diff --git a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
index 2300ec9..3cdd9ea 100644
--- a/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
+++ b/src/reactor_sim/dashboard.py
@@ -17,6 +17,18 @@ from .state import PlantState
 
 LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+_NUMPAD_ROD_KEYS = {
+    curses.KEY_C1: 0.1,  # numpad 1
+    curses.KEY_C2: 0.2,  # numpad 2
+    curses.KEY_C3: 0.3,  # numpad 3
+    curses.KEY_B1: 0.4,  # numpad 4
+    curses.KEY_B2: 0.5,  # numpad 5
+    curses.KEY_B3: 0.6,  # numpad 6
+    curses.KEY_A1: 0.7,  # numpad 7
+    curses.KEY_A2: 0.8,  # numpad 8
+    curses.KEY_A3: 0.9,  # numpad 9
+}
+
 
 @dataclass
 class DashboardKey:
@@ -57,7 +69,7 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
                     DashboardKey("r", "Reset & clear state"),
                     DashboardKey("a", "Toggle auto rod control"),
                     DashboardKey("+/-", "Withdraw/insert rods"),
-                    DashboardKey("1-9", "Set rods to 0.1 … 0.9 (manual)"),
+                    DashboardKey("1-9 / Numpad", "Set rods to 0.1 … 0.9 (manual)"),
                     DashboardKey("[/]", "Adjust consumer demand −/+50 MW"),
                     DashboardKey("s/d", "Setpoint −/+250 MW"),
                     DashboardKey("p", "Maintain core (shutdown required)"),
@@ -104,6 +116,7 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
         curses.init_pair(3, curses.COLOR_GREEN, -1)
         curses.init_pair(4, curses.COLOR_RED, -1)
         stdscr.nodelay(True)
+        stdscr.keypad(True)
         self._install_log_capture()
         try:
             while True:
@@ -176,6 +189,8 @@ class ReactorDashboard:
             elif ord("1") <= ch <= ord("9"):
                 target = (ch - ord("0")) / 10.0
                 self._queue_command(ReactorCommand(rod_position=target, rod_manual=True))
+            elif ch in _NUMPAD_ROD_KEYS:
+                self._queue_command(ReactorCommand(rod_position=_NUMPAD_ROD_KEYS[ch], rod_manual=True))
             elif ch in (ord("!"), ord("@"), ord("#"), ord("$"), ord("%"), ord("^"), ord("&"), ord("*"), ord("(")):
                 idx = ch - ord("!")
                 if 0 <= idx < len(self.reactor.turbines):