diff --git a/dir_nav b/dir_nav
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..cba0efd
Binary files /dev/null and b/dir_nav differ
diff --git a/src/main.h b/src/main.h
index 86e0efc..9dea81a 100644
--- a/src/main.h
+++ b/src/main.h
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ char* find_pad_by_prefix(const char* prefix);
 int show_pad_info(const char* chksum);
 void show_progress(uint64_t current, uint64_t total, time_t start_time);
 void format_time_remaining(double seconds, char* buffer, size_t buffer_size);
+int is_escape_input(const char* input);
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //      FILE OPERATIONS
diff --git a/src/ui.c b/src/ui.c
index 6052366..520e263 100644
--- a/src/ui.c
+++ b/src/ui.c
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ int handle_encrypt_menu(void) {
     printf("\nSelect encryption type:\n");
     printf(" 1. Text message\n");
     printf(" 2. File\n");
-    printf("Enter choice (1-2): ");
+    printf("Enter choice (1-2) or 'esc' to cancel: ");
 
     char choice_input[10];
     if (!fgets(choice_input, sizeof(choice_input), stdin)) {
@@ -192,6 +192,14 @@ int handle_encrypt_menu(void) {
         return 1;
     }
 
+    choice_input[strcspn(choice_input, "\n")] = 0;
+    
+    // Check for ESC/cancel
+    if (is_escape_input(choice_input)) {
+        printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     int choice = atoi(choice_input);
 
     if (choice == 1) {
@@ -213,7 +221,7 @@ int handle_encrypt_menu(void) {
         printf("\nFile selection options:\n");
         printf(" 1. Type file path directly\n");
         printf(" 2. Use file manager\n");
-        printf("Enter choice (1-2): ");
+        printf("Enter choice (1-2) or 'esc' to cancel: ");
 
         char file_choice[10];
         char input_file[512];
@@ -223,25 +231,45 @@ int handle_encrypt_menu(void) {
             return 1;
         }
 
+        file_choice[strcspn(file_choice, "\n")] = 0;
+        
+        // Check for ESC/cancel
+        if (is_escape_input(file_choice)) {
+            printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+            return 0;
+        }
+
         if (atoi(file_choice) == 2) {
             // Use file manager
             if (launch_file_manager(".", input_file, sizeof(input_file)) != 0) {
                 printf("Falling back to manual file path entry.\n");
-                printf("Enter input file path: ");
+                printf("Enter input file path (or 'esc' to cancel): ");
                 if (!fgets(input_file, sizeof(input_file), stdin)) {
                     printf("Error: Failed to read input\n");
                     return 1;
                 }
                 input_file[strcspn(input_file, "\n")] = 0;
+                
+                // Check for ESC/cancel
+                if (is_escape_input(input_file)) {
+                    printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+                    return 0;
+                }
             }
         } else {
             // Direct file path input
-            printf("Enter input file path: ");
+            printf("Enter input file path (or 'esc' to cancel): ");
             if (!fgets(input_file, sizeof(input_file), stdin)) {
                 printf("Error: Failed to read input\n");
                 return 1;
             }
             input_file[strcspn(input_file, "\n")] = 0;
+            
+            // Check for ESC/cancel
+            if (is_escape_input(input_file)) {
+                printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+                return 0;
+            }
         }
 
         // Check if file exists
@@ -263,14 +291,24 @@ int handle_encrypt_menu(void) {
         printf("\nSelect output format:\n");
         printf(" 1. Binary (.otp) - preserves file permissions\n");
         printf(" 2. ASCII (.otp.asc) - text-safe format\n");
-        printf("Enter choice (1-2): ");
+        printf("Enter choice (1-2) or 'esc' to cancel: ");
 
         char format_input[10];
         if (!fgets(format_input, sizeof(format_input), stdin)) {
             printf("Error: Failed to read input\n");
+            free(selected_pad);
             return 1;
         }
 
+        format_input[strcspn(format_input, "\n")] = 0;
+        
+        // Check for ESC/cancel
+        if (is_escape_input(format_input)) {
+            printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+            free(selected_pad);
+            return 0;
+        }
+
         int ascii_armor = (atoi(format_input) == 2) ? 1 : 0;
 
         // Generate default output filename with files directory and use enhanced input function
@@ -309,6 +347,7 @@ int handle_decrypt_menu(void) {
     printf("\n");
     print_centered_header("Smart Decrypt", 0);
     printf("Enter encrypted data (paste ASCII armor), file path, or press Enter to browse files:\n");
+    printf("(Type 'esc' or 'q' to return to main menu)\n");
 
     char input_line[MAX_LINE_LENGTH];
     if (!fgets(input_line, sizeof(input_line), stdin)) {
@@ -319,6 +358,12 @@ int handle_decrypt_menu(void) {
     // Remove newline
     input_line[strcspn(input_line, "\n")] = 0;
 
