feat(core): Add input modes and half-page cursor movement.

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

@@ -11,6 +11,15 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use serde_json::Value;
 
+/// Input mode. Insert mode sends keystrokes to the filter,
+/// normal mode uses vim-style navigation keybinds.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+pub enum Mode {
+    #[default]
+    Insert,
+    Normal,
+}
+
 /// A command the menu should process. Frontends and headless
 /// scripts both produce these. The menu loop consumes them
 /// sequentially.
@@ -23,6 +32,9 @@ pub enum Action {
     MoveToBottom,
     PageUp(usize),
     PageDown(usize),
+    HalfPageUp(usize),
+    HalfPageDown(usize),
+    SetMode(Mode),
     Confirm,
     Cancel,
     Resize { height: u16 },
@@ -51,6 +63,7 @@ pub struct ViewState {
     pub filter_text: Arc<str>,
     pub total_items: usize,
     pub total_filtered: usize,
+    pub mode: Mode,
 }
 
 /// A single item in the current viewport window. Has the

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

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use tokio::sync::{broadcast, mpsc};
 
 use crate::error::PiklError;
-use crate::event::{Action, MenuEvent, MenuResult, ViewState, VisibleItem};
+use crate::event::{Action, MenuEvent, MenuResult, Mode, ViewState, VisibleItem};
 use crate::model::traits::Menu;
 use crate::navigation::Viewport;
 use serde_json::Value;
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ pub struct MenuRunner<M: Menu> {
     menu: M,
     viewport: Viewport,
     filter_text: Arc<str>,
+    mode: Mode,
     action_rx: mpsc::Receiver<Action>,
     event_tx: broadcast::Sender<MenuEvent>,
 }
@@ -55,6 +56,7 @@ impl<M: Menu> MenuRunner<M> {
             menu,
             viewport: Viewport::new(),
             filter_text: Arc::from(""),
+            mode: Mode::default(),
             action_rx,
             event_tx,
         };
@@ -100,6 +102,7 @@ impl<M: Menu> MenuRunner<M> {
             filter_text: Arc::clone(&self.filter_text),
             total_items: self.menu.total(),
             total_filtered: self.menu.filtered_count(),
+            mode: self.mode,
         }
     }
 
@@ -158,6 +161,18 @@ impl<M: Menu> MenuRunner<M> {
                 self.viewport.set_height(height as usize);
                 ActionOutcome::Broadcast
             }
+            Action::HalfPageUp(n) => {
+                self.viewport.half_page_up(n);
+                ActionOutcome::Broadcast
+            }
+            Action::HalfPageDown(n) => {
+                self.viewport.half_page_down(n);
+                ActionOutcome::Broadcast
+            }
+            Action::SetMode(m) => {
+                self.mode = m;
+                ActionOutcome::Broadcast
+            }
             Action::AddItems(values) => {
                 self.menu.add_raw(values);
                 self.run_filter();
@@ -166,6 +181,12 @@ impl<M: Menu> MenuRunner<M> {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Set the initial mode before running the event loop.
+    /// Used by `--start-mode` CLI flag.
+    pub fn set_initial_mode(&mut self, mode: Mode) {
+        self.mode = mode;
+    }
+
     /// Run the menu event loop. Consumes actions and
     /// broadcasts events.
     ///
@@ -617,6 +638,73 @@ mod tests {
         ));
     }
 
