diff --git a/cli/package.json b/cli/package.json
index 7af6b66d8..0aa73751b 100644
--- a/cli/package.json
+++ b/cli/package.json
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@
     "ntt": "src/index.ts"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "chalk": "^5.6.0",
-    "ora": "8.2.0",
     "yargs": "18.0.0"
   },
   "overrides": {
diff --git a/cli/src/colors.ts b/cli/src/colors.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..49db0df1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cli/src/colors.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*  Simple ANSI color utilities */
+
+const RESET = "\x1b[0m";
+
+const useColors =
+  process.env.NO_COLOR === undefined &&
+  (process.env.FORCE_COLOR !== undefined || process.stdout.isTTY);
+
+const c = (code: string) => (text: unknown) =>
+  useColors ? `${code}${text}${RESET}` : String(text);
+
+export const colors = {
+  red: c("\x1b[31m"),
+  green: c("\x1b[32m"),
+  yellow: c("\x1b[33m"),
+  blue: c("\x1b[34m"),
+  cyan: c("\x1b[36m"),
+  white: c("\x1b[37m"),
+  gray: c("\x1b[90m"),
+  dim: c("\x1b[2m"),
+  reset: (text: unknown) => String(text),
+};
+
+export default colors;
diff --git a/cli/src/configuration.ts b/cli/src/configuration.ts
index 862c09a17..40baa85ed 100644
--- a/cli/src/configuration.ts
+++ b/cli/src/configuration.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { assertChain, chains, type Chain } from "@wormhole-foundation/sdk";
 import * as yargs from "yargs";
 import fs from "fs";
 import { ensureNttRoot } from ".";
-import chalk from "chalk";
+import { colors } from "./colors.js";
 
 // We support project-local and global configuration.
 // The configuration is stored in JSON files in $HOME/.ntt-cli/config.json (global) and .ntt-cli/config.json (local).
@@ -189,13 +189,13 @@ export function get(
   const varName = envVarName(chain, key);
   const env = process.env[varName];
   if (env) {
-    console.info(chalk.yellow(`Using ${varName} for ${chain} ${key}`));
+    console.info(colors.yellow(`Using ${varName} for ${chain} ${key}`));
     return env;
   }
   const local = getChainConfig("local", chain, key);
   if (local) {
     console.info(
-      chalk.yellow(
+      colors.yellow(
         `Using local configuration for ${chain} ${key} (in .ntt-cli/config.json)`
       )
     );
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ export function get(
   const global = getChainConfig("global", chain, key);
   if (global) {
     console.info(
-      chalk.yellow(
+      colors.yellow(
         `Using global configuration for ${chain} ${key} (in $HOME/.ntt-cli/config.json)`
       )
     );
diff --git a/cli/src/diff.ts b/cli/src/diff.ts
index 5df51a555..2daea18e3 100644
--- a/cli/src/diff.ts
+++ b/cli/src/diff.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import chalk from "chalk";
+import { colors } from "./colors.js";
 
 export type Diff<T> = {
   push?: T;
@@ -94,9 +94,9 @@ export function colorizeDiff(diff: any, indent = 2): string {
         if (push !== undefined && pull !== undefined) {
           result += `${line}\n`;
         } else if (push !== undefined) {
-          result += line.replace(trimmedLine, chalk.red(trimmedLine)) + "\n";
+          result += line.replace(trimmedLine, colors.red(trimmedLine)) + "\n";
         } else if (pull !== undefined) {
-          result += line.replace(trimmedLine, chalk.green(trimmedLine)) + "\n";
+          result += line.replace(trimmedLine, colors.green(trimmedLine)) + "\n";
         }
       } else {
         result += line + "\n";
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ export function colorizeDiff(diff: any, indent = 2): string {
       trimmedLine.startsWith('"push"') ||
       trimmedLine.startsWith('"pull"')
     ) {
-      const color = trimmedLine.startsWith('"push"') ? chalk.green : chalk.red;
+      const color = trimmedLine.startsWith('"push"') ? colors.green : colors.red;
       result += line.replace(trimmedLine, color(trimmedLine)) + "\n";
     } else {
       result += line + "\n";
diff --git a/cli/src/error.ts b/cli/src/error.ts
index 790616eaf..435144382 100644
--- a/cli/src/error.ts
+++ b/cli/src/error.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import chalk from "chalk";
+import { colors } from "./colors.js";
 import type { Chain, Network } from "@wormhole-foundation/sdk";
 import { chainToPlatform } from "@wormhole-foundation/sdk-base";
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ function handleSuiDeploymentError(error: any, rpc: string): boolean {
     return false;
   }
   
