diff --git a/confy/__init__.py b/confy/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/confy/main.py b/confy/main.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3123777
--- /dev/null
+++ b/confy/main.py
@@ -0,0 +1,844 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# confy - a config manager for linux/unix systems
+# Copyright (C) 2025-2026 phluxjr
+# Licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later
+import curses
+import json
+import os
+import gzip
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+from pathlib import Path
+from datetime import datetime
+
+CONFIG_DIR = Path.home() / ".config" / "confy"
+TRACKED_FILE = CONFIG_DIR / "tracked.json"  # legacy
+CONFIG_FILE  = CONFIG_DIR / "config.json"
+
+# ── default app config (user can override in config.json under "settings") ────
+
+DEFAULT_SETTINGS = {
+    "rollback": True,
+    "first_startup": True,
+    "colors": {
+        "bg":        "default",   # terminal default or hex like "#1e1e2e"
+        "fg":        "default",
+        "highlight": "#cba6f7",   # catppuccin mauve as default lol
+        "group":     "#89b4fa",   # catppuccin blue
+        "border":    "default",
+    }
+}
+
+# ── color helpers ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+# named terminal colors → curses color number
+NAMED_COLORS = {
+    "black":   curses.COLOR_BLACK,
+    "red":     curses.COLOR_RED,
+    "green":   curses.COLOR_GREEN,
+    "yellow":  curses.COLOR_YELLOW,
+    "blue":    curses.COLOR_BLUE,
+    "magenta": curses.COLOR_MAGENTA,
+    "cyan":    curses.COLOR_CYAN,
+    "white":   curses.COLOR_WHITE,
+    "default": -1,
+    # some fun extras
+    "lavender": curses.COLOR_CYAN,   # close enough lol
+    "pink":     curses.COLOR_MAGENTA,
+    "orange":   curses.COLOR_YELLOW,
+    "purple":   curses.COLOR_MAGENTA,
+}
+
+def hex_to_curses(hex_color):
+    """convert #rrggbb to curses 0-1000 rgb values"""
+    hex_color = hex_color.lstrip('#')
+    if len(hex_color) == 6:
+        r = int(hex_color[0:2], 16) * 1000 // 255
+        g = int(hex_color[2:4], 16) * 1000 // 255
+        b = int(hex_color[4:6], 16) * 1000 // 255
+        return r, g, b
+    return None
+
+def init_colors(color_settings):
+    """initialise curses color pairs from settings"""
+    curses.start_color()
+    curses.use_default_colors()
+
+    pairs = {}
+
+    def resolve(c):
+        """returns a curses color number, initialising custom colors if needed"""
+        if c is None or c == "default":
+            return -1
+        cl = c.lower()
+        if cl in NAMED_COLORS:
+            return NAMED_COLORS[cl]
+        if cl.startswith('#') and curses.can_change_color():
+            rgb = hex_to_curses(cl)
+            if rgb:
+                # use high color numbers to avoid clobbering defaults
+                color_num = 16 + len(pairs)
+                try:
+                    curses.init_color(color_num, *rgb)
+                    return color_num
+                except:
+                    pass
+        return -1
+
+    fg  = resolve(color_settings.get("fg", "default"))
+    bg  = resolve(color_settings.get("bg", "default"))
+    hi  = resolve(color_settings.get("highlight", "default"))
+    grp = resolve(color_settings.get("group", "default"))
+
+    curses.init_pair(1, fg,  bg)   # normal
+    curses.init_pair(2, hi,  bg)   # highlighted/selected
+    curses.init_pair(3, grp, bg)   # group headers
+    curses.init_pair(4, curses.COLOR_RED, bg)  # errors/missing
+
+    return {
+        "normal":    curses.color_pair(1),
+        "highlight": curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_REVERSE,
+        "group":     curses.color_pair(3) | curses.A_BOLD,
+        "error":     curses.color_pair(4),
+    }
+
+# ── built-in file picker (replaces ranger) ────────────────────────────────────
+
+class FilePicker:
+    def __init__(self, start_dir, colors):
+        self.cwd = Path(start_dir).expanduser()
+        self.selected = 0
+        self.colors = colors
+        self.entries = []
+        self.scroll = 0
+
+    def load_entries(self):
+        try:
+            entries = sorted(self.cwd.iterdir(), key=lambda p: (not p.is_dir(), p.name.lower()))
+            self.entries = [self.cwd.parent] + entries  # ".." at top
+        except PermissionError:
+            self.entries = [self.cwd.parent]
+
+    def run(self, stdscr, pick_dir=False):
+        """
+        run the file picker.