+    // -- New action variant tests --
+
+    #[test]
+    fn apply_half_page_down() {
+        let (mut m, _tx) = test_menu();
+        m.run_filter();
+        m.apply_action(Action::Resize { height: 4 });
+        let outcome = m.apply_action(Action::HalfPageDown(1));
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, ActionOutcome::Broadcast));
+        assert_eq!(m.viewport.cursor(), 2); // 4/2 = 2
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn apply_half_page_up() {
+        let (mut m, _tx) = test_menu();
+        m.run_filter();
+        m.apply_action(Action::Resize { height: 4 });
+        m.apply_action(Action::HalfPageDown(1));
+        let outcome = m.apply_action(Action::HalfPageUp(1));
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, ActionOutcome::Broadcast));
+        assert_eq!(m.viewport.cursor(), 0);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn apply_set_mode_normal() {
+        let mut m = ready_menu();
+        let outcome = m.apply_action(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal));
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, ActionOutcome::Broadcast));
+        assert_eq!(m.build_view_state().mode, Mode::Normal);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn apply_set_mode_insert() {
+        let mut m = ready_menu();
+        m.apply_action(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal));
+        let outcome = m.apply_action(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert));
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, ActionOutcome::Broadcast));
+        assert_eq!(m.build_view_state().mode, Mode::Insert);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn apply_set_mode_preserves_filter() {
+        let mut m = ready_menu();
+        m.apply_action(Action::UpdateFilter("al".to_string()));
+        let count_before = m.menu.filtered_count();
+        let filter_before = m.filter_text.clone();
+        m.apply_action(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal));
+        assert_eq!(&*m.filter_text, &*filter_before);
+        assert_eq!(m.menu.filtered_count(), count_before);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn set_initial_mode_works() {
+        let (mut m, _tx) = test_menu();
+        m.set_initial_mode(Mode::Normal);
+        m.run_filter();
+        assert_eq!(m.build_view_state().mode, Mode::Normal);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn view_state_mode_after_switch() {
+        let mut m = ready_menu();
+        m.apply_action(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal));
+        let vs = m.build_view_state();
+        assert_eq!(vs.mode, Mode::Normal);
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn actions_process_in_order_add_items_then_filter_then_confirm() {
         // AddItems + filter + confirm, all back-to-back.

crates/pikl-core/src/script/action_fd/parse.rs

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 use std::io::BufRead;
 
-use crate::event::Action;
+use crate::event::{Action, Mode};
 
 use super::ScriptAction;
 use super::error::{ScriptError, ScriptErrorKind};
@@ -118,6 +118,34 @@ pub fn parse_action(line_number: usize, line: &str) -> Result<ScriptAction, Scri
             let n = parse_count(line_number, line, "page-down", arg)?;
             Ok(ScriptAction::Core(Action::PageDown(n)))
         }
+        "half-page-up" => {
+            let n = parse_count(line_number, line, "half-page-up", arg)?;
+            Ok(ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageUp(n)))
+        }
+        "half-page-down" => {
+            let n = parse_count(line_number, line, "half-page-down", arg)?;
+            Ok(ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageDown(n)))
+        }
+        "set-mode" => {
+            let Some(mode_str) = arg else {
+                return Err(invalid_arg(
+                    line_number,
+                    line,
+                    "set-mode",
+                    "missing mode value (insert or normal)".to_string(),
+                ));
+            };
+            match mode_str.trim() {
+                "insert" => Ok(ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert))),
+                "normal" => Ok(ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal))),
+                other => Err(invalid_arg(
+                    line_number,
+                    line,
+                    "set-mode",
+                    format!("unknown mode '{other}', expected insert or normal"),
+                )),
+            }
+        }
         "confirm" => Ok(ScriptAction::Core(Action::Confirm)),
         "cancel" => Ok(ScriptAction::Core(Action::Cancel)),
         "resize" => {
@@ -151,8 +179,8 @@ fn validate_show_last(actions: &[ParsedLine]) -> Result<(), ScriptError> {
             p.action,
             ScriptAction::ShowUi | ScriptAction::ShowTui | ScriptAction::ShowGui
         )
-    }) {
-        if show_pos < actions.len() - 1 {
+    }) && show_pos < actions.len() - 1
+    {
         let offender = &actions[show_pos + 1];
         return Err(ScriptError {
             line: offender.line_number,
@@ -160,7 +188,6 @@ fn validate_show_last(actions: &[ParsedLine]) -> Result<(), ScriptError> {
             kind: ScriptErrorKind::ActionsAfterShowUi,
         });
     }
-    }
     Ok(())
 }
 