-  console.error(chalk.red("\nSui deployment failed\n"));
+  console.error(colors.red("\nSui deployment failed\n"));
   
   let errorMessage = "";
   
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ function handleSuiDeploymentError(error: any, rpc: string): boolean {
     errorMessage = error.message;
   }
   
-  console.error(chalk.red(errorMessage || "Unknown deployment error"));
+  console.error(colors.red(errorMessage || "Unknown deployment error"));
   
   return true;
 }
@@ -106,27 +106,27 @@ function handleRpcConnectionError(
 
   const errorMessage = error?.message || String(error);
 
-  console.error(chalk.red(`RPC connection error for ${chain} on ${network}\n`));
-  console.error(chalk.yellow("RPC endpoint:"), chalk.white(rpc));
-  console.error(chalk.yellow("Error:"), errorMessage);
+  console.error(colors.red(`RPC connection error for ${chain} on ${network}\n`));
+  console.error(colors.yellow("RPC endpoint:"), colors.white(rpc));
+  console.error(colors.yellow("Error:"), errorMessage);
   console.error();
   console.error(
-    chalk.yellow(
+    colors.yellow(
       "This error usually means the RPC endpoint is missing, invalid, or unreachable."
     )
   );
   console.error(
-    chalk.yellow(
+    colors.yellow(
       "You can specify a private RPC endpoint by creating an overrides.json file.\n"
     )
   );
   console.error(
-    chalk.cyan("Create a file named ") +
-      chalk.white("overrides.json") +
-      chalk.cyan(" in your project root:")
+    colors.cyan("Create a file named ") +
+      colors.white("overrides.json") +
+      colors.cyan(" in your project root:")
   );
   console.error(
-    chalk.white(`
+    colors.white(`
 {
   "chains": {
     "${chain}": {
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ function handleRpcConnectionError(
     const platform = chainToPlatform(chain as any);
     if (platform === "Evm") {
       console.error(
-        chalk.cyan(`Find RPC endpoints for ${chain}: https://chainlist.org`)
+        colors.cyan(`Find RPC endpoints for ${chain}: https://chainlist.org`)
       );
     }
   } catch (e) {
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ function handleRpcConnectionError(
   }
 
   console.error(
-    chalk.cyan(
+    colors.cyan(
       `For more information about overrides.json:\n` +
         `  • https://wormhole.com/docs/products/token-transfers/native-token-transfers/faqs/#how-can-i-specify-a-custom-rpc-for-ntt`
     )
@@ -163,30 +163,30 @@ function handleRpcConnectionError(
  * @param error - The error that occurred
  */
 function handleGenericError(error: any): never {
-  console.error(chalk.red("\nDeployment failed\n"));
+  console.error(colors.red("\nDeployment failed\n"));
   
   const errorMessage = error?.message || String(error);
   
   // Show stdout if available
   if (error.stdout) {
-    console.error(chalk.yellow("Output:"));
+    console.error(colors.yellow("Output:"));
     console.error(error.stdout.toString());
   }
   
   // Show stderr if available
   if (error.stderr) {
-    console.error(chalk.yellow("\nError output:"));
+    console.error(colors.yellow("\nError output:"));
     console.error(error.stderr.toString());
   }
   
   // Show message if no stdout/stderr
   if (!error.stdout && !error.stderr) {
-    console.error(chalk.yellow("Error:"), errorMessage);
+    console.error(colors.yellow("Error:"), errorMessage);
     
     // Show stack trace for debugging if available
     if (error.stack) {
-      console.error(chalk.dim("\nStack trace:"));
-      console.error(chalk.dim(error.stack));
+      console.error(colors.dim("\nStack trace:"));
+      console.error(colors.dim(error.stack));
     }
   }
   
@@ -223,6 +223,6 @@ export function logRpcError(
     return;
   }
   const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error);
-  console.error(chalk.red(`RPC error for ${chain} on ${network}`));
+  console.error(colors.red(`RPC error for ${chain} on ${network}`));
   console.error(message);
 }
diff --git a/cli/src/index.ts b/cli/src/index.ts
index 0bce03bc0..c40cfb2af 100755
--- a/cli/src/index.ts
+++ b/cli/src/index.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import {
 import { execSync } from "child_process";
 import * as myEvmSigner from "./evmsigner.js";
 
