diff --git a/NOTES/terminal-vni.md b/NOTES/terminal-vni.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..233004b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/NOTES/terminal-vni.md
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+# Terminal VNI Input — Design & Implementation
+
+## Goal
+
+Make Vietnamese input work in terminal emulators without breaking TUI keyboard shortcuts.
+
+## Approach: A + C
+
+### A — Remove terminals from `bypass_apps`
+
+All terminals are currently in `bypass_apps` (default config), which skips ALL engine
+processing when the active window is a terminal. Removing them lets keystrokes flow
+through the bamboo engine.
+
+### C — Force VNI when terminal detected
+
+When the active window is a terminal, the engine automatically uses VNI rules
+(`1-9` for tones/marks) regardless of the global VNI/Telex setting.
+This avoids key conflicts with TUI apps (vim's `j`, less's `s`, shell's `x`, etc.).
+
+## How It Works
+
+```
+User config: input_method = "telex"
+Terminal window focused  → effective method = "vni"   (forced by terminal_apps)
+GUI window focused       → effective method = "telex" (user's global setting)
+```
+
+- **Engine** runs with effective method
+- **Tray** shows global method (so user sees their configured setting)
+- **Ctrl+LeftShift** toggles global method, recomputes effective method
+- **Ctrl+Space** toggles VN/EN as before
+
+## Config Changes
+
+```toml
+[app_state]
+terminal_apps = ["kitty", "alacritty", "foot", "wezterm", "konsole",
+  "gnome-terminal", "gnome-terminal-server", "kgx", "st", "urxvt", "xterm",
+  "termite", "terminator", "tilix", "deepin-terminal", "pantheon-terminal"]
+terminal_input_method = "vni"
+```
+
+`bypass_apps` reduced to: `["steam", "dota", "csgo", "minecraft", "factorio"]`
+
+## Implementation
+
+### 1. `daemon/src/config.rs`
+
+- Add `terminal_apps` (`Vec<String>`) and `terminal_input_method` (`String`) to `AppStateConfig`
+- Add `default_terminal_apps()` returning the terminal list
+- Add `default_terminal_method()` returning `"vni"`
+- Remove all terminal names from `default_bypass_apps()`
+
+### 2. `daemon/src/app_state.rs`
+
+- Add fields: `terminal_apps`, `terminal_input_method`, `global_method`, `effective_method`
+- `new()` accepts `terminal_apps`, `terminal_input_method`, `global_method`
+- `update_effective_method()`: if current_app matches any terminal, effective = terminal method; else effective = global method. Called on window change.
+- `set_terminal_config()`: updates terminal_apps/terminal_input_method from config reload
+- `set_global_method()`: updates global_method, recomputes effective
+- `effective_method()` getter
+- `is_terminal_app()` — checks if current_app is a terminal
+- `update_with_app()` calls `update_effective_method()` internally
+- `update_lists()` also handles terminal_apps
+
+### 3. `daemon/src/main.rs`
+
+- `Daemon::new()` — pass terminal config to `AppStateManager`, call `update_effective_method()`
+- `toggle_method()` — after toggling global method, call `app_state.set_global_method()` then `engine.set_method(app_state.effective_method())`
+- `check_app_change_with()` — after app change, if effective method changed from engine's current, call `engine.set_method(effective)`
+- `is_vn_control_key()` calls — change from `daemon.config.input_method` to `daemon.app_state.effective_method()`
+- Config reload — update `update_lists()` call to include terminal fields
+- Method status file — still writes **global** method (for tray display)
+
+### 4. `install.sh` — Update default config block
+
+### 5. `README.md` — Update config example
+
+### 6. `NOTES/terminal-vni.md` — This file
+
+## Testing Checklist
+
+### Linux Mint (X11)
+
+- [ ] Type VNI in shell: `viet1 nam` → `viết nam`
+- [ ] Type Telex in shell: `vieets nam` → `vieets nam` (Telex NOT active in terminal)
+- [ ] Ctrl+Space toggles VN/EN
+- [ ] Ctrl+LeftShift toggles global method (terminal unaffected, tray shows global)
+- [ ] Vim insert mode: VNI works, `j`/`x`/`s` pass through as regular keys
+- [ ] Gemini-cli: VNI typed text appears correctly
+- [ ] sudo passwd: engine auto-disables
+- [ ] Switch terminal ↔ GUI: method resets per app
+- [ ] Tray icon shows global method, not terminal override
+
+### Ubuntu 24.04+ (Wayland)
+
+- [ ] Same VNI typing tests
+- [ ] GNOME Shell D-Bus window detection
+- [ ] wl-copy paste-once path for Unicode chars
+
+## Edge Cases
+
+| Case | Behavior |
+|------|----------|
+| Terminal in bypass_apps | No IME at all (configurable override for power users) |
+| User wants Telex in terminals | Set `terminal_input_method = "telex"` in config |
+| Multiple terminals open | Each follows the same rule |
+| IDE integrated terminal | Window class is "code", not terminal. Needs manual config |
+| Password prompt in terminal | Process-tree detection still disables engine regardless of method |
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c632e8f..7ff5ed8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -208,9 +208,12 @@ password_apps = ["pinentry", "pinentry-gtk-2", "pinentry-qt",
 