@@ -367,6 +394,54 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_half_page_actions() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "half-page-up").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageUp(1))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "half-page-down").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageDown(1))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "half-page-up 3").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageUp(3))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "half-page-down 2").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageDown(2))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_half_page_zero_is_error() {
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "half-page-up 0").is_err());
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "half-page-down 0").is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_set_mode() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "set-mode insert").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "set-mode normal").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_set_mode_missing_arg() {
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "set-mode").is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_set_mode_invalid() {
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "set-mode visual").is_err());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn parse_unknown_action() {
         let result = parse_action(3, "bogus");
@@ -561,4 +636,52 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.is_ok());
         assert!(result.unwrap_or(vec![ScriptAction::Comment]).is_empty());
     }
+
+    // -- New action edge case tests --
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_half_page_non_numeric() {
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "half-page-down abc").is_err());
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "half-page-up xyz").is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_set_mode_wrong_case() {
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "set-mode Insert").is_err());
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "set-mode Normal").is_err());
+        assert!(parse_action(1, "set-mode INSERT").is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_set_mode_whitespace() {
+        // Extra whitespace around the mode value should be trimmed
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "set-mode  insert ").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_action(1, "set-mode  normal ").unwrap_or(ScriptAction::Comment),
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn load_script_new_actions() {
+        let input = "half-page-up 2\nset-mode normal\nset-mode insert\nhalf-page-down\nconfirm\n";
+        let result = load_script(input.as_bytes());
+        assert!(result.is_ok());
+        let actions = result.unwrap_or_default();
+        assert_eq!(actions.len(), 5);
+        assert_eq!(actions[0], ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageUp(2)));
+        assert_eq!(
+            actions[1],
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            actions[2],
+            ScriptAction::Core(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(actions[3], ScriptAction::Core(Action::HalfPageDown(1)));
+        assert_eq!(actions[4], ScriptAction::Core(Action::Confirm));
+    }
 }

crates/pikl-core/tests/dsl_tests.rs

@@ -125,6 +125,34 @@ pikl_tests! {
             offset: 0
         }
     }
+
+    nav mod half_page {
+        viewport: { height: 10, count: 30 };
+
+        test half_page_down_from_top {
+            actions: [half-page-down]
+            cursor: 5
+            offset: 0
+        }
+
+        test half_page_up_from_middle {
+            actions: [half-page-down, half-page-down, half-page-up]
+            cursor: 5
+            offset: 1
+        }
+
+        test half_page_down_clamps_at_bottom {
+            actions: [half-page-down, half-page-down, half-page-down,
+                      half-page-down, half-page-down, half-page-down]
+            cursor: 29
+        }
+
+        test half_page_up_clamps_at_top {
+            actions: [half-page-down, half-page-up, half-page-up]
+            cursor: 0
+            offset: 0
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -192,4 +220,79 @@ pikl_tests! {
             cancelled
         }
     }
+
+    menu mod pipeline_queries {
+        items: ["error_log", "warning_temp", "info_log", "debug_temp"];
+
+        test exact_filter {
+            actions: [filter "'log", confirm]
+            selected: "error_log"
+        }
+
+        test exact_then_inverse {
+            actions: [filter "'log | !error", confirm]
+            selected: "info_log"
+        }
+
+        test cancel_pipeline {
+            actions: [filter "'xyz", cancel]
+            cancelled
+        }
+    }
+
+    menu mod mode_switching {
+        items: ["alpha", "bravo"];
+
+        test set_mode_and_confirm {
+            actions: [set-mode-normal, set-mode-insert, filter "bra", confirm]
+            selected: "bravo"
+        }
+    }
+
+    menu mod regex_pipeline {
+        items: ["item-001", "item-abc", "item-123"];
+
+        test regex_filter_confirm {
+            actions: [filter "/[0-9]+/", confirm]
+            selected: "item-001"
+        }
+    }
+
+    menu mod inverse_fuzzy {
+        items: ["alpha", "bravo"];
+
+        test exclude_alpha {
+            actions: [filter "!alpha", confirm]
+            selected: "bravo"
+        }
+    }
+
+    menu mod three_stage {
+        items: ["error_log_123", "warning_temp_456", "info_log_789", "debug_temp_012"];
+
+        test full_pipeline {
+            actions: [filter "'log | !error | /[0-9]+/", confirm]
+            selected: "info_log_789"
+        }
+    }
+
+    menu mod half_page_menu {
+        items: ["a","b","c","d","e","f","g","h","i","j"];
+
+        test half_page_then_confirm {
+            actions: [half-page-down, confirm]
+            // viewport height=50, half=25, clamps to last item (index 9)
+            selected: "j"
+        }
+    }
+
+    nav mod half_page_small_height {
+        viewport: { height: 2, count: 10 };
+
+        test half_page_moves_one {
+            actions: [half-page-down]
+            cursor: 1
+            offset: 0
+        }
+    }
 }