-import chalk from "chalk";
+import { colors } from "./colors.js";
 import yargs from "yargs";
 import { $ } from "bun";
 import { hideBin } from "yargs/helpers";
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ import { newSignSendWaiter, signSendWaitWithOverride } from "./signSendWait.js";
 const overrides: WormholeConfigOverrides<Network> = (function () {
   // read overrides.json file if exists
   if (fs.existsSync("overrides.json")) {
-    console.error(chalk.yellow("Using overrides.json"));
+    console.error(colors.yellow("Using overrides.json"));
     return JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync("overrides.json").toString());
   } else {
     return {};
@@ -721,31 +721,31 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
 
       // HyperEVM confirmation
       if (chain === "HyperEVM" && !argv["yes"]) {
-        console.log(chalk.yellow("⚠️  HyperEVM Deployment Requirements:"));
+        console.log(colors.yellow("⚠️  HyperEVM Deployment Requirements:"));
         console.log(
-          chalk.yellow(
+          colors.yellow(
             "Before proceeding with the HyperEVM deployment, please ensure:"
           )
         );
         console.log(
-          chalk.yellow(
+          colors.yellow(
             "1. You have created a verified account by depositing into Hyperliquid from the deployer wallet"
           )
         );
         console.log(
-          chalk.white("Hyperliquid app: https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/")
+          colors.white("Hyperliquid app: https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/")
         );
         console.log(
-          chalk.yellow(
+          colors.yellow(
             "2. You have enabled larger blocks to be used for the deployment"
           )
         );
         console.log(
-          chalk.white(
+          colors.white(
             "Docs: https://hyperliquid.gitbook.io/hyperliquid-docs/for-developers/hyperevm/dual-block-architecture"
           )
         );
-        console.log(chalk.yellow(""));
+        console.log(colors.yellow(""));
 
         await askForConfirmation(
           "Did you make sure to do steps 1 & 2 mentioned above?"
@@ -790,7 +790,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
         overrides
       );
 
-      console.log("token decimals:", chalk.yellow(decimals));
+      console.log("token decimals:", colors.yellow(decimals));
 
       config.transceivers.wormhole.executor = argv["executor"];
 
@@ -1098,9 +1098,9 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
         process.exit(1);
       }
       fs.writeFileSync(path, JSON.stringify(deployment, null, 2));
-      console.log(chalk.green(`${path} created — this file stores your NTT deployment configuration`));
+      console.log(colors.green(`${path} created — this file stores your NTT deployment configuration`));
       console.log(
-        chalk.cyan(
+        colors.cyan(
           `\nTip: To use custom RPC endpoints, rename example-overrides.json to overrides.json and edit as needed.`
         )
       );
@@ -1139,7 +1139,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
           EXCLUDED_DIFF_PATHS
         );
         if (Object.keys(diff).length !== 0) {
-          console.error(chalk.reset(colorizeDiff({ [chain]: diff })));
+          console.error(colors.reset(colorizeDiff({ [chain]: diff })));
           changed = true;
           // Preserve excluded fields from local config when pulling
           const preservedConfig = { ...deployment.config.remote! };
@@ -1443,7 +1443,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
 
         const diff = diffObjects(local!, remote!, EXCLUDED_DIFF_PATHS);
         if (Object.keys(diff).length !== 0) {
-          console.error(chalk.reset(colorizeDiff({ [chain]: diff })));
+          console.error(colors.reset(colorizeDiff({ [chain]: diff })));
           fixable++;
         }
 
@@ -1460,7 +1460,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
       }
 
       if (Object.keys(extraInfo).length > 0) {
-        console.log(chalk.yellow(JSON.stringify(extraInfo, null, 2)));
+        console.log(colors.yellow(JSON.stringify(extraInfo, null, 2)));
       }
 
       // verify peers
@@ -1487,13 +1487,13 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
         ] of missingConfig.standardRelaying) {
           if (shouldBeSet) {
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 `  Standard relaying not configured for ${relayingTarget}`
               )
             );
           } else {
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 `  Standard relaying configured for ${relayingTarget}, but should not be`
               )
             );
@@ -1505,13 +1505,13 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
         ] of missingConfig.specialRelaying) {
           if (shouldBeSet) {
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 `  Special relaying not configured for ${relayingTarget}`
               )
             );
           } else {
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 `  Special relaying configured for ${relayingTarget}, but should not be`
               )
             );
@@ -1693,12 +1693,12 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
         if (major === -1) {
           if (!argv["yes"]) {
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 "SPL Multisig token mint authority is only supported for versions >= 3.x.x"
               )
             );
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 "Ensure the program version you wish to deploy supports SPL Multisig token mint authority"
               )
             );
@@ -2175,12 +2175,12 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
           // undeployed -- assume version compatible via warning
           if (major === -1 && !argv["yes"]) {
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 "SPL Multisig token mint authority is only supported for versions >= 3.x.x"
               )
             );
             console.warn(
-              chalk.yellow(
+              colors.yellow(
                 "Ensure the program version you wish to deploy supports SPL Multisig token mint authority"
               )
             );
@@ -2391,13 +2391,13 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             process.exit(1);
           }
 