+        pick_dir=False → returns selected file path (original behaviour)
+        pick_dir=True  → returns the cwd when the user quits (for :cd)
+        """
+        self.load_entries()
+        curses.curs_set(0)
+
+        while True:
+            stdscr.clear()
+            h, w = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+
+            if pick_dir:
+                stdscr.addstr(0, 1, f"set config dir: {self.cwd}", self.colors["group"])
+                stdscr.addstr(1, 1, "enter=open dir  q/esc=select this dir  backspace=up", self.colors["normal"])
+            else:
+                stdscr.addstr(0, 1, f"pick a file: {self.cwd}", self.colors["group"])
+                stdscr.addstr(1, 1, "enter=open/select  q=cancel  backspace=up", self.colors["normal"])
+            stdscr.addstr(2, 0, "─" * w, self.colors["normal"])
+
+            visible = h - 5
+            if self.selected < self.scroll:
+                self.scroll = self.selected
+            elif self.selected >= self.scroll + visible:
+                self.scroll = self.selected - visible + 1
+
+            for i, entry in enumerate(self.entries[self.scroll:self.scroll + visible]):
+                y = 3 + i
+                idx = i + self.scroll
+                is_dir = entry.is_dir() if entry != self.cwd.parent else True
+                name = "../" if entry == self.cwd.parent else (entry.name + ("/" if is_dir else ""))
+                attr = self.colors["highlight"] if idx == self.selected else (
+                    self.colors["group"] if is_dir else self.colors["normal"]
+                )
+                stdscr.addstr(y, 2, name[:w-3], attr)
+
+            stdscr.refresh()
+            key = stdscr.getch()
+
+            if key in (ord('q'), 27):
+                if pick_dir:
+                    return str(self.cwd)
+                return None
+            elif key in (ord('j'), curses.KEY_DOWN):
+                if self.selected < len(self.entries) - 1:
+                    self.selected += 1
+            elif key in (ord('k'), curses.KEY_UP):
+                if self.selected > 0:
+                    self.selected -= 1
+            elif key in (ord('\n'), curses.KEY_ENTER):
+                entry = self.entries[self.selected]
+                if entry == self.cwd.parent or entry.is_dir():
+                    self.cwd = entry.resolve()
+                    self.selected = 0
+                    self.scroll = 0
+                    self.load_entries()
+                else:
+                    if pick_dir:
+                        # selected a file in dir mode — just use the containing dir
+                        return str(self.cwd)
+                    return str(entry)
+            elif key in (curses.KEY_BACKSPACE, 127, 8):
+                self.cwd = self.cwd.parent
+                self.selected = 0
+                self.scroll = 0
+                self.load_entries()
+
+# ── tutorial popup sequence ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+TUTORIAL_STEPS = [
+    (
+        "welcome to confy!",
+        [
+            "confy tracks your config files in one place.",
+            "use j/k (or arrow keys) to move up and down.",
+            "press enter to open a file in your $EDITOR.",
+            "",
+            "press any key for the next tip...",
+        ]
+    ),
+    (
+        "groups",
+        [
+            "files are organised into groups.",
+            "press enter or space on a group to collapse/expand it.",
+            "",
+            ":ag <name>  →  add a group",
+            ":rg <name>  →  remove a group (files go to ungrouped)",
+            ":mg <name>  →  move selected file to a group",
+            "",
+            "press any key for the next tip...",
+        ]
+    ),
+    (
+        "commands  (press : to enter)",
+        [
+            ":ac          →  add a config file (opens file picker)",
+            ":ac <group>  →  add directly to a group",
+            ":rm          →  remove selected file from tracking",
+            ":l           →  reopen last edited file",
