diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 1dc0167..d29598e 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ DOCDIR   ?= $(PREFIX)/share/doc/sfm
 
 CXX      ?= g++
 CXXFLAGS ?= -std=c++17 -O2 -Wall -Wextra
-LDFLAGS  ?= -lncursesw
+# Pick a curses library: prefer ncursesw, fall back to ncurses, then plain
+# curses (netbsd-curses and BSD base systems provide only libcurses).
+CURSES_LIBS ?= $(shell pkg-config --libs ncursesw 2>/dev/null || pkg-config --libs ncurses 2>/dev/null || echo -lcurses)
+LDLIBS   ?= $(CURSES_LIBS)
 
 INSTALL  ?= install
 RM       ?= rm -f
@@ -17,7 +20,7 @@ RM       ?= rm -f
 all: sfm
 
 sfm: sfm.cpp
-	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) -o $@ $< $(LDFLAGS)
+	$(CXX) $(CXXFLAGS) -o $@ $< $(LDLIBS)
 
 install: all
 	@echo "Installing sfm to $(DESTDIR)$(BINDIR)/sfm ..."
diff --git a/README b/README
index 310bfe4..212ade5 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -5,15 +5,16 @@ sfm - Simple File Manager
 DESCRIPTION
 -----------
 sfm is a lightweight, terminal-based file manager with a vim-inspired
-key layout. The primary version is a fast C++/ncurses binary. A portable
-POSIX sh version (sfm.sh) is also included, requiring only standard Unix
-tools (ls, awk, tput, stty, mv, cp, rm).
+key layout. The primary version is a fast C++ binary that works with
+both ncurses and netbsd-curses. A portable POSIX sh version (sfm.sh) is
+also included, requiring only standard Unix tools (ls, awk, tput, stty,
+mv, cp, rm).
  
  
 REQUIREMENTS
 ------------
 C++ version (sfm):
-- ncursesw (libncursesw)
+- A curses library: ncursesw, ncurses, or netbsd-curses (libcurses)
 - A C++17 compiler (g++ or compatible)
 
 Shell version (sfm.sh):
diff --git a/sfm.cpp b/sfm.cpp
index 8ba5204..6218484 100644
--- a/sfm.cpp
+++ b/sfm.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-// sfm - Simple File Manager in C++17 with ncurses
+// sfm - Simple File Manager in C++17 with curses
+// Works with both ncurses and netbsd-curses.
 // Rewrite of the POSIX sh original for speed and efficiency
-#include <ncurses.h>
+#include <curses.h>
 
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cerrno>
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@
 #include <fcntl.h>
 #include <grp.h>
 #include <pwd.h>
+#include <signal.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 #include <sys/wait.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
@@ -27,6 +29,140 @@ namespace fs = std::filesystem;
 // ─── terminal helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 [[nodiscard]] bool can_color() { return has_colors(); }
 