-          console.log(chalk.blue("🔗 Manual setPeer Operation"));
-          console.log(`Source Chain: ${chalk.yellow(sourceChain)}`);
-          console.log(`Peer Chain: ${chalk.yellow(peerChain)}`);
-          console.log(`Peer Address: ${chalk.yellow(peerAddress)}`);
-          console.log(`Token Decimals: ${chalk.yellow(tokenDecimals)}`);
+          console.log(colors.blue("🔗 Manual setPeer Operation"));
+          console.log(`Source Chain: ${colors.yellow(sourceChain)}`);
+          console.log(`Peer Chain: ${colors.yellow(peerChain)}`);
+          console.log(`Peer Address: ${colors.yellow(peerAddress)}`);
+          console.log(`Token Decimals: ${colors.yellow(tokenDecimals)}`);
           console.log(
-            `Inbound Limit: ${chalk.yellow(inboundLimit.toString())}`
+            `Inbound Limit: ${colors.yellow(inboundLimit.toString())}`
           );
 
           try {
@@ -2413,7 +2413,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             );
 
             console.log(
-              `\nSource NTT Manager: ${chalk.yellow(sourceConfig.manager)}`
+              `\nSource NTT Manager: ${colors.yellow(sourceConfig.manager)}`
             );
 
             // Create peer address object
@@ -2426,11 +2426,11 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             const signer = await getSigner(ctx, signerType);
 
             console.log(
-              `Signer Address: ${chalk.yellow(
+              `Signer Address: ${colors.yellow(
                 signer.address.address.toString()
               )}`
             );
-            console.log("\n" + chalk.blue("Executing setPeer transaction..."));
+            console.log("\n" + colors.blue("Executing setPeer transaction..."));
 
             // Call setPeer on the NTT instance (it returns an AsyncGenerator)
             const setPeerTxs = ntt.setPeer(
@@ -2453,7 +2453,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
 
               // Display transaction results
               console.log(
-                `Transaction Hash: ${chalk.green(
+                `Transaction Hash: ${colors.green(
                   results[0]?.txid || results[0] || "Transaction completed"
                 )}`
               );
@@ -2487,13 +2487,13 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             }
 
             console.log(
-              chalk.green("\n✅ setPeer operation completed successfully!")
+              colors.green("\n✅ setPeer operation completed successfully!")
             );
             console.log(
               `Peer relationship established: ${sourceChain} ↔ ${peerChain}`
             );
           } catch (error) {
-            console.error(chalk.red("\n❌ setPeer operation failed:"));
+            console.error(colors.red("\n❌ setPeer operation failed:"));
             console.error(
               "ERROR: Main error message:",
               error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error)
@@ -2602,15 +2602,15 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             process.exit(1);
           }
 
-          console.log(chalk.blue("💰 Manual Transfer Operation"));
-          console.log(`Source Chain: ${chalk.yellow(sourceChain)}`);
-          console.log(`Destination Chain: ${chalk.yellow(destinationChain)}`);
+          console.log(colors.blue("💰 Manual Transfer Operation"));
+          console.log(`Source Chain: ${colors.yellow(sourceChain)}`);
+          console.log(`Destination Chain: ${colors.yellow(destinationChain)}`);
           console.log(
-            `Destination Address: ${chalk.yellow(destinationAddress)}`
+            `Destination Address: ${colors.yellow(destinationAddress)}`
           );
-          console.log(`Amount: ${chalk.yellow(amount.toString())}`);
+          console.log(`Amount: ${colors.yellow(amount.toString())}`);
           console.log(
-            `Queue if rate limited: ${chalk.yellow(queue.toString())}`
+            `Queue if rate limited: ${colors.yellow(queue.toString())}`
           );
 
           try {
@@ -2626,7 +2626,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             );
 
             console.log(
-              `\nSource NTT Manager: ${chalk.yellow(sourceConfig.manager)}`
+              `\nSource NTT Manager: ${colors.yellow(sourceConfig.manager)}`
             );
 
