diff --git a/datalad_xnat/init.py b/datalad_xnat/init.py
index 634d446..7b5c5b2 100644
--- a/datalad_xnat/init.py
+++ b/datalad_xnat/init.py
@@ -153,17 +153,34 @@ def __call__(url,
                      'anonymous' if platform.credential_name == 'anonymous'
                      else platform.authenticated_user)
             projects = platform.get_project_ids()
-            ui.message(
-                'No project name specified. The following projects are '
-                'available on {} for user {}:'.format(
+            from datalad.ui import ui
+            if ui.is_interactive:
+                import inquirer
+                from inquirer.themes import GreenPassion
+                message = 'Select a project via arrow keys, ' \
+                          'confirm with "Enter"'.format(
                     url,
-                    'anonymous' if platform.credential_name == 'anonymous'
-                    else platform.authenticated_user))
-            for p in sorted(projects):
-                # list and prep for C&P
-                # TODO multi-column formatting?
-                ui.message("  {}".format(quote_cmdlinearg(p)))
-            return
+                    'anonymous' if platform.credential_name == 'anonymous' \
+                        else platform.authenticated_user)
+                checkbox = [inquirer.List('project',
+                                          message=message,
+                                          choices=sorted(projects))]
+                resp = inquirer.prompt(checkbox, theme=GreenPassion())
+                lgr.info("Received the following project selection from the "
+                         "interactive prompt: %s", str(resp['project']))
+                project = resp['project']
+            else:
+                ui.message(
+                    'No project name specified. The following projects are '
+                    'available on {} for user {}:'.format(
+                        url,
+                        'anonymous' if platform.credential_name == 'anonymous'
+                        else platform.authenticated_user))
+                for p in sorted(projects):
+                    # list and prep for C&P
+                    # TODO multi-column formatting?
+                    ui.message("  {}".format(quote_cmdlinearg(p)))
+                return
 
         # query the specified project to make sure it exists and is accessible
         try:
diff --git a/datalad_xnat/update.py b/datalad_xnat/update.py
index 59b14f3..61f764f 100644
--- a/datalad_xnat/update.py
+++ b/datalad_xnat/update.py
@@ -127,17 +127,43 @@ def __call__(subjects='list', credential=None, dataset=None, ifexists=None, reck
 
         # provide subject list
         if 'list' in subjects:
-            from datalad.ui import ui
             subs = platform.get_subject_ids(xnat_project)
-            ui.message(
-                'The following subjects are available for XNAT '
-                'project {}:'.format(xnat_project))
-            for s in sorted(subs):
-                ui.message(" {}".format(quote_cmdlinearg(s)))
-            ui.message(
-                'Specify a specific subject(s) or "all" to download associated '
-                'files for.')
-            return
+            from datalad.ui import ui
+            if ui.is_interactive:
+                import inquirer
+                from inquirer.themes import GreenPassion
+                hit = False
+                subs.insert(0, 'all')
+                subs.insert(1, 'cancel')
+                while not hit:
+                    message = 'Select subject(s) to download from ' \
+                              'Project "{}" via arrow keys. ' \
+                              'Confirm with "Enter"'.format(xnat_project)
+                    checkbox = [inquirer.Checkbox('subject',
+                                                  message=message,
+                                                  choices=subs)]
+                    resp = inquirer.prompt(checkbox, theme=GreenPassion())
+                    if resp['subject']:
+                        hit = True
+                    else:
+                        ui.message("Please select one or more subjects using "
+                                   "the right arrow keys. Unselect with the "
+                                   "left arrow key.")
+                    if 'cancel' in resp['subject']:
+                        return
+                lgr.info("Received the following subject list from an "
+                         "interactive prompt: %s", str(resp['subject']))
+                subjects = resp['subject']
+            else:
+                ui.message(
+                    'The following subjects are available for XNAT '
+                    'project {}:'.format(xnat_project))
+                for s in sorted(subs):
+                    ui.message(" {}".format(quote_cmdlinearg(s)))
+                ui.message(
+                    'Specify a specific subject(s) or "all" to download associated '
+                    'files for.')
+                return
 
         # query the specified subject(s) to make sure it exists and is accessible
         # TODO we culd just take the input subject list at face-value
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 8402c33..379593b 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ python_requires = >= 3.6
 install_requires =
     datalad >= 0.15.0
     requests
+    inquirer
 packages = find:
 include_package_data = True