kbd_alt_down = CLKS_FALSE;
+static clks_bool clks_kbd_lshift_down = CLKS_FALSE;
+static clks_bool clks_kbd_rshift_down = CLKS_FALSE;
+static clks_bool clks_kbd_e0_prefix = CLKS_FALSE;
 static u64 clks_kbd_hotkey_switches = 0ULL;
 
+static clks_bool clks_keyboard_queue_push(char ch) {
+    if (clks_kbd_input_count >= CLKS_KBD_INPUT_CAP) {
+        return CLKS_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    clks_kbd_input_queue[clks_kbd_input_head] = ch;
+    clks_kbd_input_head = (u16)((clks_kbd_input_head + 1U) % CLKS_KBD_INPUT_CAP);
+    clks_kbd_input_count++;
+    return CLKS_TRUE;
+}
+
+static char clks_keyboard_translate_scancode(u8 code) {
+    clks_bool shift_active = (clks_kbd_lshift_down == CLKS_TRUE || clks_kbd_rshift_down == CLKS_TRUE)
+                                 ? CLKS_TRUE
+                                 : CLKS_FALSE;
+
+    if (shift_active == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        return clks_kbd_shift_map[code];
+    }
+
+    return clks_kbd_map[code];
+}
+
 void clks_keyboard_init(void) {
+    clks_kbd_input_head = 0U;
+    clks_kbd_input_tail = 0U;
+    clks_kbd_input_count = 0U;
     clks_kbd_alt_down = CLKS_FALSE;
+    clks_kbd_lshift_down = CLKS_FALSE;
+    clks_kbd_rshift_down = CLKS_FALSE;
+    clks_kbd_e0_prefix = CLKS_FALSE;
     clks_kbd_hotkey_switches = 0ULL;
+
     clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "KBD", "ALT+F1..F4 TTY HOTKEY ONLINE");
+    clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "KBD", "PS2 INPUT QUEUE ONLINE");
 }
 
 void clks_keyboard_handle_scancode(u8 scancode) {
-    clks_bool released = ((scancode & 0x80U) != 0U) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
-    u8 code = (u8)(scancode & 0x7FU);
+    clks_bool released;
+    u8 code;
+
+    if (scancode == CLKS_SC_EXT_PREFIX) {
+        clks_kbd_e0_prefix = CLKS_TRUE;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    released = ((scancode & 0x80U) != 0U) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
+    code = (u8)(scancode & 0x7FU);
 
     if (code == CLKS_SC_ALT) {
         clks_kbd_alt_down = (released == CLKS_FALSE) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
         return;
     }
 
-    if (released == CLKS_TRUE || clks_kbd_alt_down == CLKS_FALSE) {
+    if (code == CLKS_SC_LSHIFT) {
+        clks_kbd_lshift_down = (released == CLKS_FALSE) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
         return;
     }
 
-    if (code >= CLKS_SC_F1 && code <= CLKS_SC_F4) {
+    if (code == CLKS_SC_RSHIFT) {
+        clks_kbd_rshift_down = (released == CLKS_FALSE) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (released == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        if (clks_kbd_e0_prefix == CLKS_TRUE) {
+            clks_kbd_e0_prefix = CLKS_FALSE;
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_kbd_e0_prefix == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        clks_kbd_e0_prefix = CLKS_FALSE;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_kbd_alt_down == CLKS_TRUE && code >= CLKS_SC_F1 && code <= CLKS_SC_F4) {
         u32 target = (u32)(code - CLKS_SC_F1);
         u32 before = clks_tty_active();
         u32 after;
@@ -45,9 +137,34 @@ void clks_keyboard_handle_scancode(u8 scancode) {
             clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "TTY", "ACTIVE", (u64)after);
             clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "TTY", "HOTKEY_SWITCHES", clks_kbd_hotkey_switches);
         }
+
+        return;
+    }
+
+    {
+        char translated = clks_keyboard_translate_scancode(code);
+
+        if (translated != '\0') {
+            (void)clks_keyboard_queue_push(translated);
+        }
     }
 }
 
