diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 1d7ec34..46cafa6 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 # This file is automatically @generated by Cargo.
 # It is not intended for manual editing.
-version = 3
+version = 4
+
+[[package]]
+name = "arrayvec"
+version = "0.7.8"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "d3fb67a6e08acf24fdeccbac2cb6ac4305825bd1f117462e0e6f2f193345ad56"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "bitflags"
@@ -93,6 +99,15 @@ dependencies = [
  "libc",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "nu-ansi-term"
+version = "0.50.3"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7957b9740744892f114936ab4a57b3f487491bbeafaf8083688b16841a4240e5"
+dependencies = [
+ "windows-sys 0.61.2",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "once_cell"
 version = "1.21.4"
@@ -122,6 +137,24 @@ dependencies = [
  "windows-link",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "proc-macro2"
+version = "1.0.107"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "985e7ec9bb745e6ce6535b544d84d6cd6f7ad8bd711c398938ae983b91a766d9"
+dependencies = [
+ "unicode-ident",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "quote"
+version = "1.0.47"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "1fbf4db142a473a8d80c26bbf18454ed458bf8d26c8219c331daecfdbd079001"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "redox_syscall"
 version = "0.5.18"
@@ -181,8 +214,50 @@ dependencies = [
  "crossterm",
  "libc",
  "nix",
+ "nu-ansi-term",
  "once_cell",
  "signal-hook",
+ "unicode-width",
+ "vte",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "unicode-ident"
+version = "1.0.24"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "e6e4313cd5fcd3dad5cafa179702e2b244f760991f45397d14d4ebf38247da75"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "unicode-width"
+version = "0.1.14"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7dd6e30e90baa6f72411720665d41d89b9a3d039dc45b8faea1ddd07f617f6af"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "utf8parse"
+version = "0.2.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "06abde3611657adf66d383f00b093d7faecc7fa57071cce2578660c9f1010821"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "vte"
+version = "0.13.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "9a0b683b20ef64071ff03745b14391751f6beab06a54347885459b77a3f2caa5"
+dependencies = [
+ "arrayvec",
+ "utf8parse",
+ "vte_generate_state_changes",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "vte_generate_state_changes"
+version = "0.1.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "2e369bee1b05d510a7b4ed645f5faa90619e05437111783ea5848f28d97d3c2e"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 2a85f63..9d59704 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,3 +10,6 @@ signal-hook = "0.3"
 nix = "0.27"
 once_cell = "1.20"
 libc = "0.2"
+nu-ansi-term = "0.50"
+unicode-width = "0.1"
+vte = "0.13"
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a566381
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+pub mod terminal;
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index eb246a2..b9723a9 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 mod parser;
 mod job_control;
+mod terminal;
 
 use std::io::{self, Write};
 
@@ -8,9 +9,11 @@ fn main() {
 
     // Initialize job control and signal handlers
     job_control::init_signal_handlers();
+    let mut terminal = terminal::Terminal::new(24, 80);
 
     loop {
-        print!("trushell ❯ ");
+        let prompt = terminal.prompt();
+        print!("{prompt}");
         if let Err(e) = io::stdout().flush() {
             eprintln!("Prompt flush error: {}", e);
             continue;
diff --git a/src/terminal.rs b/src/terminal.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..091a68e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/terminal.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+use nu_ansi_term::{Color, Style};
+use unicode_width::UnicodeWidthChar;
+use vte::{Params, Parser, Perform};
+
+pub struct Terminal {
+    parser: Parser,
+    buffer: TerminalBuffer,
+}
+
+struct TerminalBuffer {
+    width: usize,
+    height: usize,
+    rows: Vec<Vec<char>>,
+    cursor_row: usize,
+    cursor_col: usize,
+    current_style: Style,
+}
+
+impl Terminal {
+    pub fn new(height: usize, width: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            parser: Parser::new(),
+            buffer: TerminalBuffer::new(height, width),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn write(&mut self, input: &str) {
+        for byte in input.bytes() {
+            self.parser.advance(&mut self.buffer, byte);