crates/pikl-test-macros/src/codegen.rs

@@ -275,7 +275,12 @@ fn gen_nav_actions(actions: &[ActionExpr]) -> syn::Result<Vec<TokenStream>> {
                 let method = Ident::new(&name.replace('-', "_"), Span::call_site());
                 let needs_count = matches!(
                     name.as_str(),
-                    "move-up" | "move-down" | "page-up" | "page-down"
+                    "move-up"
+                        | "move-down"
+                        | "page-up"
+                        | "page-down"
+                        | "half-page-up"
+                        | "half-page-down"
                 );
                 if needs_count {
                     calls.push(quote! { v.#method(1); });
@@ -418,6 +423,10 @@ fn menu_action_variant(name: &str) -> syn::Result<TokenStream> {
         "move-to-bottom" => quote! { Action::MoveToBottom },
         "page-up" => quote! { Action::PageUp(1) },
         "page-down" => quote! { Action::PageDown(1) },
+        "half-page-up" => quote! { Action::HalfPageUp(1) },
+        "half-page-down" => quote! { Action::HalfPageDown(1) },
+        "set-mode-insert" => quote! { Action::SetMode(pikl_core::event::Mode::Insert) },
+        "set-mode-normal" => quote! { Action::SetMode(pikl_core::event::Mode::Normal) },
         _ => {
             return Err(syn::Error::new(
                 Span::call_site(),

crates/pikl-tui/src/lib.rs

@@ -14,7 +14,15 @@ use ratatui::text::{Line, Span};
 use ratatui::widgets::{List, ListItem, Paragraph};
 use tokio::sync::{broadcast, mpsc};
 
-use pikl_core::event::{Action, MenuEvent, ViewState};
+use pikl_core::event::{Action, MenuEvent, Mode, ViewState};
+
+/// Pending key state for multi-key sequences (e.g. `gg`).
+/// TUI-local, not part of core state.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+enum PendingKey {
+    None,
+    G,
+}
 
 /// Restore the terminal to a sane state. Called on clean
 /// exit and from the panic hook so Ctrl+C or a crash
@@ -72,6 +80,8 @@ async fn run_inner(
     let mut filter_text = String::new();
     let mut view_state: Option<ViewState> = None;
     let mut event_stream = EventStream::new();
+    let mut mode = Mode::Insert;
+    let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
 
     loop {
         if let Some(ref vs) = view_state {
@@ -89,7 +99,12 @@ async fn run_inner(
                 let event = event_result?;
                 match event {
                     Event::Key(key) => {
-                        if let Some(action) = map_key_event(key, &mut filter_text) {
+                        if let Some(action) = map_key_event(key, &mut filter_text, mode, &mut pending) {
+                            // Track mode locally for key mapping
+                            if let Action::SetMode(m) = &action {
+                                mode = *m;
+                                pending = PendingKey::None;
+                            }
                             let _ = action_tx.send(action).await;
                         }
                     }
@@ -110,6 +125,11 @@ async fn run_inner(
                         if &*vs.filter_text != filter_text.as_str() {
                             filter_text = vs.filter_text.to_string();
                         }
+                        // Sync mode from core
+                        if vs.mode != mode {
+                            mode = vs.mode;
+                            pending = PendingKey::None;
+                        }
                         view_state = Some(vs);
                     }
                     Ok(MenuEvent::Selected(_) | MenuEvent::Cancelled) => {
@@ -138,8 +158,16 @@ fn render_menu(frame: &mut ratatui::Frame, vs: &ViewState, filter_text: &str) {
     let filtered_count = vs.total_filtered;
     let total_count = vs.total_items;
 
+    let mode_indicator = match vs.mode {
+        Mode::Insert => "[I]",
+        Mode::Normal => "[N]",
+    };
+
     let prompt = Paragraph::new(Line::from(vec![
-        Span::styled("> ", Style::default().fg(Color::Cyan)),
+        Span::styled(
+            format!("{mode_indicator}> "),
+            Style::default().fg(Color::Cyan),
+        ),
         Span::raw(filter_text),
         Span::styled(
             format!("  {filtered_count}/{total_count}"),
@@ -148,7 +176,13 @@ fn render_menu(frame: &mut ratatui::Frame, vs: &ViewState, filter_text: &str) {
     ]));
     frame.render_widget(prompt, chunks[0]);
 