 u64 clks_keyboard_hotkey_switch_count(void) {
     return clks_kbd_hotkey_switches;
 }
+
+clks_bool clks_keyboard_pop_char(char *out_ch) {
+    if (out_ch == CLKS_NULL || clks_kbd_input_count == 0U) {
+        return CLKS_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    *out_ch = clks_kbd_input_queue[clks_kbd_input_tail];
+    clks_kbd_input_tail = (u16)((clks_kbd_input_tail + 1U) % CLKS_KBD_INPUT_CAP);
+    clks_kbd_input_count--;
+    return CLKS_TRUE;
+}
+
+u64 clks_keyboard_buffered_count(void) {
+    return (u64)clks_kbd_input_count;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/kernel/kmain.c b/clks/kernel/kmain.c
index 20879da..4f6b565 100644
--- a/clks/kernel/kmain.c
+++ b/clks/kernel/kmain.c
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include <clks/scheduler.h>
 #include <clks/serial.h>
 #include <clks/service.h>
+#include <clks/shell.h>
 #include <clks/syscall.h>
 #include <clks/tty.h>
 #include <clks/types.h>
@@ -62,90 +63,9 @@ static void clks_task_kelfd(u64 tick) {
 static void clks_task_usrd(u64 tick) {
     clks_service_heartbeat(CLKS_SERVICE_USER, tick);
     clks_userland_tick(tick);
+    clks_shell_tick(tick);
 }
 
-static void clks_stage15_syscall_probe(void) {
-    char child_name[96];
-    char read_buf[160];
-    u64 root_children;
-    u64 got_name;
-    u64 read_len;
-    u64 run_status;
-
-    root_children = clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_FS_CHILD_COUNT, (u64)"/", 0ULL, 0ULL);
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "SHELL", "ROOT_CHILDREN", root_children);
-
-    child_name[0] = '\0';
-    got_name = clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_FS_GET_CHILD_NAME, (u64)"/", 0ULL, (u64)child_name);
-
-    if (got_name == 1ULL) {
-        child_name[sizeof(child_name) - 1U] = '\0';
-        clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "SHELL", "ROOT_ENTRY0");
-        clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "SHELL", child_name);
-    }
-
-    read_len = clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_FS_READ,
-                                          (u64)"/README.txt",
-                                          (u64)read_buf,
-                                          (u64)(sizeof(read_buf) - 1U));
-
-    if (read_len > 0ULL && read_len != (u64)-1) {
-        if (read_len >= (u64)sizeof(read_buf)) {
-            read_len = (u64)sizeof(read_buf) - 1ULL;
-        }
-
-        read_buf[read_len] = '\0';
-        clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "SHELL", "README PREVIEW");
-        clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "SHELL", read_buf);
-    }
-
-    run_status = clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_EXEC_PATH, (u64)"/system/elfrunner.elf", 0ULL, 0ULL);
-
-    if (run_status == 0ULL) {
-        clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "EXEC", "RUN /SYSTEM/ELFRUNNER.ELF OK");
-    } else {
-        clks_log(CLKS_LOG_WARN, "EXEC", "RUN /SYSTEM/ELFRUNNER.ELF FAILED");
-    }
-
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "EXEC",
-                 "REQUESTS",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_EXEC_REQUESTS, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "EXEC",
-                 "SUCCESS",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_EXEC_SUCCESS, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "USER",
-                 "SHELL_READY",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_USER_SHELL_READY, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "USER",
-                 "EXEC_REQUESTED",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_USER_EXEC_REQUESTED, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "USER",
-                 "LAUNCH_TRIES",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_USER_LAUNCH_TRIES, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "USER",
-                 "LAUNCH_OK",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_USER_LAUNCH_OK, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "USER",
-                 "LAUNCH_FAIL",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_USER_LAUNCH_FAIL, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "TTY",
-                 "COUNT",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_COUNT, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO,
-                 "TTY",
-                 "ACTIVE",
-                 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_ACTIVE, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL));
-}
 void clks_kernel_main(void) {
     const struct limine_framebuffer *boot_fb;
     const struct limine_memmap_response *boot_memmap;
@@ -171,7 +91,7 @@ void clks_kernel_main(void) {
         clks_tty_init();
     }
 
