diff --git a/tests/saves.py b/tests/helpers.py
similarity index 63%
rename from tests/saves.py
rename to tests/helpers.py
index 26f7a2b..ce24dd4 100644
--- a/tests/saves.py
+++ b/tests/helpers.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-"""Characters, rosters and .pqw files for the UI and CLI tests."""
+"""Characters, saves and prompts shared by the UI and CLI tests."""
 
+from collections.abc import Iterable
 from pathlib import Path
 
+import pytest
 from test_pqw import played
 
 from pqcli import pqw
@@ -41,3 +43,21 @@ def write_pqw(path: Path, player: Player, *, online: bool = False) -> Path:
         game["online"] = {"realm": "Alpaquil", "passkey": 1}
     path.write_text(pqw.encode(game), encoding="ascii")
     return path
+
+
+def feed(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, answers: Iterable[str]) -> None:
+    """Answer input() prompts in order; running out is a test failure.
+
+    Prompts are echoed so captured output reads like a session.
+    """
+    it = iter(answers)
+
+    def fake_input(prompt: str = "") -> str:
+        try:
+            answer = next(it)
+        except StopIteration:
+            raise AssertionError(f"unexpected prompt {prompt!r}") from None
+        print(f"{prompt}{answer}")
+        return answer
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr("builtins.input", fake_input)
diff --git a/tests/test_basic_ui.py b/tests/test_basic_ui.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00bd3be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_basic_ui.py
@@ -0,0 +1,469 @@
+"""The basic line-based UI, driven in-process through input()."""
+
+import argparse
+import signal
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+from helpers import DATA, feed, hero, read_names, save_path, write_pqw
+from test_pqw import played
+
+from pqcli import pqw
+from pqcli import roster as roster_module
+from pqcli.config import PRIME_STATS
+from pqcli.lingo import to_roman
+from pqcli.mechanic import Player
+from pqcli.roster import Roster
+from pqcli.ui import basic
+from pqcli.ui.basic import BasicUserInterface
+
+
+def make_ui(
+    config: Path, *players: Player, use_saves: bool = True
+) -> BasicUserInterface:
+    args = argparse.Namespace(use_saves=use_saves, cheats=False, colors=True)
+    roster = Roster(save_path(config), list(players))
+    return BasicUserInterface(roster, None, args, DATA)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def no_play(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> list[Player]:
+    """Make play() record the character instead of looping forever."""
+    played: list[Player] = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        BasicUserInterface, "play", lambda self, player: played.append(player)
+    )
+    return played
+
+
+# main menu ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_quit_saves_the_roster(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, hero("Ann"))
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["7"])
+    ui.run()
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "|  __/| | | (_) | (_| |" in out  # the logo
+    for line in [
+        "1) Create a new character",
+        "2) Play as character",
+        "3) Query character info",
+        "4) Delete a character",
+        "5) Import a character (.pqw)",
+        "6) Export a character (.pqw)",
+        "7) Quit",
+    ]:
+        assert line in out
+    assert read_names(tmp_path) == ["Ann"]
+
+
+def test_quit_without_saving(
+    tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, hero("Ann"), use_saves=False)
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["7"])
+    ui.run()
+    assert not save_path(tmp_path).exists()
+
+
+def test_run_with_a_character_goes_straight_to_play(
+    tmp_path: Path, no_play: list[Player]
+) -> None:
+    player = hero("Ann")
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, player)
+    ui.player = player
+    ui.run()  # no prompts: feed() is not set up, input() would fail
+    assert no_play == [player]
+
+
+def test_menu_rejects_bad_input(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path)
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["", "two", "0", "8", "-1", "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert out.count("Not a number") == 2
+    assert out.count("Expected a number between 1..7") == 3
+
+
+def test_confirm_accepts_several_spellings(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path)
+    answers = ["Y", "yes", "1", "N", "No", "0"]
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["?", *answers])
+    assert [ui.confirm("Sure?") for _ in answers] == [True] * 3 + [False] * 3
+    assert capsys.readouterr().out.count("Sure? [y/n] ") == 7
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("choice", ["2", "3", "4", "6"])
+def test_choosing_with_no_characters(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+    choice: str,
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path)
+    feed(monkeypatch, [choice, "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+    assert "No characters to choose from!" in capsys.readouterr().out
+
+
+# creating -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_create_rerolls_until_accepted(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+    no_play: list[Player],
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path)
+    # create, name, race, class, reroll twice, accept, don't play, quit
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["1", "Rolf", "2", "3", "n", "n", "y", "n", "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert out.count("Total: ") == 3
+    for race in DATA.races:
+        assert f") {race.name}\n" in out
+    assert "Do you want to play as your new character? [y/n] n" in out
+    assert no_play == []
+
+    [player] = ui.roster.players
+    assert player.name == "Rolf"
+    assert player.race == DATA.races[1]
+    assert player.class_ == DATA.classes[2]
+
+    # the accepted stats are the last ones shown
+    last_shown = out.split("Is this okay?")[-2].splitlines()[-7:-1]
+    assert last_shown == [
+        f"{stat.value}: {player.stats[stat]}" for stat in PRIME_STATS
+    ]
+    assert read_names(tmp_path) == ["Rolf"]  # saved on quit
+
+
+def test_create_then_play(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    no_play: list[Player],
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path)
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["Rolf", "1", "1", "y", "y"])
+    player = ui.create_player()
+    assert no_play == [player]
+    assert ui.roster.players == [player]
+
+
+def test_create_cancelled_by_empty_name(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path)
+    feed(monkeypatch, [""])
+    assert ui.create_player() is None
+    assert "Cancelled." in capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert ui.roster.players == []
+
+
+# playing --------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_play_from_the_menu(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+    no_play: list[Player],
+) -> None:
+    ann, bob = hero("Ann"), hero("Bob")
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, ann, bob)
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["2", "x", "3", "2", "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+    assert no_play == [bob]
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "Choose your character:\n1) Ann\n2) Bob\n" in out
+    assert "Expected a number between 1..2" in out
+
+
+class StopPlaying(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+class FastClock:
+    """Stands in for datetime: every now() is a minute after the last."""
+
+    current = datetime(2024, 1, 1)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def now(cls) -> datetime:
+        cls.current += timedelta(minutes=1)
+        return cls.current
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def game_loop(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> list[float]:
+    """Run play() on a fast clock, stopping it after 800 rounds.
+
+    Returns the requested sleeps.
+    """
+    sleeps: list[float] = []
+
+    def sleep(seconds: float) -> None:
+        sleeps.append(seconds)
+        if len(sleeps) == 800:
+            raise StopPlaying
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(FastClock, "current", datetime(2024, 1, 1))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(basic, "datetime", FastClock)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(roster_module, "datetime", FastClock)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(basic.time, "sleep", sleep)
+    return sleeps
+
+
+def test_play_prints_the_sheet_on_level_up(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    game_loop: list[float],
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    # played(0) reaches level 2 within 800 minute-long ticks
+    player = played(0).player
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, player, use_saves=False)
+    with pytest.raises(StopPlaying):
+        ui.play(player)
+
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert out.startswith("Playing as Exportée\n")
+    sheets = out.split("--- Character Sheet ---")[1:]
+    assert len(sheets) == 2
+    assert "Level: 1\n" in sheets[0]
+    assert "Level: 2\n" in sheets[1]
+    assert player.level == 2
+    # ticks are a minute late, so play() never waits
+    assert set(game_loop) == {0}
+    assert not save_path(tmp_path).exists()
+
+
+def test_play_saves_every_five_minutes(
+    tmp_path: Path, game_loop: list[float], monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch
+) -> None:
+    player = played(0).player
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, player)
+    saves: list[datetime] = []
+    real_save = ui.roster.save
+
+    def save() -> None:
+        saves.append(FastClock.current)
+        real_save()
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ui.roster, "save", save)
+    with pytest.raises(StopPlaying):
+        ui.play(player)
+
+    assert len(saves) > 100
+    gaps = {b - a for a, b in zip(saves, saves[1:], strict=False)}
+    assert min(gaps) >= timedelta(minutes=5)
+    assert read_names(tmp_path) == ["Exportée"]
+
+
+def test_play_waits_out_the_rest_of_a_tick(
+    tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch
+) -> None:
+    """With no time passing, each round sleeps a full 100 ms."""
+    sleeps: list[float] = []
+
+    class FrozenClock:
+        @staticmethod
+        def now() -> datetime:
+            return datetime(2024, 1, 1)
+
+    def sleep(seconds: float) -> None:
+        sleeps.append(seconds)
+        if len(sleeps) == 3:
+            raise StopPlaying
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(basic, "datetime", FrozenClock)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(basic.time, "sleep", sleep)
+    player = played(0).player
+    with pytest.raises(StopPlaying):
+        make_ui(tmp_path, use_saves=False).play(player)
+    assert sleeps == [0.1, 0.1, 0.1]
+
+
+# info -----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_info_for_a_seasoned_character(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    player = hero("Ann", ticks=20000)
+    assert player.spell_book.best is not None
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, player)
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["3", "1", "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "Name: Ann\n" in out
+    assert f"Race: {player.race.name}\n" in out
+    assert f"Class: {player.class_.name}\n" in out
+    assert f"Level: {player.level}\n" in out
+    assert "No spells memorized yet." not in out
+    for spell in player.spell_book:
+        assert f"\n{spell.name} " in out
+    assert f"Gold: {player.inventory.gold}\n" in out
+    for item in player.inventory:
+        assert f"{item.name}: {item.quantity}\n" in out
+    assert f"Current quest: {player.quest_book.current_quest}\n" in out
+    assert player.task is not None
+    assert f"Current task: {player.task.description}\n" in out
+
+
+def test_info_for_a_new_character(
+    tmp_path: Path, capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str]
+) -> None:
+    player = played(0, seed="new").player
+    player.task = None
+    make_ui(tmp_path).print_player_info(player)
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "No spells memorized yet." in out
+    assert f"Current act: {to_roman(player.quest_book.act)}\n" in out
+    assert "Current task: ?\n" in out
+
+
+# deleting -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_delete_after_confirming(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    ann, bob = hero("Ann"), hero("Bob")
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, ann, bob)
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["4", "1", "n", "4", "1", "y", "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+    assert ui.roster.players == [bob]
+    assert capsys.readouterr().out.count("Ann") >= 2
+    assert read_names(tmp_path) == ["Bob"]
+
+
+# importing and exporting ----------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_import(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HOME", str(tmp_path))
+    write_pqw(tmp_path / "cid.pqw", hero("Cid"), online=True)
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path / "config", hero("Ann"))
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["5", "  ~/cid.pqw  ", "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "Warning: dropped 'online': pqcli plays offline only\n" in out
+    assert "Imported Cid.\n" in out
+    assert [p.name for p in ui.roster.players] == ["Ann", "Cid"]
+    assert read_names(tmp_path / "config") == ["Ann", "Cid"]
+
+
+def test_import_without_saving(
+    tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch
+) -> None:
+    source = write_pqw(tmp_path / "cid.pqw", hero("Cid"))
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, use_saves=False)
+    feed(monkeypatch, [str(source)])
+    ui.import_player()
+    assert [p.name for p in ui.roster.players] == ["Cid"]
+    assert not save_path(tmp_path).exists()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("answer", "message"),
+    [("", "Cancelled."), ("missing.pqw", "Cannot import: cannot read")],
+)
+def test_import_failures(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+    answer: str,
+    message: str,
+) -> None:
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path)
+    feed(monkeypatch, [answer])
+    ui.import_player()
+    assert message in capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert ui.roster.players == []
+    assert not save_path(tmp_path).exists()
+
+
+def test_export_to_the_default_file(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, hero("Ann"), hero("Bob"))
+    feed(monkeypatch, ["6", "2", "", "7"])
+    ui.main_menu()
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "Export to .pqw file [Bob.pqw]: " in out
+    assert "Exported Bob to Bob.pqw.\n" in out
+    assert pqw.read_file(tmp_path / "Bob.pqw", DATA)[0].name == "Bob"
+
+
+def test_export_to_a_chosen_file(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HOME", str(tmp_path))
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, hero("Ann"))
+    feed(monkeypatch, [" ~/out.pqw "])
+    ui.export_player(ui.roster.players[0])
+    assert "Exported Ann to ~/out.pqw.\n" in capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert pqw.read_file(tmp_path / "out.pqw", DATA)[0].name == "Ann"
+
+
+def test_export_never_overwrites(
+    tmp_path: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str],
+) -> None:
+    target = tmp_path / "out.pqw"
+    target.write_text("mine")
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, hero("Ann"))
+    feed(monkeypatch, [str(target)])
+    ui.export_player(ui.roster.players[0])
+    assert f"Cannot export: {target} already exists" in capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert target.read_text() == "mine"
+
+
+# Ctrl+C ---------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("use_saves", [True, False])
+def test_ctrl_c_saves_and_exits(tmp_path: Path, use_saves: bool) -> None:
+    ui = make_ui(tmp_path, hero("Ann"), use_saves=use_saves)
+    handler = signal.getsignal(signal.SIGINT)
+    assert callable(handler)
+    with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as ex:
+        handler(signal.SIGINT, None)
+    assert ex.value.code == 0
+    assert save_path(tmp_path).exists() == use_saves
+    assert ui.roster.players  # still there
diff --git a/tests/test_main.py b/tests/test_main.py
index 3d5a1c4..11b74b9 100644
--- a/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/tests/test_main.py
@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
 """pqcli's command line, run in-process so coverage sees it."""
 
