diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/app.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/app.rs
index 38fb063d..74572590 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/app.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/app.rs
@@ -1342,6 +1342,9 @@ pub struct App {
     pub workspace_context_refreshed_at: Option<Instant>,
     /// Cached background tasks for sidebar rendering.
     pub task_panel: Vec<TaskPanelEntry>,
+    /// Active decision card (v0.8.43 truth-surface). When set, keyboard input
+    /// is routed through the card navigation instead of the composer.
+    pub decision_card: Option<crate::tui::widgets::decision_card::DecisionCard>,
     /// Wall-clock time when this TUI session started. Used by the Work
     /// sidebar projection to hide completed durable tasks that finished
     /// before the current session (bug #1913).
@@ -1896,6 +1899,7 @@ impl App {
             workspace_context_cell: std::sync::Arc::new(std::sync::Mutex::new(None)),
             workspace_context_refreshed_at: None,
             task_panel: Vec::new(),
+            decision_card: None,
             session_started_at: chrono::Utc::now(),
             needs_redraw: true,
             thinking_started_at: None,
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/ui.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/ui.rs
index 2aa54233..c9fd4c52 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/ui.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/ui.rs
@@ -2279,6 +2279,47 @@ async fn run_event_loop(
                 continue;
             }
 
+            // Decision card keyboard routing (v0.8.43 truth-surface).
+            // When a card is active, number keys 1-9 select options,
+            // j/k or Up/Down navigate, and Enter confirms.
+            if let Some(card) = app.decision_card.as_mut() {
+                match key.code {
+                    KeyCode::Char(c @ '1'..='9') => {
+                        let n = (c as u8 - b'1' + 1) as usize;
+                        card.select_number(n);
+                        card.confirm();
+                        app.status_message = card
+                            .confirmed_label()
+                            .map(|label| format!("Selected: {label}"));
+                        app.decision_card = None;
+                        app.needs_redraw = true;
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Char('j') | KeyCode::Down => {
+                        card.select_next();
+                        app.needs_redraw = true;
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Char('k') | KeyCode::Up => {
+                        card.select_prev();
+                        app.needs_redraw = true;
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Enter => {
+                        card.confirm();
+                        app.status_message = card
+                            .confirmed_label()
+                            .map(|label| format!("Selected: {label}"));
+                        app.decision_card = None;
+                        app.needs_redraw = true;
+                    }
+                    KeyCode::Esc => {
+                        app.decision_card = None;
+                        app.status_message = Some("Decision cancelled".to_string());
+                        app.needs_redraw = true;
+                    }
+                    _ => {}
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+
             // Handle onboarding flow
             if app.onboarding != OnboardingState::None {
                 match key.code {
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/widgets/decision_card.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/widgets/decision_card.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..92a6407b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/widgets/decision_card.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+//! Decision-card widget for structured user input.
+//!
+//! When Brother Whale needs input, it surfaces a decision card: a labelled
+//! question followed by numbered options, with the default option highlighted.
+//! The user navigates with 1-9 keys (or j/k / Up/Down) and confirms with
+//! Enter. Every decision is logged so the user can inspect the choice later.
+//!
+//! This replaces vague "what should I do?" prompts with a structured choice
+//! surface — acceptance criterion from the v0.8.43 truth-surface tracker.
+
+use ratatui::{
+    buffer::Buffer,
+    layout::Rect,
+    style::{Color, Modifier, Style},
+    widgets::{Block, Borders, Widget},
+};
+
+use super::renderable::Renderable;
+
+/// A single option in a decision card.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct DecisionOption {
+    /// Short label for the option (e.g. "Apply the patch").
+    pub label: String,
+    /// Optional longer description shown below the label.
+    pub description: Option<String>,
+}
+
+/// A decision card surfacing a structured choice to the user.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct DecisionCard {
+    /// The question or prompt the user is answering.
+    pub question: String,
+    /// The available options. Each is numbered 1..N.
+    pub options: Vec<DecisionOption>,
+    /// Index into `options` of the default (highlighted) choice.
+    pub default_index: usize,
+    /// Index of the currently selected option.
+    pub selected_index: usize,
+    /// Whether the card has been submitted (Enter pressed).
+    pub confirmed: bool,
+    /// The index that was confirmed, if any.
+    pub confirmed_index: Option<usize>,
+}
+
+impl DecisionCard {
+    pub fn new(question: String, options: Vec<DecisionOption>, default_index: usize) -> Self {
+        let default = default_index.min(options.len().saturating_sub(1));
+        Self {
+            question,
+            options,
+            default_index: default,
+            selected_index: default,
+            confirmed: false,
+            confirmed_index: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Number of options.
+    pub fn option_count(&self) -> usize {
+        self.options.len()
+    }
+
+    /// Move selection up (wrap around).
+    pub fn select_prev(&mut self) {
+        if self.option_count() == 0 {
+            return;
+        }
+        self.selected_index = self
+            .selected_index
+            .checked_sub(1)
+            .unwrap_or(self.option_count() - 1);
+    }
+
+    /// Move selection down (wrap around).
