diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3fd6fd8..a66c53a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,35 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [v0.9.1] - 2026-09-13 "Системные pkg-config-зависимости / System pkg-config Dependencies"
+
+### RU
+
+**Добавлено:**
+
+- **Зависимости через `pkg-config`** — `fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }` или массив имён пакетов (`pkg-config = ["openssl", "libcrypto"]`) подключает системные библиотеки через `.pc`-метаданные.
+- **Поддержка префиксов в `dcr add`** — команды `dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt` и `dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto` добавляют зависимости от системных пакетов в `dcr.toml`.
+- **Полный набор флагов** — DCR собирает и пробрасывает compiler/linker flags (`-I`, `-L`, `-l`, `-pthread` и другие), включая транзитивные зависимости и интеграцию с `dcr gen` / `dcr test`.
+- **Фиксация в `dcr.lock`** — записывается источник `pkg-config+...` и обнаруженная версия пакета.
+- **Отображение в `dcr tree`** — `pkg-config` зависимости наглядно помечаются в дереве зависимостей.
+
+**Исправлено:**
+
+- **Ошибка создания проекта в папках со спецсимволами** — `dcr new` больше не завершается ошибкой `Failed to create dcr.toml`, если родительская директория содержит пробелы или не-ASCII символы.
+
+### EN
+
+**Added:**
+
+- **`pkg-config` dependencies** — `fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }` or an array of package names (`pkg-config = ["openssl", "libcrypto"]`) connects system libraries through their `.pc` metadata.
+- **Prefix support in `dcr add`** — `dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt` and `dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto` add system package dependencies to `dcr.toml`.
+- **Complete flag propagation** — compiler/linker flags (`-I`, `-L`, `-l`, `-pthread`, and others) are preserved and passed to builds, `dcr test`, and IDE integrations via `dcr gen`.
+- **Lockfile entries** — `dcr.lock` records the `pkg-config+...` source and detected package version.
+- **`dcr tree` representation** — `pkg-config` dependencies are clearly labeled in the dependency tree.
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+- **Project creation failure in special character directories** — `dcr new` no longer fails with `Failed to create dcr.toml` when invoked inside parent folders with spaces or non-ASCII characters.
+
 ## [v0.9.0] - 2026-08-31 "Полные Path/Git-зависимости и готовые библиотеки / Complete Path/Git Dependencies & Prebuilt Libraries"
 
 ### RU
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 19e43e3..d54e563 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "dcr"
-version = "0.9.0"
+version = "0.9.1"
 dependencies = [
  "ctrlc",
  "fatfs",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 44a2809..ebf2e9d 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "dcr"
-version = "0.9.0"
+version = "0.9.1"
 edition = "2024"
 build = "build.rs"
 description = "DCR is a utility for managing C/C++ projects in a Cargo-like style."
@@ -97,4 +97,4 @@ debug = "line-tables-only"
 
 [profile.dev.package."*"]
 opt-level = 1
-debug = false
\ No newline at end of file
+debug = false
diff --git a/docs/changelog.mdx b/docs/changelog.mdx
index 48aa30b..85da40c 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.mdx
+++ b/docs/changelog.mdx
@@ -4,6 +4,13 @@ sidebar_label: Changelog
 
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.9.1 (2026-09-13)
+
+- **`pkg-config` dependencies** — declare `fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }` or multiple package names in `[dependencies]`; DCR applies `.pc` compiler/linker flags and records the resolved package in `dcr.lock`.
+- **`dcr add` support for `pkg-config`** — easily add system package dependencies with `dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt` or `dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto`.
+- **`dcr tree` & IDE integration** — `pkg-config` packages are marked in `dcr tree` and resolved into compiler flags in `dcr gen` (`compile_commands.json`).
+- **Fixed `dcr new` in non-ASCII / spaced paths** — initializing projects from folders with non-ASCII characters or spaces no longer fails validation.
+
 ## 0.9.0 (2026-08-31) 
 