-    frame.set_cursor_position(((2 + filter_text.len()) as u16, 0));
+    // mode_indicator len + "> " = mode_indicator.len() + 2
+    let prompt_prefix_len = mode_indicator.len() + 2;
+
+    // Show cursor in insert mode, hide in normal mode
+    if vs.mode == Mode::Insert {
+        frame.set_cursor_position(((prompt_prefix_len + filter_text.len()) as u16, 0));
+    }
 
     let items: Vec<ListItem> = vs
         .visible_items
@@ -171,14 +205,27 @@ fn render_menu(frame: &mut ratatui::Frame, vs: &ViewState, filter_text: &str) {
 /// Map a crossterm key event to an [`Action`], updating
 /// `filter_text` in place for character/backspace keys.
 /// Returns `None` for unmapped keys.
-fn map_key_event(key: KeyEvent, filter_text: &mut String) -> Option<Action> {
+fn map_key_event(
+    key: KeyEvent,
+    filter_text: &mut String,
+    mode: Mode,
+    pending: &mut PendingKey,
+) -> Option<Action> {
+    match mode {
+        Mode::Insert => map_insert_mode(key, filter_text),
+        Mode::Normal => map_normal_mode(key, pending),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Insert mode: characters go to filter, navigation via
+/// arrows and ctrl keys.
+fn map_insert_mode(key: KeyEvent, filter_text: &mut String) -> Option<Action> {
     match (key.code, key.modifiers) {
         (KeyCode::Esc, _) => Some(Action::Cancel),
         (KeyCode::Enter, _) => Some(Action::Confirm),
         (KeyCode::Up, _) | (KeyCode::Char('p'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => Some(Action::MoveUp(1)),
-        (KeyCode::Down, _) | (KeyCode::Char('n'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => {
-            Some(Action::MoveDown(1))
-        }
+        (KeyCode::Down, _) => Some(Action::MoveDown(1)),
+        (KeyCode::Char('n'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => Some(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal)),
         (KeyCode::PageUp, _) => Some(Action::PageUp(1)),
         (KeyCode::PageDown, _) => Some(Action::PageDown(1)),
         (KeyCode::Backspace, _) => {
@@ -193,6 +240,52 @@ fn map_key_event(key: KeyEvent, filter_text: &mut String) -> Option<Action> {
     }
 }
 
+/// Normal mode: vim-style navigation keybinds.
+fn map_normal_mode(key: KeyEvent, pending: &mut PendingKey) -> Option<Action> {
+    // Handle pending `g` key for `gg` sequence
+    if *pending == PendingKey::G {
+        *pending = PendingKey::None;
+        if key.code == KeyCode::Char('g')
+            && !key
+                .modifiers
+                .intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT)
+        {
+            return Some(Action::MoveToTop);
+        }
+        // Not `gg`, process the second key normally below.
+    }
+
+    match (key.code, key.modifiers) {
+        (KeyCode::Char('j'), m) if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT) => {
+            Some(Action::MoveDown(1))
+        }
+        (KeyCode::Char('k'), m) if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT) => {
+            Some(Action::MoveUp(1))
+        }
+        (KeyCode::Char('G'), _) => Some(Action::MoveToBottom),
+        (KeyCode::Char('g'), m) if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT) => {
+            *pending = PendingKey::G;
+            None
+        }
+        (KeyCode::Char('d'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => Some(Action::HalfPageDown(1)),
+        (KeyCode::Char('u'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => Some(Action::HalfPageUp(1)),
+        (KeyCode::Char('f'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => Some(Action::PageDown(1)),
+        (KeyCode::Char('b'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => Some(Action::PageUp(1)),
+        (KeyCode::Char('e'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => Some(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert)),
+        (KeyCode::Char('/'), m) if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT) => {
+            Some(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert))
+        }
+        (KeyCode::Char('q'), m) if !m.intersects(KeyModifiers::CONTROL | KeyModifiers::ALT) => {
+            Some(Action::Cancel)
+        }
+        (KeyCode::Enter, _) => Some(Action::Confirm),
+        (KeyCode::Esc, _) => Some(Action::Cancel),
+        (KeyCode::Up, _) => Some(Action::MoveUp(1)),
+        (KeyCode::Down, _) => Some(Action::MoveDown(1)),
+        _ => None,
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
@@ -240,16 +333,18 @@ mod tests {
             filter_text: Arc::from(""),
             total_items: 5,
             total_filtered: 3,
+            mode: Mode::Insert,
         }
     }
 
