diff --git a/Architecture.md b/Architecture.md
index 319284f..234d73a 100644
--- a/Architecture.md
+++ b/Architecture.md
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ Constraints it works under:
 
 | File | Role |
 |---|---|
-| `vterm.sublime-settings` | Defaults for the ten plugin settings. |
+| `vterm.sublime-settings` | Defaults for the eleven plugin settings. |
 | `vterm.sublime-commands` | Four palette entries: open, open terminal in project folder, clear screen, select theme. |
 | `vterm.sublime-syntax` | An intentionally empty hidden syntax, so terminal text is never tokenized. |
 | `Default.sublime-keymap` | 245 generated bindings. **Do not edit by hand** — regenerate with `tools/gen_keymap.py`. |
@@ -186,10 +186,11 @@ marks every row dirty, and a TUI repaints whole frames. `update_line` compares
 `(segments, lf)` against `_row_cache` and returns early when unchanged, which is what
 keeps a full-screen repaint from costing hundreds of cross-process calls.
 
-**The follow-scroll gate.** `terminal.viewport_y` records where the last auto-scroll left
-the viewport. If the current viewport is *above* that, the user scrolled up by hand, and
-trimming, caret placement and scrolling are all skipped so their position survives the
-next frame.
+**The follow-scroll gate.** `following()` compares the viewport against
+`terminal.viewport_y`, where the last auto-scroll left it. Above that, the user scrolled
+up by hand, and trimming, caret placement and scrolling are all skipped so their position
+survives the next frame. `scroll_page` (the PgUp/PgDn chord) closes the gate the same way,
+and paging down clamps to the anchor `bottom_y` returns, which re-opens it.
 
 ### How colour is actually drawn
 
@@ -252,6 +253,8 @@ normal mode) would leave the typed character sitting in the view.
 ```
 keymap binding (context: setting.vterm_view)
   → VtermKeypressCommand.run(key=…, ctrl=…, alt=…, shift=…)
+  → page_scroll()            PgUp/PgDn with page_scroll_modifier scrolls the view
+                             and stops here; never on the alternate screen
   → Terminal.send_key()      adds application_mode (DECCKM), new_line_mode (LNM)
   → keys.get_key_code()      modified nav keys → CSI 1;<mod><final>
                              ctrl → control byte; alt → ESC prefix
@@ -330,8 +333,10 @@ replaces both together.
 ## Sublime settings
 
 **Plugin settings** (`vterm.sublime-settings`, read through the cached `settings()`
-handle): `auto_close`, `scrollback_history_size`, `honor_erase_scrollback`, `min_columns`,
-`max_columns`, `theme`, `ansi_colors`, `terminal`, `parameters`, `debug`. `terminal` and
+handle): `auto_close`, `scrollback_history_size`, `honor_erase_scrollback`,
+`page_scroll_modifier`, `min_columns`, `max_columns`, `theme`, `ansi_colors`, `terminal`,
+`parameters`, `debug`. `page_scroll_modifier` is the modifier that turns PgUp/PgDn into a
+page scroll of the view instead of a key for the app. `terminal` and
 `parameters` name the external terminal spawned by *vterm: Open Terminal in Project
 Folder* (`%CWD%` in `parameters` becomes the project folder). `honor_erase_scrollback` is off, so ED 3
 blanks the screen without dropping the scrollback: pi and Claude Code repaint by erasing
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 31b2233..897bda6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Command palette:
 - **vterm: Open Terminal** — login shell in a tab (cwd = first project folder,
   else the active file's directory, else `~`)
 - **vterm: Open Terminal in Project Folder** — opens the external terminal from
-  the settings (kitty by default) in the project folder of the active file
+  the settings (Apple Terminal by default) in the project folder of the active file
 - **vterm: Clear Screen** (`cmd+shift+k`) — empties the tab, its screen and all
   scrollback, then asks the app to redraw, so the tab looks freshly started
 - **vterm: Select Theme** — pick a colour palette, previewing each as you move
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ takes `cmd`, `cwd`, `env` and `title`:
 { "caption": "vterm: pi", "command": "vterm_open", "args": {"cmd": ["pi"], "title": "pi"} }
 ```
 
