diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 7b94e27..ab46f26 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -38,3 +38,6 @@ immich/b2-linux
 
 # Generated dotfiles - these are created dynamically by bootstrap process
 dotfiles/my-aliases.zsh
+
+# Compiled binaries
+tui/tui
diff --git a/docs/tui-newline-fix-summary.md b/docs/tui-newline-fix-summary.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ce4311
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/tui-newline-fix-summary.md
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+# TUI Newline Fix Implementation Summary
+
+## Problem
+The TUI application was displaying literal `\n` characters as text strings instead of rendering them as actual line breaks in the right-hand panel when viewing backup output.
+
+## Root Cause
+Backup scripts were outputting literal escape sequences (e.g., `\n`, `\t`, `\r`) as text strings, which were being displayed directly in the TUI viewport without processing.
+
+## Solution
+Implemented a `processEscapeSequences()` helper function that converts literal escape sequences to their actual character representations before displaying content in the viewport.
+
+## Implementation Details
+
+### 1. Added Helper Function
+```go
+// Helper function to process escape sequences in output text
+func processEscapeSequences(text string) string {
+    processed := strings.ReplaceAll(text, "\\n", "\n")
+    processed = strings.ReplaceAll(processed, "\\t", "\t")
+    processed = strings.ReplaceAll(processed, "\\r", "\r")
+    return processed
+}
+```
+
+### 2. Integration Points
+The function is called in three key locations where backup output is displayed:
+
+1. **Backup Success Messages** (line ~584)
+   ```go
+   processedOutput := processEscapeSequences(msg.output)
+   ```
+
+2. **Backup Error Messages** (line ~621)
+   ```go
+   processedError := processEscapeSequences(msg.error)
+   ```
+
+3. **Running Backup Output** (line ~677)
+   ```go
+   processedOutput := processEscapeSequences(outputForDisplay)
+   ```
+
+## Testing
+- Created test scripts that generate literal escape sequences
+- Verified the fix converts `\n` to actual newlines
+- Confirmed TUI compiles and runs successfully
+- Tested with demonstration scripts
+
+## Files Modified
+- `/home/acedanger/shell/tui/main.go` - Main TUI application
+
+## Files Created for Testing
+- `/home/acedanger/shell/test-plex-backup.sh` - Test script with literal newlines
+- `/home/acedanger/shell/test-newline-fix.go` - Standalone test of the fix
+- `/home/acedanger/shell/demonstrate-newline-fix.sh` - Demonstration script
+
+## Result
+✅ **Issue Resolved**: The TUI now properly displays newlines, tabs, and carriage returns in backup output instead of showing them as literal escape sequence characters.
+
+## Usage
+The fix is automatically applied to all backup output displayed in the TUI. No user action required - the escape sequence processing happens transparently.
+
+---
+*Fix implemented on May 30, 2025*
diff --git a/tui/main.go b/tui/main.go
index 29007f8..ea33ca6 100644
--- a/tui/main.go
+++ b/tui/main.go
@@ -580,8 +580,11 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			duration = m.backupStatus[msg.service].Duration
 		}
 
+		// Process output to handle escape sequences properly
+		processedOutput := processEscapeSequences(msg.output)
+
 		m.viewport.SetContent(fmt.Sprintf("✅ Backup completed successfully for %s!\n\nDuration: %s\n\n%s\n\n📋 Full Output:\n%s",
-			msg.service, duration, summaryText, msg.output))
+			msg.service, duration, summaryText, processedOutput))
 
 	case backupErrorMsg:
 		if m.backupStatus[msg.service] != nil {
@@ -614,8 +617,11 @@ func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			errorAnalysis = "\n💡 This might be a disk space issue. Check available storage."
 		}
 
+		// Process error output to handle escape sequences properly
+		processedError := processEscapeSequences(msg.error)
+
 		m.viewport.SetContent(fmt.Sprintf("❌ Backup failed for %s!\n\nDuration: %s%s\n\n🚨 Error Details:\n%s",
-			msg.service, duration, errorAnalysis, msg.error))
+			msg.service, duration, errorAnalysis, processedError))
 
 	case spinner.TickMsg:
 		m.spinner, cmd = m.spinner.Update(msg)
@@ -667,8 +673,11 @@ func (m *Model) updateViewportForRunningService(service string, outputForDisplay
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Process output to handle escape sequences properly
+	processedOutput := processEscapeSequences(outputForDisplay)
+
 	m.viewport.SetContent(fmt.Sprintf("⏳ Backup in progress for %s...\n\n%s %d%%\nElapsed: %s%s\n\n📋 Latest output:\n%s\n\nPress 'x' to stop the backup.",
-		service, progressBar, progress, elapsed.Round(time.Second), etaStr, outputForDisplay))
+		service, progressBar, progress, elapsed.Round(time.Second), etaStr, processedOutput))
 }
 
 func (m Model) View() string {
@@ -1257,6 +1266,14 @@ func createProgressBar(progress int) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("[%s]", bar)
 }
 
+// Helper function to process escape sequences in output text
+func processEscapeSequences(text string) string {
+	processed := strings.ReplaceAll(text, "\\n", "\n")
+	processed = strings.ReplaceAll(processed, "\\t", "\t")
+	processed = strings.ReplaceAll(processed, "\\r", "\r")
+	return processed
+}
+
 // Start a progress ticker for time-based progress estimation
 func (m Model) startProgressTicker(service string) tea.Cmd {
 	return tea.Tick(time.Second*2, func(t time.Time) tea.Msg {