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn screen(&self) -> Vec<String> {
+        self.buffer
+            .rows
+            .iter()
+            .map(|row| row.iter().collect::<String>().trim_end().to_string())
+            .collect()
+    }
+
+    pub fn cursor_position(&self) -> (usize, usize) {
+        (self.buffer.cursor_row, self.buffer.cursor_col)
+    }
+
+    pub fn prompt(&self) -> String {
+        Style::new().bold().fg(Color::Cyan).paint("trushell ❯").to_string()
+    }
+}
+
+impl TerminalBuffer {
+    fn new(height: usize, width: usize) -> Self {
+        let height = height.max(1);
+        let width = width.max(1);
+        Self {
+            width,
+            height,
+            rows: vec![vec![' '; width]; height],
+            cursor_row: 0,
+            cursor_col: 0,
+            current_style: Style::new(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn write_char(&mut self, ch: char) {
+        match ch {
+            '\n' => self.newline(),
+            '\r' => self.cursor_col = 0,
+            '\t' => self.advance_tab(),
+            '\u{8}' => self.backspace(),
+            _ if ch.is_control() => {}
+            _ => {
+                let width = 1usize;
+                if self.cursor_col + width > self.width {
+                    self.newline();
+                }
+
+                if self.cursor_row >= self.height {
+                    self.scroll_up();
+                }
+
+                let row = &mut self.rows[self.cursor_row];
+                row[self.cursor_col] = ch;
+                self.cursor_col = (self.cursor_col + width).min(self.width.saturating_sub(1));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn newline(&mut self) {
+        self.cursor_row += 1;
+        self.cursor_col = 0;
+        if self.cursor_row >= self.height {
+            self.scroll_up();
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn backspace(&mut self) {
+        if self.cursor_col > 0 {
+            self.cursor_col -= 1;
+            if let Some(row) = self.rows.get_mut(self.cursor_row) {
+                row[self.cursor_col] = ' ';
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn advance_tab(&mut self) {
+        let step = 4usize;
+        let next_col = ((self.cursor_col / step) + 1) * step;
+        self.cursor_col = next_col.min(self.width.saturating_sub(1));
+    }
+
+    fn clear_screen(&mut self) {
+        self.rows.iter_mut().for_each(|row| {
+            for cell in row.iter_mut() {
+                *cell = ' ';
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    fn clear_to_end(&mut self) {
+        if let Some(row) = self.rows.get_mut(self.cursor_row) {
+            for cell in row.iter_mut().skip(self.cursor_col) {
+                *cell = ' ';
+            }
+        }
+        for row in self.rows.iter_mut().skip(self.cursor_row + 1) {
+            for cell in row.iter_mut() {
+                *cell = ' ';
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn clear_line(&mut self) {
+        if let Some(row) = self.rows.get_mut(self.cursor_row) {
+            for cell in row.iter_mut().skip(self.cursor_col) {
+                *cell = ' ';
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn scroll_up(&mut self) {
+        self.rows.remove(0);
+        self.rows.push(vec![' '; self.width]);
+        self.cursor_row = self.height.saturating_sub(1);
+    }
+
+    fn handle_sgr(&mut self, params: &[i64]) {
+        if params.is_empty() {
+            self.current_style = Style::new();
+            return;
+        }
+
+        for param in params {
+            match *param {
+                0 => self.current_style = Style::new(),
+                1 => self.current_style = self.current_style.bold(),
+                4 => self.current_style = self.current_style.underline(),
+                31 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::Red),
+                32 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::Green),
+                33 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::Yellow),
+                34 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::Blue),
+                35 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::Purple),
+                36 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::Cyan),
+                37 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::White),
+                90..=97 => self.current_style = self.current_style.fg(Color::White),
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Perform for TerminalBuffer {
+    fn print(&mut self, ch: char) {
+        self.write_char(ch);
+    }
+