-Keys: Shift+Enter sends `ESC CR` (newline in both agents). Copy/paste use the
+Keys: Shift+Enter sends `ESC CR` (newline in both agents). Shift+PgUp/PgDn page
+the view over the scrollback instead of reaching the app, as xterm and kitty do
+— `page_scroll_modifier` moves that to Ctrl, or turns it off. Copy/paste use the
 normal Sublime keys, and pastes are bracketed when the app asks for it. Copying
 re-joins soft-wrapped lines. The wheel scrolls the view normally; while the app
 tracks the mouse the wheel and left click go to it instead, and on the alternate
@@ -68,11 +70,12 @@ zle -N zle-line-init
 
 `vterm.sublime-settings`: `auto_close` (close the tab when the process exits; off
 leaves it open with a `[process exited with code N]` line),
-`scrollback_history_size`, `min_columns` / `max_columns`,
+`scrollback_history_size`, `page_scroll_modifier` (the modifier for the PgUp/PgDn
+page scroll; `null` gives both keys to the app), `min_columns` / `max_columns`,
 `terminal` / `parameters` (the external terminal for *vterm: Open Terminal in
 Project Folder*; `%CWD%` in `parameters` is replaced with the project folder,
-defaulting to kitty), `debug` (verbose logging
-to the ST console), plus the colours:
+defaulting to Apple Terminal, with kitty commented out beside it), `debug`
+(verbose logging to the ST console), plus the colours:
 
 - `theme` — `"default"` (Terminal.app Basic, light), `"homebrew"`, `"pro"`,
   `"slate"`, or `null` to follow the active Sublime colour scheme. Set it with
diff --git a/tests/test_render.py b/tests/test_render.py
index 57f8763..4ebc008 100644
--- a/tests/test_render.py
+++ b/tests/test_render.py
@@ -7,14 +7,21 @@ import _bootstrap  # sets sys.path for the imports below
 from _bootstrap import FakeProcess
 
 import sublime
+from vterm.commands import VtermKeypressCommand
 from vterm.emulator import VtScreen, VtStream
 from vterm.mouse import VtermMouseClickCommand, VtermScrollCommand
 from vterm.render import (
     CHUNK,
     VtermRenderCommand,
     focus_cursor,
+    following,
+    scroll_to_cursor,
 )
 from vterm.terminal import Terminal
+from vterm.utils import SETTINGS_FILE
+
+
+LINE_HEIGHT = 20
 
 
 class FakeSelection(list):
@@ -35,6 +42,8 @@ class FakeView:
         self.commands = []
         self.folds = []
         self._name = ""
+        self.viewport = (0, 0)
+        self.viewport_rows = 5
 
     def size(self):
         return len(self.text)
@@ -113,10 +122,23 @@ class FakeView:
         return sublime.load_settings("fake")
 
     def viewport_position(self):
-        return (0, 0)
+        return self.viewport
+
+    def set_viewport_position(self, xy, animate=True):
+        self.viewport = xy
 
     def line_height(self):
-        return 20
+        return LINE_HEIGHT
+
+    # one layout row per line; the viewport shows viewport_rows of them
+    def layout_extent(self):
+        return (0, (self.text.count("\n") + 1) * LINE_HEIGHT)
+
+    def viewport_extent(self):
+        return (0, self.viewport_rows * LINE_HEIGHT)
+
+    def text_to_layout(self, point):
+        return (0, self.rowcol(point)[0] * LINE_HEIGHT)
 
     def name(self):
         return self._name
@@ -399,6 +421,79 @@ assert terminal.process.written == "", repr(terminal.process.written)
 print("alternate scroll tests passed (3 lines per tick: arrows on alt screen, SGR when tracking, inert otherwise)")
 
