diff --git a/include/notcurses/notcurses.h b/include/notcurses/notcurses.h
index e916b5371..04f4680c0 100644
--- a/include/notcurses/notcurses.h
+++ b/include/notcurses/notcurses.h
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ API int ncdirect_styles_off(struct ncdirect* n, unsigned stylebits);
 
 // Move the cursor in direct mode. -1 to retain current location on that axis.
 API int ncdirect_cursor_move_yx(struct ncdirect* n, int y, int x);
+API int ncdirect_cursor_enable(struct ncdirect* nc);
+API int ncdirect_cursor_disable(struct ncdirect* nc);
 
 // Clear the screen.
 API int ncdirect_clear(struct ncdirect* nc);
diff --git a/src/lib/internal.h b/src/lib/internal.h
index f935febfa..624859afc 100644
--- a/src/lib/internal.h
+++ b/src/lib/internal.h
@@ -214,6 +214,8 @@ typedef struct ncdirect {
   char* setab;    // set background color (ANSI)
   char* op;       // set foreground and background color to default
   char* cup;      // move cursor
+  char* civis;    // hide cursor
+  char* cnorm;    // restore cursor to default state
   char* hpa;      // horizontal position adjusment (move cursor on row)
   char* vpa;      // vertical position adjustment (move cursor on column)
   char* standout; // CELL_STYLE_STANDOUT
diff --git a/src/lib/notcurses.c b/src/lib/notcurses.c
index 4f6a70023..6f7ec36db 100644
--- a/src/lib/notcurses.c
+++ b/src/lib/notcurses.c
@@ -809,6 +809,8 @@ ncdirect* ncdirect_init(const char* termtype, FILE* outfp){
   term_verify_seq(&ret->cup, "cup");
   term_verify_seq(&ret->hpa, "hpa");
   term_verify_seq(&ret->vpa, "vpa");
+  term_verify_seq(&ret->civis, "civis");
+  term_verify_seq(&ret->cnorm, "cnorm");
   ret->RGBflag = query_rgb();
   if((ret->colors = tigetnum("colors")) <= 0){
     ret->colors = 1;
@@ -1007,6 +1009,20 @@ int ncdirect_dim_y(const ncdirect* nc){
   return -1;
 }
 
+int ncdirect_cursor_enable(ncdirect* nc){
+  if(!nc->cnorm){
+    return -1;
+  }
+  return term_emit("cnorm", nc->cnorm, nc->ttyfp, true);
+}
+
+int ncdirect_cursor_disable(ncdirect* nc){
+  if(!nc->civis){
+    return -1;
+  }
+  return term_emit("civis", nc->civis, nc->ttyfp, true);
+}
+
 int ncdirect_cursor_move_yx(ncdirect* n, int y, int x){
   if(y == -1){ // keep row the same, horizontal move only
     if(!n->hpa){