+            ":cd          →  change the config search directory",
+            ":sort name|date|size  →  sort files",
+            ":reverse     →  flip sort order",
+            ":h           →  show this tutorial again",
+            ":help        →  show this tutorial again",
+            "",
+            "press any key for the next tip...",
+        ]
+    ),
+    (
+        "search  (press / to enter)",
+        [
+            "type to filter files and groups live.",
+            "press enter to confirm, esc to clear.",
+            "",
+            "rollback  (:rb)",
+            "confy saves a backup to /tmp whenever you",
+            "open a file for editing. :rb restores it.",
+            "set  \"rollback\": false  in config to disable.",
+            "",
+            "press any key for the next tip...",
+        ]
+    ),
+    (
+        "that's it!",
+        [
+            "tip: set your $EDITOR env var to your preferred",
+            "editor (vim, nvim, nano, micro, etc.).",
+            "",
+            "for full docs run:  man confy",
+            "(or just poke around, there isn't much to break!)",
+            "",
+            "press any key to start...",
+        ]
+    ),
+]
+
+def show_tutorial(stdscr, colors, draw_bg):
+    """show the first-startup tutorial popup sequence overlaid on the main ui"""
+    curses.curs_set(0)
+    n = colors.get("normal", 0)
+    g = colors.get("group", 0)
+
+    for step_num, (title, lines) in enumerate(TUTORIAL_STEPS):
+        # repaint the app behind the popup so it looks like an overlay
+        draw_bg()
+
+        h, w = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+
+        content_w = min(62, w - 4)
+        content_h = len(lines) + 4
+        py = max(0, h // 2 - content_h // 2)
+        px = max(0, w // 2 - content_w // 2)
+
+        try:
+            win = curses.newwin(content_h, content_w, py, px)
+            win.bkgd(' ', n)
+            win.box()
+            # title in the top border
+            title_str = f" {title} "
+            win.addstr(0, max(1, (content_w - len(title_str)) // 2), title_str, g)
+            # step counter in bottom border
+            counter = f" {step_num + 1}/{len(TUTORIAL_STEPS)} "
+            win.addstr(content_h - 1, max(1, content_w - len(counter) - 1), counter, n)
+            # content lines
+            for i, line in enumerate(lines):
+                win.addstr(2 + i, 2, line[:content_w - 4], n)
+            win.refresh()
+        except:
+            pass
+
+        stdscr.getch()
+
+# ── main app ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+class Confy:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.groups = {"ungrouped": []}
+        self.selected = 0
+        self.page = 0
+        self.command_mode = False
+        self.search_mode = False
+        self.command_buffer = ""
+        self.search_buffer = ""
+        self.last_opened = None
+        self.config_dir = str(Path.home() / ".config")
+        self.collapsed_groups = set()
+        self.flat_view = []
+        self.sort_mode = "name"
+        self.sort_order = "asc"
+        self.settings = dict(DEFAULT_SETTINGS)
+        self.popup_message = None
+        self.colors = {}
+        self.show_tutorial = False  # resolved after load_data
+        self.migrate_if_needed()
+        self.load_data()
+        self.rebuild_flat_view()
+
+    def items_per_page(self, stdscr):
+        """compute how many items fit given current terminal height"""
+        h, _ = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+        # header: rows 0-2 (3 rows), footer: rows h-2, h-1 (2 rows), row 3 is spacer
+        # usable rows start at 4, end at h-3 inclusive
+        return max(1, h - 6)
+
+    def migrate_if_needed(self):
+        """migrate tracked.json -> config.json if needed"""
+        CONFIG_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        if not CONFIG_FILE.exists() and TRACKED_FILE.exists():
+            shutil.copy(TRACKED_FILE, CONFIG_FILE)
+            self.popup_message = "migrated tracked.json → config.json!"