 [app_state]
 enabled = true
-english_apps = ["code", "vim", "kitty", "foot"]
+english_apps = ["code", "vim"]
 vietnamese_apps = ["telegram", "discord", "firefox"]
-bypass_apps = ["kitty", "alacritty", "steam"]
+bypass_apps = ["steam"]
+terminal_apps = ["kitty", "alacritty", "gnome-terminal", "konsole", "foot",
+  "wezterm", "st", "urxvt", "xterm"]
+terminal_input_method = "vni"
 
 [macros]
 ko = "không"
diff --git a/daemon/src/app_state.rs b/daemon/src/app_state.rs
index 0c0acea..b8852e2 100644
--- a/daemon/src/app_state.rs
+++ b/daemon/src/app_state.rs
@@ -495,6 +495,14 @@ pub struct AppStateManager {
     vietnamese_apps: Vec<String>,
     /// Bypass apps from config
     bypass_apps: Vec<String>,
+    /// Terminal emulator class names (force VNI mode)
+    terminal_apps: Vec<String>,
+    /// Input method forced in terminals
+    terminal_input_method: String,
+    /// User's global input method (VNI/Telex)
+    global_method: String,
+    /// Effective method after terminal override
+    effective_method: String,
     /// Global enabled state
     global_enabled: bool,
     /// Password detection config
@@ -514,14 +522,27 @@ impl AppStateManager {
         english_apps: Vec<String>,
         vietnamese_apps: Vec<String>,
         bypass_apps: Vec<String>,
+        terminal_apps: Vec<String>,
+        terminal_input_method: String,
+        global_method: String,
         global_enabled: bool,
     ) -> Self {
+        let effective_method = Self::compute_effective_method(
+            &global_method,
+            &terminal_input_method,
+            &terminal_apps,
+            "",
+        );
         Self {
             current_app: String::new(),
             overrides: HashMap::new(),
             english_apps: english_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect(),
             vietnamese_apps: vietnamese_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect(),
             bypass_apps: bypass_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect(),
+            terminal_apps: terminal_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect(),
+            terminal_input_method,
+            global_method,
+            effective_method,
             global_enabled,
             password_enabled: false,
             check_atspi2: true,
@@ -533,6 +554,22 @@ impl AppStateManager {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Compute effective method: use terminal override if current_app is a terminal,
+    /// otherwise use the global method.
+    fn compute_effective_method(
+        global_method: &str,
+        terminal_method: &str,
+        terminal_apps: &[String],
+        current_app: &str,
+    ) -> String {
+        for pattern in terminal_apps {
+            if current_app.contains(pattern.as_str()) {
+                return terminal_method.to_string();
+            }
+        }
+        global_method.to_string()
+    }
+
     /// Update password detection config
     pub fn set_password_config(
         &mut self,
@@ -549,6 +586,48 @@ impl AppStateManager {
         self.password_apps = password_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect();
     }
 
