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ADRsADR-004 Windows v1 scope

ADR-004: Windows v1 Scope

Status: Proposed

Context

Windows terminal behavior differs from Unix in ways that affect terminal UI libraries:

  • Feature support is inconsistent across terminal emulators.
  • Certain DEC private modes are not supported.
  • Event delivery and input nuances differ.

We must decide what “Windows support” means for FrankenTUI v1.

Decision

Windows is supported in v1 with documented limitations:

  • Core functionality works (raw mode lifecycle, basic input, resize, color where exposed).
  • Advanced terminal features are best-effort and may be unavailable (sync output, OSC 8, Kitty protocols).

Supported in v1

  • Raw mode enter/exit and cleanup on panic.
  • Key input and resize events.
  • Basic mouse (where backend supports it).
  • Color where available (16/256/truecolor as exposed).

Best-Effort / May Be Missing in v1

  • DEC synchronized output (mode 2026).
  • OSC 8 hyperlinks.
  • Bracketed paste differences across terminals.
  • Focus events differences.
  • Kitty keyboard protocol.

Rationale

  • The primary near-term target is an agent harness UI (commonly Unix/macOS).
  • Full Windows feature parity would delay v1 significantly.
  • Honest docs + reliable cleanup beats unstable half-support.

Consequences

  • Windows users may see degraded functionality.
  • Documentation must be explicit and practical.
  • CI should include Windows builds early (even if some integration tests are skipped).

Test Plan

  • Windows CI build passes.
  • Minimal correctness tests run on Windows (raw mode lifecycle, basic input decode, resize).
  • docs/windows.md (or equivalent) documents what works and what doesn’t.

See Also