feat: Add support for tabular/csv data input.

Cargo.lock

@@ -310,6 +310,27 @@ dependencies = [
  "phf",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "csv"
+version = "1.4.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "52cd9d68cf7efc6ddfaaee42e7288d3a99d613d4b50f76ce9827ae0c6e14f938"
+dependencies = [
+ "csv-core",
+ "itoa",
+ "ryu",
+ "serde_core",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "csv-core"
+version = "0.1.13"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "704a3c26996a80471189265814dbc2c257598b96b8a7feae2d31ace646bb9782"
+dependencies = [
+ "memchr",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "darling"
 version = "0.23.0"
@@ -1089,6 +1110,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "pikl-core"
 version = "0.1.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "csv",
  "fancy-regex 0.14.0",
  "indexmap",
  "nucleo-matcher",

crates/pikl-core/Cargo.toml

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ tracing = "0.1"
 nucleo-matcher = "0.3.1"
 fancy-regex = "0.14"
 indexmap = "2"
+csv = "1"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 tokio = { version = "1.50.0", features = ["sync", "process", "io-util", "rt", "macros", "rt-multi-thread", "test-util"] }

crates/pikl-core/src/error.rs

@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ pub enum PiklError {
     #[error("channel closed")]
     ChannelClosed,
 
+    #[error("csv parse error: {0}")]
+    CsvParse(String),
+
     #[error("{0}")]
     Script(#[from] crate::script::action_fd::ScriptError),
 }

crates/pikl-core/src/lib.rs

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ pub mod script;
 pub mod error;
 
 // Re-export submodules at crate root so the public API stays flat.
+pub use model::column;
 pub use model::event;
 pub use model::item;
 pub use model::output;
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ pub use query::navigation;
 pub use query::pipeline;
 pub use query::regex_filter;
 pub use query::strategy;
+pub use runtime::csv_input;
 pub use runtime::debounce;
 pub use runtime::hook;
 pub use runtime::input;

crates/pikl-core/src/model/column.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+//! Column configuration for table mode. Defines which fields
+//! to display as columns and how to label them.
+
+use crate::item::resolve_field_path;
+use serde_json::Value;
+
+/// A single column definition: which field to extract and
+/// what to call it in the header.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct ColumnDef {
+    /// Dotted path into the item's JSON value (e.g. "meta.res").
+    pub field: String,
+    /// Display name for the column header. Defaults to the
+    /// field path if no alias is given.
+    pub display_name: String,
+}
+
+/// Column layout for table mode. Controls which fields are
+/// shown and in what order.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct ColumnConfig {
+    pub columns: Vec<ColumnDef>,
+}
+
+impl ColumnConfig {
+    /// Parse a column spec string like "label,meta.res:Resolution,meta.size".
+    /// Columns are comma-separated. Each column can have an alias
+    /// after the first colon: "field:Alias".
+    pub fn parse(spec: &str) -> Self {
+        let columns = spec
+            .split(',')
+            .filter(|s| !s.is_empty())
+            .map(|part| {
+                let part = part.trim();
+                if let Some((field, alias)) = part.split_once(':') {
+                    ColumnDef {
+                        field: field.trim().to_string(),
+                        display_name: alias.trim().to_string(),
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    ColumnDef {
+                        field: part.to_string(),
+                        display_name: part.to_string(),
+                    }
+                }
+            })
+            .collect();
+        Self { columns }
+    }
+
+    /// Build a ColumnConfig from raw header names. Used when
+    /// auto-generating columns from CSV headers.
+    pub fn from_headers(headers: &[String]) -> Self {
+        let columns = headers
+            .iter()
+            .map(|h| ColumnDef {
+                field: h.clone(),
+                display_name: h.clone(),
+            })
+            .collect();
+        Self { columns }
+    }
+
+    /// Resolve each column's value from an item's JSON value.
+    /// Missing fields produce an empty string.
+    pub fn resolve_values(&self, value: &Value) -> Vec<String> {
+        self.columns
+            .iter()
+            .map(|col| {
+                resolve_field_path(value, &col.field)
+                    .map(value_to_cell)
+                    .unwrap_or_default()
+            })
+            .collect()
+    }
+}
+
+/// Convert a JSON value to a cell string for display.
+fn value_to_cell(v: &Value) -> String {
+    match v {
+        Value::String(s) => s.clone(),
+        Value::Number(n) => n.to_string(),
+        Value::Bool(b) => b.to_string(),
+        Value::Null => String::new(),
+        other => other.to_string(),
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use serde_json::json;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_simple_columns() {
+        let config = ColumnConfig::parse("label,age,city");
+        assert_eq!(config.columns.len(), 3);
+        assert_eq!(config.columns[0].field, "label");
+        assert_eq!(config.columns[0].display_name, "label");
+        assert_eq!(config.columns[2].field, "city");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_with_alias() {
+        let config = ColumnConfig::parse("label,meta.res:Resolution");
+        assert_eq!(config.columns.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(config.columns[1].field, "meta.res");
+        assert_eq!(config.columns[1].display_name, "Resolution");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_empty_string() {
+        let config = ColumnConfig::parse("");
+        assert!(config.columns.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_trailing_comma() {
+        let config = ColumnConfig::parse("label,age,");
+        assert_eq!(config.columns.len(), 2);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn resolve_flat_values() {
+        let config = ColumnConfig::parse("label,age");
+        let value = json!({"label": "alice", "age": 30});
+        let cells = config.resolve_values(&value);
+        assert_eq!(cells, vec!["alice", "30"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn resolve_nested_values() {
+        let config = ColumnConfig::parse("label,meta.res");
+        let value = json!({"label": "test", "meta": {"res": "1080p"}});
+        let cells = config.resolve_values(&value);
+        assert_eq!(cells, vec!["test", "1080p"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn resolve_missing_field() {
+        let config = ColumnConfig::parse("label,nope");
+        let value = json!({"label": "test"});
+        let cells = config.resolve_values(&value);
+        assert_eq!(cells, vec!["test", ""]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn from_headers_builds_identity() {
+        let headers = vec!["name".to_string(), "age".to_string()];
+        let config = ColumnConfig::from_headers(&headers);
+        assert_eq!(config.columns.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(config.columns[0].field, "name");
+        assert_eq!(config.columns[0].display_name, "name");
+    }
+}

crates/pikl-core/src/model/event.rs

@@ -81,12 +81,24 @@ pub struct ViewState {
     pub mode: Mode,
     pub selection_count: usize,
     pub multi_enabled: bool,
+    /// Column headers for table mode. None when not in
+    /// table mode.
+    pub columns: Option<Vec<ColumnHeader>>,
     /// Monotonically increasing counter. Each call to
     /// `build_view_state()` bumps this, so frontends can
     /// detect duplicate broadcasts and skip redundant redraws.
     pub generation: u64,
 }
 
+/// Column header with display name and computed width for
+/// table mode rendering.
+#[must_use]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct ColumnHeader {
+    pub display_name: String,
+    pub width: u16,
+}
+
 /// A single item in the current viewport window. Has the
 /// display label pre-resolved and the position in the
 /// filtered list.
@@ -97,6 +109,9 @@ pub struct VisibleItem {
     pub formatted_text: Option<String>,
     pub index: usize,
     pub selected: bool,
+    /// Column cell values for table mode. None when not in
+    /// table mode.
+    pub column_values: Option<Vec<String>>,
 }
 
 /// Final outcome of [`crate::menu::MenuRunner::run`]. The

crates/pikl-core/src/model/item.rs

@@ -225,28 +225,19 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn icon_from_object() {
-        let item = Item::new(
+        let item = Item::new(json!({"label": "Firefox", "icon": "firefox.png"}), "label");
-            json!({"label": "Firefox", "icon": "firefox.png"}),
-            "label",
-        );
         assert_eq!(item.icon(), Some("firefox.png"));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn group_from_object() {
-        let item = Item::new(
+        let item = Item::new(json!({"label": "Firefox", "group": "browsers"}), "label");
-            json!({"label": "Firefox", "group": "browsers"}),
-            "label",
-        );
         assert_eq!(item.group(), Some("browsers"));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn meta_from_object() {
-        let item = Item::new(
+        let item = Item::new(json!({"label": "test", "meta": {"res": 1080}}), "label");
-            json!({"label": "test", "meta": {"res": 1080}}),
-            "label",
-        );
         let meta = item.meta();
         assert!(meta.is_some());
         assert_eq!(meta.and_then(|m| m.get("res")), Some(&json!(1080)));

crates/pikl-core/src/model/mod.rs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+pub mod column;
 pub mod event;
 pub mod item;
 pub mod output;

crates/pikl-core/src/model/output.rs

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 //! item value with action context and original index so
 //! hooks and downstream tools know what happened.
 