             // Create destination address object
@@ -2639,11 +2639,11 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             const signer = await getSigner(ctx, signerType);
 
             console.log(
-              `Signer Address: ${chalk.yellow(
+              `Signer Address: ${colors.yellow(
                 signer.address.address.toString()
               )}`
             );
-            console.log("\n" + chalk.blue("Executing transfer transaction..."));
+            console.log("\n" + colors.blue("Executing transfer transaction..."));
 
             // Call transfer on the NTT instance (it returns an AsyncGenerator)
             const transferTxs = ntt.transfer(
@@ -2667,7 +2667,7 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
 
               // Display transaction results
               console.log(
-                `Transaction Hash: ${chalk.green(
+                `Transaction Hash: ${colors.green(
                   results[0]?.txid || results[0] || "Transaction completed"
                 )}`
               );
@@ -2689,12 +2689,12 @@ yargs(hideBin(process.argv))
             }
 
             console.log(
-              chalk.green("\n✅ Transfer operation completed successfully!")
+              colors.green("\n✅ Transfer operation completed successfully!")
             );
             console.log(`Transfer sent: ${sourceChain} → ${destinationChain}`);
             console.log(`Amount: ${amount.toString()} tokens`);
           } catch (error) {
-            console.error(chalk.red("\n❌ Transfer operation failed:"));
+            console.error(colors.red("\n❌ Transfer operation failed:"));
             console.error(
               "ERROR: Main error message:",
               error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error)
@@ -2746,7 +2746,7 @@ function checkConfigErrors(
       fatal++;
     }
     if (config.limits.outbound === formatNumber(0n, deployment.decimals)) {
-      console.warn(chalk.yellow(`${chain} has an outbound limit of 0`));
+      console.warn(colors.yellow(`${chain} has an outbound limit of 0`));
     }
     for (const [c, limit] of Object.entries(config.limits.inbound)) {
       if (!checkNumberFormatting(limit, deployment.decimals)) {
@@ -2757,7 +2757,7 @@ function checkConfigErrors(
       }
       if (limit === formatNumber(0n, deployment.decimals)) {
         console.warn(
-          chalk.yellow(`${chain} has an inbound limit of 0 from ${c}`)
+          colors.yellow(`${chain} has an inbound limit of 0 from ${c}`)
         );
       }
     }
@@ -2776,7 +2776,7 @@ function createWorkTree(platform: Platform, version: string): string {
 
   if (fs.existsSync(worktreeName)) {
     console.log(
-      chalk.yellow(
+      colors.yellow(
         `Worktree already exists at ${worktreeName}. Resetting to ${tag}`
       )
     );
@@ -2800,7 +2800,7 @@ function createWorkTree(platform: Platform, version: string): string {
   );
 
   console.log(
-    chalk.green(`Created worktree at ${worktreeName} from tag ${tag}`)
+    colors.green(`Created worktree at ${worktreeName} from tag ${tag}`)
   );
   return worktreeName;
 }
@@ -4468,7 +4468,7 @@ async function deploySui<N extends Network, C extends Chain>(
         );
       }
 
-      console.log(chalk.green("Sui NTT deployment completed successfully!"));
+      console.log(colors.green("Sui NTT deployment completed successfully!"));
       console.log(`NTT Package ID: ${nttPackageId}`);
       console.log(`NTT State ID: ${nttStateId}`);
       console.log(`Wormhole Transceiver Package ID: ${whTransceiverPackageId}`);
@@ -4693,7 +4693,7 @@ async function pushDeployment<C extends Chain>(
   const canonical = canonicalAddress(deployment.manager);
   console.log(`Pushing changes to ${deployment.manager.chain} (${canonical})`);
 
-  console.log(chalk.reset(colorizeDiff(diff)));
+  console.log(colors.reset(colorizeDiff(diff)));
   if (!yes) {
     await askForConfirmation();
   }
@@ -5304,7 +5304,7 @@ function checkSolanaVersion(pwd: string): void {
 
     if (!versionMatch) {
       console.warn(
-        chalk.yellow("Warning: Could not find solana_version in Anchor.toml")
+        colors.yellow("Warning: Could not find solana_version in Anchor.toml")
       );
       return;
     }
@@ -5321,7 +5321,7 @@ function checkSolanaVersion(pwd: string): void {
       });
       const versionMatch = output.match(/solana-cli (\d+\.\d+\.\d+)/);
       if (!versionMatch) {
-        console.error(chalk.red("Error: Could not parse solana CLI version"));
+        console.error(colors.red("Error: Could not parse solana CLI version"));
         process.exit(1);
       }
       currentVersion = versionMatch[1];
@@ -5337,12 +5337,12 @@ function checkSolanaVersion(pwd: string): void {
       }
     } catch (error) {
       console.error(
-        chalk.red(
+        colors.red(
           "Error: solana CLI not found. Please install the Solana toolchain."
         )
       );
       console.error(
-        chalk.yellow(
+        colors.yellow(
           'Install with: sh -c "$(curl -sSfL https://release.anza.xyz/stable/install)"'
         )
       );
@@ -5350,12 +5350,12 @@ function checkSolanaVersion(pwd: string): void {
     }
 
     if (currentVersion !== requiredVersion) {
-      console.log(chalk.yellow(`Solana version mismatch detected:`));
+      console.log(colors.yellow(`Solana version mismatch detected:`));
       console.log(
-        chalk.yellow(`  Required: ${requiredVersion} (from Anchor.toml)`)
+        colors.yellow(`  Required: ${requiredVersion} (from Anchor.toml)`)
       );
-      console.log(chalk.yellow(`  Current:  ${currentVersion}`));
-      console.log(chalk.yellow(`\nSwitching to required version...`));
+      console.log(colors.yellow(`  Current:  ${currentVersion}`));
+      console.log(colors.yellow(`\nSwitching to required version...`));
 
       // Run the appropriate version switch command
       const installCommand =
@@ -5366,24 +5366,24 @@ function checkSolanaVersion(pwd: string): void {
       try {
         execSync(installCommand, { stdio: "inherit" });
         console.log(
-          chalk.green(
+          colors.green(
             `Successfully switched to Solana version ${requiredVersion}`
           )
         );
       } catch (error) {
         console.error(
-          chalk.red(`Failed to switch Solana version using ${installCommand}`)
+          colors.red(`Failed to switch Solana version using ${installCommand}`)
         );
-        console.error(chalk.red(`Please run manually: ${installCommand}`));
+        console.error(colors.red(`Please run manually: ${installCommand}`));
         process.exit(1);
       }
     }
   } catch (error) {
     if (error instanceof Error && "code" in error && error.code === "ENOENT") {
-      console.warn(chalk.yellow("Warning: Could not read Anchor.toml file"));
+      console.warn(colors.yellow("Warning: Could not read Anchor.toml file"));
     } else {
       console.warn(
-        chalk.yellow(
+        colors.yellow(
           `Warning: Failed to check Solana version: ${
             error instanceof Error ? error.message : error
           }`
@@ -5401,7 +5401,7 @@ function checkAnchorVersion(pwd: string) {
 
