diff --git a/apps/api/src/services/terminal_session.py b/apps/api/src/services/terminal_session.py
index dc50a68..adbbd79 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/services/terminal_session.py
+++ b/apps/api/src/services/terminal_session.py
@@ -17,16 +17,17 @@ class TerminalSession:
 
     async def start(self) -> None:
         """Start the docker exec process with a shell."""
+        # Use docker exec -it to allocate a proper TTY
+        # This gives bash a real terminal and avoids ioctl/job control errors
         self.process = await asyncio.create_subprocess_exec(
             "docker",
             "exec",
-            "-i",
+            "-it",
             "-e",
             "TERM=xterm",
             self.container_id,
-            "/bin/bash",
-            "-i",
-            "-l",
+            "bash",
+            "-il",
             stdin=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE,
             stdout=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE,
             stderr=asyncio.subprocess.STDOUT,