-use serde::ser::SerializeMap;
 use serde::Serialize;
+use serde::ser::SerializeMap;
 use serde_json::Value;
 
 /// What the user did to produce this output.

crates/pikl-core/src/model/traits.rs

@@ -66,6 +66,17 @@ pub trait Menu: Send + 'static {
             })
             .collect()
     }
+
+    /// Get the column values for a filtered item, if table
+    /// mode is active. Returns None when no column config is set.
+    fn column_values(&self, _filtered_index: usize) -> Option<Vec<String>> {
+        None
+    }
+
+    /// Get the column config, if one is set.
+    fn column_config(&self) -> Option<&crate::model::column::ColumnConfig> {
+        None
+    }
 }
 
 /// Extension of [`Menu`] with mutation methods. Required by

crates/pikl-core/src/query/pipeline.rs

@@ -170,12 +170,7 @@ impl FilterPipeline {
                     })
                 }
                 FilterKind::Field { path } => {
-                    Self::eval_field(
+                    Self::eval_field(stage, &input_indices, &self.item_values, path)
-                        stage,
-                        &input_indices,
-                        &self.item_values,
-                        path,
-                    )
                 }
             };
 

crates/pikl-core/src/query/strategy.rs

@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ pub enum FilterKind {
     /// Field-specific filter: `meta.res:3840` matches
     /// items where the dotted path resolves to a value
     /// containing the query text.
-    Field { path: String },
+    Field {
+        path: String,
+    },
 }
 
 /// A parsed filter segment with its kind, inversion flag,
@@ -86,7 +88,9 @@ pub fn parse_segment(segment: &str) -> ParsedSegment<'_> {
         && let Some((path, value)) = try_parse_field_filter(rest)
     {
         return ParsedSegment {
-            kind: FilterKind::Field { path: path.to_string() },
+            kind: FilterKind::Field {
+                path: path.to_string(),
+            },
             inverse: true,
             query: value,
         };
@@ -95,7 +99,9 @@ pub fn parse_segment(segment: &str) -> ParsedSegment<'_> {
     // Check for field filter: field.path:value
     if let Some((path, value)) = try_parse_field_filter(segment) {
         return ParsedSegment {
-            kind: FilterKind::Field { path: path.to_string() },
+            kind: FilterKind::Field {
+                path: path.to_string(),
+            },
             inverse: false,
             query: value,
         };
@@ -150,7 +156,10 @@ fn try_parse_field_filter(segment: &str) -> Option<(&str, &str)> {
         return None;
     }
     // Path chars must be alphanumeric, underscore, or dot
-    if !path.chars().all(|c| c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '_' || c == '.') {
+    if !path
+        .chars()
+        .all(|c| c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '_' || c == '.')
+    {
         return None;
     }
 

crates/pikl-core/src/runtime/csv_input.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+//! CSV/TSV input parser. Reads delimited data into [`Item`]s
+//! with structured JSON values. First row is always headers.
+
+use std::io::Read;
+
+use serde_json::{Map, Value};
+
+use crate::error::PiklError;
+use crate::item::Item;
+
+/// Input format for stdin parsing.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum InputFormat {
+    /// Auto-detect: try JSON lines first, fall back to plain text.
+    Auto,
+    /// Comma-separated values.
+    Csv,
+    /// Tab-separated values.
+    Tsv,
+}
+
+impl InputFormat {
+    /// Parse from a CLI string. Returns None for unknown formats.
+    pub fn from_str_opt(s: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+        match s {
+            "auto" => Some(Self::Auto),
+            "csv" => Some(Self::Csv),
+            "tsv" => Some(Self::Tsv),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn delimiter(self) -> u8 {
+        match self {
+            Self::Tsv => b'\t',
+            _ => b',',
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Result of parsing CSV/TSV input.
+pub struct CsvParseResult {
+    pub items: Vec<Item>,
+    pub headers: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+/// Known top-level fields that get promoted out of meta.
+const KNOWN_FIELDS: &[&str] = &["label", "sublabel", "icon", "group"];
+
+/// Read CSV or TSV from a reader, producing structured Items.
+///
+/// Each row becomes a JSON object. The `label_key` controls
+/// which column becomes the display label. If no column matches
+/// `label_key`, the first column is used as `label`.
+///
+/// Known fields (label, sublabel, icon, group) are promoted to
+/// the top level. Everything else goes into a `meta` object.
+pub fn read_csv_items_sync(
+    reader: impl Read,
+    format: InputFormat,
+    label_key: &str,
+) -> Result<CsvParseResult, PiklError> {
+    let mut csv_reader = csv::ReaderBuilder::new()
+        .delimiter(format.delimiter())
+        .has_headers(true)
+        .from_reader(reader);
+
+    let raw_headers = csv_reader
+        .headers()
+        .map_err(|e| PiklError::CsvParse(e.to_string()))?
+        .clone();
+
+    if raw_headers.is_empty() {
+        return Err(PiklError::CsvParse("no headers found".to_string()));
+    }
+
+    let headers: Vec<String> = raw_headers.iter().map(|h| h.to_string()).collect();
+
+    // Figure out which column is the label. If label_key matches
+    // a header, use that. Otherwise first column becomes "label".
+    let has_label_column = headers.iter().any(|h| h == label_key);
+
+    let mut items = Vec::new();
+    for result in csv_reader.records() {
+        let record = result.map_err(|e| PiklError::CsvParse(e.to_string()))?;
+        let mut top = Map::new();
+        let mut meta = Map::new();
+
+        for (i, field_value) in record.iter().enumerate() {
+            let Some(header) = headers.get(i) else {
+                continue;
+            };
+
+            if !has_label_column && i == 0 {
+                // First column becomes label when no explicit label column exists
+                top.insert("label".to_string(), Value::String(field_value.to_string()));
+                // Also keep it in meta under its original header name
+                meta.insert(header.clone(), Value::String(field_value.to_string()));
+            } else if KNOWN_FIELDS.contains(&header.as_str()) {
+                top.insert(header.clone(), Value::String(field_value.to_string()));
+            } else {
+                meta.insert(header.clone(), Value::String(field_value.to_string()));
+            }
+        }
+
+        if !meta.is_empty() {
+            top.insert("meta".to_string(), Value::Object(meta));
+        }
+
+        let value = Value::Object(top);
+        items.push(Item::new(value, label_key));
+    }
+
+    Ok(CsvParseResult { items, headers })
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use serde_json::json;
+    use std::io::Cursor;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn basic_csv() {
+        let data = "name,age,city\nalice,30,toronto\nbob,25,vancouver\n";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Csv, "label").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(result.items.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(result.headers, vec!["name", "age", "city"]);
+        // First column becomes label when no "label" header
+        assert_eq!(result.items[0].label(), "alice");
+        assert_eq!(result.items[1].label(), "bob");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn csv_with_label_header() {
+        let data = "label,age\nalice,30\nbob,25\n";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Csv, "label").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(result.items[0].label(), "alice");
+        // "age" should be in meta
+        assert_eq!(result.items[0].field_value("meta.age"), Some(&json!("30")));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tsv_input() {
+        let data = "name\tage\nalice\t30\nbob\t25\n";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Tsv, "label").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(result.items.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(result.items[0].label(), "alice");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn known_fields_promoted() {
+        let data = "label,sublabel,icon,group,extra\nfoo,bar,ic.png,grp,val\n";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Csv, "label").unwrap();
+        let item = &result.items[0];
+        assert_eq!(item.label(), "foo");
+        assert_eq!(item.sublabel(), Some("bar"));
+        assert_eq!(item.icon(), Some("ic.png"));
+        assert_eq!(item.group(), Some("grp"));
+        assert_eq!(item.field_value("meta.extra"), Some(&json!("val")));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn first_column_label_also_in_meta() {
+        let data = "name,age\nalice,30\n";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Csv, "label").unwrap();
+        // First column promoted to label
+        assert_eq!(result.items[0].label(), "alice");
+        // Original header name also in meta
+        assert_eq!(
+            result.items[0].field_value("meta.name"),
+            Some(&json!("alice"))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn quoted_fields() {
+        let data = "name,bio\nalice,\"likes, commas\"\n";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Csv, "label").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            result.items[0].field_value("meta.bio"),
+            Some(&json!("likes, commas"))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn empty_input_errors() {
+        let data = "";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Csv, "label");
+        assert!(result.is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn headers_only_no_rows() {
+        let data = "name,age\n";
+        let result = read_csv_items_sync(Cursor::new(data), InputFormat::Csv, "label").unwrap();
+        assert!(result.items.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(result.headers, vec!["name", "age"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn input_format_from_str() {
+        assert_eq!(InputFormat::from_str_opt("csv"), Some(InputFormat::Csv));
+        assert_eq!(InputFormat::from_str_opt("tsv"), Some(InputFormat::Tsv));
+        assert_eq!(InputFormat::from_str_opt("auto"), Some(InputFormat::Auto));
+        assert_eq!(InputFormat::from_str_opt("xml"), None);
+    }
+}