 - **Download mirrors in `dcrup`** — `--mirror auto|cf|gh|sf|ya` and `DCRUP_MIRROR`.
diff --git a/docs/commands/dependency-commands.mdx b/docs/commands/dependency-commands.mdx
index 64150fb..8ee6bb1 100644
--- a/docs/commands/dependency-commands.mdx
+++ b/docs/commands/dependency-commands.mdx
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ dcr add mylib path:./lib       # explicit path prefix
 dcr add mylib git:https://github.com/user/repo  # explicit git prefix
 dcr add mylib github:user/repo # GitHub shorthand
 dcr add mylib gitlab:user/repo # GitLab shorthand
+dcr add fmt pkg-config:fmt     # system package via pkg-config
+dcr add openssl pkg:openssl,libcrypto # multiple pkg-config packages
 ```
 
 Source prefixes:
@@ -22,6 +24,7 @@ Source prefixes:
 - `git:` — generic git URL
 - `github:` — expands to `https://github.com/<user>/<repo>`
 - `gitlab:` — expands to `https://gitlab.com/<user>/<repo>`
+- `pkg-config:` / `pkg:` — one or more packages resolved by `pkg-config`
 - `http://` / `https://` / `git@` — full URL
 
 Flags:
@@ -31,6 +34,11 @@ Flags:
 
 If source is omitted — DCR searches connected registries. A bare relative or absolute path is accepted as a path dependency.
 
+For `pkg-config` dependencies, the referenced packages must already be installed
+and provide `.pc` files. DCR invokes `pkg-config` during the build (using
+`PATH` and `PKG_CONFIG_PATH`) and forwards the returned compiler and linker
+flags; it does not download or build these packages.
+
 ## `dcr tree`
 
 Displays the project dependency tree.
diff --git a/docs/reference/dcr-toml.mdx b/docs/reference/dcr-toml.mdx
index ac0a45d..2c07f63 100644
--- a/docs/reference/dcr-toml.mdx
+++ b/docs/reference/dcr-toml.mdx
@@ -111,7 +111,11 @@ Never fails the command — warnings only. Pre-release suffixes (`1.0.0-dev`) ar
 | `qt` | `false` | Enable automatic Qt meta-object handling (MOC, UIC, RCC) |
 
 Settings from raw config (not in typed struct):
-- `pkg_config` — list of pkg-config packages
+- `pkg_config` — list of packages queried for build-wide compiler/linker flags
+
+Dependencies can also declare a system package directly, for example
+`fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }`. This records the package in `dcr.lock` and applies
+the flags returned by `pkg-config --cflags` and `pkg-config --libs`.
 - `ldscript` — linker script path
 - `build.steps` / `build.post_steps` — codegen steps
 
diff --git a/docs/reference/dependencies.mdx b/docs/reference/dependencies.mdx
index f2a696d..cdc04f0 100644
--- a/docs/reference/dependencies.mdx
+++ b/docs/reference/dependencies.mdx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ sidebar_label: Dependencies
 
 ## Formats
 
-The `[dependencies]` section supports three formats:
+The `[dependencies]` section supports registry, path, Git, and `pkg-config` dependencies:
 
 ### String (registry)
 
@@ -44,6 +44,23 @@ names (`libs`):
 dcr-math = { path = "../deps/dcr-math", include = ["include"], lib = ["lib"], libs = ["dcr-math"] }
 ```
 
+### Table (`pkg-config`)
+
+Use an installed `.pc` package when the library is provided by the operating system
+or another system package manager. DCR invokes `pkg-config --cflags` and
+`pkg-config --libs`, preserving include, library, linker, and other flags:
+
+```toml
+[dependencies]
+fmt = { pkg-config = "fmt" }
+openssl = { pkg-config = ["openssl", "libcrypto"] }
+```
+
+The `pkg-config` executable must be available in `PATH`. The named `.pc` files must
+be available through pkg-config's standard search paths or via `PKG_CONFIG_PATH`.
+These dependencies are not downloaded or built by DCR; they are recorded in
+`dcr.lock` with a `pkg-config+...` source.
+
 ## Registry
 
 DCR uses a package registry for dependency lookup by name.
diff --git a/man/man1/dcr-add.1 b/man/man1/dcr-add.1
index e3899a2..a7e07b8 100644
--- a/man/man1/dcr-add.1
+++ b/man/man1/dcr-add.1
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ Generic git repository.
 .B path:./path/to/lib
 Local path dependency.
 .TP
+.B pkg-config:name
+System pkg-config dependency (also accepts \fBpkg:\fR or comma-separated packages).
+.TP
 .B <version>
 Version from registry.
 .SH OPTIONS
diff --git a/man/man1/dcr.1 b/man/man1/dcr.1
index a5bba7b..4cd34c8 100644
--- a/man/man1/dcr.1
+++ b/man/man1/dcr.1
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.TH DCR 1 "2026-06-02" "dcr 0.7.0" "DCR Manual"
+.TH DCR 1 "2026-08-31" "dcr 0.9.1" "DCR Manual"
 .SH NAME
 dcr \- Cargo\-like build tool and package manager for C/C++ projects
 .SH SYNOPSIS
@@ -120,6 +120,9 @@ Generic git repository.
 .B path:./path/to/lib
 Local path dependency.
 .TP
+.B pkg-config:name
+System pkg-config dependency (also accepts \fBpkg:name1,name2\fR).
+.TP
 .B \fI<version>\fR
 Version from registry (e.g. \fB1.2.3\fR).
 .SH GEN SUBCOMMANDS
diff --git a/src/cli/add.rs b/src/cli/add.rs
index 72e2b0a..44cfb40 100644
--- a/src/cli/add.rs
+++ b/src/cli/add.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ use toml::map::Map;
 