 
+# PgUp/PgDn with the configured modifier pages the view instead of reaching the
+# app; every other combination is sent as before. 24 scrollback rows above an
+# 8-row screen, viewport at the follow anchor
+terminal, stream = make_terminal(rows=8, cols=20)
+Terminal._terminals[id(terminal)] = terminal
+terminal.view.id = lambda: id(terminal)
+terminal.view.text = "\n".join("row {}".format(i) for i in range(32))
+terminal.view.viewport_rows = terminal.screen.lines
+terminal.offset = 24
+keypress = VtermKeypressCommand.__new__(VtermKeypressCommand)
+keypress.view = terminal.view
+plugin_settings = sublime.load_settings(SETTINGS_FILE)
+PAGE = terminal.screen.lines * LINE_HEIGHT
+anchor = 24 * LINE_HEIGHT
+
+
+def press(**kwargs):
+    terminal.process.written = ""
+    keypress.run(None, **kwargs)
+    return terminal.view.viewport_position()[1]
+
+
+scroll_to_cursor(terminal.view, terminal)
+assert following(terminal.view, terminal)
+
+y = press(key="pageup", shift=True)
+assert y == anchor - PAGE, y
+assert terminal.process.written == "", repr(terminal.process.written)
+# output must not yank the viewport back while the user reads
+assert not following(terminal.view, terminal)
+
+# never above the top, never below the anchor
+for _ in range(3):
+    y = press(key="pageup", shift=True)
+assert y == 0, y
+for _ in range(5):
+    y = press(key="pagedown", shift=True)
+assert y == anchor, y
+# paging back onto the anchor re-opens the gate
+assert following(terminal.view, terminal)
+
+# a bare or differently modified key still belongs to the app
+press(key="pageup")
+assert terminal.process.written == "\x1b[5~", repr(terminal.process.written)
+press(key="pageup", ctrl=True)
+assert terminal.process.written == "\x1b[5;5~", repr(terminal.process.written)
+y = press(key="pageup", ctrl=True, shift=True)
+assert terminal.process.written == "\x1b[5;6~", repr(terminal.process.written)
+assert y == anchor, "the app's keys must not scroll"
+
+# the alt screen is folded away: nothing to page, so the app keeps the key
+stream.feed("\x1b[?1049h")
+press(key="pageup", shift=True)
+assert terminal.process.written == "\x1b[5;2~", repr(terminal.process.written)
+stream.feed("\x1b[?1049l")
+
+# the modifier is configurable, and null hands both keys back to the app
+plugin_settings.set("page_scroll_modifier", "ctrl")
+y = press(key="pageup", ctrl=True)
+assert y == anchor - PAGE, y
+press(key="pageup", shift=True)
+assert terminal.process.written == "\x1b[5;2~", repr(terminal.process.written)
+
+plugin_settings.set("page_scroll_modifier", None)
+press(key="pageup", shift=True)
+assert terminal.process.written == "\x1b[5;2~", repr(terminal.process.written)
+press(key="pagedown", ctrl=True)
+assert terminal.process.written == "\x1b[6;5~", repr(terminal.process.written)
+plugin_settings.set("page_scroll_modifier", "shift")
+
+print("page scroll tests passed (one screen per press, clamped to the anchor, configurable modifier)")
+
+
 # a click in an unfocused group must focus the tab instead of reporting: we
 # replaced drag_select, which is what sublime focuses the group from
 class FakeWindow:
diff --git a/vterm.sublime-settings b/vterm.sublime-settings
index 25b9e4e..a48f5fb 100644
--- a/vterm.sublime-settings
+++ b/vterm.sublime-settings
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@
     // cmd+shift+k is then the only way to empty the tab.
     "honor_erase_scrollback": false,
 
+    // modifier that turns PgUp/PgDn into a page scroll of the view:
+    // "shift", "ctrl", "alt" or a "+" combination; null sends both to the app
+    "page_scroll_modifier": "shift",
+
     "min_columns": 20,
     "max_columns": 500,
 
@@ -23,12 +27,12 @@
 
     // External terminal for "vterm: Open Terminal in Project Folder".
     // %CWD% in parameters is replaced with the project folder.
-    // "terminal": "/usr/bin/open",
-    // "parameters": ["-a", "Terminal", "%CWD%"],
+    "terminal": "/usr/bin/open",
+    "parameters": ["-a", "Terminal", "%CWD%"],
 
     // kitty instead of Apple Terminal:
-    "terminal": "/opt/homebrew/bin/kitty",
-    "parameters": ["-d", "%CWD%"],
+    // "terminal": "/opt/homebrew/bin/kitty",
+    // "parameters": ["-d", "%CWD%"],
 
     "debug": false
 }
diff --git a/vterm/commands.py b/vterm/commands.py
index 999867a..62ea63d 100644
--- a/vterm/commands.py
+++ b/vterm/commands.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import subprocess
 import sublime
 import sublime_plugin
 