-    clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "BOOT", "CLEONOS STAGE15 START");
+    clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "BOOT", "CLEONOS STAGE16 START");
 
     if (boot_fb == CLKS_NULL) {
         clks_log(CLKS_LOG_WARN, "VIDEO", "NO FRAMEBUFFER FROM LIMINE");
@@ -281,10 +201,12 @@ void clks_kernel_main(void) {
     syscall_ticks = clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(CLKS_SYSCALL_TIMER_TICKS, 0ULL, 0ULL, 0ULL);
     clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "SYSCALL", "TICKS", syscall_ticks);
 
-    clks_stage15_syscall_probe();
+    clks_shell_init();
 
+    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "TTY", "COUNT", (u64)clks_tty_count());
+    clks_log_hex(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "TTY", "ACTIVE", (u64)clks_tty_active());
     clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "TTY", "VIRTUAL TTY0 READY");
     clks_log(CLKS_LOG_DEBUG, "KERNEL", "IDLE LOOP ENTER");
 
     clks_cpu_halt_forever();
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/kernel/shell.c b/clks/kernel/shell.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce9febd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/clks/kernel/shell.c
@@ -0,0 +1,441 @@
+#include <clks/exec.h>
+#include <clks/fs.h>
+#include <clks/keyboard.h>
+#include <clks/log.h>
+#include <clks/shell.h>
+#include <clks/string.h>
+#include <clks/tty.h>
+#include <clks/types.h>
+
+#define CLKS_SHELL_LINE_MAX      192U
+#define CLKS_SHELL_CMD_MAX        32U
+#define CLKS_SHELL_ARG_MAX       160U
+#define CLKS_SHELL_NAME_MAX       96U
+#define CLKS_SHELL_PATH_MAX      192U
+#define CLKS_SHELL_CAT_LIMIT     512U
+#define CLKS_SHELL_INPUT_BUDGET   32U
+#define CLKS_SHELL_CLEAR_LINES    56U
+
+static clks_bool clks_shell_ready = CLKS_FALSE;
+static char clks_shell_line[CLKS_SHELL_LINE_MAX];
+static usize clks_shell_line_len = 0U;
+
+static clks_bool clks_shell_is_space(char ch) {
+    return (ch == ' ' || ch == '\t' || ch == '\r' || ch == '\n') ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
+}
+
+static clks_bool clks_shell_is_printable(char ch) {
+    return (ch >= 32 && ch <= 126) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
+}
+
+static clks_bool clks_shell_streq(const char *left, const char *right) {
+    return (clks_strcmp(left, right) == 0) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_write(const char *text) {
+    if (text == CLKS_NULL) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    clks_tty_write(text);
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_write_char(char ch) {
+    clks_tty_write_char(ch);
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_writeln(const char *text) {
+    clks_shell_write(text);
+    clks_shell_write_char('\n');
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_prompt(void) {
+    clks_shell_write("cleonos> ");
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_reset_line(void) {
+    clks_shell_line_len = 0U;
+    clks_shell_line[0] = '\0';
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_trim(char *line) {
+    usize start = 0U;
+    usize i = 0U;
+    usize len;
+
+    if (line == CLKS_NULL) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    while (line[start] != '\0' && clks_shell_is_space(line[start]) == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        start++;
+    }
+
+    if (start > 0U) {
+        while (line[start + i] != '\0') {
+            line[i] = line[start + i];
+            i++;
+        }
+
+        line[i] = '\0';
+    }
+
+    len = clks_strlen(line);
+
+    while (len > 0U && clks_shell_is_space(line[len - 1U]) == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        line[len - 1U] = '\0';
+        len--;
+    }
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_split_line(const char *line,
+                                  char *out_cmd,
+                                  usize out_cmd_size,
+                                  char *out_arg,
+                                  usize out_arg_size) {
+    usize i = 0U;
+    usize cmd_pos = 0U;
+    usize arg_pos = 0U;
+
+    if (line == CLKS_NULL || out_cmd == CLKS_NULL || out_arg == CLKS_NULL) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    out_cmd[0] = '\0';
+    out_arg[0] = '\0';
+
+    while (line[i] != '\0' && clks_shell_is_space(line[i]) == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        i++;
+    }
+
+    while (line[i] != '\0' && clks_shell_is_space(line[i]) == CLKS_FALSE) {
+        if (cmd_pos + 1U < out_cmd_size) {
+            out_cmd[cmd_pos++] = line[i];
+        }
+        i++;
+    }
+
+    out_cmd[cmd_pos] = '\0';