+    fn execute(&mut self, byte: u8) {
+        match byte {
+            b'\n' => self.newline(),
+            b'\r' => self.cursor_col = 0,
+            b'\t' => self.advance_tab(),
+            b'\x08' => self.backspace(),
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn hook(&mut self, _params: &Params, _intermediates: &[u8], _ignore: bool, _c: char) {}
+
+    fn put(&mut self, _ch: u8) {}
+
+    fn unhook(&mut self) {}
+
+    fn esc_dispatch(&mut self, _intermediates: &[u8], _ignore: bool, _byte: u8) {}
+
+    fn csi_dispatch(&mut self, params: &Params, _intermediates: &[u8], _ignore: bool, action: char) {
+        let params: Vec<i64> = params
+            .iter()
+            .flat_map(|param| param.iter().copied().map(|value| i64::from(value)))
+            .collect();
+
+        match action {
+            'J' => {
+                let mode = params.first().copied().unwrap_or(0);
+                if mode == 2 {
+                    self.clear_screen();
+                } else {
+                    self.clear_to_end();
+                }
+            }
+            'K' => self.clear_line(),
+            'H' | 'f' => {
+                let row = params.first().copied().unwrap_or(1).saturating_sub(1) as usize;
+                let col = params.get(1).copied().unwrap_or(1).saturating_sub(1) as usize;
+                self.cursor_row = row.min(self.height.saturating_sub(1));
+                self.cursor_col = col.min(self.width.saturating_sub(1));
+            }
+            'A' => {
+                let amount = params.first().copied().unwrap_or(1).max(1) as usize;
+                self.cursor_row = self.cursor_row.saturating_sub(amount);
+            }
+            'B' => {
+                let amount = params.first().copied().unwrap_or(1).max(1) as usize;
+                self.cursor_row = (self.cursor_row + amount).min(self.height.saturating_sub(1));
+            }
+            'C' => {
+                let amount = params.first().copied().unwrap_or(1).max(1) as usize;
+                self.cursor_col = (self.cursor_col + amount).min(self.width.saturating_sub(1));
+            }
+            'D' => {
+                let amount = params.first().copied().unwrap_or(1).max(1) as usize;
+                self.cursor_col = self.cursor_col.saturating_sub(amount);
+            }
+            'm' => self.handle_sgr(&params),
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn osc_dispatch(&mut self, _params: &[&[u8]], _bell_terminated: bool) {}
+}
diff --git a/tests/terminal_emulator.rs b/tests/terminal_emulator.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0079c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/terminal_emulator.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+use trushell::terminal::Terminal;
+
+#[test]
+fn renders_unicode_text() {
+    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(3, 8);
+    terminal.write("你好");
+
+    assert_eq!(terminal.screen(), vec!["你好".to_string(), String::new(), String::new()]);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn handles_newlines_and_cursor_motion() {
+    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(3, 5);
+    terminal.write("AB");
+    terminal.write("\n");
+    terminal.write("CD");
+
+    assert_eq!(terminal.screen(), vec!["AB".to_string(), "CD".to_string(), String::new()]);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn overwrites_existing_cells_and_preserves_gaps() {
+    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(3, 5);
+    terminal.write("A");
+    terminal.write("\r");
+    terminal.write("B");
+
+    assert_eq!(terminal.screen(), vec!["B".to_string(), String::new(), String::new()]);
+
+    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(3, 5);
+    terminal.write("AB");
+    terminal.write("\x1b[4C");
+    terminal.write("C");
+
+    assert_eq!(terminal.screen(), vec!["AB  C".to_string(), String::new(), String::new()]);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn clear_line_and_clear_to_end_preserve_cursor_position() {
+    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(3, 5);
+    terminal.write("ABC");
+    terminal.write("\x1b[2D");
+    terminal.write("\x1b[K");
+
+    assert_eq!(terminal.screen(), vec!["A".to_string(), String::new(), String::new()]);
+    assert_eq!(terminal.cursor_position(), (0, 1));
+
+    let mut terminal = Terminal::new(3, 5);
+    terminal.write("AB");
+    terminal.write("\n");
+    terminal.write("CD");
+    terminal.write("\x1b[2;1H");
+    terminal.write("\x1b[J");
+
+    assert_eq!(terminal.screen(), vec!["AB".to_string(), "".to_string(), String::new()]);
+    assert_eq!(terminal.cursor_position(), (1, 0));
+}