+// ─── key input normalization ────────────────────────────────────────────────
+// ncurses decodes escape sequences (arrows, Home/End, ...) into KEY_* codes
+// itself. netbsd-curses returns the raw bytes (e.g. ESC [ B for the down
+// arrow), which would leak stray characters into the command handling.
+// get_key() presents KEY_* codes (or 27 for a bare ESC) on both.
+
+#ifdef NCURSES_VERSION
+
+static int get_key() { return getch(); }
+
+#else // manual escape-sequence decoding (netbsd-curses etc.)
+
+static void nap_ms(int ms) {
+    struct timespec ts;
+    ts.tv_sec  = ms / 1000;
+    ts.tv_nsec = (ms % 1000) * 1000000L;
+    ::nanosleep(&ts, nullptr);
+}
+
+static int g_pushback[32];
+static int g_pushback_n = 0;
+
+static void queue_key(int k) {
+    if (g_pushback_n < static_cast<int>(sizeof(g_pushback) / sizeof(g_pushback[0])))
+        g_pushback[g_pushback_n++] = k;
+}
+
+// seq holds the bytes after ESC; seq[0] is '[' (CSI) or 'O' (SS3).
+static int decode_escape_seq(const std::string &seq) {
+    if (seq.size() < 2) return ERR;
+    char lead = seq[0];
+    char fin  = seq.back();
+    if (lead == 'O') {
+        if (seq.size() != 2) return ERR;
+        switch (fin) {
+        case 'A': return KEY_UP;
+        case 'B': return KEY_DOWN;
+        case 'C': return KEY_RIGHT;
+        case 'D': return KEY_LEFT;
+        case 'H': return KEY_HOME;
+        case 'F': return KEY_END;
+        case 'P': case 'Q': case 'R': case 'S': return KEY_F(fin - 'P' + 1);
+        }
+        return ERR;
+    }
+    if (lead != '[') return ERR;
+    switch (fin) {
+    case 'A': return KEY_UP;
+    case 'B': return KEY_DOWN;
+    case 'C': return KEY_RIGHT;
+    case 'D': return KEY_LEFT;
+    case 'H': return KEY_HOME;
+    case 'F': return KEY_END;
+    case 'Z': return KEY_BTAB;
+    }
+    // CSI n~ : Home/Insert/Delete/End/PgUp/PgDn (single digit only; multi-
+    // digit and modified variants fall through and are swallowed).
+    if (seq.size() == 3 && fin == '~' && seq[1] >= '0' && seq[1] <= '9') {
+        switch (seq[1]) {
+        case '1': case '7': return KEY_HOME;
+        case '2': return KEY_IC;
+        case '3': return KEY_DC;
+        case '4': case '8': return KEY_END;
+        case '5': return KEY_PPAGE;
+        case '6': return KEY_NPAGE;
+        }
+    }
+    return ERR;
+}
+
+// Like getch(), but assembles raw ESC sequences into KEY_* codes. A bare ESC
+// is returned as 27 (possibly after a short wait for the rest of a sequence).
+static int get_key() {
+    if (g_pushback_n > 0) return g_pushback[--g_pushback_n];
+
+    int k = getch();
+    if (k != 27) return k;
+
+    // ESC — check whether an escape sequence follows. Real terminals send
+    // the whole sequence in one burst, so the bytes are already queued.
+    nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
+    std::string seq;
+    int c;
+    for (int i = 0; i < 4 && seq.empty(); ++i) {
+        c = getch();
+        if (c == ERR) nap_ms(10);
+        else seq += static_cast<char>(c);
+    }
+    if (seq.empty()) { nodelay(stdscr, FALSE); return 27; }  // bare ESC
+
+    if (seq[0] == '[') {
+        // CSI: parameter/intermediate bytes, then a final byte (0x40-0x7E).
+        // The lead '[' itself is in that range, so collect at least one more.
+        for (int i = 0; i < 8; ++i) {
+            if (seq.size() >= 2 && seq.back() >= 0x40 && seq.back() <= 0x7E) break;
+            c = getch();
+            if (c == ERR) { nap_ms(10); c = getch(); }
+            if (c == ERR) break;
+            seq += static_cast<char>(c);
+        }
+    } else if (seq[0] == 'O') {
+        // SS3: exactly one final byte follows.
+        for (int i = 0; i < 4 && seq.size() < 2; ++i) {
+            c = getch();
+            if (c == ERR) { nap_ms(10); c = getch(); }
+            if (c == ERR) break;
+            seq += static_cast<char>(c);
+        }
+    }
+    nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
+
+    int key = decode_escape_seq(seq);
+    if (key == ERR) {
+        bool complete = seq.back() >= 0x40 && seq.back() <= 0x7E;
+        if (!complete) {
+            // Truncated sequence — replay it as raw keys (ESC first).
+            for (size_t i = seq.size(); i-- > 0;)
+                queue_key(static_cast<unsigned char>(seq[i]));
+            queue_key(27);
+            return 27;
+        }
+        // Unknown but well-formed sequence (e.g. an F-key): swallow it,
+        // like curses implementations do.
+        return ERR;
+    }
+    return key;
+}
+
+// netbsd-curses never reports KEY_RESIZE; catch SIGWINCH ourselves.
+static volatile sig_atomic_t g_winch = 0;
+static void on_sigwinch(int) { g_winch = 1; }
+
+#endif // NCURSES_VERSION
+
 // Color pair indices
 enum {
     CP_DIR = 1,
@@ -200,6 +336,9 @@ private:
                                const std::vector<std::string> &items,
                                bool allow_cancel = true);
 