+
+    while (line[i] != '\0' && clks_shell_is_space(line[i]) == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        i++;
+    }
+
+    while (line[i] != '\0') {
+        if (arg_pos + 1U < out_arg_size) {
+            out_arg[arg_pos++] = line[i];
+        }
+        i++;
+    }
+
+    out_arg[arg_pos] = '\0';
+}
+
+static clks_bool clks_shell_has_suffix(const char *name, const char *suffix) {
+    usize name_len;
+    usize suffix_len;
+
+    if (name == CLKS_NULL || suffix == CLKS_NULL) {
+        return CLKS_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    name_len = clks_strlen(name);
+    suffix_len = clks_strlen(suffix);
+
+    if (suffix_len > name_len) {
+        return CLKS_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    return (clks_strcmp(name + (name_len - suffix_len), suffix) == 0) ? CLKS_TRUE : CLKS_FALSE;
+}
+
+static clks_bool clks_shell_resolve_exec_path(const char *arg, char *out_path, usize out_path_size) {
+    usize cursor = 0U;
+    usize i;
+
+    if (arg == CLKS_NULL || out_path == CLKS_NULL || out_path_size == 0U) {
+        return CLKS_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    if (arg[0] == '\0') {
+        return CLKS_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    out_path[0] = '\0';
+
+    if (arg[0] == '/') {
+        usize len = clks_strlen(arg);
+        if (len + 1U > out_path_size) {
+            return CLKS_FALSE;
+        }
+        clks_memcpy(out_path, arg, len + 1U);
+        return CLKS_TRUE;
+    }
+
+    {
+        static const char shell_prefix[] = "/shell/";
+        usize prefix_len = (sizeof(shell_prefix) - 1U);
+
+        if (prefix_len + 1U >= out_path_size) {
+            return CLKS_FALSE;
+        }
+
+        clks_memcpy(out_path, shell_prefix, prefix_len);
+        cursor = prefix_len;
+    }
+
+    for (i = 0U; arg[i] != '\0'; i++) {
+        if (cursor + 1U >= out_path_size) {
+            return CLKS_FALSE;
+        }
+
+        out_path[cursor++] = arg[i];
+    }
+
+    out_path[cursor] = '\0';
+
+    if (clks_shell_has_suffix(out_path, ".elf") == CLKS_FALSE) {
+        static const char elf_suffix[] = ".elf";
+        usize suffix_len = (sizeof(elf_suffix) - 1U);
+
+        if (cursor + suffix_len + 1U > out_path_size) {
+            return CLKS_FALSE;
+        }
+
+        clks_memcpy(out_path + cursor, elf_suffix, suffix_len + 1U);
+    }
+
+    return CLKS_TRUE;
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_cmd_help(void) {
+    clks_shell_writeln("commands:");
+    clks_shell_writeln("  help");
+    clks_shell_writeln("  ls [dir]");
+    clks_shell_writeln("  cat <file>");
+    clks_shell_writeln("  exec <path|name>");
+    clks_shell_writeln("  clear");
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_cmd_ls(const char *arg) {
+    struct clks_fs_node_info info;
+    const char *path = arg;
+    u64 count;
+    u64 i;
+
+    if (path == CLKS_NULL || path[0] == '\0') {
+        path = "/";
+    }
+
+    if (clks_fs_stat(path, &info) == CLKS_FALSE || info.type != CLKS_FS_NODE_DIR) {
+        clks_shell_writeln("ls: directory not found");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    count = clks_fs_count_children(path);
+
+    if (count == 0ULL) {
+        clks_shell_writeln("(empty)");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    for (i = 0ULL; i < count; i++) {
+        char name[CLKS_SHELL_NAME_MAX];
+
+        name[0] = '\0';
+        if (clks_fs_get_child_name(path, i, name, sizeof(name)) == CLKS_FALSE) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        clks_shell_writeln(name);
+    }
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_cmd_cat(const char *arg) {
+    const void *data;
+    u64 size = 0ULL;
+    u64 copy_len;
+    char out[CLKS_SHELL_CAT_LIMIT + 1U];
+
+    if (arg == CLKS_NULL || arg[0] == '\0') {
+        clks_shell_writeln("cat: file path required");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    data = clks_fs_read_all(arg, &size);
+
+    if (data == CLKS_NULL) {
+        clks_shell_writeln("cat: file not found");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (size == 0ULL) {
+        clks_shell_writeln("(empty file)");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    copy_len = (size < CLKS_SHELL_CAT_LIMIT) ? size : CLKS_SHELL_CAT_LIMIT;
+    clks_memcpy(out, data, (usize)copy_len);
+    out[copy_len] = '\0';
+
+    clks_shell_writeln(out);
+
+    if (size > copy_len) {
+        clks_shell_writeln("[cat] output truncated");
+    }
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_cmd_exec(const char *arg) {
+    char path[CLKS_SHELL_PATH_MAX];
+    u64 status = (u64)-1;
+