crates/pikl-core/src/runtime/debounce.rs

@@ -36,10 +36,7 @@ pub struct DebouncedDispatcher {
 }
 
 impl DebouncedDispatcher {
-    pub fn new(
+    pub fn new(handler: Arc<dyn HookHandler>, action_tx: mpsc::Sender<Action>) -> Self {
-        handler: Arc<dyn HookHandler>,
-        action_tx: mpsc::Sender<Action>,
-    ) -> Self {
         Self {
             handler,
             _action_tx: action_tx,
@@ -71,11 +68,7 @@ impl DebouncedDispatcher {
     /// Dispatch a hook event through the debounce system.
     pub fn dispatch(&mut self, event: HookEvent) {
         let kind = event.kind();
-        let mode = self
+        let mode = self.modes.get(&kind).cloned().unwrap_or(DebounceMode::None);
-            .modes
-            .get(&kind)
-            .cloned()
-            .unwrap_or(DebounceMode::None);
 
         tracing::debug!(event_kind = ?kind, mode = ?mode, "dispatching hook event");
 

crates/pikl-core/src/runtime/hook.rs

@@ -188,9 +188,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn response_add_items() {
         let json = r#"{"action": "add_items", "items": [{"label": "new"}]}"#;
-        let resp: HookResponse = serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+        let resp: HookResponse =
-            std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}")
+            serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}"));
-        });
         assert_eq!(
             resp,
             HookResponse::AddItems {
@@ -202,9 +201,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn response_replace_items() {
         let json = r#"{"action": "replace_items", "items": ["a", "b"]}"#;
-        let resp: HookResponse = serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+        let resp: HookResponse =
-            std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}")
+            serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}"));
-        });
         assert_eq!(
             resp,
             HookResponse::ReplaceItems {
@@ -216,9 +214,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn response_remove_items() {
         let json = r#"{"action": "remove_items", "indices": [0, 3, 5]}"#;
-        let resp: HookResponse = serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+        let resp: HookResponse =
-            std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}")
+            serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}"));
-        });
         assert_eq!(
             resp,
             HookResponse::RemoveItems {
@@ -230,9 +227,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn response_set_filter() {
         let json = r#"{"action": "set_filter", "text": "hello"}"#;
-        let resp: HookResponse = serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+        let resp: HookResponse =
-            std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}")
+            serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}"));
-        });
         assert_eq!(
             resp,
             HookResponse::SetFilter {
@@ -244,9 +240,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn response_close() {
         let json = r#"{"action": "close"}"#;
-        let resp: HookResponse = serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+        let resp: HookResponse =
-            std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}")
+            serde_json::from_str(json).unwrap_or_else(|e| std::unreachable!("parse failed: {e}"));
-        });
         assert_eq!(resp, HookResponse::Close);
     }
 

crates/pikl-core/src/runtime/json_menu.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 use crate::filter::Filter;
 use crate::format::FormatTemplate;
 use crate::item::Item;
+use crate::model::column::ColumnConfig;
 use crate::model::traits::{Menu, MutableMenu};
 use crate::pipeline::FilterPipeline;
 
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ pub struct JsonMenu {
     filter: FilterPipeline,
     filter_fields: Vec<String>,
     format_template: Option<FormatTemplate>,
+    column_config: Option<ColumnConfig>,
 }
 
 impl JsonMenu {
@@ -36,6 +38,7 @@ impl JsonMenu {
             filter,
             filter_fields: vec!["label".to_string()],
             format_template: None,
+            column_config: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -52,6 +55,11 @@ impl JsonMenu {
         self.format_template = Some(template);
     }
 
+    /// Set the column config for table mode rendering.
+    pub fn set_column_config(&mut self, config: ColumnConfig) {
+        self.column_config = Some(config);
+    }
+
     /// Rebuild the filter pipeline from scratch. Called after
     /// filter_fields change or item mutations.
     fn rebuild_pipeline(&mut self) {
@@ -141,6 +149,16 @@ impl Menu for JsonMenu {
         let orig_idx = self.filter.matched_index(filtered_index)?;
         Some(template.render(&self.items[orig_idx].value))
     }
+
+    fn column_values(&self, filtered_index: usize) -> Option<Vec<String>> {
+        let config = self.column_config.as_ref()?;
+        let orig_idx = self.filter.matched_index(filtered_index)?;
+        Some(config.resolve_values(&self.items[orig_idx].value))
+    }
+
+    fn column_config(&self) -> Option<&ColumnConfig> {
+        self.column_config.as_ref()
+    }
 }
 
 impl MutableMenu for JsonMenu {
@@ -177,7 +195,11 @@ impl MutableMenu for JsonMenu {
                 self.items.remove(idx);
             }
         }
-        tracing::debug!(count, remaining = self.items.len(), "items removed from menu");
+        tracing::debug!(
+            count,
+            remaining = self.items.len(),
+            "items removed from menu"
+        );
         self.rebuild_pipeline();
     }
 }

crates/pikl-core/src/runtime/menu.rs

@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ use indexmap::IndexSet;
 use tokio::sync::{broadcast, mpsc};
 use tracing::{debug, info, trace};
 
-use crate::debounce::{hook_response_to_action, DebouncedDispatcher};
+use crate::debounce::{DebouncedDispatcher, hook_response_to_action};
 use crate::error::PiklError;
-use crate::event::{Action, MenuEvent, MenuResult, Mode, ViewState, VisibleItem};
+use crate::event::{Action, ColumnHeader, MenuEvent, MenuResult, Mode, ViewState, VisibleItem};
 use crate::hook::{HookEvent, HookHandler};
 use crate::model::traits::MutableMenu;
 use crate::navigation::Viewport;
@@ -97,14 +97,16 @@ impl SelectionState {
     /// Undo the last selection change.
     pub fn undo(&mut self) {
         if let Some(prev) = self.undo_stack.pop() {
-            self.redo_stack.push(std::mem::replace(&mut self.selected, prev));
+            self.redo_stack
+                .push(std::mem::replace(&mut self.selected, prev));
         }
     }
 