+    /// Update terminal detection config
+    pub fn set_terminal_config(
+        &mut self,
+        terminal_apps: Vec<String>,
+        terminal_input_method: String,
+    ) {
+        self.terminal_apps = terminal_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect();
+        self.terminal_input_method = terminal_input_method;
+        self.update_effective_method();
+    }
+
+    /// Set the user's global input method and recompute effective method
+    pub fn set_global_method(&mut self, method: &str) {
+        self.global_method = method.to_string();
+        self.update_effective_method();
+    }
+
+    /// Recompute effective method based on terminal override
+    pub fn update_effective_method(&mut self) {
+        self.effective_method = Self::compute_effective_method(
+            &self.global_method,
+            &self.terminal_input_method,
+            &self.terminal_apps,
+            &self.current_app,
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// Get the effective input method (terminal override applied)
+    pub fn effective_method(&self) -> &str {
+        &self.effective_method
+    }
+
+    /// Check if the current app is a terminal emulator
+    pub fn is_terminal_app(&self) -> bool {
+        for pattern in &self.terminal_apps {
+            if self.current_app.contains(pattern.as_str()) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+        false
+    }
+
     /// Check if the current focused widget is a password field
     /// Returns true if password detected, forcing English mode
     pub fn check_password_field(&mut self) -> bool {
@@ -615,12 +694,22 @@ impl AppStateManager {
         }
 
         let old_app = self.current_app.clone();
+        let old_is_terminal = self.is_terminal_app();
         self.current_app = new_class;
 
         eprintln!("[vietc] App: {} → {}", old_app, self.current_app);
 
+        // Recompute effective method on window change
+        self.update_effective_method();
+        let new_is_terminal = self.is_terminal_app();
+        let method_changed = old_is_terminal != new_is_terminal;
+
         let should_enable = self.get_default_state();
-        Some(should_enable)
+        if method_changed {
+            Some(should_enable) // signal caller that method might have changed
+        } else {
+            Some(should_enable)
+        }
     }
 
     /// Get the default Vietnamese state for the current app
@@ -680,15 +769,21 @@ impl AppStateManager {
         english_apps: Vec<String>,
         vietnamese_apps: Vec<String>,
         bypass_apps: Vec<String>,
+        terminal_apps: Vec<String>,
+        terminal_input_method: String,
     ) -> &Self {
         self.english_apps = english_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect();
         self.vietnamese_apps = vietnamese_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect();
         self.bypass_apps = bypass_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect();
+        self.terminal_apps = terminal_apps.iter().map(|s| s.to_lowercase()).collect();
+        self.terminal_input_method = terminal_input_method;
+        self.update_effective_method();
         eprintln!(
-            "[vietc] App lists updated: {} English, {} Vietnamese, {} Bypass",
+            "[vietc] App lists updated: {} English, {} Vietnamese, {} Bypass, {} Terminal",
             self.english_apps.len(),
             self.vietnamese_apps.len(),
-            self.bypass_apps.len()
+            self.bypass_apps.len(),
+            self.terminal_apps.len()
         );
         self
     }
diff --git a/daemon/src/config.rs b/daemon/src/config.rs
index 8ccba98..77c1f67 100644
--- a/daemon/src/config.rs
+++ b/daemon/src/config.rs
@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@ pub struct AppStateConfig {
 
     #[serde(default = "default_bypass_apps")]
     pub bypass_apps: Vec<String>,
+
+    #[serde(default = "default_terminal_apps")]
+    pub terminal_apps: Vec<String>,
+
+    #[serde(default = "default_terminal_method")]
+    pub terminal_input_method: String,
 }
 
 impl Default for AutoRestoreConfig {
@@ -112,6 +118,8 @@ impl Default for AppStateConfig {
             english_apps: default_english_apps(),
             vietnamese_apps: default_vietnamese_apps(),
             bypass_apps: default_bypass_apps(),
+            terminal_apps: default_terminal_apps(),
+            terminal_input_method: default_terminal_method(),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -175,6 +183,16 @@ fn default_english_apps() -> Vec<String> {
 }
 