+
+    def load_data(self):
+        if not CONFIG_FILE.exists():
+            # genuine first run — no config file yet
+            self.show_tutorial = True
+            return
+        with open(CONFIG_FILE, 'r') as f:
+            data = json.load(f)
+        if 'files' in data:
+            self.groups = {"ungrouped": data['files']}
+        else:
+            self.groups = data.get('groups', {"ungrouped": []})
+        self.last_opened = data.get('last_opened')
+        self.collapsed_groups = set(data.get('collapsed_groups', []))
+        self.sort_mode = data.get('sort_mode', 'name')
+        self.sort_order = data.get('sort_order', 'asc')
+        self.config_dir = data.get('config_dir', str(Path.home() / ".config"))
+        # load user settings, merging with defaults
+        user_settings = data.get('settings', {})
+        self.settings.update(user_settings)
+        if 'colors' in user_settings:
+            self.settings['colors'] = {**DEFAULT_SETTINGS['colors'], **user_settings['colors']}
+        # show tutorial only if explicitly flagged true in saved config
+        self.show_tutorial = self.settings.get('first_startup', False)
+
+    def save_data(self):
+        CONFIG_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        with open(CONFIG_FILE, 'w') as f:
+            json.dump({
+                'groups': self.groups,
+                'last_opened': self.last_opened,
+                'collapsed_groups': list(self.collapsed_groups),
+                'sort_mode': self.sort_mode,
+                'sort_order': self.sort_order,
+                'config_dir': self.config_dir,
+                'settings': self.settings,
+            }, f, indent=2)
+
+    # ── rollback ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    def save_backup(self, filepath):
+        """save compressed backup of filepath to /tmp"""
+        if not self.settings.get('rollback', True):
+            return
+        try:
+            bak_name = Path(filepath).name + ".confbak"
+            bak_path = Path("/tmp") / bak_name
+            with open(filepath, 'rb') as f_in:
+                with gzip.open(bak_path, 'wb') as f_out:
+                    shutil.copyfileobj(f_in, f_out)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    def rollback(self, filepath):
+        """restore backup for filepath, returns (success, message)"""
+        bak_name = Path(filepath).name + ".confbak"
+        bak_path = Path("/tmp") / bak_name
+        if not bak_path.exists():
+            return False, "no backup found in /tmp"
+        try:
+            with gzip.open(bak_path, 'rb') as f_in:
+                with open(filepath, 'wb') as f_out:
+                    shutil.copyfileobj(f_in, f_out)
+            return True, f"rolled back {Path(filepath).name}!"
