diff --git a/hermes_cli/auth.py b/hermes_cli/auth.py
index 36590d617a..6f241a930e 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/auth.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/auth.py
@@ -2616,6 +2616,8 @@ def _prompt_model_selection(
             title=effective_title,
         )
         idx = menu.show()
+        from hermes_cli.curses_ui import flush_stdin
+        flush_stdin()
         if idx is None:
             return None
         print()
diff --git a/hermes_cli/curses_ui.py b/hermes_cli/curses_ui.py
index c4b79091e8..a531320fab 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/curses_ui.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/curses_ui.py
@@ -10,6 +10,28 @@ from typing import Callable, List, Optional, Set
 from hermes_cli.colors import Colors, color
 
 
+def flush_stdin() -> None:
+    """Flush any stray bytes from the stdin input buffer.
+
+    Must be called after ``curses.wrapper()`` (or any terminal-mode library
+    like simple_term_menu) returns, **before** the next ``input()`` /
+    ``getpass.getpass()`` call.  ``curses.endwin()`` restores the terminal
+    but does NOT drain the OS input buffer — leftover escape-sequence bytes
+    (from arrow keys, terminal mode-switch responses, or rapid keypresses)
+    remain buffered and silently get consumed by the next ``input()`` call,
+    corrupting user data (e.g. writing ``^[^[`` into .env files).
+
+    On non-TTY stdin (piped, redirected) or Windows, this is a no-op.
+    """
+    try:
+        if not sys.stdin.isatty():
+            return
+        import termios
+        termios.tcflush(sys.stdin, termios.TCIFLUSH)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+
 def curses_checklist(
     title: str,
     items: List[str],
@@ -131,6 +153,7 @@ def curses_checklist(
                     return
 
         curses.wrapper(_draw)
+        flush_stdin()
         return result_holder[0] if result_holder[0] is not None else cancel_returns
 
     except Exception:
diff --git a/hermes_cli/main.py b/hermes_cli/main.py
index 949f4f808c..615325a135 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main.py
@@ -1672,6 +1672,8 @@ def _remove_custom_provider(config):
             title="Select provider to remove:",
         )
         idx = menu.show()
+        from hermes_cli.curses_ui import flush_stdin
+        flush_stdin()
         print()
     except (ImportError, NotImplementedError, OSError, subprocess.SubprocessError):
         for i, c in enumerate(choices, 1):
@@ -1749,6 +1751,8 @@ def _model_flow_named_custom(config, provider_info):
                 title=f"Select model from {name}:",
             )
             idx = menu.show()
+            from hermes_cli.curses_ui import flush_stdin
+            flush_stdin()
             print()
             if idx is None or idx >= len(models):
                 print("Cancelled.")
@@ -1867,6 +1871,8 @@ def _prompt_reasoning_effort_selection(efforts, current_effort=""):
             title="Select reasoning effort:",
         )
         idx = menu.show()
+        from hermes_cli.curses_ui import flush_stdin
+        flush_stdin()
         if idx is None:
             return None
         print()
diff --git a/hermes_cli/setup.py b/hermes_cli/setup.py
index b72cfeef47..60ca76d538 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/setup.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/setup.py
@@ -338,6 +338,8 @@ def _curses_prompt_choice(question: str, choices: list, default: int = 0) -> int
                     return
 
         curses.wrapper(_curses_menu)
+        from hermes_cli.curses_ui import flush_stdin
+        flush_stdin()
         return result_holder[0]
     except Exception:
         return -1
diff --git a/hermes_cli/tools_config.py b/hermes_cli/tools_config.py
index 9a50a2c5d5..b988f5544a 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/tools_config.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/tools_config.py
@@ -720,6 +720,8 @@ def _prompt_choice(question: str, choices: list, default: int = 0) -> int:
                     return
 
         curses.wrapper(_curses_menu)
+        from hermes_cli.curses_ui import flush_stdin
+        flush_stdin()
         return result_holder[0]
 
     except Exception: