diff --git a/.continue/rules/global-file-standard.md b/.continue/rules/global-file-standard.md
index 6b38aea..426d14b 100644
--- a/.continue/rules/global-file-standard.md
+++ b/.continue/rules/global-file-standard.md
@@ -10,4 +10,5 @@ Also read and consider the repository state file when it exists:
 When this file is present:
 - use it as evolving project context,
 - keep recommendations aligned with it,
-- update suggestions to remain consistent with documented architecture, constraints, and review notes.
\ No newline at end of file
+- update suggestions to remain consistent with documented architecture, constraints, and review notes,
+- update `state.md` as part of the same task whenever changes materially affect repository behavior, architecture, constraints, or review notes.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9fcc652..32b5a55 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -27,12 +27,19 @@ Supported actions:
 
 ## Requirements
 
+Required:
+
 - `bash`
 - `ssh`
 - `whiptail`
-- `nano`
 - `sed`
 - `tee`
+- core utilities such as `rm` and `touch`
+
+Optional log viewer:
+
+- `$EDITOR` if it points to an installed command
+- otherwise one of: `nano`, `vi`, `less`
 
 ## Install
 
@@ -101,5 +108,6 @@ Options:
 
 - SSH connections currently use `root@host`
 - The tool is interactive and intended for manual administration workflows
-- After execution, the log file is opened in `nano`
+- After execution, the log file is opened with `$EDITOR` when available, otherwise with `nano`, `vi`, or `less`
+- If no supported log viewer is available, the script keeps running and prints the log file path
 - The configuration file is sourced as shell code, so only use trusted config files
diff --git a/bin/netupgrade b/bin/netupgrade
index 583b6db..516e31f 100755
--- a/bin/netupgrade
+++ b/bin/netupgrade
@@ -10,11 +10,38 @@ showHelp() {
 }
 
 checkDependencies() {
-	command -v ssh >/dev/null 2>&1 || { echo "Error: ssh is required"; exit 1; }
-	command -v whiptail >/dev/null 2>&1 || { echo "Error: whiptail is required"; exit 1; }
-	command -v nano >/dev/null 2>&1 || { echo "Error: nano is required"; exit 1; }
-	command -v sed >/dev/null 2>&1 || { echo "Error: sed is required"; exit 1; }
-	command -v tee >/dev/null 2>&1 || { echo "Error: tee is required"; exit 1; }
+	local -a REQUIRED_CMDS=(ssh whiptail sed tee rm touch)
+	local -a MISSING_CMDS=()
+	local CMD
+
+	for CMD in "${REQUIRED_CMDS[@]}"; do
+		if ! command -v "${CMD}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+			MISSING_CMDS+=("${CMD}")
+		fi
+	done
+
+	if [ ${#MISSING_CMDS[@]} -gt 0 ]; then
+		echo "Error: missing required dependencies: ${MISSING_CMDS[*]}"
+		exit 1
+	fi
+}
+
+resolveLogViewer() {
+	if [ -n "${EDITOR}" ] && command -v "${EDITOR}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+		LOGVIEWER="${EDITOR}"
+		return
+	fi
+
+	local -a CANDIDATES=(nano vi less)
+	local CANDIDATE
+	for CANDIDATE in "${CANDIDATES[@]}"; do
+		if command -v "${CANDIDATE}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+			LOGVIEWER="${CANDIDATE}"
+			return
+		fi
+	done
+
+	LOGVIEWER=""
 }
 
 pressAnyKey(){
@@ -88,7 +115,11 @@ selectNodes(){
 	sed -i "1s/^/${RESULT//\//\\\/}\n\n\n\n/" "${LOGFILENAME}"
 	sed -i "1s/^/---------\n\n/" "${LOGFILENAME}"
 	sed -i "1s/^/Results :\n/" "${LOGFILENAME}"
-	nano "${LOGFILENAME}"
+	if [ -n "${LOGVIEWER}" ]; then
+		"${LOGVIEWER}" "${LOGFILENAME}"
+	else
+		echo "Warning: no log viewer found, showing log path instead: ${LOGFILENAME}"
+	fi
 	rm -i "${LOGFILENAME}"
 	echo ""
 	echo "Results :"
@@ -235,6 +266,7 @@ declare -i YES=0
 declare -i FULL=0
 declare CONFIGFILENAME="${HOME}/.config/netupgrade/index.cfg"
 declare LOGFILENAME="${HOME}/netupgrade.log"
+declare LOGVIEWER=""
 declare -a NODES=()
 
 while [[ ${#} -gt 0 ]]; do
@@ -247,6 +279,7 @@ while [[ ${#} -gt 0 ]]; do
 done
 
 checkDependencies
+resolveLogViewer
 loadConfig
 selectNodes
 
diff --git a/state.md b/state.md
index 62d318a..0f0eb04 100644
--- a/state.md
+++ b/state.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ The tool:
 3. Displays an interactive multi-select checklist using `whiptail`
 4. Executes the selected actions on each selected host through `ssh root@host`
 5. Writes execution logs to `~/netupgrade.log`
-6. Opens the log in `nano`, then optionally removes it
+6. Opens the log with `$EDITOR` when available, otherwise `nano`, `vi`, or `less`; if none is available, it prints the log path, then optionally removes the log file
 
 Supported action types currently include:
 - `apt`
@@ -71,7 +71,9 @@ Supported action types currently include:
 - The `docker-stacks` remote loop should be reviewed carefully for quoting and path safety
 
 ### 4. UX and dependency issues
-- Required runtime dependencies are now checked at startup (`ssh`, `whiptail`, `nano`, `sed`, `tee`)
+- Required runtime dependencies are now checked at startup (`ssh`, `whiptail`, `sed`, `tee`, `rm`, `touch`)
+- Log viewing no longer depends strictly on `nano`; the script now falls back to `$EDITOR`, then `nano`, `vi`, or `less`
+- If no supported log viewer is available, execution continues and the log path is shown
 - The workflow is highly interactive and not well suited for automation
 - `rm -i` introduces an extra prompt even when the rest of the flow is meant to be streamlined
 
@@ -111,6 +113,8 @@ Supported action types currently include:
 - `README.md` was expanded to document installation, requirements, usage, configuration format, and supported actions
 - `bin/netupgrade` help output was aligned with actual CLI behavior and now documents `--help`
 - A startup dependency check was added before loading configuration or opening the interactive selector
+- Log viewer selection was made more flexible: `$EDITOR` is preferred, then `nano`, `vi`, or `less`
+- `nano` is no longer a strict runtime dependency
 - The unsupported `-b` option remains unimplemented and is no longer shown in help output
 
 ## Change guidance