diff --git a/application.py b/application.py
index 774e6b9..463bf53 100755
--- a/application.py
+++ b/application.py
@@ -953,10 +953,12 @@ def open_plain_file(path, name=None, binary=False):
 def run_app(stdscr, buffers, **kwargs):
     curses.def_shell_mode()
     a = Application(stdscr, buffers, **kwargs)
-    for name in kwargs.get('init_cmds', []):
-        act = a.methods[name]
-        act.execute(a.active_window())
-        a.last_action = act.name
+    metax = a.methods['meta-x']
+    for cmd in kwargs.get('init_cmds', []):
+        #act = a.methods[name]
+        #act.execute(a.active_window())
+        metax.execute(a.active_window(), method=cmd)
+        #a.last_action = act.name
     a.run()
     return 0
 
diff --git a/buffer/emul.py b/buffer/emul.py
index 9668386..0f40893 100644
--- a/buffer/emul.py
+++ b/buffer/emul.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ class XTermBuffer(Buffer, XTerm):
     btype    = 'term'
     modename = 'pipe'
     termtype = 'xterm'
-    #termtype = 'vt100'
     def __init__(self, app, cmd, args, name=None):
         XTerm.__init__(self)
         Buffer.__init__(self)
diff --git a/method/shell.py b/method/shell.py
index 471ba35..68f8837 100644
--- a/method/shell.py
+++ b/method/shell.py
@@ -147,7 +147,8 @@ class Interact(Method):
 
         a = w.application
         a.close_buffer_by_name(bname)
-        b = buffer.emul.XTermBuffer(a, cmd, [], name=bname)
+        #b = buffer.emul.XTermBuffer(a, cmd, [], name=bname)
+        b = buffer.emul.XTermBuffer(a, 'bash', ['-c', cmd], name=bname)
         a.add_buffer(b)
         window.Window(b, a)
         if a.window().buffer is not b:
diff --git a/term.py b/term.py
index b552109..0857eaa 100644
--- a/term.py
+++ b/term.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from point import Point
 # entry. otherwise this project is probably hopeless.
 
 def show(c):
-    if c in string.letters + string.digits + string.punctuation:
+    if c in string.letters + string.digits + string.punctuation + ' ':
         return c
     else:
         return '\\%03o' % ord(c)
@@ -112,13 +112,17 @@ class XTerm(Dumb):
         'home':  'term_do_home',
         'rmm':   'term_nop',
         'smm':   'term_nop',
+        'bold':  'term_nop',
         'op':    'term_nop', #original color-pair
-        'cup':   'term_nop',
+        'cup':   'term_nop', #hmmm?
 
         'cnorm': 'term_nop', #make cursor normal
         'civis': 'term_nop', #make cursor inviz
         'cvvis': 'term_nop', #make cursor bold
 
+        'smcup': 'term_nop', #enter cup mode
+        'rmcup': 'term_nop', #leave cup mode
+
         'smacs': 'term_nop', #orig charset
         'rmacs': 'term_nop', #
         'smso':  'term_nop', #enter standout
@@ -162,10 +166,18 @@ class XTerm(Dumb):
         self._meta.append(c)
 
     def term_handle(self, c):
+        #UGHGHGHGH
         if self._meta:
             self._meta.append(c)
             s = ''.join(self._meta)
-
+            if s.startswith('\x1b[H') and not '\x1b[H\x1b[2J'.startswith(s):
+                self._meta = self._meta[3:]
+            if self._meta[0] != '\x1b':
+                for c2 in self._meta[:-1]:
+                    Dumb.term_handle(self, c)
+                self._meta = []
+        if self._meta:
+            s = ''.join(self._meta)
             if s in self.sequences:
                 name = self.sequences[s]
                 if self.debug:
@@ -175,10 +187,8 @@ class XTerm(Dumb):
                     f()
                 else:
                     self._term_insert('<%s>' % name)
-                # certain sequences shouldn't get removed immediately
-                if name in ('home',):
-                    pass
-                else:
+                # certain sequences shouldn't get removed immediately; ugh
+                if name not in ['home']:
                     self._meta = []
             elif self.style_re.match(s):
                 self._meta = []