+    pub fn select_next(&mut self) {
+        if self.option_count() == 0 {
+            return;
+        }
+        self.selected_index = (self.selected_index + 1) % self.option_count();
+    }
+
+    /// Select by number key (1-based).
+    pub fn select_number(&mut self, n: usize) {
+        if n > 0 && n <= self.option_count() {
+            self.selected_index = n - 1;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Confirm the current selection.
+    pub fn confirm(&mut self) {
+        self.confirmed = true;
+        self.confirmed_index = Some(self.selected_index);
+    }
+
+    /// Get the label of the confirmed option, if any.
+    pub fn confirmed_label(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.confirmed_index
+            .and_then(|i| self.options.get(i))
+            .map(|opt| opt.label.as_str())
+    }
+}
+
+impl Default for DecisionCard {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::new(String::new(), Vec::new(), 0)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Renderable for DecisionCard {
+    fn render(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+        if area.width < 4 || area.height < 3 {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let border_style = Style::default().fg(Color::Rgb(100, 160, 220));
+        let question_style = Style::default()
+            .fg(Color::Rgb(220, 220, 240))
+            .add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD);
+        let dim_style = Style::default().fg(Color::Rgb(140, 140, 160));
+        let selected_style = Style::default()
+            .fg(Color::Rgb(80, 200, 255))
+            .add_modifier(Modifier::BOLD);
+
+        let block = Block::default()
+            .borders(Borders::ALL)
+            .border_style(border_style)
+            .title(" Decision Required ")
+            .title_style(question_style);
+        let inner = block.inner(area);
+        block.render(area, buf);
+
+        if inner.width < 2 || inner.height < 2 {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let mut y = inner.y;
+
+        // Question line
+        let question = truncate_to_width(&self.question, inner.width as usize);
+        buf.set_string(inner.x, y, &question, question_style);
+        y += 1;
+
+        if y >= inner.y + inner.height {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Separator
+        let sep = "─".repeat(inner.width as usize);
+        buf.set_string(inner.x, y, &sep, dim_style);
+        y += 1;
+
+        // Options
+        let max_options = (inner.y + inner.height).saturating_sub(y) as usize;
+        for (i, option) in self.options.iter().enumerate().take(max_options) {
+            if y >= inner.y + inner.height {
+                break;
+            }
+
+            let num = format!("{}.", i + 1);
+            let is_selected = i == self.selected_index;
+            let style = if is_selected {
+                selected_style
+            } else {
+                dim_style
+            };
+
+            // "1. Label (default)" or "1. Label"
+            let mut label = format!("{} {}", num, option.label);
+            if i == self.default_index {
+                label.push_str(" (default)");
+            }
+            label = truncate_to_width(&label, inner.width.saturating_sub(1) as usize);
+
+            let prefix = if is_selected { "▸ " } else { "  " };
+            let full_label = format!("{prefix}{label}");
+            buf.set_string(inner.x, y, &full_label, style);
+            y += 1;
+
+            // Description line if present
+            if let Some(ref desc) = option.description
+                && y < inner.y + inner.height
+            {
+                let desc = format!(
+                    "    {}",
+                    truncate_to_width(desc, inner.width.saturating_sub(5) as usize)
+                );
+                buf.set_string(inner.x, y, &desc, dim_style);
+                y += 1;
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Footer hint
+        if y < inner.y + inner.height {
+            let hint = "1-9 select  ·  j/k navigate  ·  Enter confirm";
+            let hint = truncate_to_width(hint, inner.width as usize);
+            buf.set_string(inner.x, y, &hint, dim_style);
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn desired_height(&self, _width: u16) -> u16 {
+        // question + separator + options + footer
+        let option_lines: u16 = self
+            .options
+            .iter()
+            .map(|o| if o.description.is_some() { 2 } else { 1 })
+            .sum();
+        // 2 for borders, 1 question, 1 separator, options, 1 footer
+        2 + 1 + 1 + option_lines + 1
+    }
+}
+
+fn truncate_to_width(s: &str, max_width: usize) -> String {
+    if max_width == 0 {
+        return String::new();
+    }
+    let chars: Vec<char> = s.chars().collect();
+    if chars.len() <= max_width {
+        return s.to_string();
+    }
+    if max_width <= 1 {
+        return "…".to_string();
+    }
+    let truncated: String = chars.into_iter().take(max_width - 1).collect();
+    format!("{truncated}…")
+}
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/widgets/mod.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/widgets/mod.rs
index 226ad72a..7f8060d7 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/widgets/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/widgets/mod.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ pub mod key_hint;
 // the composer area in `ui.rs`. `pub mod` (vs the usual `pub use` pattern)
 // keeps the unused-imports lint quiet until then.
 pub mod agent_card;
+pub mod decision_card;
 pub mod pending_input_preview;
 mod renderable;
 pub mod tool_card;