 fn default_bypass_apps() -> Vec<String> {
+    vec![
+        "steam".into(),
+        "dota".into(),
+        "csgo".into(),
+        "minecraft".into(),
+        "factorio".into(),
+    ]
+}
+
+fn default_terminal_apps() -> Vec<String> {
     vec![
         "terminal".into(),
         "kitty".into(),
@@ -183,17 +201,26 @@ fn default_bypass_apps() -> Vec<String> {
         "wezterm".into(),
         "konsole".into(),
         "gnome-terminal".into(),
+        "gnome-terminal-server".into(),
+        "kgx".into(),
         "st".into(),
         "urxvt".into(),
         "xterm".into(),
-        "steam".into(),
-        "dota".into(),
-        "csgo".into(),
-        "minecraft".into(),
-        "factorio".into(),
+        "termite".into(),
+        "terminator".into(),
+        "tilix".into(),
+        "deepin-terminal".into(),
+        "pantheon-terminal".into(),
+        "blackbox".into(),
+        "contour".into(),
+        "cool-retro-term".into(),
     ]
 }
 
+fn default_terminal_method() -> String {
+    "vni".into()
+}
+
 fn default_vietnamese_apps() -> Vec<String> {
     vec![
         "telegram".into(),
@@ -393,12 +420,16 @@ foo = "bar"
 [app_state]
 english_apps = ["vim", "neovim"]
 vietnamese_apps = ["zalo", "messenger"]
-bypass_apps = ["kitty"]
+bypass_apps = ["steam"]
+terminal_apps = ["kitty"]
+terminal_input_method = "telex"
 "#;
         let config: Config = toml::from_str(toml).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(config.app_state.english_apps, vec!["vim", "neovim"]);
         assert_eq!(config.app_state.vietnamese_apps, vec!["zalo", "messenger"]);
-        assert_eq!(config.app_state.bypass_apps, vec!["kitty"]);
+        assert_eq!(config.app_state.bypass_apps, vec!["steam"]);
+        assert_eq!(config.app_state.terminal_apps, vec!["kitty"]);
+        assert_eq!(config.app_state.terminal_input_method, "telex");
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -420,11 +451,31 @@ bypass_apps = ["kitty"]
     #[test]
     fn default_config_bypass_apps() {
         let config = Config::default();
-        assert!(config.app_state.bypass_apps.contains(&"kitty".to_string()));
-        assert!(config
+        assert!(config.app_state.bypass_apps.contains(&"steam".to_string()));
+        assert!(!config
             .app_state
             .bypass_apps
-            .contains(&"alacritty".to_string()));
+            .contains(&"kitty".to_string()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn default_config_terminal_apps() {
+        let config = Config::default();
+        assert!(config.app_state.terminal_apps.contains(&"kitty".to_string()));
+        assert!(config.app_state.terminal_apps.contains(&"gnome-terminal".to_string()));
+        assert_eq!(config.app_state.terminal_input_method, "vni");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_terminal_config() {
+        let toml = r#"
+[app_state]
+terminal_apps = ["foot", "alacritty"]
+terminal_input_method = "telex"
+"#;
+        let config: Config = toml::from_str(toml).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(config.app_state.terminal_apps, vec!["foot", "alacritty"]);
+        assert_eq!(config.app_state.terminal_input_method, "telex");
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/daemon/src/main.rs b/daemon/src/main.rs
index 0cfd143..0cd8f7b 100644
--- a/daemon/src/main.rs
+++ b/daemon/src/main.rs
@@ -142,6 +142,9 @@ impl Daemon {
             config.app_state.english_apps.clone(),
             config.app_state.vietnamese_apps.clone(),
             config.app_state.bypass_apps.clone(),
+            config.app_state.terminal_apps.clone(),
+            config.app_state.terminal_input_method.clone(),
+            config.input_method.clone(),
             config.start_enabled,
         );
         app_state.load_overrides();
@@ -189,17 +192,23 @@ impl Daemon {
     }
 
