diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b118996..a904c2d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ Behavior details:
 - while editing a note or free-form answer, arrow keys and `Tab` stay inside the editor so the typing cursor can move naturally
 - free-form answer editors support pi-style `@` file path autocomplete for quickly mentioning project files
 - `Esc` closes the editor and returns to navigation mode
+- `Ctrl+C` dismisses the entire ask flow immediately, even from note/free-form editing, without saving the current draft
 - `Space` toggles the active option on single-select questions too, but does not auto-advance
 
 ## Local development
diff --git a/docs/contract.md b/docs/contract.md
index 768acbd..bfc64ae 100644
--- a/docs/contract.md
+++ b/docs/contract.md
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ Main flow:
 - `Up`, `Down`: move between options
 - `Enter`: confirm or submit
 - `Esc`: cancel the flow
+- `Ctrl+C`: dismiss the entire flow immediately, even while editing a note or free-form answer
 - `1..9`: select or toggle the matching option
 - `Space`: toggle the active option
 - `N`: edit the active option note
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@ Editing flow:
 
 - `Enter`: save and submit the current input
 - `Esc`: save draft and close the editor
+- `Ctrl+C`: dismiss the entire flow immediately without saving the current editor draft
 - arrow keys and `Tab` stay in the editor so the cursor can move while typing
 - navigation resumes only after closing the editor with `Esc`
 
diff --git a/src/state/transitions.ts b/src/state/transitions.ts
index f9450be..d1fe295 100644
--- a/src/state/transitions.ts
+++ b/src/state/transitions.ts
@@ -241,6 +241,11 @@ export function cancelFlow(state: AskState): AskState {
 	};
 }
 
+export function dismissFlow(state: AskState): AskState {
+	const nextState = cancelFlow(state);
+	return nextState.completed ? nextState : cancelFlow(nextState);
+}
+
 function saveInputValue(
 	state: AskState,
 	rawValue: string,
diff --git a/src/ui/controller.ts b/src/ui/controller.ts
index ccc3d87..ea112db 100644
--- a/src/ui/controller.ts
+++ b/src/ui/controller.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import {
 	applyNumberShortcut,
 	cancelFlow,
 	confirmCurrentSelection,
+	dismissFlow,
 	enterInputMode,
 	enterOptionNoteMode,
 	enterQuestionNoteMode,
@@ -117,6 +118,11 @@ function handleEditingCommand(
 	command: AskInputCommand,
 	data: string
 ) {
+	if (command.kind === "dismiss") {
+		commitNavigation(controller, dismissFlow(controller.state));
+		maybeFinish(controller);
+		return;
+	}
 	if (command.kind === "editMoveTab") {
 		controller.state = saveEditorAndMoveTab(controller, command.delta);
 		syncInputModeWithSelection(controller);
@@ -176,6 +182,10 @@ function handleNavigationCommand(
 				applyNumberShortcut(controller.state, command.digit)
 			);
 			return;
+		case "dismiss":
+			commitNavigation(controller, dismissFlow(controller.state));
+			maybeFinish(controller);
+			return;
 		case "ignore":
 		case "editMoveTab":
 		case "editMoveOption":
diff --git a/src/ui/input.ts b/src/ui/input.ts
index 6bd3546..7708d0b 100644
--- a/src/ui/input.ts
+++ b/src/ui/input.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export type AskInputCommand =
 	| { kind: "openOptionNote" }
 	| { kind: "confirm" }
 	| { kind: "cancel" }
+	| { kind: "dismiss" }
 	| { kind: "numberShortcut"; digit: number }
 	| { kind: "editMoveTab"; delta: 1 | -1 }
 	| { kind: "editMoveOption"; delta: 1 | -1 }
@@ -22,6 +23,10 @@ export function getInputCommand(
 	state: AskState,
 	data: string
 ): AskInputCommand {
+	if (matchesKey(data, Key.ctrl("c"))) {
+		return { kind: "dismiss" };
+	}
+
 	if (state.view.kind === "input" || state.view.kind === "note") {
 		return getEditingInputCommand(data);
 	}
diff --git a/tests/input.test.ts b/tests/input.test.ts
index 8e8fe9a..6e40871 100644
--- a/tests/input.test.ts
+++ b/tests/input.test.ts
@@ -79,3 +79,27 @@ test("note editing mode delegates arrows and tab to the editor", () => {
 		kind: "delegateToEditor",
 	});
 });
+
+test("ctrl+c dismisses the flow from both navigation and editing modes", () => {
+	const navigation = createInitialState({
+		questions: [
+			{
+				id: "q1",
+				prompt: "Question?",
+				options: [{ value: "a", label: "A" }],
+			},
+		],
+	});
+	const input = inputState();
+	const note = enterQuestionNoteMode(navigation, "q1");
+
+	assert.deepEqual(getInputCommand(navigation, "\u0003"), {
+		kind: "dismiss",
+	});
+	assert.deepEqual(getInputCommand(input, "\u0003"), {
+		kind: "dismiss",
+	});
+	assert.deepEqual(getInputCommand(note, "\u0003"), {
+		kind: "dismiss",
+	});
+});
diff --git a/tests/state.test.ts b/tests/state.test.ts
index 94e02d8..b4c4be1 100644
--- a/tests/state.test.ts
+++ b/tests/state.test.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
 	applyNumberShortcut,
 	cancelFlow,
 	confirmCurrentSelection,
+	dismissFlow,
 	enterOptionNoteMode,
 	enterQuestionNoteMode,
 	moveOption,
@@ -473,3 +474,27 @@ test("escape cancels from main flow but only exits input and note modes when edi
 	assert.equal(state.view.kind, "navigate");
 	assert.equal(state.cancelled, false);
 });
+
+test("dismissFlow cancels the tool even from editing modes", () => {
+	let state = createInitialState({
+		questions: [
+			{ id: "q", prompt: "Q?", options: [{ value: "a", label: "A" }] },
+		],
+	});
+	state = applyNumberShortcut(state, 2);
+	assert.equal(state.view.kind, "input");
+	state = dismissFlow(state);
+	assert.equal(state.cancelled, true);
+	assert.equal(state.completed, true);
+
+	state = createInitialState({
+		questions: [
+			{ id: "q", prompt: "Q?", options: [{ value: "a", label: "A" }] },
+		],
+	});
+	state = enterQuestionNoteMode(state, "q");
+	assert.equal(state.view.kind, "note");
+	state = dismissFlow(state);
+	assert.equal(state.cancelled, true);
+	assert.equal(state.completed, true);
+});