-    // -- Key mapping tests --
+    // -- Insert mode key mapping tests --
 
     #[test]
     fn esc_maps_to_cancel() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         assert_eq!(
-            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Esc), &mut ft),
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Esc), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
             Some(Action::Cancel)
         );
     }
@@ -257,8 +352,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn enter_maps_to_confirm() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         assert_eq!(
-            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Enter), &mut ft),
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Enter), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
             Some(Action::Confirm)
         );
     }
@@ -266,8 +362,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn arrow_up_maps_to_move_up() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         assert_eq!(
-            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Up), &mut ft),
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Up), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
             Some(Action::MoveUp(1))
         );
     }
@@ -275,8 +372,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn arrow_down_maps_to_move_down() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         assert_eq!(
-            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Down), &mut ft),
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Down), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
             Some(Action::MoveDown(1))
         );
     }
@@ -284,26 +382,35 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn ctrl_p_maps_to_move_up() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('p'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
-        assert_eq!(map_key_event(k, &mut ft), Some(Action::MoveUp(1)));
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::MoveUp(1))
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn ctrl_n_maps_to_move_down() {
+    fn ctrl_n_maps_to_normal_mode() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('n'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
-        assert_eq!(map_key_event(k, &mut ft), Some(Action::MoveDown(1)));
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::SetMode(Mode::Normal))
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn page_keys_map_correctly() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         assert_eq!(
-            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::PageUp), &mut ft),
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::PageUp), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
             Some(Action::PageUp(1))
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::PageDown), &mut ft),
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::PageDown), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
             Some(Action::PageDown(1))
         );
     }
@@ -311,11 +418,12 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn char_appends_to_filter() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
-        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('a')), &mut ft);
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('a')), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending);
         assert_eq!(ft, "a");
         assert_eq!(action, Some(Action::UpdateFilter("a".into())));
 
-        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('b')), &mut ft);
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('b')), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending);
         assert_eq!(ft, "ab");
         assert_eq!(action, Some(Action::UpdateFilter("ab".into())));
     }
@@ -323,7 +431,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn backspace_pops_filter() {
         let mut ft = "abc".to_string();
-        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Backspace), &mut ft);
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Backspace), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending);
         assert_eq!(ft, "ab");
         assert_eq!(action, Some(Action::UpdateFilter("ab".into())));
     }
@@ -331,33 +440,37 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn backspace_on_empty_filter_is_noop() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
-        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Backspace), &mut ft);
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Backspace), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending);
         assert_eq!(ft, "");
         assert_eq!(action, Some(Action::UpdateFilter(String::new())));
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn ctrl_char_ignored() {
+    fn ctrl_char_ignored_in_insert() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('c'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
-        assert_eq!(map_key_event(k, &mut ft), None);
+        assert_eq!(map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending), None);
         assert_eq!(ft, "");
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn alt_char_ignored() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('x'), KeyModifiers::ALT);
-        assert_eq!(map_key_event(k, &mut ft), None);
+        assert_eq!(map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending), None);
         assert_eq!(ft, "");
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn shift_char_passes_through() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
         let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('A'), KeyModifiers::SHIFT);
         assert_eq!(
-            map_key_event(k, &mut ft),
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
             Some(Action::UpdateFilter("A".into()))
         );
         assert_eq!(ft, "A");
@@ -366,9 +479,184 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn unmapped_key_returns_none() {
         let mut ft = String::new();
-        assert_eq!(map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Tab), &mut ft), None);
-        assert_eq!(map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Home), &mut ft), None);
-        assert_eq!(map_key_event(key(KeyCode::F(1)), &mut ft), None);
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Tab), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Home), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::F(1)), &mut ft, Mode::Insert, &mut pending),
+            None
+        );
+    }
+
+    // -- Normal mode key mapping tests --
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_j_maps_to_move_down() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('j')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::MoveDown(1))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_k_maps_to_move_up() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('k')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::MoveUp(1))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_big_g_maps_to_bottom() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('G'), KeyModifiers::SHIFT);
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::MoveToBottom)
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_gg_maps_to_top() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        // First g sets pending
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('g')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending);
+        assert_eq!(action, None);
+        assert_eq!(pending, PendingKey::G);
+        // Second g triggers move to top
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('g')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending);
+        assert_eq!(action, Some(Action::MoveToTop));
+        assert_eq!(pending, PendingKey::None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_g_then_j_drops_g() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        // First g sets pending
+        map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('g')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending);
+        assert_eq!(pending, PendingKey::G);
+        // j after g: pending cleared, j processed normally
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('j')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending);
+        assert_eq!(action, Some(Action::MoveDown(1)));
+        assert_eq!(pending, PendingKey::None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_ctrl_d_half_page_down() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('d'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::HalfPageDown(1))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_ctrl_u_half_page_up() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('u'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::HalfPageUp(1))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_ctrl_f_page_down() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('f'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::PageDown(1))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_ctrl_b_page_up() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('b'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::PageUp(1))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_slash_enters_insert() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('/')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_ctrl_e_enters_insert() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        let k = key_with_mods(KeyCode::Char('e'), KeyModifiers::CONTROL);
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(k, &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_q_cancels() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('q')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::Cancel)
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_enter_confirms() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Enter), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::Confirm)
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_esc_cancels() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        assert_eq!(
+            map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Esc), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending),
+            Some(Action::Cancel)
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_chars_dont_filter() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        // 'a' in normal mode should not append to filter
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('a')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending);
+        assert_eq!(action, None);
+        assert_eq!(ft, "");
     }
 