     /// Redo a previously undone selection change.
     pub fn redo(&mut self) {
         if let Some(next) = self.redo_stack.pop() {
-            self.undo_stack.push(std::mem::replace(&mut self.selected, next));
+            self.undo_stack
+                .push(std::mem::replace(&mut self.selected, next));
         }
     }
 
@@ -232,22 +234,56 @@ impl<M: MutableMenu> MenuRunner<M> {
     fn build_view_state(&mut self) -> ViewState {
         self.generation += 1;
         let range = self.viewport.visible_range();
+        let has_columns = self.menu.column_config().is_some();
         let visible_items: Vec<VisibleItem> = range
             .clone()
             .filter_map(|i| {
                 self.menu.filtered_label(i).map(|label| {
                     let formatted_text = self.menu.formatted_label(i);
                     let orig_idx = self.menu.original_index(i).unwrap_or(0);
+                    let column_values = if has_columns {
+                        self.menu.column_values(i)
+                    } else {
+                        None
+                    };
                     VisibleItem {
                         label: label.to_string(),
                         formatted_text,
                         index: i,
                         selected: self.selection.is_selected(orig_idx),
+                        column_values,
                     }
                 })
             })
             .collect();
 
+        // Compute column headers with widths if table mode is active
+        let columns = self.menu.column_config().map(|config| {
+            config
+                .columns
+                .iter()
+                .enumerate()
+                .map(|(col_idx, col_def)| {
+                    let header_len = col_def.display_name.len();
+                    let max_cell = visible_items
+                        .iter()
+                        .filter_map(|vi| {
+                            vi.column_values
+                                .as_ref()
+                                .and_then(|cv| cv.get(col_idx))
+                                .map(|s| s.len())
+                        })
+                        .max()
+                        .unwrap_or(0);
+                    let width = header_len.max(max_cell).min(60) as u16;
+                    ColumnHeader {
+                        display_name: col_def.display_name.clone(),
+                        width,
+                    }
+                })
+                .collect()
+        });
+
         let cursor = if self.menu.filtered_count() == 0 {
             0
         } else {
@@ -263,6 +299,7 @@ impl<M: MutableMenu> MenuRunner<M> {
             mode: self.mode,
             selection_count: self.selection.count(),
             multi_enabled: self.selection.multi_enabled,
+            columns,
             generation: self.generation,
         }
     }
@@ -404,7 +441,9 @@ impl<M: MutableMenu> MenuRunner<M> {
                     let items: Vec<(Value, usize)> = indices
                         .into_iter()
                         .filter_map(|orig_idx| {
-                            self.menu.serialize_original(orig_idx).map(|v| (v.clone(), orig_idx))
+                            self.menu
+                                .serialize_original(orig_idx)
+                                .map(|v| (v.clone(), orig_idx))
                         })
                         .collect();
                     if items.is_empty() {
@@ -572,8 +611,7 @@ impl<M: MutableMenu> MenuRunner<M> {
                     return Ok(MenuResult::Selected { items });
                 }
                 ActionOutcome::Quicklist { items } => {
-                    let values: Vec<Value> =
+                    let values: Vec<Value> = items.iter().map(|(v, _)| v.clone()).collect();
-                        items.iter().map(|(v, _)| v.clone()).collect();
                     let count = values.len();
                     info!(count, "quicklist returned");
                     self.emit_hook(HookEvent::Quicklist {
@@ -582,9 +620,7 @@ impl<M: MutableMenu> MenuRunner<M> {
                     });
                     self.emit_hook(HookEvent::Close);
 
-                    let _ = self
+                    let _ = self.event_tx.send(MenuEvent::Quicklist(values));
-                        .event_tx
-                        .send(MenuEvent::Quicklist(values));
                     return Ok(MenuResult::Quicklist { items });
                 }
                 ActionOutcome::Cancelled => {
@@ -673,7 +709,9 @@ mod tests {
         let mut m = ready_menu();
         m.apply_action(Action::MoveDown(1));
         let outcome = m.apply_action(Action::Confirm);
-        assert!(matches!(&outcome, ActionOutcome::Selected { items } if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("beta")));
+        assert!(
+            matches!(&outcome, ActionOutcome::Selected { items } if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("beta"))
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -859,10 +897,14 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = tx.send(Action::Confirm).await;
 
         let event = rx.recv().await;
-        assert!(matches!(&event, Ok(MenuEvent::Selected(items)) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("alpha")));
+        assert!(
+            matches!(&event, Ok(MenuEvent::Selected(items)) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("alpha"))
+        );
 
         let result = handle.await.unwrap_or(Ok(MenuResult::Cancelled));
-        assert!(matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("alpha")));
+        assert!(
+            matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("alpha"))
+        );
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
@@ -884,7 +926,9 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = tx.send(Action::Confirm).await;
 
         let result = handle.await.unwrap_or(Ok(MenuResult::Cancelled));
-        assert!(matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("gamma")));
+        assert!(
+            matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("gamma"))
+        );
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
@@ -909,7 +953,9 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = tx.send(Action::Confirm).await;
 
         let result = handle.await.unwrap_or(Ok(MenuResult::Cancelled));
-        assert!(matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("delta")));
+        assert!(
+            matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("delta"))
+        );
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
@@ -944,7 +990,9 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = tx.send(Action::Confirm).await;
 