+    if (clks_shell_resolve_exec_path(arg, path, sizeof(path)) == CLKS_FALSE) {
+        clks_shell_writeln("exec: invalid target");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_exec_run_path(path, &status) == CLKS_TRUE && status == 0ULL) {
+        clks_shell_writeln("exec: request accepted");
+    } else {
+        clks_shell_writeln("exec: request failed");
+    }
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_cmd_clear(void) {
+    u32 i;
+
+    for (i = 0U; i < CLKS_SHELL_CLEAR_LINES; i++) {
+        clks_shell_write_char('\n');
+    }
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_execute_line(const char *line) {
+    char line_buf[CLKS_SHELL_LINE_MAX];
+    char cmd[CLKS_SHELL_CMD_MAX];
+    char arg[CLKS_SHELL_ARG_MAX];
+    usize i = 0U;
+
+    if (line == CLKS_NULL) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    while (line[i] != '\0' && i + 1U < sizeof(line_buf)) {
+        line_buf[i] = line[i];
+        i++;
+    }
+
+    line_buf[i] = '\0';
+    clks_shell_trim(line_buf);
+
+    if (line_buf[0] == '\0') {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    clks_shell_split_line(line_buf, cmd, sizeof(cmd), arg, sizeof(arg));
+
+    if (clks_shell_streq(cmd, "help") == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        clks_shell_cmd_help();
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_shell_streq(cmd, "ls") == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        clks_shell_cmd_ls(arg);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_shell_streq(cmd, "cat") == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        clks_shell_cmd_cat(arg);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_shell_streq(cmd, "exec") == CLKS_TRUE || clks_shell_streq(cmd, "run") == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        clks_shell_cmd_exec(arg);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_shell_streq(cmd, "clear") == CLKS_TRUE) {
+        clks_shell_cmd_clear();
+        return;
+    }
+
+    clks_shell_writeln("unknown command; type 'help'");
+}
+
+static void clks_shell_handle_char(char ch) {
+    if (ch == '\r') {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (ch == '\n') {
+        clks_shell_write_char('\n');
+        clks_shell_line[clks_shell_line_len] = '\0';
+        clks_shell_execute_line(clks_shell_line);
+        clks_shell_reset_line();
+        clks_shell_prompt();
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (ch == '\b' || ch == 127) {
+        if (clks_shell_line_len > 0U) {
+            clks_shell_line_len--;
+            clks_shell_line[clks_shell_line_len] = '\0';
+            clks_shell_write_char('\b');
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (ch == '\t') {
+        ch = ' ';
+    }
+
+    if (clks_shell_is_printable(ch) == CLKS_FALSE) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (clks_shell_line_len + 1U >= CLKS_SHELL_LINE_MAX) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    clks_shell_line[clks_shell_line_len++] = ch;
+    clks_shell_line[clks_shell_line_len] = '\0';
+    clks_shell_write_char(ch);
+}
+
+void clks_shell_init(void) {
+    clks_shell_reset_line();
+
+    if (clks_tty_ready() == CLKS_FALSE) {
+        clks_shell_ready = CLKS_FALSE;
+        clks_log(CLKS_LOG_WARN, "SHELL", "TTY NOT READY; SHELL DISABLED");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    clks_shell_ready = CLKS_TRUE;
+
+    clks_shell_writeln("");
+    clks_shell_writeln("CLeonOS interactive shell ready");
+    clks_shell_writeln("type 'help' for commands");
+    clks_shell_prompt();
+
+    clks_log(CLKS_LOG_INFO, "SHELL", "INTERACTIVE LOOP ONLINE");
+}
+
+void clks_shell_tick(u64 tick) {
+    u32 budget = 0U;
+    char ch;
+
+    (void)tick;
+
+    if (clks_shell_ready == CLKS_FALSE) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    while (budget < CLKS_SHELL_INPUT_BUDGET) {
+        if (clks_keyboard_pop_char(&ch) == CLKS_FALSE) {
+            break;
+        }
+
+        clks_shell_handle_char(ch);
+        budget++;
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/kernel/syscall.c b/clks/kernel/syscall.c
index 582299a..87ece54 100644
--- a/clks/kernel/syscall.c
+++ b/clks/kernel/syscall.c
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include <clks/fs.h>
 #include <clks/interrupts.h>
 #include <clks/kelf.h>
+#include <clks/keyboard.h>
 #include <clks/log.h>
 #include <clks/scheduler.h>
 #include <clks/service.h>
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@
 #define CLKS_SYSCALL_LOG_MAX_LEN  191U
 #define CLKS_SYSCALL_PATH_MAX     192U
 #define CLKS_SYSCALL_NAME_MAX      96U
+#define CLKS_SYSCALL_IO_MAX_LEN   512U
 