+    // ── input ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+    bool handle_key(int key);  // returns false to quit
+
     // ── line input ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     bool read_line(std::string &out, const std::string &prompt,
                    const std::string &initial = "");
@@ -945,7 +1084,7 @@ bool FileManager::confirm_overlay(const std::string &prompt) {
 
         refresh();
 
-        int ch = getch();
+        int ch = get_key();
         switch (ch) {
         case KEY_LEFT:  case 'h': sel_yes = true;  break;
         case KEY_RIGHT: case 'l': sel_yes = false; break;
@@ -956,18 +1095,7 @@ bool FileManager::confirm_overlay(const std::string &prompt) {
         case '\n': case '\r': case KEY_ENTER:
             need_full_redraw_ = true;
             return sel_yes;
-        case 27: {
-            nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
-            int n = getch();
-            nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-            if (n == ERR) { need_full_redraw_ = true; return false; }
-            if (n == '[') {
-                int m = getch();
-                if (m == 'D' || m == 'C') { sel_yes = !sel_yes; break; }
-            }
-            need_full_redraw_ = true;
-            return false;
-        }
+        case 27: need_full_redraw_ = true; return false;
         default: break;
         }
     }
@@ -1066,7 +1194,7 @@ std::string FileManager::overlay_picker(const std::string &title,
 
         refresh();
 
-        int ch = getch();
+        int ch = get_key();
         switch (ch) {
         case 'j': case KEY_DOWN:  psel++; break;
         case 'k': case KEY_UP:    psel--; break;
@@ -1077,20 +1205,7 @@ std::string FileManager::overlay_picker(const std::string &title,
         case 'q': case 'Q': case 'h':
             if (allow_cancel) { need_full_redraw_ = true; return ""; }
             break;
-        case 27: {
-            nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
-            int n = getch();
-            nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-            if (n == ERR) { need_full_redraw_ = true; return ""; }
-            if (n == '[') {
-                int m = getch();
-                if (m == 'A') psel--;
-                else if (m == 'B') psel++;
-                else if (m == 'D') { need_full_redraw_ = true; return ""; }
-                else { need_full_redraw_ = true; return ""; }
-            }
-            break;
-        }
+        case 27: need_full_redraw_ = true; return "";
         default: break;
         }
     }
@@ -1126,18 +1241,12 @@ bool FileManager::read_line(std::string &out, const std::string &prompt,
         move(bot, static_cast<int>(prompt.size() + pos));
         refresh();
 
-        int ch = getch();
-        if (ch == 27) { // ESC
-            nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
-            int n = getch();
-            nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-            if (n == ERR) {
-                leaveok(stdscr, TRUE);
-                curs_set(0);
-                out.clear();
-                return false;
-            }
-            continue;
+        int ch = get_key();
+        if (ch == 27) { // bare ESC — cancel
+            leaveok(stdscr, TRUE);
+            curs_set(0);
+            out.clear();
+            return false;
         } else if (ch == '\n' || ch == '\r' || ch == KEY_ENTER) {
             leaveok(stdscr, TRUE);
             curs_set(0);
@@ -1307,20 +1416,14 @@ void FileManager::do_search() {
         need_full_redraw_ = true;
         draw();
 