+        except Exception as e:
+            return False, f"rollback failed: {e}"
+
+    def confirm_popup(self, stdscr, message):
+        """show a confirmation popup, returns True if confirmed"""
+        h, w = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+        pw, ph = 50, 5
+        py, px = h // 2 - ph // 2, w // 2 - pw // 2
+
+        win = curses.newwin(ph, pw, py, px)
+        win.box()
+        win.addstr(1, 2, message[:pw-4], self.colors.get("normal", 0))
+        win.addstr(3, 2, "y = confirm   n / esc = cancel", self.colors.get("group", 0))
+        win.refresh()
+
+        while True:
+            key = stdscr.getch()
+            if key == ord('y'):
+                return True
+            elif key in (ord('n'), 27, ord('q')):
+                return False
+
+    # ── sorting / view ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    def sort_files(self, files):
+        if self.sort_mode == "name":
+            sorted_files = sorted(files, key=lambda f: Path(f).name.lower())
+        elif self.sort_mode == "date":
+            sorted_files = sorted(files, key=lambda f: os.path.getmtime(f) if os.path.exists(f) else 0)
+        elif self.sort_mode == "size":
+            sorted_files = sorted(files, key=lambda f: os.path.getsize(f) if os.path.exists(f) else 0)
+        else:
+            sorted_files = files
+        if self.sort_order == "desc":
+            sorted_files = sorted_files[::-1]
+        return sorted_files
+
+    def rebuild_flat_view(self):
+        self.flat_view = []
+        if self.search_buffer:
+            query = self.search_buffer.lower()
+            for group_name in sorted(self.groups.keys()):
+                matching_files = [f for f in self.groups[group_name]
+                                  if query in Path(f).name.lower() or query in group_name.lower()]
+                if matching_files or query in group_name.lower():
+                    self.flat_view.append(('group', group_name))
+                    if group_name not in self.collapsed_groups:
+                        for filepath in self.sort_files(matching_files):
+                            self.flat_view.append(('file', filepath, group_name))
+        else:
+            for group_name in sorted(self.groups.keys()):
+                self.flat_view.append(('group', group_name))
+                if group_name not in self.collapsed_groups:
+                    for filepath in self.sort_files(self.groups[group_name]):
+                        self.flat_view.append(('file', filepath, group_name))
+
+    def get_file_info(self, filepath):
+        try:
+            stat = os.stat(filepath)
+            mtime = datetime.fromtimestamp(stat.st_mtime).strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M')
+            size = self.format_size(stat.st_size)
+            return mtime, size
+        except:
+            return "unknown", "unknown"
+
+    def format_size(self, size):
+        for unit in ['B', 'KB', 'MB', 'GB']:
+            if size < 1024:
+                return f"{size:.1f}{unit}"
+            size /= 1024
+        return f"{size:.1f}TB"
+
+    # ── file operations ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    def add_config(self, stdscr, group_name="ungrouped"):
+        picker = FilePicker(self.config_dir, self.colors)
+        filepath = picker.run(stdscr, pick_dir=False)
+        if filepath:
+            for grp_files in self.groups.values():
+                if filepath in grp_files:
+                    self.popup_message = "already tracked!"
+                    return
+            if group_name not in self.groups:
+                self.groups[group_name] = []
+            self.groups[group_name].append(filepath)
+            self.save_data()
+            self.rebuild_flat_view()
+
+    def remove_config(self):
+        if not self.flat_view or self.selected >= len(self.flat_view):
+            return
+        item = self.flat_view[self.selected]
+        if item[0] == 'file':
+            filepath = item[1]
+            group_name = item[2]
+            if filepath in self.groups[group_name]:
+                self.groups[group_name].remove(filepath)
+                self.save_data()
+                self.rebuild_flat_view()
+                if self.selected >= len(self.flat_view) and self.flat_view:
+                    self.selected = len(self.flat_view) - 1
+
+    def add_group(self, group_name):
+        if group_name and group_name not in self.groups:
+            self.groups[group_name] = []
+            self.save_data()
+            self.rebuild_flat_view()
+
+    def remove_group(self, group_name):
+        if group_name in self.groups and group_name != "ungrouped":
+            self.groups["ungrouped"].extend(self.groups[group_name])
+            del self.groups[group_name]
+            self.save_data()
+            self.rebuild_flat_view()
+
+    def move_to_group(self, group_name):
+        if not self.flat_view or self.selected >= len(self.flat_view):
+            return
+        item = self.flat_view[self.selected]
+        if item[0] == 'file':
+            filepath = item[1]
+            old_group = item[2]
+            if group_name not in self.groups:
+                self.groups[group_name] = []
+            if filepath in self.groups[old_group]:
+                self.groups[old_group].remove(filepath)
+            if filepath not in self.groups[group_name]:
+                self.groups[group_name].append(filepath)
+            self.save_data()
+            self.rebuild_flat_view()
+
+    def toggle_group(self):
+        if not self.flat_view or self.selected >= len(self.flat_view):
+            return
+        item = self.flat_view[self.selected]
+        if item[0] == 'group':
+            group_name = item[1]
+            if group_name in self.collapsed_groups:
+                self.collapsed_groups.remove(group_name)
+            else:
+                self.collapsed_groups.add(group_name)
+            self.save_data()
+            self.rebuild_flat_view()
+
+    def open_file(self, filepath):
+        self.save_backup(filepath)
+        editor = os.environ.get('EDITOR', 'nano')
+        curses.endwin()
+        try:
+            subprocess.run([editor, filepath])
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            input(f"error: editor '{editor}' not found. press enter...")