+    // Check for ESC/cancel
+    if (is_escape_input(input_line)) {
+        printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     // Trim leading whitespace to handle pasted content better
     char* trimmed_input = input_line;
     while (*trimmed_input == ' ' || *trimmed_input == '\t') {
@@ -532,14 +577,24 @@ int handle_file_encrypt(void) {
     printf("\nSelect output format:\n");
     printf(" 1. Binary (.otp) - preserves file permissions\n");
     printf(" 2. ASCII (.otp.asc) - text-safe format\n");
-    printf("Enter choice (1-2): ");
+    printf("Enter choice (1-2) or 'esc' to cancel: ");
 
     char format_input[10];
     if (!fgets(format_input, sizeof(format_input), stdin)) {
         printf("Error: Failed to read input\n");
+        free(selected_pad);
         return 1;
     }
 
+    format_input[strcspn(format_input, "\n")] = 0;
+    
+    // Check for ESC/cancel
+    if (is_escape_input(format_input)) {
+        printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+        free(selected_pad);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     int ascii_armor = (atoi(format_input) == 2) ? 1 : 0;
 
     // Generate default output filename
@@ -564,6 +619,184 @@ int handle_file_encrypt(void) {
     return result;
 }
 
+// Comparison function for qsort (case-insensitive)
+static int compare_dir_strings(const void *a, const void *b) {
+    return strcasecmp(*(const char**)a, *(const char**)b);
+}
+
+// Function to get list of subdirectories
+static int get_subdirs(const char *path, char ***subdirs) {
+    DIR *dir = opendir(path);
+    if (!dir) return 0;
+    
+    int count = 0;
+    int capacity = 10;
+    *subdirs = malloc(capacity * sizeof(char*));
+    
+    struct dirent *entry;
+    while ((entry = readdir(dir)) != NULL) {
+        if (entry->d_type == DT_DIR) {
+            // Skip . and ..
+            if (strcmp(entry->d_name, ".") == 0 || strcmp(entry->d_name, "..") == 0)
+                continue;
+            
+            if (count >= capacity) {
+                capacity *= 2;
+                *subdirs = realloc(*subdirs, capacity * sizeof(char*));
+            }
+            (*subdirs)[count++] = strdup(entry->d_name);
+        }
+    }
+    closedir(dir);
+    
+    // Sort alphabetically
+    if (count > 0) {
+        qsort(*subdirs, count, sizeof(char*), compare_dir_strings);
+    }
+    
+    return count;
+}
+
+// Function to get a single keypress without echo
+static int getch_nav(void) {
+    struct termios oldt, newt;
+    int ch;
+    tcgetattr(STDIN_FILENO, &oldt);
+    newt = oldt;
+    newt.c_lflag &= ~(ICANON | ECHO);
+    tcsetattr(STDIN_FILENO, TCSANOW, &newt);
+    ch = getchar();
+    tcsetattr(STDIN_FILENO, TCSANOW, &oldt);
+    return ch;
+}
+
+// Navigate directories with arrow keys
+static char* navigate_directory_interactive(void) {
+    char current_path[PATH_MAX];
+    char original_path[PATH_MAX];
+    getcwd(original_path, sizeof(original_path));
+    getcwd(current_path, sizeof(current_path));
+    
+    char **subdirs = NULL;
+    int subdir_count = 0;
+    int current_index = 0;
+    
+    printf("\nNavigate with arrow keys (UP/DOWN: cycle, RIGHT: enter, LEFT: back, ENTER: select, Q: cancel)\n");
+    printf("\033[?25l"); // Hide cursor
+    
+    while (1) {
+        // Clear line and show current path
+        printf("\r\033[K%s", current_path);
+        
+        // If we have subdirectories and an index, show current selection
+        if (subdir_count > 0 && current_index < subdir_count) {
+            printf("/%s", subdirs[current_index]);
+        }
+        
+        fflush(stdout);
+        
+        int ch = getch_nav();
+        
+        // Handle arrow keys (they come as escape sequences)
+        if (ch == 27) { // ESC sequence
+            getch_nav(); // Skip '['
+            ch = getch_nav();
+            
+            if (ch == 'A') { // UP arrow
+                // Load subdirs if not loaded
+                if (subdirs == NULL) {
+                    subdir_count = get_subdirs(current_path, &subdirs);
+                    current_index = 0;
+                } else if (subdir_count > 0) {
+                    current_index = (current_index - 1 + subdir_count) % subdir_count;
+                }
+            }
+            else if (ch == 'B') { // DOWN arrow
+                // Load subdirs if not loaded
+                if (subdirs == NULL) {
+                    subdir_count = get_subdirs(current_path, &subdirs);
+                    current_index = 0;
+                } else if (subdir_count > 0) {
+                    current_index = (current_index + 1) % subdir_count;
+                }
+            }
+            else if (ch == 'C') { // RIGHT arrow - go deeper
+                if (subdir_count > 0 && current_index < subdir_count) {
+                    // Navigate into selected directory
+                    char new_path[PATH_MAX];
+                    snprintf(new_path, sizeof(new_path), "%s/%s", current_path, subdirs[current_index]);
+                    
+                    if (chdir(new_path) == 0) {
+                        getcwd(current_path, sizeof(current_path));
+                        
+                        // Free old subdirs
+                        for (int i = 0; i < subdir_count; i++) {
+                            free(subdirs[i]);
+                        }
+                        free(subdirs);
+                        subdirs = NULL;
+                        
+                        // Load subdirs of new directory and show first one
+                        subdir_count = get_subdirs(current_path, &subdirs);
+                        current_index = 0;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            else if (ch == 'D') { // LEFT arrow - go up
+                if (chdir("..") == 0) {
+                    getcwd(current_path, sizeof(current_path));
+                    
+                    // Free old subdirs
+                    for (int i = 0; i < subdir_count; i++) {
+                        free(subdirs[i]);
+                    }
+                    free(subdirs);
+                    subdirs = NULL;
+                    subdir_count = 0;
+                    current_index = 0;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        else if (ch == '\n' || ch == '\r') { // ENTER - confirm selection
+            // If a subdirectory is displayed, navigate into it first
+            if (subdir_count > 0 && current_index < subdir_count) {
+                char new_path[PATH_MAX];
+                snprintf(new_path, sizeof(new_path), "%s/%s", current_path, subdirs[current_index]);
+                
+                if (chdir(new_path) == 0) {
+                    getcwd(current_path, sizeof(current_path));
+                }
+            }
+            break;
+        }
+        else if (ch == 'q' || ch == 'Q') { // Q to quit
+            printf("\033[?25h\n"); // Show cursor
+            // Restore original directory
+            chdir(original_path);
+            // Clean up
+            for (int i = 0; i < subdir_count; i++) {
+                free(subdirs[i]);
+            }
+            free(subdirs);
+            return NULL;
+        }
+    }
+    
+    printf("\033[?25h\n"); // Show cursor
+    
+    // Clean up
+    for (int i = 0; i < subdir_count; i++) {
+        free(subdirs[i]);
+    }
+    free(subdirs);
+    
+    // Restore original directory before returning
+    char* result = strdup(current_path);
+    chdir(original_path);
+    
+    return result;
+}
+
 int handle_directory_encrypt(void) {
     printf("\n");
     print_centered_header("Directory Encrypt", 0);
@@ -571,8 +804,9 @@ int handle_directory_encrypt(void) {
     // Directory selection options
     printf("\nDirectory selection options:\n");
     printf(" 1. Type directory path directly\n");
-    printf(" 2. Use file manager (navigate to directory)\n");
-    printf("Enter choice (1-2): ");
+    printf(" 2. Navigate with arrow keys\n");
+    printf(" 3. Use file manager (navigate to directory)\n");
+    printf("Enter choice (1-3) or 'esc' to cancel: ");
 