         let result = handle.await.unwrap_or(Ok(MenuResult::Cancelled));
-        assert!(matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("epsilon")));
+        assert!(
+            matches!(result, Ok(MenuResult::Selected { ref items, .. }) if items[0].0.as_str() == Some("epsilon"))
+        );
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
@@ -1211,10 +1259,7 @@ mod tests {
         match outcome {
             ActionOutcome::Quicklist { items } => {
                 assert_eq!(items.len(), 4);
-                let labels: Vec<&str> = items
+                let labels: Vec<&str> = items.iter().filter_map(|(v, _)| v.as_str()).collect();
-                    .iter()
-                    .filter_map(|(v, _)| v.as_str())
-                    .collect();
                 assert_eq!(labels, vec!["alpha", "beta", "gamma", "delta"]);
             }
             other => panic!("expected Quicklist, got {other:?}"),
@@ -1661,4 +1706,103 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(vs.visible_items[0].selected);
         assert!(!vs.visible_items[1].selected);
     }
+
+    // -- Column / table mode tests --
+
+    use crate::model::column::ColumnConfig;
+
+    fn table_menu() -> MenuRunner<JsonMenu> {
+        let items = vec![
+            Item::new(
+                serde_json::json!({"label": "alice", "meta": {"age": "30", "city": "toronto"}}),
+                "label",
+            ),
+            Item::new(
+                serde_json::json!({"label": "bob", "meta": {"age": "25", "city": "vancouver"}}),
+                "label",
+            ),
+            Item::new(
+                serde_json::json!({"label": "charlie", "meta": {"age": "35", "city": "montreal"}}),
+                "label",
+            ),
+        ];
+        let mut json_menu = JsonMenu::new(items, "label".to_string());
+        json_menu.set_column_config(ColumnConfig::parse("label,meta.age:Age,meta.city:City"));
+        let (runner, _tx) = MenuRunner::new(json_menu);
+        runner
+    }
+
+    fn ready_table_menu() -> MenuRunner<JsonMenu> {
+        let mut m = table_menu();
+        m.run_filter();
+        m.apply_action(Action::Resize { height: 10 });
+        m
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn view_state_has_columns_when_config_set() {
+        let mut m = ready_table_menu();
+        let vs = m.build_view_state();
+        assert!(vs.columns.is_some(), "columns should be Some");
+        let cols = vs.columns.as_ref().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(cols.len(), 3);
+        assert_eq!(cols[0].display_name, "label");
+        assert_eq!(cols[1].display_name, "Age");
+        assert_eq!(cols[2].display_name, "City");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn view_state_column_widths_computed() {
+        let mut m = ready_table_menu();
+        let vs = m.build_view_state();
+        let cols = vs.columns.as_ref().unwrap();
+        // "label" header is 5 chars, "charlie" is 7 chars: width should be 7
+        assert_eq!(cols[0].width, 7);
+        // "Age" header is 3 chars, max cell "35" is 2 chars: width should be 3
+        assert_eq!(cols[1].width, 3);
+        // "City" header is 4 chars, "vancouver" is 9 chars: width should be 9
+        assert_eq!(cols[2].width, 9);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn view_state_items_have_column_values() {
+        let mut m = ready_table_menu();
+        let vs = m.build_view_state();
+        let item = &vs.visible_items[0];
+        assert!(item.column_values.is_some());
+        let vals = item.column_values.as_ref().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(vals, &["alice", "30", "toronto"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn view_state_no_columns_without_config() {
+        let mut m = ready_menu();
+        let vs = m.build_view_state();
+        assert!(vs.columns.is_none());
+        assert!(vs.visible_items[0].column_values.is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_mode_filter_still_works() {
+        let mut m = ready_table_menu();
+        m.apply_action(Action::UpdateFilter("bob".to_string()));
+        let vs = m.build_view_state();
+        assert_eq!(vs.total_filtered, 1);
+        assert_eq!(vs.visible_items[0].label, "bob");
+        // Column values should still be present
+        let vals = vs.visible_items[0].column_values.as_ref().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(vals, &["bob", "25", "vancouver"]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_mode_column_widths_change_with_filter() {
+        let mut m = ready_table_menu();
+        m.apply_action(Action::UpdateFilter("alice".to_string()));
+        let vs = m.build_view_state();
+        let cols = vs.columns.as_ref().unwrap();
+        // Only "alice" visible now, so label width = max(5, 5) = 5
+        assert_eq!(cols[0].width, 5);
+        // City "toronto" (7) vs header "City" (4): width = 7
+        assert_eq!(cols[2].width, 7);
+    }
 }

crates/pikl-core/src/runtime/mod.rs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+pub mod csv_input;
 pub mod debounce;
 pub mod hook;
 pub mod input;

crates/pikl-tui/src/lib.rs

@@ -209,7 +209,9 @@ async fn handle_multi_action_key(
                 return false;
             }
             match (key.code, key.modifiers) {
-                (KeyCode::Char(' '), m) if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT) => {
+                (KeyCode::Char(' '), m)
+                    if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT) =>
+                {
                     let _ = action_tx.send(Action::ToggleSelect).await;
                     let _ = action_tx.send(Action::MoveDown(1)).await;
                     true
@@ -229,14 +231,18 @@ async fn handle_multi_action_key(
         }
         Mode::Visual => {
             match (key.code, key.modifiers) {
-                (KeyCode::Char(' '), m) | (KeyCode::Enter, m) if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::ALT) => {
+                (KeyCode::Char(' '), m) | (KeyCode::Enter, m)
+                    if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::ALT) =>
+                {
                     // Apply visual selection
                     if let (Some(anchor), Some(vs)) = (*visual_anchor, view_state) {
                         let cursor = vs.cursor;
-                        let _ = action_tx.send(Action::SelectRange {
+                        let _ = action_tx
-                            start: anchor,
+                            .send(Action::SelectRange {
-                            end: cursor,
+                                start: anchor,
-                        }).await;
+                                end: cursor,
+                            })
+                            .await;
                     }
                     *visual_anchor = None;
                     let _ = action_tx.send(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal)).await;
@@ -250,10 +256,30 @@ async fn handle_multi_action_key(
 
 /// Render the menu into the given frame. Extracted from the
 /// event loop so it can be tested with a [`TestBackend`].
-fn render_menu(frame: &mut ratatui::Frame, vs: &ViewState, filter_text: &str, visual_anchor: Option<usize>) {
+fn render_menu(
+    frame: &mut ratatui::Frame,
+    vs: &ViewState,
+    filter_text: &str,
+    visual_anchor: Option<usize>,
+) {
+    let is_table = vs.columns.is_some();
+
+    let constraints = if is_table {
+        vec![
+            Constraint::Length(1), // prompt
+            Constraint::Length(1), // header row
+            Constraint::Min(1),    // items
+        ]
+    } else {
+        vec![
+            Constraint::Length(1), // prompt
+            Constraint::Min(1),    // items
+        ]
+    };
+
     let chunks = Layout::default()
         .direction(Direction::Vertical)
-        .constraints([Constraint::Length(1), Constraint::Min(1)])
+        .constraints(constraints)
         .split(frame.area());
 
     let filtered_count = vs.total_filtered;
@@ -295,6 +321,35 @@ fn render_menu(frame: &mut ratatui::Frame, vs: &ViewState, filter_text: &str, vi
         frame.set_cursor_position(((prompt_prefix_len + filter_text.len()) as u16, 0));
     }
 
+    // Render table header if in table mode
+    if let Some(ref columns) = vs.columns {
+        let header_chunk = chunks[1];
+        let header_spans: Vec<Span> = columns
+            .iter()
+            .enumerate()
+            .flat_map(|(i, col)| {
+                let mut spans = Vec::new();
+                if i > 0 {
+                    spans.push(Span::styled(
+                        " \u{2502} ",
+                        Style::default().fg(Color::DarkGray),
+                    ));
+                }
+                spans.push(Span::styled(
+                    format!("{:<width$}", col.display_name, width = col.width as usize),
+                    Style::default()
+                        .add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD)
+                        .add_modifier(Modifier::UNDERLINED),
+                ));
+                spans
+            })
+            .collect();
+        let header_line = Paragraph::new(Line::from(header_spans));
+        frame.render_widget(header_line, header_chunk);
+    }
+
+    let list_chunk = if is_table { chunks[2] } else { chunks[1] };
+
     // Determine visual range for highlighting
     let visual_range = if vs.mode == Mode::Visual {
         visual_anchor.map(|anchor| {
@@ -324,18 +379,53 @@ fn render_menu(frame: &mut ratatui::Frame, vs: &ViewState, filter_text: &str, vi
                 style = style.fg(Color::Green);
             }
 
-            let marker = if vi.selected { "* " } else { "  " };
+            // Table mode: render cells padded to column widths
-            let text = vi.formatted_text.as_deref().unwrap_or(vi.label.as_str());
+            if let (Some(col_vals), Some(columns)) = (&vi.column_values, &vs.columns) {
-            if vs.multi_enabled {
+                let marker = if vs.multi_enabled {
-                ListItem::new(format!("{marker}{text}")).style(style)
+                    if vi.selected { "* " } else { "  " }
+                } else {
+                    ""
+                };
+                let cell_spans: Vec<Span> = columns
+                    .iter()
+                    .enumerate()
+                    .flat_map(|(ci, col)| {
+                        let mut spans = Vec::new();
+                        if ci > 0 {
+                            spans.push(Span::styled(
+                                " \u{2502} ",
+                                Style::default().fg(Color::DarkGray),
+                            ));
+                        }
+                        let cell = col_vals.get(ci).map(|s| s.as_str()).unwrap_or("");
+                        spans.push(Span::raw(format!(
+                            "{:<width$}",
+                            cell,
+                            width = col.width as usize
+                        )));
+                        spans
+                    })
+                    .collect();
+                let mut all_spans = Vec::new();
+                if !marker.is_empty() {
+                    all_spans.push(Span::raw(marker));
+                }
+                all_spans.extend(cell_spans);
+                ListItem::new(Line::from(all_spans)).style(style)
             } else {
-                ListItem::new(text).style(style)
+                let marker = if vi.selected { "* " } else { "  " };
+                let text = vi.formatted_text.as_deref().unwrap_or(vi.label.as_str());
+                if vs.multi_enabled {
+                    ListItem::new(format!("{marker}{text}")).style(style)
+                } else {
+                    ListItem::new(text).style(style)
+                }
             }
         })
         .collect();
 
     let list = List::new(items);
-    frame.render_widget(list, chunks[1]);
+    frame.render_widget(list, list_chunk);
 }
 