     fn toggle_method(&mut self) {
-        let new_method = match self.config.input_method.as_str() {
-            "vni" => InputMethod::Telex,
-            _ => InputMethod::Vni,
+        let new_global = match self.config.input_method.as_str() {
+            "vni" => "telex",
+            _ => "vni",
         };
-        self.config.input_method = match new_method {
-            InputMethod::Vni => "vni".into(),
-            InputMethod::Telex => "telex".into(),
+        self.config.input_method = new_global.into();
+        self.app_state.set_global_method(new_global);
+        let effective = self.app_state.effective_method();
+        let engine_method = match effective {
+            "vni" => InputMethod::Vni,
+            _ => InputMethod::Telex,
         };
-        self.engine.set_method(new_method);
+        self.engine.set_method(engine_method);
         self.write_method_status();
-        log_info(&format!("[vietc] Input method toggled to: {}", self.config.input_method));
+        log_info(&format!(
+            "[vietc] Input method toggled: global={}, effective={}",
+            self.config.input_method, effective
+        ));
     }
 
     fn sync_status_file(&mut self) {
@@ -226,11 +235,6 @@ impl Daemon {
 
         match Config::load_from(&self.config_path) {
             Ok(new_config) => {
-                let method = match new_config.input_method.as_str() {
-                    "vni" => InputMethod::Vni,
-                    _ => InputMethod::Telex,
-                };
-                self.engine.set_method(method);
                 self.engine
                     .set_auto_restore(new_config.auto_restore.enabled);
 
@@ -239,12 +243,23 @@ impl Daemon {
                     self.engine.add_macro(shortcut.clone(), expansion.clone());
                 }
 
+                self.app_state.set_global_method(&new_config.input_method);
                 self.app_state.update_lists(
                     new_config.app_state.english_apps.clone(),
                     new_config.app_state.vietnamese_apps.clone(),
                     new_config.app_state.bypass_apps.clone(),
+                    new_config.app_state.terminal_apps.clone(),
+                    new_config.app_state.terminal_input_method.clone(),
                 );
 
+                // Apply effective method (terminal override considered)
+                let effective = self.app_state.effective_method();
+                let engine_method = match effective {
+                    "vni" => InputMethod::Vni,
+                    _ => InputMethod::Telex,
+                };
+                self.engine.set_method(engine_method);
+
                 self.app_state.set_password_config(
                     new_config.password_detection.enabled,
                     new_config.password_detection.check_atspi2,
@@ -464,6 +479,14 @@ impl Daemon {
             self.engine.set_enabled(should_enable);
             self.write_status();
         }
+        // Apply effective method (terminal override)
+        let effective = self.app_state.effective_method();
+        let engine_method = match effective {
+            "vni" => InputMethod::Vni,
+            _ => InputMethod::Telex,
+        };
+        // set_method also resets the engine buffer (safe — window already changed)
+        self.engine.set_method(engine_method);
     }
 }
 
@@ -1238,7 +1261,7 @@ fn run_with_evdev(
                     if let Some(ch) = key_to_char(key) {
                         let mut commands = daemon.process_key(ch);
                         if !commands.is_empty()
-                            && is_vn_control_key(&daemon.config.input_method, ch)
+                            && is_vn_control_key(daemon.app_state.effective_method(), ch)
                         {
                             for cmd in &mut commands {
                                 if let OutputCommand::Backspace(ref mut n) = cmd {
@@ -1388,7 +1411,7 @@ fn run_with_evdev(
                                 }
                                 // Skip upcoming auto-repeat pile-up from injection delay
                                 skip_count = 3;
-                            } else if is_vn_control_key(&daemon.config.input_method, ch)
+                            } else if is_vn_control_key(daemon.app_state.effective_method(), ch)
                                 && daemon.engine.buffer().chars().count() <= buf_before
                             {
                                 // Tone/mark key truly absorbed with no effect (no
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 62ad1f1..eb90092 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -109,7 +109,10 @@ password_apps = ["pinentry", "pinentry-gtk-2", "pinentry-qt", "kwallet"]
 enabled = true
 english_apps = ["code", "vim"]
 vietnamese_apps = ["telegram", "discord", "firefox"]
-bypass_apps = ["kitty", "alacritty", "steam"]
+bypass_apps = ["steam"]
+terminal_apps = ["kitty", "alacritty", "gnome-terminal", "konsole", "foot",
+  "wezterm", "st", "urxvt", "xterm"]
+terminal_input_method = "vni"
 EOF
 
 echo -e "${GREEN}=== Done! ===${NC}"