     if (!versionMatch) {
       console.error(
-        chalk.red("Error: Could not find anchor_version in Anchor.toml")
+        colors.red("Error: Could not find anchor_version in Anchor.toml")
       );
       process.exit(1);
     }
@@ -5423,22 +5423,22 @@ function checkAnchorVersion(pwd: string) {
     // version looks like "anchor-cli 0.14.0"
     const [_, v] = version.split(" ");
     if (v !== expected) {
-      console.error(chalk.red(`Anchor CLI version mismatch!`));
-      console.error(chalk.red(`  Required: ${expected} (from Anchor.toml)`));
-      console.error(chalk.red(`  Current:  ${v}`));
+      console.error(colors.red(`Anchor CLI version mismatch!`));
+      console.error(colors.red(`  Required: ${expected} (from Anchor.toml)`));
+      console.error(colors.red(`  Current:  ${v}`));
       console.error(
-        chalk.yellow(`\nTo fix this, install the correct version of Anchor`)
+        colors.yellow(`\nTo fix this, install the correct version of Anchor`)
       );
       console.error(
-        chalk.gray("See https://www.anchor-lang.com/docs/installation")
+        colors.gray("See https://www.anchor-lang.com/docs/installation")
       );
       process.exit(1);
     }
   } catch (error) {
     if (error instanceof Error && "code" in error && error.code === "ENOENT") {
-      console.error(chalk.red("Error: Could not read Anchor.toml file"));
+      console.error(colors.red("Error: Could not read Anchor.toml file"));
       console.error(
-        chalk.yellow(`Expected file at: ${pwd}/solana/Anchor.toml`)
+        colors.yellow(`Expected file at: ${pwd}/solana/Anchor.toml`)
       );
       process.exit(1);
     } else {
@@ -5475,17 +5475,17 @@ function resolveVersion(
 function warnLocalDeployment(yes: boolean): Promise<void> {
   if (!yes) {
     console.warn(
-      chalk.yellow(
+      colors.yellow(
         "WARNING: You are deploying from your local working directory."
       )
     );
     console.warn(
-      chalk.yellow(
+      colors.yellow(
         "This bypasses version control and may deploy untested changes."
       )
     );
     console.warn(
-      chalk.yellow(
+      colors.yellow(
         "Ensure your local changes are thoroughly tested and compatible."
       )
     );
diff --git a/cli/src/solanaHelpers.ts b/cli/src/solanaHelpers.ts
index 5a0eb735f..374c7a16a 100644
--- a/cli/src/solanaHelpers.ts
+++ b/cli/src/solanaHelpers.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import chalk from "chalk";
+import { colors } from "./colors.js";
 import { signSendWait, type AccountAddress, chainToPlatform } from "@wormhole-foundation/sdk";
 import type { SolanaChains } from "@wormhole-foundation/sdk-solana";
 import type { SolanaNtt } from "@wormhole-foundation/sdk-solana-ntt";
@@ -17,5 +17,5 @@ export async function registerSolanaTransceiver<N, C extends SolanaChains>(
     owner: signer.address.address as any as AccountAddress<C>,
   });
   await signSendWait(ctx, registerTx, signer.signer as any);
-  console.log(chalk.green("Wormhole transceiver registered successfully"));
+  console.log(colors.green("Wormhole transceiver registered successfully"));
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cli/src/tokenTransfer.ts b/cli/src/tokenTransfer.ts
index 676f4c8af..5c61c7477 100644
--- a/cli/src/tokenTransfer.ts
+++ b/cli/src/tokenTransfer.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 // NOTE: We rely on the Wormhole TypeScript SDK for cross-chain execution logic:
 // https://github.com/wormhole-foundation/wormhole-sdk-ts
 
-import chalk from "chalk";
-import ora, { type Ora } from "ora";
+import { colors } from "./colors.js";
 import type { Argv, CommandModule } from "yargs";
 import {
   Wormhole,
@@ -274,11 +273,11 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
   }
 
   if (payerPath && chainToPlatform(sourceChainInput) !== "Solana") {
-    console.warn(
-      chalk.yellow(
-        "--payer is only used when the source chain is Solana. Ignoring provided path."
-      )
-    );
+console.warn(
+        colors.yellow(
+          "--payer is only used when the source chain is Solana. Ignoring provided path."
+        )
+      );
   }
 
   const rpcRaw = argv["rpc"];
@@ -505,7 +504,7 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
     applyMsgValueOverride(executorConfig, destinationTokenId, msgValueToUse);
     if (destinationMsgValueOverride === undefined) {
       console.warn(
-        chalk.yellow(
+        colors.yellow(
           `Destination ${destinationChainInput} requires msgValue funding for the Wormhole Executor. Using default ${msgValueToUse.toString()} lamports. Pass --destination-msg-value to override.`
         )
       );
@@ -516,7 +515,7 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
     }
   } else if (destinationMsgValueOverride !== undefined) {
     console.warn(
-      chalk.yellow(
+      colors.yellow(
         `--destination-msg-value is only required for SVM destinations. Ignoring override for ${destinationChainInput}.`
       )
     );
@@ -577,7 +576,7 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
 
   if (quoteResult.warnings?.length) {
     for (const warning of quoteResult.warnings) {
-      console.warn(chalk.yellow(formatQuoteWarning(warning)));
+      console.warn(colors.yellow(formatQuoteWarning(warning)));
     }
   }
 
@@ -589,21 +588,21 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
     `Transferring ${formattedTransferAmount} tokens from ${sourceChainInput} to ${destinationChainInput} (${network})`
   );
   console.log(
-    `Source address: ${chalk.cyan(sourceSigner.address.address.toString())}`
+    `Source address: ${colors.cyan(sourceSigner.address.address.toString())}`
   );
   const destinationAddressDisplay = Wormhole.canonicalAddress(
     destinationAddress
   );
   console.log(
-    `Destination address: ${chalk.cyan(destinationAddressDisplay)}`
+    `Destination address: ${colors.cyan(destinationAddressDisplay)}`
   );
   console.log(
-    `Source token: ${chalk.cyan(
+    `Source token: ${colors.cyan(
       sourceDeployment.token
     )} (decimals: ${decimals.toString()})`
   );
   console.log(
-    `Destination token: ${chalk.cyan(destinationDeployment.token)}`
+    `Destination token: ${colors.cyan(destinationDeployment.token)}`
   );
   console.log(
     `Estimated destination amount: ${estimatedDestinationAmount}`
@@ -702,7 +701,7 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
         index === 0
           ? "Source transaction"
           : `Source transaction #${index + 1}`;
-      console.log(`${label}: ${chalk.cyan(tx.txid.toString())}`);
+      console.log(`${label}: ${colors.cyan(tx.txid.toString())}`);
     });
   }
 