 /// Map a crossterm key event to an [`Action`], updating
@@ -501,18 +591,21 @@ mod tests {
                     formatted_text: None,
                     index: 0,
                     selected: false,
+                    column_values: None,
                 },
                 VisibleItem {
                     label: "bravo".into(),
                     formatted_text: None,
                     index: 1,
                     selected: false,
+                    column_values: None,
                 },
                 VisibleItem {
                     label: "charlie".into(),
                     formatted_text: None,
                     index: 2,
                     selected: false,
+                    column_values: None,
                 },
             ],
             cursor: 0,
@@ -522,6 +615,7 @@ mod tests {
             mode: Mode::Insert,
             selection_count: 0,
             multi_enabled: false,
+            columns: None,
             generation: 1,
         }
     }
@@ -996,6 +1090,7 @@ mod tests {
             mode: Mode::Insert,
             selection_count: 0,
             multi_enabled: false,
+            columns: None,
             generation: 1,
         };
         let backend = render_to_backend(30, 4, &vs, "");
@@ -1069,6 +1164,157 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    // -- Table mode rendering tests --
+
+    use pikl_core::event::ColumnHeader;
+
+    fn table_view_state() -> ViewState {
+        ViewState {
+            visible_items: vec![
+                VisibleItem {
+                    label: "alice".into(),
+                    formatted_text: None,
+                    index: 0,
+                    selected: false,
+                    column_values: Some(vec!["alice".into(), "30".into(), "toronto".into()]),
+                },
+                VisibleItem {
+                    label: "bob".into(),
+                    formatted_text: None,
+                    index: 1,
+                    selected: false,
+                    column_values: Some(vec!["bob".into(), "25".into(), "vancouver".into()]),
+                },
+            ],
+            cursor: 0,
+            filter_text: Arc::from(""),
+            total_items: 2,
+            total_filtered: 2,
+            mode: Mode::Insert,
+            selection_count: 0,
+            multi_enabled: false,
+            columns: Some(vec![
+                ColumnHeader {
+                    display_name: "name".into(),
+                    width: 9,
+                },
+                ColumnHeader {
+                    display_name: "age".into(),
+                    width: 3,
+                },
+                ColumnHeader {
+                    display_name: "city".into(),
+                    width: 9,
+                },
+            ]),
+            generation: 1,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_renders_header_row() {
+        let vs = table_view_state();
+        let backend = render_to_backend(50, 6, &vs, "");
+        // Row 0 = prompt, Row 1 = header, Row 2+ = items
+        let header = line_text(&backend, 1);
+        assert!(
+            header.contains("name"),
+            "header should contain 'name': got '{header}'"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            header.contains("age"),
+            "header should contain 'age': got '{header}'"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            header.contains("city"),
+            "header should contain 'city': got '{header}'"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_header_has_bold_style() {
+        let vs = table_view_state();
+        let backend = render_to_backend(50, 6, &vs, "");
+        let buf = backend.buffer();
+        // Row 1 col 0 should be bold (header row)
+        let cell = &buf[(0, 1)];
+        assert!(
+            cell.modifier.contains(Modifier::BOLD),
+            "header should be bold"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_items_start_at_row_2() {
+        let vs = table_view_state();
+        let backend = render_to_backend(50, 6, &vs, "");
+        let row2 = line_text(&backend, 2);
+        let row3 = line_text(&backend, 3);
+        assert!(
+            row2.contains("alice"),
+            "row 2 should have alice: got '{row2}'"
+        );
+        assert!(row3.contains("bob"), "row 3 should have bob: got '{row3}'");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_cells_contain_values() {
+        let vs = table_view_state();
+        let backend = render_to_backend(50, 6, &vs, "");
+        let row2 = line_text(&backend, 2);
+        assert!(
+            row2.contains("toronto"),
+            "row should contain city value: got '{row2}'"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            row2.contains("30"),
+            "row should contain age value: got '{row2}'"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_cursor_row_has_reversed_style() {
+        let vs = table_view_state(); // cursor at 0
+        let backend = render_to_backend(50, 6, &vs, "");
+        let buf = backend.buffer();
+        // Row 2 (first item in table mode) should be REVERSED
+        let cell = &buf[(0, 2)];
+        assert!(
+            cell.modifier.contains(Modifier::REVERSED),
+            "cursor row should have REVERSED style in table mode"
+        );
+        // Row 3 should not
+        let cell2 = &buf[(0, 3)];
+        assert!(
+            !cell2.modifier.contains(Modifier::REVERSED),
+            "non-cursor row should not have REVERSED in table mode"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_header_has_separators() {
+        let vs = table_view_state();
+        let backend = render_to_backend(50, 6, &vs, "");
+        let header = line_text(&backend, 1);
+        assert!(
+            header.contains('\u{2502}'),
+            "header should contain column separator: got '{header}'"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn table_without_columns_renders_normally() {
+        // When columns is None, should render like a normal list (no header row)
+        let vs = sample_view_state();
+        let backend = render_to_backend(30, 6, &vs, "");
+        // Row 1 should be items, not a header
+        let row1 = line_text(&backend, 1);
+        assert!(
+            row1.contains("alpha"),
+            "without columns, row 1 should be first item: got '{row1}'"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn pending_cleared_on_mode_key() {
         let mut ft = String::new();

crates/pikl/src/handler.rs

@@ -12,9 +12,7 @@ use tokio::sync::mpsc;
 
 use pikl_core::error::PiklError;
 use pikl_core::event::Action;
-use pikl_core::hook::{
+use pikl_core::hook::{HookEvent, HookEventKind, HookHandler, parse_hook_response};
-    parse_hook_response, HookEvent, HookEventKind, HookHandler,
-};
 
 /// A persistent handler hook process. Spawns a child process,
 /// writes events to its stdin as JSON lines, reads responses
@@ -27,10 +25,7 @@ pub struct ShellHandlerHook {
 
 impl ShellHandlerHook {
     /// Build from CLI flags. Returns None if no handler hooks are configured.
-    pub fn from_cli(
+    pub fn from_cli(cli: &crate::Cli, action_tx: mpsc::Sender<Action>) -> Option<Self> {
-        cli: &crate::Cli,
-        action_tx: mpsc::Sender<Action>,
-    ) -> Option<Self> {
         let mut handlers: Vec<(HookEventKind, &str)> = Vec::new();
 
         if let Some(ref cmd) = cli.on_open {
@@ -134,18 +129,10 @@ async fn run_handler_process(
     // Writer loop: reads events from channel, writes to stdin
     while let Some(event) = event_rx.recv().await {
         let json = serde_json::to_string(&event).unwrap_or_default();
-        if stdin_writer
+        if stdin_writer.write_all(json.as_bytes()).await.is_err() {
-            .write_all(json.as_bytes())
-            .await
-            .is_err()
-        {
             break;
         }
-        if stdin_writer
+        if stdin_writer.write_all(b"\n").await.is_err() {
-            .write_all(b"\n")
-            .await
-            .is_err()
-        {
             break;
         }
         if stdin_writer.flush().await.is_err() {
@@ -157,12 +144,9 @@ async fn run_handler_process(
     drop(stdin_writer);
 