-        int ch = getch();
-        if (ch == 27) { // ESC
-            nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
-            int n = getch();
-            nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-            if (n == ERR) {
-                // Bare ESC — clear filter and exit search
-                filter_.clear();
-                searching_ = false;
-                apply_filter();
-                curs_set(0);
-                need_full_redraw_ = true;
-            }
-            // else: arrow key or other sequence — ignore
+        int ch = get_key();
+        if (ch == 27) {
+            // Bare ESC — clear filter and exit search
+            filter_.clear();
+            searching_ = false;
+            apply_filter();
+            curs_set(0);
+            need_full_redraw_ = true;
         } else if (ch == '\n' || ch == '\r' || ch == KEY_ENTER) {
             searching_ = false;
             curs_set(0);
@@ -1475,13 +1578,7 @@ void FileManager::do_info() {
     refresh();
 
     // Wait for any key
-    nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-    int ch = getch();
-    if (ch == 27) {
-        nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
-        getch();
-        nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-    }
+    get_key();
     need_full_redraw_ = true;
 }
 
@@ -1598,13 +1695,7 @@ void FileManager::do_help() {
     refresh();
 
     // Wait for any key
-    nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-    int ch = getch();
-    if (ch == 27) {
-        nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
-        getch();
-        nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
-    }
+    get_key();
     need_full_redraw_ = true;
 }
 
@@ -2327,6 +2418,68 @@ void FileManager::open_file(const std::string &path) {
 }
 
 // ─── main event loop ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+bool FileManager::handle_key(int key) {
+    switch (key) {
+    case 'j': case KEY_DOWN:
+        if (!entries_.empty() && sel_ < static_cast<int>(entries_.size()) - 1)
+            sel_++;
+        break;
+    case 'k': case KEY_UP:
+        if (sel_ > 0) sel_--;
+        break;
+    case 'g': sel_ = 0; break;
+    case 'G':
+        if (!entries_.empty()) sel_ = static_cast<int>(entries_.size()) - 1;
+        break;
+    case KEY_NPAGE:
+        sel_ = std::min(sel_ + rows_ / 2,
+                        std::max(0, static_cast<int>(entries_.size()) - 1));
+        break;
+    case KEY_PPAGE:
+        sel_ = std::max(sel_ - rows_ / 2, 0);
+        break;
+    case KEY_DC: do_delete(); break;
+    case '\n': case '\r': case KEY_ENTER: case 'l': case KEY_RIGHT:
+        do_open(); break;
+    case 'h': case KEY_LEFT:
+        do_go_back(); break;
+    case 'b': do_bookmark_add(); break;
+    case 'B': do_bookmark_jump(); break;
+    case '?': do_help(); break;
+    case 'R': load_entries(); flash_msg("refreshed"); break;
+    case '/': do_search(); break;
+    case '.': do_toggle_hidden(); break;
+    case 'T': do_toggle_details(); break;
+    case 'P': do_toggle_preview(); break;
+    case 'i': do_info(); break;
+    case '+': do_chmod_x(true); break;
+    case '-': do_chmod_x(false); break;
+    case 'o': do_open_with(); break;
+    case 's': do_sort(); break;
+    case 'u': do_trash(); break;
+    case 'U': do_open_trash(); break;
+    case 'f': do_find(); break;
+    case ':': do_jump_path(); break;
+    case '~': do_go_home(); break;
+    case '`': do_jump_back(); break;
+    case 'c': do_copy_path(); break;
+    case 27: do_clear_filter(); break; // ESC key
+    case ' ': do_toggle_select(); break;
+    case 'a': do_select_all(); break;
+    case 'y': do_yank(); break;
+    case 'x': do_cut(); break;
+    case 'p': do_paste(); break;
+    case 'd': do_delete(); break;
+    case 'r': do_rename(); break;
+    case 'm': do_mkdir(); break;
+    case 'n': do_newfile(); break;
+    case 'q': case 'Q': return false;
+    case '!': do_shell(); break;
+    default: break;
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
 void FileManager::run() {
     setup_term();
     if (can_color()) init_colors();
@@ -2334,75 +2487,43 @@ void FileManager::run() {
 
     is_root_ = (geteuid() == 0);
 