     char choice_input[10];
     char dir_path[512];
@@ -582,25 +816,59 @@ int handle_directory_encrypt(void) {
         return 1;
     }
 
-    if (atoi(choice_input) == 2) {
+    choice_input[strcspn(choice_input, "\n")] = 0;
+    
+    // Check for ESC/cancel
+    if (is_escape_input(choice_input)) {
+        printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    int choice = atoi(choice_input);
+    
+    if (choice == 2) {
+        // Use arrow key navigation
+        char* selected = navigate_directory_interactive();
+        if (!selected) {
+            printf("Directory selection cancelled.\n");
+            return 0;
+        }
+        strncpy(dir_path, selected, sizeof(dir_path) - 1);
+        dir_path[sizeof(dir_path) - 1] = '\0';
+        free(selected);
+        printf("Selected: %s\n", dir_path);
+    }
+    else if (choice == 3) {
         // Use directory manager
         if (launch_directory_manager(".", dir_path, sizeof(dir_path)) != 0) {
             printf("Falling back to manual directory path entry.\n");
-            printf("Enter directory path to encrypt: ");
+            printf("Enter directory path to encrypt (or 'esc' to cancel): ");
             if (!fgets(dir_path, sizeof(dir_path), stdin)) {
                 printf("Error: Failed to read input\n");
                 return 1;
             }
             dir_path[strcspn(dir_path, "\n")] = 0;
+            
+            // Check for ESC/cancel
+            if (is_escape_input(dir_path)) {
+                printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+                return 0;
+            }
         }
     } else {
         // Direct directory path input
-        printf("Enter directory path to encrypt: ");
+        printf("Enter directory path to encrypt (or 'esc' to cancel): ");
         if (!fgets(dir_path, sizeof(dir_path), stdin)) {
             printf("Error: Failed to read input\n");
             return 1;
         }
         dir_path[strcspn(dir_path, "\n")] = 0;
+        
+        // Check for ESC/cancel
+        if (is_escape_input(dir_path)) {
+            printf("Returning to main menu...\n");
+            return 0;
+        }
     }
 
     // Check if directory exists
diff --git a/src/util.c b/src/util.c
index 4da0756..1d768fc 100644
--- a/src/util.c
+++ b/src/util.c
@@ -162,7 +162,8 @@ int launch_text_editor(const char* initial_content, char* result_buffer, size_t
 
 char* get_preferred_file_manager(void) {
     // Try file managers in order of preference
-    const char* file_managers[] = {"ranger", "fzf", "nnn", "lf", NULL};
+    // fzf is first because it's more intuitive with fuzzy search
+    const char* file_managers[] = {"fzf", "ranger", "nnn", "lf", NULL};
 
     for (int i = 0; file_managers[i] != NULL; i++) {
         char command[512];
@@ -178,7 +179,8 @@ char* get_preferred_file_manager(void) {
 int launch_file_manager(const char* start_directory, char* selected_file, size_t buffer_size) {
     char* fm = get_preferred_file_manager();
     if (!fm) {
-        printf("No file manager found. Please install ranger, fzf, nnn, or lf.\n");
+        printf("No file manager found. Please install fzf, ranger, nnn, or lf.\n");
+        printf("Recommended: sudo apt install fzf\n");
         printf("Falling back to manual file path entry.\n");
         return 1; // Fall back to manual entry
     }
@@ -190,6 +192,13 @@ int launch_file_manager(const char* start_directory, char* selected_file, size_t
     int result = 1;
 
     printf("Opening %s for file selection...\n", fm);
+    
+    // Show helpful instructions based on file manager
+    if (strcmp(fm, "fzf") == 0) {
+        printf("Instructions: Type to search, use arrow keys, press Enter to select\n");
+    } else if (strcmp(fm, "ranger") == 0) {
+        printf("Instructions: Arrow keys or j/k to navigate, Enter or l to select, q to quit\n");
+    }
 
     if (strcmp(fm, "ranger") == 0) {
         snprintf(command, sizeof(command), "cd '%s' && ranger --choosefile=%s",
@@ -244,7 +253,8 @@ int launch_file_manager(const char* start_directory, char* selected_file, size_t
 int launch_directory_manager(const char* start_directory, char* selected_dir, size_t buffer_size) {
     char* fm = get_preferred_file_manager();
     if (!fm) {
-        printf("No file manager found. Please install ranger, fzf, nnn, or lf.\n");
+        printf("No file manager found. Please install fzf, ranger, nnn, or lf.\n");
+        printf("Recommended: sudo apt install fzf\n");
         printf("Falling back to manual directory path entry.\n");
         return 1; // Fall back to manual entry
     }
@@ -256,7 +266,13 @@ int launch_directory_manager(const char* start_directory, char* selected_dir, si
     int result = 1;
 
     printf("Opening %s for directory selection...\n", fm);
-    printf("Navigate INTO the directory you want to encrypt, then press 'q' to quit and select it.\n");
+    
+    // Show helpful instructions based on file manager
+    if (strcmp(fm, "fzf") == 0) {
+        printf("Instructions: Type to search, use arrow keys, press Enter to select directory\n");
+    } else if (strcmp(fm, "ranger") == 0) {
+        printf("Instructions: Navigate INTO the directory, then press 'q' to quit and select it\n");
+    }
 
     if (strcmp(fm, "ranger") == 0) {
         snprintf(command, sizeof(command), "cd '%s' && ranger --choosedir=%s",
@@ -318,6 +334,19 @@ int launch_directory_manager(const char* start_directory, char* selected_dir, si
     return 1; // Fall back to manual entry
 }
 
+// Helper function to check if input contains ESC key
+int is_escape_input(const char* input) {
+    // Check for ESC character (ASCII 27) or empty input after ESC
+    if (input && (input[0] == 27 || (input[0] == '\0' && strlen(input) == 0))) {
+        return 1;
+    }
+    // Also check for literal "esc" or "ESC" typed
+    if (input && (strcasecmp(input, "esc") == 0 || strcasecmp(input, "q") == 0)) {
+        return 1;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
 // Stdin detection functions implementation
 int has_stdin_data(void) {
     // Check if stdin is a pipe/redirect (not a terminal)