     // -- Rendering tests (TestBackend) --
@@ -420,6 +708,26 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn prompt_shows_mode_indicator() {
+        let vs = sample_view_state();
+        let backend = render_to_backend(30, 6, &vs, "");
+        let prompt = line_text(&backend, 0);
+        assert!(
+            prompt.contains("[I]"),
+            "insert mode should show [I]: got '{prompt}'"
+        );
+
+        let mut vs_normal = sample_view_state();
+        vs_normal.mode = Mode::Normal;
+        let backend = render_to_backend(30, 6, &vs_normal, "");
+        let prompt = line_text(&backend, 0);
+        assert!(
+            prompt.contains("[N]"),
+            "normal mode should show [N]: got '{prompt}'"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn items_render_in_list_area() {
         let vs = sample_view_state();
@@ -474,6 +782,7 @@ mod tests {
             filter_text: Arc::from(""),
             total_items: 0,
             total_filtered: 0,
+            mode: Mode::Insert,
         };
         let backend = render_to_backend(30, 4, &vs, "");
         let prompt = line_text(&backend, 0);
@@ -510,9 +819,54 @@ mod tests {
             })
             .ok()
             .expect("draw");
-        // Cursor should be at column 2 ("> ") + 2 ("hi") = 4
+        // Cursor should be at column "[I]> " (5) + 2 ("hi") = 7
         let pos = terminal.get_cursor_position().ok().expect("cursor");
-        assert_eq!(pos.x, 4, "cursor x should be after '> hi'");
+        assert_eq!(pos.x, 7, "cursor x should be after '[I]> hi'");
         assert_eq!(pos.y, 0, "cursor y should be on prompt row");
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn normal_mode_cursor_not_on_prompt() {
+        let mut vs = sample_view_state();
+        vs.mode = Mode::Normal;
+        let backend = TestBackend::new(30, 6);
+        let mut terminal = Terminal::new(backend).ok().expect("test terminal");
+        terminal
+            .draw(|frame| {
+                render_menu(frame, &vs, "");
+            })
+            .ok()
+            .expect("draw");
+        // In normal mode, set_cursor_position is never called,
+        // so the cursor should NOT be on row 0.
+        // TestBackend starts cursor at (0,0) but after a draw
+        // with hide_cursor semantics, get_cursor_position returns
+        // whatever ratatui left it at. The key assertion is that
+        // render_menu does NOT call set_cursor_position in normal mode.
+        // We verify by checking the cursor is not at the prompt text position.
+        let pos = terminal.get_cursor_position().ok().expect("cursor");
+        // In insert mode the cursor would be at (5, 0) for empty filter.
+        // In normal mode it should NOT be placed there.
+        let not_insert_cursor = pos.x != 5 || pos.y != 0;
+        assert!(
+            not_insert_cursor,
+            "normal mode should not position cursor on prompt: got ({}, {})",
+            pos.x, pos.y
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn pending_cleared_on_mode_key() {
+        let mut ft = String::new();
+        let mut pending = PendingKey::None;
+        // Set pending=G
+        map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('g')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending);
+        assert_eq!(pending, PendingKey::G);
+        // Send '/' which triggers mode switch to Insert
+        let action = map_key_event(key(KeyCode::Char('/')), &mut ft, Mode::Normal, &mut pending);
+        assert_eq!(action, Some(Action::SetMode(Mode::Insert)));
+        // Pending should have been cleared by the mode switch key's processing.
+        // The '/' key doesn't match 'g', so pending resets to None in map_normal_mode.
+        assert_eq!(pending, PendingKey::None);
+    }
 }

crates/pikl/src/main.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 use clap::Parser;
 