 struct clks_syscall_frame {
     u64 rax;
@@ -89,6 +91,44 @@ static u64 clks_syscall_log_write(u64 arg0, u64 arg1) {
     return len;
 }
 
+static u64 clks_syscall_tty_write(u64 arg0, u64 arg1) {
+    const char *src = (const char *)arg0;
+    u64 len = arg1;
+    char buf[CLKS_SYSCALL_IO_MAX_LEN + 1U];
+    u64 i;
+
+    if (src == CLKS_NULL || len == 0ULL) {
+        return 0ULL;
+    }
+
+    if (len > CLKS_SYSCALL_IO_MAX_LEN) {
+        len = CLKS_SYSCALL_IO_MAX_LEN;
+    }
+
+    for (i = 0ULL; i < len; i++) {
+        buf[i] = src[i];
+    }
+
+    buf[len] = '\0';
+    clks_tty_write(buf);
+    return len;
+}
+
+static u64 clks_syscall_tty_write_char(u64 arg0) {
+    clks_tty_write_char((char)(arg0 & 0xFFULL));
+    return 1ULL;
+}
+
+static u64 clks_syscall_kbd_get_char(void) {
+    char ch;
+
+    if (clks_keyboard_pop_char(&ch) == CLKS_FALSE) {
+        return (u64)-1;
+    }
+
+    return (u64)(u8)ch;
+}
+
 static u64 clks_syscall_fs_child_count(u64 arg0) {
     char path[CLKS_SYSCALL_PATH_MAX];
 
@@ -228,6 +268,12 @@ u64 clks_syscall_dispatch(void *frame_ptr) {
         case CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_SWITCH:
             clks_tty_switch((u32)frame->rbx);
             return (u64)clks_tty_active();
+        case CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE:
+            return clks_syscall_tty_write(frame->rbx, frame->rcx);
+        case CLKS_SYSCALL_TTY_WRITE_CHAR:
+            return clks_syscall_tty_write_char(frame->rbx);
+        case CLKS_SYSCALL_KBD_GET_CHAR:
+            return clks_syscall_kbd_get_char();
         default:
             return (u64)-1;
     }
@@ -244,5 +290,4 @@ u64 clks_syscall_invoke_kernel(u64 id, u64 arg0, u64 arg1, u64 arg2) {
     );
 
     return ret;
-}
-
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clks/kernel/tty.c b/clks/kernel/tty.c
index 47bf056..8044366 100644
--- a/clks/kernel/tty.c
+++ b/clks/kernel/tty.c
@@ -141,6 +141,24 @@ void clks_tty_write_char(char ch) {
         return;
     }
 
+    if (ch == '\b') {
+        if (col == 0U && row == 0U) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (col == 0U) {
+            row--;
+            col = clks_tty_cols - 1U;
+        } else {
+            col--;
+        }
+
+        clks_tty_put_visible(tty_index, row, col, ' ');
+        clks_tty_cursor_row[tty_index] = row;
+        clks_tty_cursor_col[tty_index] = col;
+        return;
+    }
+
     if (ch == '\t') {
         clks_tty_write_char(' ');
         clks_tty_write_char(' ');