-from .render import CONTINUATION
+from .render import CONTINUATION, scroll_page
 from .scheme import SCHEME_PATH, scheme_manager
 from .terminal import Terminal
 from .themes import THEMES
@@ -143,11 +143,31 @@ class VtermKeypressCommand(sublime_plugin.TextCommand):
         terminal = Terminal.from_id(self.view.id())
         if not terminal or not terminal.alive:
             return
+        if self.page_scrolled(terminal, **kwargs):
+            return
         # drop any selection so the caret follows the terminal cursor
         self.view.sel().clear()
         self.view.run_command("vterm_show_cursor")
         terminal.send_key(**kwargs)
 
+    def page_scrolled(self, terminal, key=None, **mods):
+        """Page the view one screen over the scrollback, before vterm_show_cursor,
+        whose scroll would pull the viewport straight back down. The alt screen is
+        folded and has no scroll range, so an app there keeps the key.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: the view consumed the key; False sends it to the app.
+        """
+        # the cheap tests first: this runs on every keystroke
+        if key not in ("pageup", "pagedown") or not mods or terminal.screen.alternate_buffer_mode:
+            return False
+        modifier = settings().get("page_scroll_modifier", "shift")
+        # exact match: ctrl+shift+pageup still belongs to the app
+        if not modifier or {m for m, on in mods.items() if on} != set(modifier.split("+")):
+            return False
+        scroll_page(self.view, terminal, up=(key == "pageup"))
+        return True
+
 
 class VtermCopyCommand(sublime_plugin.TextCommand):
     """Copies the selection, re-joining rows the emulator soft-wrapped."""
diff --git a/vterm/render.py b/vterm/render.py
index ef1c914..7c4a5ff 100644
--- a/vterm/render.py
+++ b/vterm/render.py
@@ -172,10 +172,8 @@ class VtermRenderCommand(sublime_plugin.TextCommand):
             # drop the artefact; focus_cursor re-places the caret
             view.sel().clear()
 
-        # follow-scroll gate: viewport_y is where the last auto-scroll left the
-        # view, so a smaller current position means the user scrolled up. Then
-        # trimming, the caret and the scroll are all skipped, keeping their place
-        if terminal.viewport_y < view.viewport_position()[1] + view.line_height():
+        # all skipped once the user scrolls up, so their place survives the frame
+        if following(view, terminal):
             self.trim_trailing_spaces(edit, terminal)
             self.trim_history(edit, terminal)
             if focused:
@@ -511,18 +509,42 @@ def focus_cursor(view, edit, terminal):
     sel.add(sublime.Region(pt, pt))
 
 
-def scroll_to_cursor(view, terminal):
-    """Follow the output: pin the viewport to the bottom of the live screen."""
-    terminal._scroll_pending = False
+def following(view, terminal):
+    """Whether the viewport still sits where the last auto-scroll left it; above
+    that means the user scrolled up by hand."""
+    return terminal.viewport_y < view.viewport_position()[1] + view.line_height()
+
+
+def bottom_y(view, terminal):
+    """Viewport y that pins the bottom of the live screen to the bottom of the view."""
     # layout_extent is maintained incrementally; text_to_layout(size()) forced
     # a whole-buffer layout on every call
     viewport_y = view.layout_extent()[1] - view.viewport_extent()[1]
     offset_y = view.text_to_layout(view.text_point(terminal.offset, 0))[1]
-    y = max(offset_y, viewport_y)
+    return max(offset_y, viewport_y)
+
+
+def scroll_to_cursor(view, terminal):
+    """Follow the output: pin the viewport to the bottom of the live screen."""
+    terminal._scroll_pending = False
+    y = bottom_y(view, terminal)
     terminal.viewport_y = y
     view.set_viewport_position((0, y), False)
 
 
+def scroll_page(view, terminal, up):
+    """Move the viewport one screen over the scrollback.
+
+    Not sublime's scroll_lines: it animates, and while the viewport is still
+    within a line of where it started the follow-scroll gate reads that as "at
+    the bottom" and pulls it back down.
+    """
+    delta = terminal.screen.lines * view.line_height()
+    y = view.viewport_position()[1]
+    y = max(y - delta, 0) if up else min(y + delta, bottom_y(view, terminal))
+    view.set_viewport_position((0, y), False)
+
+
 def request_scroll(view, terminal):
     """Coalesce follow-scrolls: at most one queued callback per terminal."""
     if not terminal._scroll_pending: