diff --git a/openvpncertupdate.py b/openvpncertupdate.py
index 9a3935a..971dca3 100644
--- a/openvpncertupdate.py
+++ b/openvpncertupdate.py
@@ -749,7 +749,7 @@ def show_cert_form(
 
     curses.curs_set(1)
     while True:
-        win.clear()
+        win.erase()  # see show_main_screen's draw() for why not clear()
         draw_box(win, "Certificate Details")
         for name in _FORM_FIELDS:
             fy    = _FORM_FIELD_Y[name]
@@ -897,7 +897,11 @@ def show_main_screen(
     def menu_item(idx): return _MENU_ITEMS[idx - n_certs] if idx >= n_certs else None
 
     def draw():
-        stdscr.clear()
+        # erase() (not clear()) so refresh() only transmits the cells that
+        # actually changed instead of repainting the whole screen on every
+        # keystroke — clear() forces a full repaint and is slow/flickery
+        # over a low-bandwidth link like a serial console.
+        stdscr.erase()
         sh, sw = stdscr.getmaxyx()
 
         # Header bar — shows current filter mode
@@ -967,6 +971,13 @@ def show_main_screen(
         draw()
         key = stdscr.getch()
 
+        if key == curses.KEY_RESIZE:
+            # Force one true full repaint on the actual new dimensions —
+            # erase()+refresh() diffs against the pre-resize screen model,
+            # which isn't reliable across a genuine size change.
+            stdscr.clear()
+            continue
+
         if key == 27:  # Esc
             if esc_pending:
                 return ScreenResult(action=Action.EXIT)
diff --git a/tests/test_dialogs.py b/tests/test_dialogs.py
index ad18bb2..5d041b8 100644
--- a/tests/test_dialogs.py
+++ b/tests/test_dialogs.py
@@ -102,6 +102,18 @@ def test_show_cert_form_cancel():
     assert result.confirmed is False
 
 
+def test_show_cert_form_uses_erase_not_clear():
+    # clear() forces a full-screen repaint on every refresh(); the form
+    # redraws on every keystroke, so it must use erase() instead.
+    stdscr = _make_stdscr()
+    win = _make_win(rows=20, cols=70)
+    win.getch.side_effect = [9, 27]  # Tab, then Escape
+    with patch("curses.newwin", return_value=win):
+        show_cert_form(stdscr, cn="alice", email="alice@example.com")
+    assert win.erase.called
+    assert not win.clear.called
+
+
 def test_show_cert_form_confirm():
     """Enter advances through the 3 fields to the Continue button; Enter on
     Continue confirms.  That's 4 Enter keypresses total."""
diff --git a/tests/test_main_screen.py b/tests/test_main_screen.py
index 82af72b..b9cc0ab 100644
--- a/tests/test_main_screen.py
+++ b/tests/test_main_screen.py
@@ -103,6 +103,29 @@ def test_q_exits():
     assert result.selected_cns == []
 
 
+def test_draw_uses_erase_not_clear():
+    # clear() forces a full-screen repaint on every refresh(); erase() lets
+    # curses diff against the previous frame instead — important over a
+    # low-bandwidth link like a serial console.
+    stdscr = _make_stdscr()
+    stdscr.getch.side_effect = [ord("q")]
+    with patch("openvpncertupdate.init_colors"):
+        show_main_screen(stdscr, _CERTS)
+    assert stdscr.erase.called
+    assert not stdscr.clear.called
+
+
+def test_key_resize_forces_one_full_clear():
+    # A genuine terminal resize should force one true full repaint rather
+    # than relying on erase()'s diff against pre-resize screen contents.
+    stdscr = _make_stdscr()
+    stdscr.getch.side_effect = [_curses.KEY_RESIZE, ord("q")]
+    with patch("openvpncertupdate.init_colors"):
+        show_main_screen(stdscr, _CERTS)
+    assert stdscr.clear.call_count == 1
+    assert stdscr.erase.call_count == 2  # once before the resize key, once after
+
+
 def test_capital_Q_exits():
     result = _run([ord("Q")])
     assert result.action == Action.EXIT