 use pikl_core::error::PiklError;
-use pikl_core::event::{Action, MenuResult};
+use pikl_core::event::{Action, MenuResult, Mode};
 use pikl_core::input::read_items_sync;
 use pikl_core::item::Item;
 use pikl_core::json_menu::JsonMenu;
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ struct Cli {
     /// Timeout in seconds for reading stdin (default: 30 with --action-fd, 0 otherwise)
     #[arg(long, value_name = "SECONDS")]
     stdin_timeout: Option<u64>,
+
+    /// Start in this input mode (insert or normal, default: insert)
+    #[arg(long, value_name = "MODE", default_value = "insert")]
+    start_mode: String,
 }
 
 fn main() {
@@ -127,12 +131,25 @@ fn main() {
         std::process::exit(2);
     }
 
+    // Parse start mode
+    let start_mode = match cli.start_mode.as_str() {
+        "insert" => Mode::Insert,
+        "normal" => Mode::Normal,
+        other => {
+            let _ = writeln!(
+                std::io::stderr().lock(),
+                "pikl: unknown mode '{other}', expected insert or normal"
+            );
+            std::process::exit(2);
+        }
+    };
+
     // STEP 4: Branch on headless vs interactive
     let label_key = cli.label_key.clone();
     let result = if let Some(script) = script {
-        rt.block_on(run_headless(items, label_key, script))
+        rt.block_on(run_headless(items, label_key, script, start_mode))
     } else {
-        rt.block_on(run_interactive(items, label_key))
+        rt.block_on(run_interactive(items, label_key, start_mode))
     };
 
     // STEP 5: Handle result
@@ -145,8 +162,10 @@ async fn run_headless(
     items: Vec<Item>,
     label_key: String,
     script: Vec<ScriptAction>,
+    start_mode: Mode,
 ) -> Result<MenuResult, PiklError> {
-    let (menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(JsonMenu::new(items, label_key));
+    let (mut menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(JsonMenu::new(items, label_key));
+    menu.set_initial_mode(start_mode);
     let event_rx = menu.subscribe();
 
     // Default headless viewport
@@ -183,8 +202,13 @@ async fn run_headless(
 
 /// Run in interactive mode: start the TUI and let the user
 /// pick from the menu.
-async fn run_interactive(items: Vec<Item>, label_key: String) -> Result<MenuResult, PiklError> {
-    let (menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(JsonMenu::new(items, label_key));
+async fn run_interactive(
+    items: Vec<Item>,
+    label_key: String,
+    start_mode: Mode,
+) -> Result<MenuResult, PiklError> {
+    let (mut menu, action_tx) = MenuRunner::new(JsonMenu::new(items, label_key));
+    menu.set_initial_mode(start_mode);
     let event_rx = menu.subscribe();
 
     // Handle SIGINT/SIGTERM: restore terminal and exit cleanly.
@@ -222,13 +246,13 @@ fn run_result_hook(
     command: Option<&str>,
     value: &serde_json::Value,
 ) {
-    if let Some(cmd) = command {
-        if let Err(e) = rt.block_on(hook::run_hook(cmd, value)) {
+    if let Some(cmd) = command
+        && let Err(e) = rt.block_on(hook::run_hook(cmd, value))
+    {
         let _ = writeln!(std::io::stderr().lock(), "pikl: {hook_name} hook: {e}");
         std::process::exit(2);
     }
 }
-}
 
 /// Process the menu result: print selected item JSON to
 /// stdout, run hooks, or exit with the appropriate code.

crates/pikl/tests/headless_dsl.rs

@@ -266,4 +266,31 @@ pikl_tests! {
             exit: 0
         }
     }
+
+    headless mod new_actions {
+        items: ["a","b","c","d","e","f","g","h","i","j"];
+
+        test half_page_down_confirm {
+            actions: [raw "half-page-down", confirm]
+            // headless viewport=50, half=25, clamps to last (idx 9) -> "j"
+            stdout: "j"
+            exit: 0
+        }
+
+        test set_mode_round_trip {
+            actions: [raw "set-mode normal", raw "set-mode insert", confirm]
+            stdout: "a"
+            exit: 0
+        }
+    }
+
+    headless mod pipeline_headless {
+        items: ["error_log", "warning_temp", "info_log"];
+
+        test pipeline_filter {
+            actions: [filter "'log | !error", confirm]
+            stdout: "info_log"
+            exit: 0
+        }
+    }
 }