-    while (true) {
-        draw();
-        int key = getch();
+#ifndef NCURSES_VERSION
+    struct sigaction sa;
+    std::memset(&sa, 0, sizeof(sa));
+    sa.sa_handler = on_sigwinch;
+    sigaction(SIGWINCH, &sa, nullptr);
+#endif
 
-        // Handle terminal resize
+    draw();
+    while (true) {
+#ifndef NCURSES_VERSION
+        // netbsd-curses never delivers KEY_RESIZE; poll for SIGWINCH and
+        // re-query the terminal size ourselves.
+        if (g_winch) {
+            g_winch = 0;
+            endwin();   // endwin()+refresh() makes curses re-read the size
+            refresh();
+            need_full_redraw_ = true;
+            draw();
+        }
+        nodelay(stdscr, TRUE);
+#endif
+        int key = get_key();
+#ifndef NCURSES_VERSION
+        nodelay(stdscr, FALSE);
+        if (key == ERR) { nap_ms(20); continue; }
+#endif
+
+        // Handle terminal resize (ncurses)
         if (key == KEY_RESIZE) {
             update_size();
             need_full_redraw_ = true;
+            draw();
             continue;
         }
 
-        switch (key) {
-        case 'j': case KEY_DOWN:
-            if (!entries_.empty() && sel_ < static_cast<int>(entries_.size()) - 1)
-                sel_++;
-            break;
-        case 'k': case KEY_UP:
-            if (sel_ > 0) sel_--;
-            break;
-        case 'g': sel_ = 0; break;
-        case 'G':
-            if (!entries_.empty()) sel_ = static_cast<int>(entries_.size()) - 1;
-            break;
-        case KEY_NPAGE:
-            sel_ = std::min(sel_ + rows_ / 2,
-                            std::max(0, static_cast<int>(entries_.size()) - 1));
-            break;
-        case KEY_PPAGE:
-            sel_ = std::max(sel_ - rows_ / 2, 0);
-            break;
-        case KEY_DC: do_delete(); break;
-        case '\n': case '\r': case KEY_ENTER: case 'l': case KEY_RIGHT:
-            do_open(); break;
-        case 'h': case KEY_LEFT:
-            do_go_back(); break;
-        case 'b': do_bookmark_add(); break;
-        case 'B': do_bookmark_jump(); break;
-        case '?': do_help(); break;
-        case 'R': load_entries(); flash_msg("refreshed"); break;
-        case '/': do_search(); break;
-        case '.': do_toggle_hidden(); break;
-        case 'T': do_toggle_details(); break;
-        case 'P': do_toggle_preview(); break;
-        case 'i': do_info(); break;
-        case '+': do_chmod_x(true); break;
-        case '-': do_chmod_x(false); break;
-        case 'o': do_open_with(); break;
-        case 's': do_sort(); break;
-        case 'u': do_trash(); break;
-        case 'U': do_open_trash(); break;
-        case 'f': do_find(); break;
-        case ':': do_jump_path(); break;
-        case '~': do_go_home(); break;
-        case '`': do_jump_back(); break;
-        case 'c': do_copy_path(); break;
-        case 27: do_clear_filter(); break; // ESC key
-        case ' ': do_toggle_select(); break;
-        case 'a': do_select_all(); break;
-        case 'y': do_yank(); break;
-        case 'x': do_cut(); break;
-        case 'p': do_paste(); break;
-        case 'd': do_delete(); break;
-        case 'r': do_rename(); break;
-        case 'm': do_mkdir(); break;
-        case 'n': do_newfile(); break;
-        case 'q': case 'Q': return;
-        case '!': do_shell(); break;
-        default: break;
-        }
+        if (!handle_key(key)) return;
+        draw();
     }
 }