diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87f8962
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+# mcfreecell
+
+`mcfreecell` on `leg-py1.5.2` is a terminal-native FreeCell build aimed at old Python and old curses environments.
+
+This branch keeps the implementation within a Python-1.5.2-friendly subset and favors compatibility over modern terminal features.
+
+## Features
+
+- FreeCell rules with 8 tableau columns, 4 free cells, and 4 foundations
+- keyboard-driven curses interface
+- visual stack selection mode
+- lightweight `?` hint system
+- ASCII-only suit tags for old terminals and fonts
+- compatibility fallbacks for weak or incomplete curses implementations
+
+## Controls
+
+- `Arrow keys` / `h j k l` - move cursor
+- `v` - enter or exit tableau selection mode
+- `y` - pick up selected card or stack
+- `p` - drop held card or stack
+- `Enter` / `Space` - alternate pick up / drop
+- `?` - show a suggested move
+- `f` - quick move selected card to a free cell
+- `d` - quick move selected card to foundation
+- `Esc` - cancel held move
+- `q` - quit
+
+## Suits
+
+- Debian (`Deb`)
+- Red Hat (`RHt`)
+- Solaris (`Sol`)
+- HP-UX (`HPx`)
+
+These are split into the two FreeCell color groups as:
+
+- red group: Debian, Red Hat
+- black-equivalent group: Solaris, HP-UX
+
+On older terminals, the non-red group may render as blue, cyan, or plain monochrome depending on curses support.
+
+## Running
+
+Run with whatever Python interpreter is available on the target machine:
+
+```sh
+python linux-freecell.py
+```
+
+## Terminal Notes
+
+Terminal and curses behavior can vary significantly on older systems.
+
+- `xterm` generally gives the most reliable screen redraw behavior for this branch.
+- Older `konsole` builds, including KDE 2.x-era versions, may show redraw artifacts or ghosting until the screen is resized.
+- The game includes several repaint fallbacks for weaker curses implementations, but some VT100-style emulator quirks are still terminal-specific.
+
+## Status
+
+This branch is intended as a playable legacy-friendly FreeCell build for old Unix-like systems and older Python environments.
diff --git a/linux-freecell.py b/linux-freecell.py
index 384f2f2..4040f12 100644
--- a/linux-freecell.py
+++ b/linux-freecell.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ q                    : Quit
 """
 
 import curses
+import time
 
 try:
     import random
@@ -168,6 +169,14 @@ def pad_center(text, width):
     return (" " * left) + text + (" " * right)
 
 
+def format_elapsed_time(seconds):
+    if seconds < 0:
+        seconds = 0
+    minutes = int(seconds / 60)
+    remaining = seconds % 60
+    return "%02d:%02d" % (minutes, remaining)
+
+
 def rounded_position(start_x, span, index, steps):
     if steps <= 0:
         return start_x
@@ -273,10 +282,30 @@ class FreeCellGame:
         self.cursor_zone = "bottom"
         self.cursor_index = 0
         self.status = "Arrows move, v selects, ? hints."
+        self.start_time = time.time()
+        self.finished_time_seconds = None
+        self.needs_full_repaint = 0
         self._deal_new_game()
 
+    def request_full_repaint(self):
+        self.needs_full_repaint = 1
+
+    def elapsed_time_seconds(self):
+        if self.finished_time_seconds is not None:
+            return self.finished_time_seconds
+        elapsed = int(time.time() - self.start_time)
+        if elapsed < 0:
+            elapsed = 0
+        if self.is_won():
+            self.finished_time_seconds = elapsed
+            return self.finished_time_seconds
+        return elapsed
+
     def clear_hint(self):
+        had_hint = self.hint_move is not None
         self.hint_move = None
+        if had_hint:
+            self.request_full_repaint()
 
     def _deal_new_game(self):
         deck = []
@@ -612,9 +641,11 @@ class FreeCellGame:
         if not moves:
             self.hint_move = None
             self.status = "Hint: no obvious legal move found."
+            self.request_full_repaint()
             return
         self.hint_move = moves[0]
         self.status = "Hint: %s." % self.describe_hint_move(self.hint_move)
+        self.request_full_repaint()
 
     def hinted_freecell(self, index):
         if self.hint_move is None:
@@ -734,6 +765,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
                     moving_count,
                     self.cursor_index + 1,
                 )
+            self.request_full_repaint()
             self.exit_visual_mode(None)
             return
         if self.cursor_index < 4:
@@ -748,6 +780,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
                 card.short_name(),
                 self.cursor_index + 1,
             )
+            self.request_full_repaint()
             return
         self.status = "Cannot pick up directly from foundations."
 
@@ -761,6 +794,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
             self.freecells[self.held.source_index] = cards[0]
         self.held = None
         self.clear_hint()
+        self.request_full_repaint()
 
     def drop(self):
         if self.held is None:
@@ -784,6 +818,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
                         self.cursor_index + 1,
                     )
                 self.held = None
+                self.request_full_repaint()
             else:
                 self.status = "Illegal move for tableau column."
             return
@@ -799,6 +834,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
                     self.cursor_index + 1,
                 )
                 self.held = None
+                self.request_full_repaint()
             else:
                 self.status = "That free cell is occupied."
             return
@@ -811,6 +847,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
             foundation.append(moving_top)
             self.status = "Moved %s to foundation." % moving_top.short_name()
             self.held = None
+            self.request_full_repaint()
         else:
             self.status = "Illegal move for foundation."
 
@@ -833,6 +870,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
             self.clear_hint()
             self.freecells[free_idx] = col.pop()
             self.status = "Moved card to free cell %d." % (free_idx + 1)
+            self.request_full_repaint()
             return
         if self.cursor_zone == "top" and self.cursor_index < 4:
             self.status = "Already on a free cell."
@@ -870,6 +908,7 @@ class FreeCellGame:
         else:
             self.freecells[source[1]] = None
         self.status = "Moved %s to foundation." % card.short_name()
+        self.request_full_repaint()
 
     def is_won(self):
         total = 0
@@ -991,6 +1030,8 @@ def draw_top_row(stdscr, game, layout):
     index = 0
     while index < 4:
         x = layout.freecell_xs[index]
+        safe_addstr(stdscr, TOP_Y + 1, x - 1, " ", pair_attr(1))
+        safe_addnstr(stdscr, TOP_Y + 1, x, " " * CARD_W, CARD_W, pair_attr(1))
         selected = game.cursor_zone == "top" and game.cursor_index == index
         hinted = game.hinted_freecell(index)
         marker = " "
@@ -1019,6 +1060,8 @@ def draw_top_row(stdscr, game, layout):
     index = 0
     while index < 4:
         x = layout.foundation_xs[index]
+        safe_addstr(stdscr, TOP_Y + 1, x - 1, " ", pair_attr(1))
+        safe_addnstr(stdscr, TOP_Y + 1, x, " " * CARD_W, CARD_W, pair_attr(1))
         selected = game.cursor_zone == "top" and game.cursor_index == index + 4
         hinted = game.hinted_foundation(index)
         marker = " "
@@ -1080,6 +1123,8 @@ def draw_columns(stdscr, game, layout):
     col_idx = 0
     while col_idx < 8:
         x = layout.tableau_xs[col_idx]
+        safe_addstr(stdscr, COL_Y, x - 1, " ", pair_attr(1))
+        safe_addnstr(stdscr, COL_Y, x, " " * CARD_W, CARD_W, pair_attr(1))
         selected = game.cursor_zone == "bottom" and game.cursor_index == col_idx
         hinted_dest = game.hinted_column_destination(col_idx)
         header_label = str(col_idx + 1)
@@ -1093,6 +1138,15 @@ def draw_columns(stdscr, game, layout):
             header_attr = pair_attr(1)
         draw_box(stdscr, COL_Y, x, CARD_W, header_label, header_attr)
 
+        clear_y = COL_Y + 1
+        clear_limit = COL_Y + 8 + max_height
+        while clear_y < clear_limit:
+            safe_addstr(stdscr, clear_y, x - 1, " ", pair_attr(1))
+            safe_addnstr(
+                stdscr, clear_y, x + 1, " " * (CARD_W - 2), CARD_W - 2, pair_attr(1)
+            )
+            clear_y = clear_y + 1
+
         column = game.columns[col_idx]
         if not column:
             safe_addstr(stdscr, COL_Y + 1, x + 2, ".", pair_attr(1))
@@ -1215,6 +1269,7 @@ def render(stdscr, game):
     stdscr.erase()
     max_y, max_x = stdscr.getmaxyx()
     layout = compute_board_layout(max_x)
+    elapsed_text = "Time: %s" % format_elapsed_time(game.elapsed_time_seconds())
     title = "mcfreecell 1.5.2"
     if len(title) > max_x - 4:
         title = "mcfreecell"
@@ -1229,6 +1284,18 @@ def render(stdscr, game):
         max_x - title_x - 1,
         pair_attr(1) | text_attr("A_BOLD"),
     )
+    timer_x = max_x - len(elapsed_text) - 2
+    if timer_x < 2:
+        timer_x = 2
+    if timer_x > title_x + len(title):
+        safe_addnstr(
+            stdscr,
+            0,
+            timer_x,
+            elapsed_text,
+            max_x - timer_x - 1,
+            pair_attr(1) | text_attr("A_BOLD"),
+        )
     if game.visual_mode:
         visual_text = "-- VISUAL --"
         visual_x = title_x + len(title) + 3
@@ -1242,7 +1309,10 @@ def render(stdscr, game):
     draw_status(stdscr, game, max_y, max_x)
     draw_help(stdscr, max_y, max_x)
     if game.is_won():
-        safe_addstr(stdscr, 3, 2, "You won.", pair_attr(5) | text_attr("A_BOLD"))
+        win_text = "You won in %s." % format_elapsed_time(game.elapsed_time_seconds())
+        safe_addnstr(
+            stdscr, 3, 2, win_text, max_x - 4, pair_attr(5) | text_attr("A_BOLD")
+        )
     stdscr.refresh()
 
 
@@ -1332,6 +1402,8 @@ def handle_key(game, ch):
 
 
 def curses_main(stdscr):
+    idle_ticks = 0
+    poll_delay = 0
     if hasattr(curses, "curs_set"):
         try:
             curses.curs_set(0)
@@ -1342,11 +1414,65 @@ def curses_main(stdscr):
             stdscr.keypad(1)
         except:
             pass
+    if hasattr(stdscr, "timeout"):
+        try:
+            stdscr.timeout(100)
+        except:
+            pass
+    elif hasattr(stdscr, "nodelay"):
+        try:
+            stdscr.nodelay(1)
+            poll_delay = 1
+        except:
+            poll_delay = 0
     init_colors()
     game = FreeCellGame()
     while 1:
+        if game.needs_full_repaint:
+            game.needs_full_repaint = 0
+            if hasattr(stdscr, "redrawwin"):
+                try:
+                    stdscr.redrawwin()
+                except:
+                    pass
+            elif hasattr(stdscr, "touchwin"):
+                try:
+                    stdscr.touchwin()
+                except:
+                    pass
+            elif hasattr(stdscr, "clearok"):
+                try:
+                    stdscr.clearok(1)
+                except:
+                    pass
         render(stdscr, game)
         ch = stdscr.getch()
+        if ch == -1:
+            idle_ticks = idle_ticks + 1
+            if idle_ticks >= 5:
+                idle_ticks = 0
+                if hasattr(stdscr, "redrawwin"):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.redrawwin()
+                    except:
+                        pass
+                elif hasattr(stdscr, "touchwin"):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.touchwin()
+                    except:
+                        pass
+                elif hasattr(stdscr, "clearok"):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.clearok(1)
+                    except:
+                        pass
+            if poll_delay:
+                try:
+                    time.sleep(0.1)
+                except:
+                    pass
+            continue
+        idle_ticks = 0
         if not handle_key(game, ch):
             break