     // Wait up to 1s for child to exit after EOF
-    let exited = tokio::time::timeout(
+    let exited = tokio::time::timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(1), child.wait())
-        std::time::Duration::from_secs(1),
+        .await
-        child.wait(),
+        .is_ok();
-    )
-    .await
-    .is_ok();
 
     if !exited {
         // Send SIGTERM on Unix, then wait another second
@@ -177,12 +161,9 @@ async fn run_handler_process(
                     libc::kill(pid as libc::pid_t, libc::SIGTERM);
                 }
             }
-            let termed = tokio::time::timeout(
+            let termed = tokio::time::timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(1), child.wait())
-                std::time::Duration::from_secs(1),
+                .await
-                child.wait(),
+                .is_ok();
-            )
-            .await
-            .is_ok();
             if !termed {
                 let _ = child.kill().await;
             }
@@ -194,11 +175,7 @@ async fn run_handler_process(
     }
 
     // Wait for the reader to finish
-    let _ = tokio::time::timeout(
+    let _ = tokio::time::timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(2), reader_handle).await;
-        std::time::Duration::from_secs(2),
-        reader_handle,
-    )
-    .await;
 
     Ok(())
 }

crates/pikl/src/hook.rs

@@ -121,8 +121,7 @@ impl HookHandler for ShellExecHandler {
         if let Some(cmd) = self.commands.get(&kind) {
             let cmd = cmd.clone();
             // Serialize event as JSON for the hook's stdin
-            let event_json =
+            let event_json = serde_json::to_value(&event).unwrap_or(serde_json::Value::Null);
-                serde_json::to_value(&event).unwrap_or(serde_json::Value::Null);
             tokio::spawn(async move {
                 if let Err(e) = run_hook(&cmd, &event_json).await {
                     tracing::warn!(error = %e, command = %cmd, "exec hook failed");

crates/pikl/src/main.rs

@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 
 use clap::Parser;
 
+use pikl_core::column::ColumnConfig;
+use pikl_core::csv_input::{self, InputFormat};
 use pikl_core::debounce::{DebounceMode, DebouncedDispatcher};
 use pikl_core::error::PiklError;
 use pikl_core::event::{Action, MenuResult, Mode};
@@ -127,6 +129,14 @@ struct Cli {
     /// Output selected items in selection order instead of input order
     #[arg(long)]
     selection_order: bool,
+
+    /// Input format: auto, csv, or tsv
+    #[arg(long, value_name = "FORMAT", default_value = "auto")]
+    input_format: String,
+
+    /// Columns to display in table mode (e.g. "label,meta.age:Age")
+    #[arg(long, value_name = "COLS")]
+    columns: Option<String>,
 }
 
 fn main() {
@@ -185,8 +195,21 @@ fn main() {
         .stdin_timeout
         .unwrap_or(if script.is_some() { 30 } else { 0 });
 
-    let items = match read_stdin_with_timeout(timeout, &cli.label_key) {
+    let input_format = match InputFormat::from_str_opt(&cli.input_format) {
-        Ok(items) => items,
+        Some(f) => f,
+        None => {
+            let _ = writeln!(
+                std::io::stderr().lock(),
+                "pikl: unknown input format '{}', expected auto, csv, or tsv",
+                cli.input_format
+            );
+            std::process::exit(2);
+        }
+    };
+
+    let (items, csv_headers) = match read_stdin_with_timeout(timeout, &cli.label_key, input_format)
+    {
+        Ok(r) => r,
         Err(e) => {
             let _ = writeln!(std::io::stderr().lock(), "pikl: {e}");
             std::process::exit(2);
@@ -201,6 +224,13 @@ fn main() {
         std::process::exit(2);
     }
 
+    // Resolve column config: explicit --columns, or auto-generate from CSV headers
+    let column_config = if let Some(ref cols) = cli.columns {
+        Some(ColumnConfig::parse(cols))
+    } else {
+        csv_headers.map(|h| ColumnConfig::from_headers(&h))
+    };
+
     // STEP 3: Build menu, start runtime
     let rt = tokio::runtime::Runtime::new().unwrap_or_else(|e| {
         let _ = writeln!(
@@ -234,17 +264,18 @@ fn main() {
 
     // STEP 4: Branch on headless vs interactive
     let result = if let Some(script) = script {
-        rt.block_on(run_headless(items, &cli, script, start_mode))
+        rt.block_on(run_headless(items, &cli, script, start_mode, column_config))
     } else {
-        rt.block_on(run_interactive(items, &cli, start_mode))
+        rt.block_on(run_interactive(items, &cli, start_mode, column_config))
     };
 
     // STEP 5: Handle result
     handle_result(result, &cli);
 }
 
-/// Build a JsonMenu with optional filter_fields and format template.
+/// Build a JsonMenu with optional filter_fields, format template,
-fn build_menu(items: Vec<Item>, cli: &Cli) -> JsonMenu {
+/// and column config.
+fn build_menu(items: Vec<Item>, cli: &Cli, column_config: Option<ColumnConfig>) -> JsonMenu {
     let mut menu = JsonMenu::new(items, cli.label_key.clone());
     if let Some(ref fields) = cli.filter_fields {
         menu.set_filter_fields(fields.clone());
@@ -252,6 +283,9 @@ fn build_menu(items: Vec<Item>, cli: &Cli) -> JsonMenu {
     if let Some(ref template) = cli.format {
         menu.set_format_template(FormatTemplate::parse(template));
     }
+    if let Some(config) = column_config {
+        menu.set_column_config(config);
+    }
     menu
 }
 
@@ -318,10 +352,7 @@ struct CompositeHookHandler {
 }
 
 impl HookHandler for CompositeHookHandler {
-    fn handle(
+    fn handle(&self, event: pikl_core::hook::HookEvent) -> Result<(), PiklError> {
-        &self,
-        event: pikl_core::hook::HookEvent,
-    ) -> Result<(), PiklError> {
         // Both fire. Exec is fire-and-forget, handler may
         // send responses through action_tx.
         let _ = self.exec.handle(event.clone());
@@ -339,8 +370,9 @@ async fn run_headless(
     cli: &Cli,
     script: Vec<ScriptAction>,
     start_mode: Mode,
+    column_config: Option<ColumnConfig>,
 ) -> Result<MenuResult, PiklError> {
-    let (mut menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(build_menu(items, cli));
+    let (mut menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(build_menu(items, cli, column_config));
     menu.set_initial_mode(start_mode);
     menu.set_multi(cli.multi);
     menu.set_selection_order(cli.selection_order);
@@ -388,8 +420,9 @@ async fn run_interactive(
     items: Vec<Item>,
     cli: &Cli,
     start_mode: Mode,
+    column_config: Option<ColumnConfig>,
 ) -> Result<MenuResult, PiklError> {
-    let (mut menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(build_menu(items, cli));
+    let (mut menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(build_menu(items, cli, column_config));
     menu.set_initial_mode(start_mode);
     menu.set_multi(cli.multi);
     menu.set_selection_order(cli.selection_order);
@@ -493,15 +526,26 @@ fn write_plain_value(writer: &mut impl Write, value: &Value) -> Result<(), std::
 /// Read items from stdin. If `timeout_secs` is non-zero,
 /// spawn a thread and bail if it doesn't finish in time.
 /// A timeout of 0 means no timeout (blocking read).
-fn read_stdin_with_timeout(timeout_secs: u64, label_key: &str) -> Result<Vec<Item>, PiklError> {
+///
+/// Returns (items, optional_csv_headers). CSV headers are
+/// returned so column config can be auto-generated.
+fn read_stdin_with_timeout(
+    timeout_secs: u64,
+    label_key: &str,
+    format: InputFormat,
+) -> Result<(Vec<Item>, Option<Vec<String>>), PiklError> {
     if timeout_secs == 0 {
-        return read_items_sync(std::io::stdin().lock(), label_key);
+        return read_stdin_inner(std::io::stdin().lock(), label_key, format);
     }
 
     let label_key = label_key.to_string();
     let (tx, rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel();
     std::thread::spawn(move || {
-        let _ = tx.send(read_items_sync(std::io::stdin().lock(), &label_key));
+        let _ = tx.send(read_stdin_inner(
+            std::io::stdin().lock(),
+            &label_key,
+            format,
+        ));
     });
 
     match rx.recv_timeout(Duration::from_secs(timeout_secs)) {
@@ -520,6 +564,24 @@ fn read_stdin_with_timeout(timeout_secs: u64, label_key: &str) -> Result<Vec<Ite
     }
 }
 
+/// Read stdin as either JSON/plain or CSV/TSV depending on format.
+fn read_stdin_inner(
+    reader: impl std::io::BufRead,
+    label_key: &str,
+    format: InputFormat,
+) -> Result<(Vec<Item>, Option<Vec<String>>), PiklError> {
+    match format {
+        InputFormat::Auto => {
+            let items = read_items_sync(reader, label_key)?;
+            Ok((items, None))
+        }
+        InputFormat::Csv | InputFormat::Tsv => {
+            let result = csv_input::read_csv_items_sync(reader, format, label_key)?;
+            Ok((result.items, Some(result.headers)))
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Redirect stdin to `/dev/tty` so the TUI can read keyboard
 /// input after stdin was consumed for piped items. Flushes
 /// stale input so crossterm starts clean.

crates/pikl/tests/headless.rs

@@ -67,3 +67,76 @@ fn headless_actions_after_show_ui_exits_2() {
         "expected show-ui error, got: {stderr}"
     );
 }
+
+// -- CSV/TSV integration tests --
+
+#[test]
+fn csv_confirm_first() {
+    let (stdout, _stderr, code) = common::run_pikl(
+        "name,age\nalice,30\nbob,25\n",
+        "confirm\n",
+        &["--input-format", "csv"],
+    );
+    assert_eq!(code, 0, "expected exit 0, stderr: {_stderr}");
+    // Plain output should show the JSON object
+    assert!(
+        stdout.contains("alice"),
+        "expected alice in stdout, got: {stdout}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn csv_with_columns_subset() {
+    let (stdout, _stderr, code) = common::run_pikl(
+        "name,age,city\nalice,30,toronto\nbob,25,vancouver\n",
+        "confirm\n",
+        &["--input-format", "csv", "--columns", "name,city"],
+    );
+    assert_eq!(code, 0, "expected exit 0, stderr: {_stderr}");
+    assert!(
+        stdout.contains("alice"),
+        "expected alice in stdout, got: {stdout}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn csv_filter_then_confirm() {
+    let (stdout, _stderr, code) = common::run_pikl(
+        "name,age\nalice,30\nbob,25\ncharlie,35\n",
+        "filter bob\nconfirm\n",
+        &["--input-format", "csv"],
+    );
+    assert_eq!(code, 0, "expected exit 0, stderr: {_stderr}");
+    assert!(
+        stdout.contains("bob"),
+        "expected bob in stdout, got: {stdout}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn csv_multi_select() {
+    let (stdout, _stderr, code) = common::run_pikl(
+        "name,age\nalice,30\nbob,25\n",
+        "toggle-select\nmove-down\ntoggle-select\nconfirm\n",
+        &["--input-format", "csv", "--multi"],
+    );
+    assert_eq!(code, 0, "expected exit 0, stderr: {_stderr}");
+    assert!(
+        stdout.contains("alice") && stdout.contains("bob"),
+        "expected both alice and bob in stdout, got: {stdout}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn tsv_confirm_first() {
+    let (stdout, _stderr, code) = common::run_pikl(
+        "name\tage\nalice\t30\nbob\t25\n",
+        "confirm\n",
+        &["--input-format", "tsv"],
+    );
+    assert_eq!(code, 0, "expected exit 0, stderr: {_stderr}");
+    assert!(
+        stdout.contains("alice"),
+        "expected alice in stdout, got: {stdout}"
+    );
+}

examples/demo.sh

@@ -311,6 +311,74 @@ multi_select_structured() {
         | pikl --multi --structured
 }
 
+# ── Phase 5 demos ────────────────────────────────────────
+
+csv_table() {
+    echo "CSV table mode. Columns auto-generated from headers." >&2
+    echo "Navigate with j/k, filter normally." >&2
+    echo "" >&2
+    cat <<'CSV' | pikl --input-format csv
+name,role,language,editor
+Alice,backend,Rust,Neovim
+Bob,frontend,TypeScript,VS Code
+Charlie,devops,Go,Helix
+Diana,data,Python,Jupyter
+Eve,security,Rust,Neovim
+Frank,mobile,Kotlin,IntelliJ
+CSV
+}
+
+tsv_table() {
+    echo "TSV table mode. Same as CSV but tab-delimited." >&2
+    echo "" >&2
+    printf "pid\tuser\tcommand\n101\troot\tinit\n202\tmaple\tnvim\n303\tmaple\tbash\n404\troot\tsshd\n" \
+        | pikl --input-format tsv
+}
+
+csv_columns_alias() {
+    echo "CSV with --columns to pick a subset and rename headers." >&2
+    echo "Only showing name and language (aliased to 'Lang')." >&2
+    echo "" >&2
+    cat <<'CSV' | pikl --input-format csv --columns "name,meta.language:Lang"
+name,role,language,editor
+Alice,backend,Rust,Neovim
+Bob,frontend,TypeScript,VS Code
+Charlie,devops,Go,Helix
+Diana,data,Python,Jupyter
+Eve,security,Rust,Neovim
+CSV
+}
+
+csv_multi_select() {
+    echo "CSV + multi-select. Toggle rows with Space, confirm with Enter." >&2
+    echo "" >&2
+    cat <<'CSV' | pikl --input-format csv --multi
+package,version,size
+ripgrep,14.1,2.1M
+fd,10.2,1.8M
+bat,0.24,3.4M
+eza,0.18,2.0M
+delta,0.17,4.2M
+tokei,12.1,1.5M
+CSV
+}
+
+csv_filter() {
+    echo "CSV with filtering. Type to filter rows, field filters work too." >&2
+    echo "Try: meta.category:rolling" >&2
+    echo "" >&2
+    cat <<'CSV' | pikl --input-format csv
+label,category,init
+Arch Linux,rolling,systemd
+NixOS,rolling,systemd
+Void Linux,rolling,runit
+Debian,stable,systemd
+Alpine,stable,openrc
+Fedora,semi-rolling,systemd
+Gentoo,rolling,openrc
+CSV
+}
+
 # ── Scenario menu ─────────────────────────────────────────
 
 scenarios=(
@@ -337,6 +405,12 @@ scenarios=(
     "Multi-select (packages)"
     "Multi-select (structured output)"
     "---"
+    "CSV table (auto columns)"
+    "TSV table (processes)"
+    "CSV with --columns aliases"
+    "CSV + multi-select"
+    "CSV + field filter"
+    "---"
     "on-select-exec hook (legacy)"
 )
 
@@ -362,6 +436,11 @@ run_scenario() {
         *"Multi-select (basic)"*)   multi_select_basic ;;
         *"Multi-select (pack"*)     multi_select_packages ;;
         *"Multi-select (struct"*)   multi_select_structured ;;
+        *"CSV table"*)              csv_table ;;
+        *"TSV table"*)              tsv_table ;;
+        *"CSV with --columns"*)     csv_columns_alias ;;
+        *"CSV + multi"*)            csv_multi_select ;;
+        *"CSV + field"*)            csv_filter ;;
         *"on-select-exec"*)         on_select_hook ;;
         "---")
             echo "that's a separator, not a scenario" >&2