 import json
-from collections.abc import Callable, Iterable
+from collections.abc import Callable
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
-from saves import DATA, hero, read_names, save_path, write_pqw, write_roster
+from helpers import (
+    DATA,
+    feed,
+    hero,
+    read_names,
+    save_path,
+    write_pqw,
+    write_roster,
+)
 
 import pqcli.__main__ as cli
 from pqcli import pqw
@@ -55,20 +63,6 @@ def run(config: Path, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Run:
     return run
 
 
-def feed(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, answers: Iterable[str]) -> None:
-    """Answer input() prompts in order; running out is a test failure."""
-    it = iter(answers)
-
-    def fake_input(prompt: str = "") -> str:
-        print(prompt)
-        try:
-            return next(it)
-        except StopIteration:
-            raise AssertionError(f"unexpected prompt {prompt!r}") from None
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr("builtins.input", fake_input)
-
-
 def test_defaults_to_the_curses_ui(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
     monkeypatch.undo()
     monkeypatch.setattr("sys.argv", ["pqcli"])
diff --git a/tests/test_roster.py b/tests/test_roster.py
index 16a0d77..bbc6c9a 100644
--- a/tests/test_roster.py
+++ b/tests/test_roster.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
-from saves import hero
+from helpers import hero
 
 from pqcli import roster as roster_module
 from pqcli.roster import Roster