@@ -719,7 +718,7 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
     );
       if (vaa) {
         console.log(
-          `Attestation sequence: ${chalk.cyan(vaa.sequence.toString())}`
+          `Attestation sequence: ${colors.cyan(vaa.sequence.toString())}`
         );
       }
     } catch (error) {
@@ -736,7 +735,7 @@ async function executeTokenTransfer(
   }
 
   console.log(
-    chalk.green(
+    colors.green(
       "Transfer submitted. The Wormhole Executor will relay the transfer automatically once finalized."
     )
   );
@@ -892,10 +891,10 @@ async function confirmMainnetTransfer(
     platform === "Solana" ? "lamports" : "base units";
   const prompt = [
     "",
-    chalk.yellow(
+    colors.yellow(
       `You are about to submit a Mainnet transfer of ${formattedAmount} tokens from ${sourceChain} to ${destinationChain}.`
     ),
-    chalk.yellow(
+    colors.yellow(
       `Confirm this amount is expressed in human-readable units (not ${unitDescriptor}).`
     ),
     "Type \"yes\" (or \"y\") to continue: ",
@@ -1061,13 +1060,13 @@ function isUnsupportedSuiDestinationError(error: unknown): boolean {
  */
 function reportTokenTransferError(error: unknown): void {
   if (error instanceof TokenTransferError) {
-    console.error(chalk.red(error.message));
+    console.error(colors.red(error.message));
     if (error.cause) {
       console.error(stringifyError(error.cause));
     }
     return;
   }
-  console.error(chalk.red("Unexpected token-transfer error"));
+  console.error(colors.red("Unexpected token-transfer error"));
   console.error(stringifyError(error));
 }
 
@@ -1217,7 +1216,7 @@ function applyRpcOverrides<N extends Network>(
     const chain = chainName as Chain;
     if (!allowedChains.has(chain)) {
       console.warn(
-        chalk.yellow(
+        colors.yellow(
           `Warning: RPC override provided for ${chain}, which is not part of this transfer.`
         )
       );
@@ -1234,15 +1233,14 @@ function applyRpcOverrides<N extends Network>(
 }
 
 /**
- * Intercepts console output to show a spinner when a retriable log message appears.
+ * Intercepts console output to suppress retry messages while showing status.
  */
 async function withRetryStatus<T>(
   needle: string | RegExp,
   fn: () => Promise<T>
 ): Promise<T> {
   const originalLog = console.log;
-  let sawNeedle = false;
-  let spinner: Ora | null = null;
+  let lastMessage = "";
 
   const matchesNeedle = (message: string): boolean => {
     if (typeof needle === "string") {
@@ -1256,34 +1254,29 @@ async function withRetryStatus<T>(
     return result;
   };
 
-  const stopSpinner = (): void => {
-    if (!spinner) {
-      return;
-    }
-    spinner.stop();
-    spinner = null;
-  };
-
   console.log = (...args: Parameters<typeof console.log>) => {
     const message = args.map(String).join(" ");
     if (matchesNeedle(message)) {
-      sawNeedle = true;
-      if (!spinner) {
-        spinner = ora({ text: message }).start();
-      } else {
-        spinner.text = message;
+      // Show retry status inline (overwrite previous line if TTY)
+      if (process.stdout.isTTY && lastMessage) {
+        process.stdout.write(`\r${message}`.padEnd(lastMessage.length + 1));
+      } else if (!lastMessage) {
+        originalLog(message);
       }
+      lastMessage = message;
       return;
     }
-    stopSpinner();
+    if (lastMessage && process.stdout.isTTY) {
+      process.stdout.write("\n");
+      lastMessage = "";
+    }
     originalLog(...args);
   };
 
   try {
     return await fn();
   } finally {
-    stopSpinner();
-    if (sawNeedle && process.stdout.isTTY) {
+    if (lastMessage && process.stdout.isTTY) {
       process.stdout.write("\n");
     }
     console.log = originalLog;