+        except Exception as e:
+            input(f"error opening file: {e}. press enter...")
+        curses.doupdate()
+        self.last_opened = filepath
+        self.save_data()
+
+    def change_config_dir(self, stdscr, direct_path=None):
+        """change the config search directory used by the file picker"""
+        if direct_path:
+            # :cd <path> — set directly if it exists
+            p = Path(direct_path).expanduser().resolve()
+            if p.is_dir():
+                self.config_dir = str(p)
+                self.save_data()
+                self.popup_message = f"config dir → {self.config_dir}"
+            else:
+                self.popup_message = f"not a directory: {direct_path}"
+        else:
+            # :cd — interactive picker in dir-select mode
+            picker = FilePicker(self.config_dir, self.colors)
+            new_dir = picker.run(stdscr, pick_dir=True)
+            if new_dir:
+                self.config_dir = new_dir
+                self.save_data()
+                self.popup_message = f"config dir → {self.config_dir}"
+
+    # ── drawing ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    def draw(self, stdscr):
+        height, width = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+        stdscr.clear()
+        n = self.colors.get("normal", 0)
+        g = self.colors.get("group", 0)
+
+        stdscr.addstr(0, 1, "confy", g)
+        last_text = f"previous: {{{Path(self.last_opened).name if self.last_opened else 'none'}}}"
+        stdscr.addstr(1, 1, last_text, n)
+
+        sort_text = f"sort: {self.sort_mode} ({self.sort_order})"
+        config_text = f"config dir: {self.config_dir}"
+        try:
+            stdscr.addstr(1, width - len(config_text) - len(sort_text) - 5, sort_text, n)
+            stdscr.addstr(1, width - len(config_text) - 2, config_text, n)
+        except:
+            pass
+        stdscr.addstr(2, 0, "═" * (width - 1), n)
+
+        ipp = self.items_per_page(stdscr)
+        total_pages = max(1, (len(self.flat_view) + ipp - 1) // ipp)
+
+        # clamp page if terminal was resized
+        if self.page >= total_pages:
+            self.page = max(0, total_pages - 1)
+
+        start_idx = self.page * ipp
+        end_idx = min(start_idx + ipp, len(self.flat_view))
+
+        for i in range(start_idx, end_idx):
+            y = 4 + (i - start_idx)
+            item = self.flat_view[i]
+
+            if item[0] == 'group':
+                group_name = item[1]
+                collapsed = "▶" if group_name in self.collapsed_groups else "▼"
+                file_count = len(self.groups[group_name])
+                line = f"{collapsed} {group_name}/ ({file_count} files)"
+                attr = self.colors.get("highlight", curses.A_REVERSE) if i == self.selected else g
+                if i == self.selected:
+                    line += " <"
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(y, 1, line[:width-2], attr)
+                except:
+                    pass
+
+            elif item[0] == 'file':
+                filepath = item[1]
+                filename = Path(filepath).name
+                directory = str(Path(filepath).parent)
+                mtime, size = self.get_file_info(filepath)
+                exists = os.path.exists(filepath)
+
+                col_width = max(10, (width - 60) // 2)
+                line = f"  {filename[:col_width]:<{col_width}} | {directory[:col_width]:<{col_width}} | {mtime} | {size}"
+
+                if i == self.selected:
+                    line += " <"
+                    attr = self.colors.get("highlight", curses.A_REVERSE)
+                elif not exists:
+                    attr = self.colors.get("error", 0)
+                else:
+                    attr = n
+
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(y, 1, line[:width-2], attr)
+                except:
+                    pass
+
+        bottom_y = height - 2
+        try:
+            stdscr.addstr(bottom_y, 0, "═" * (width - 1), n)
+        except:
+            pass
+
+        if self.command_mode:
+            page_text = f"page {self.page + 1}/{total_pages} ▌ :{self.command_buffer}"
+        elif self.search_mode:
+            page_text = f"page {self.page + 1}/{total_pages} ▌ /{self.search_buffer}"
+        else:
+            page_text = f"page {self.page + 1}/{total_pages} ▌"
+
+        try:
+            stdscr.addstr(bottom_y + 1, 1, page_text[:width-2], n)
+        except:
+            pass
+
+        # popup message
+        if self.popup_message:
+            msg = f" {self.popup_message} "
+            px = max(0, width // 2 - len(msg) // 2)
+            try:
+                stdscr.addstr(height // 2, px, msg, self.colors.get("highlight", curses.A_REVERSE))
+            except:
+                pass
+
+        stdscr.refresh()
+
+    # ── command handling ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    def handle_command(self, stdscr):
+        cmd = self.command_buffer.strip()
+        parts = cmd.split(maxsplit=1)
+
+        if cmd == "q":
+            return False
+        elif cmd == "ac":
+            self.add_config(stdscr)
+        elif parts[0] == "ac" and len(parts) == 2:
+            self.add_config(stdscr, parts[1])
+        elif cmd == "rm":
+            self.remove_config()
+        elif parts[0] == "ag" and len(parts) == 2:
+            self.add_group(parts[1])
+        elif parts[0] == "rg" and len(parts) == 2:
+            self.remove_group(parts[1])
+        elif parts[0] == "mg" and len(parts) == 2:
+            self.move_to_group(parts[1])
+        elif cmd in ("h", "help"):
+            show_tutorial(stdscr, self.colors, lambda: self.draw(stdscr))
+        elif cmd == "l":
+            if self.last_opened and os.path.exists(self.last_opened):
+                self.open_file(self.last_opened)
+        elif cmd == "cd":
+            self.change_config_dir(stdscr)
+        elif cmd == "cd reset":
+            self.config_dir = str(Path.home() / ".config")
+            self.save_data()
+            self.popup_message = f"config dir reset to {self.config_dir}"
+        elif parts[0] == "cd" and len(parts) == 2:
+            self.change_config_dir(stdscr, direct_path=parts[1])
+        elif parts[0] == "sort" and len(parts) == 2:
+            if parts[1] in ["name", "date", "size"]:
+                self.sort_mode = parts[1]
+                self.save_data()
+                self.rebuild_flat_view()
+        elif cmd == "reverse":
+            self.sort_order = "desc" if self.sort_order == "asc" else "asc"
+            self.save_data()
+            self.rebuild_flat_view()
+        elif cmd == "rb":
+            # rollback selected file
+            if self.flat_view and self.selected < len(self.flat_view):
+                item = self.flat_view[self.selected]
+                if item[0] == 'file':
+                    filepath = item[1]
+                    if self.confirm_popup(stdscr, f"rollback {Path(filepath).name}?"):
+                        ok, msg = self.rollback(filepath)
+                        self.popup_message = msg
+                    else:
+                        self.popup_message = "rollback cancelled"
+                else:
+                    self.popup_message = "select a file first"
+            else:
+                self.popup_message = "nothing selected"
+
+        self.command_buffer = ""
+        self.command_mode = False
+        return True
+
+    # ── main loop ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    def run(self, stdscr):
+        self.colors = init_colors(self.settings.get('colors', DEFAULT_SETTINGS['colors']))
+        curses.curs_set(0)
+        # no timeout — blocking getch() prevents constant redraws and flicker
+
+        # first-startup tutorial
+        if self.show_tutorial:
+            show_tutorial(stdscr, self.colors, lambda: self.draw(stdscr))
+            self.settings['first_startup'] = False
+            self.save_data()
+
+        self.draw(stdscr)
+
+        while True:
+            # show popup: draw to reveal it, wait for keypress, clear and redraw
+            if self.popup_message:
+                self.draw(stdscr)
+                stdscr.getch()
+                self.popup_message = None
+                self.draw(stdscr)
+                continue
+
+            try:
+                key = stdscr.getch()
+            except:
+                continue
+
+            if key == -1:
+                continue  # spurious wakeup, skip redraw
+
+            ipp = self.items_per_page(stdscr)
+            total_pages = max(1, (len(self.flat_view) + ipp - 1) // ipp)
+
+            if self.command_mode:
+                if key == ord('\n'):
+                    if not self.handle_command(stdscr):
+                        break
+                elif key == 27:
+                    self.command_mode = False
+                    self.command_buffer = ""
+                elif key in (curses.KEY_BACKSPACE, 127, 8):
+                    self.command_buffer = self.command_buffer[:-1]
+                elif 32 <= key <= 126:
+                    self.command_buffer += chr(key)
+
+            elif self.search_mode:
+                if key == ord('\n'):
+                    self.search_mode = False
+                    self.selected = 0
+                    self.page = 0
+                elif key == 27:
+                    self.search_mode = False
+                    self.search_buffer = ""
+                    self.rebuild_flat_view()
+                    self.selected = 0
+                    self.page = 0
+                elif key in (curses.KEY_BACKSPACE, 127, 8):
+                    self.search_buffer = self.search_buffer[:-1]
+                    self.rebuild_flat_view()
+                    self.selected = 0
+                    self.page = 0
+                elif 32 <= key <= 126:
+                    self.search_buffer += chr(key)
+                    self.rebuild_flat_view()
+                    self.selected = 0
+                    self.page = 0
+
+            else:
+                if key == ord(':'):
+                    self.command_mode = True
+                    self.command_buffer = ""
+                elif key == ord('/'):
+                    self.search_mode = True
+                    self.search_buffer = ""
+                elif key in (ord('j'), curses.KEY_DOWN):
+                    if self.selected < len(self.flat_view) - 1:
+                        self.selected += 1
+                        if self.selected >= (self.page + 1) * ipp:
+                            self.page += 1
+                elif key in (ord('k'), curses.KEY_UP):
+                    if self.selected > 0:
+                        self.selected -= 1
+                        if self.selected < self.page * ipp:
+                            self.page -= 1
+                elif key == ord('\n'):
+                    if self.flat_view and self.selected < len(self.flat_view):
+                        item = self.flat_view[self.selected]
+                        if item[0] == 'file':
+                            self.open_file(item[1])
+                        elif item[0] == 'group':
+                            self.toggle_group()
+                elif key == ord(' '):
+                    self.toggle_group()
+                elif key == ord('q'):
+                    break
+
+            self.draw(stdscr)
+
+
+def main():
+    app = Confy()
+    curses.wrapper(app.run)
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13c9f07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+[build-system]
+requires = ["hatchling"]
+build-backend = "hatchling.build"
+
+[project]
+name = "confy-tui"
+version = "2.1.2"
+description = "a config manager for linux/unix systems"
+readme = "README.md"
+license = { text = "GPL-3.0-or-later" }
+requires-python = ">=3.8"
+dependencies = []
+
+[project.urls]
+Homepage = "https://github.com/Phluxjr23/confy"
+Repository = "https://github.com/Phluxjr23/confy"
+
+[project.scripts]
+confy = "confy.main:main"
+
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+packages = ["confy"]