 /// Parsed arguments for the `dcr add` command.
 ///
-/// Exactly one of `path`, `git`, or `version_from_registry` is expected to be set,
+/// Exactly one of `path`, `git`, `pkg_config`, or `version_from_registry` is expected to be set,
 /// depending on how the dependency source was specified.
 pub struct AddArgs {
     /// Dependency name as it will appear under `[dependencies]` in `dcr.toml`.
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ pub struct AddArgs {
     pub rev: Option<String>,
     /// Version string resolved from the package registry when no explicit source is given.
     pub version_from_registry: Option<String>,
+    /// Package names resolved through pkg-config.
+    pub pkg_config: Option<Vec<String>>,
 }
 
 /// Adds a dependency to the current project's `dcr.toml`.
@@ -71,6 +73,7 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
         println!("    gitlab:user/repo          GitLab repository");
         println!("    git:host.com/user/repo    Generic git repository");
         println!("    path:./path/to/lib        Local path dependency");
+        println!("    pkg-config:fmt            System pkg-config dependency");
         println!("    <version>                 Version from registry");
         println!();
         printc("OPTIONS:", BOLD_GREEN);
@@ -133,6 +136,17 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
             }
             Value::Table(table)
         }
+    } else if let Some(packages) = add_args.pkg_config {
+        let mut table = Map::new();
+        if packages.len() == 1 {
+            table.insert("pkg-config".to_string(), Value::String(packages[0].clone()));
+        } else {
+            table.insert(
+                "pkg-config".to_string(),
+                Value::Array(packages.into_iter().map(Value::String).collect()),
+            );
+        }
+        Value::Table(table)
     } else if let Some(path) = add_args.path {
         let mut table = Map::new();
         table.insert("path".to_string(), Value::String(path));
@@ -140,7 +154,7 @@ pub fn add(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     } else if let Some(version) = add_args.version_from_registry {
         Value::String(version)
     } else {
-        error("Dependency source (path or git) must be provided");
+        error("Dependency source (path, git, or pkg-config) must be provided");
         return 1;
     };
 
@@ -171,6 +185,7 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
         error("  gitlab:user/repo          -> gitlab.com/user/repo");
         error("  git:host.com/user/repo    -> host.com/user/repo");
         error("  path:./path/to/lib        -> local path");
+        error("  pkg-config:fmt            -> system pkg-config package");
         return Err(1);
     }
 
@@ -221,6 +236,7 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
                     tag: None,
                     rev: None,
                     version_from_registry: Some(version.to_string()),
+                    pkg_config: None,
                 });
             }
             Err(e) => {
@@ -262,9 +278,25 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
 
     let mut path = None;
     let mut git = None;
+    let mut pkg_config = None;
 
     // Map source prefixes / bare URLs to path or git fields
-    if let Some(p) = source_spec.strip_prefix("path:") {
+    if let Some(p) = source_spec
+        .strip_prefix("pkg-config:")
+        .or_else(|| source_spec.strip_prefix("pkg:"))
+    {
+        let packages = p
+            .split(',')
+            .map(str::trim)
+            .filter(|name| !name.is_empty())
+            .map(str::to_string)
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        if packages.is_empty() {
+            error("pkg-config source must name at least one package");
+            return Err(1);
+        }
+        pkg_config = Some(packages);
+    } else if let Some(p) = source_spec.strip_prefix("path:") {
         path = Some(p.to_string());
     } else if let Some(g) = source_spec.strip_prefix("github:") {
         git = Some(format!("https://github.com/{}", g));
@@ -295,7 +327,7 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
         path = Some(source_spec);
     } else {
         error(
-            "Source must be a path, a prefixed source (path:, git:, github:, gitlab:), or a full URL",
+            "Source must be a path, pkg-config:, a prefixed source (path:, git:, github:, gitlab:), or a full URL",
         );
         return Err(1);
     }
@@ -308,5 +340,6 @@ fn parse_add_args(args: &[String]) -> Result<AddArgs, i32> {
         tag,
         rev,
         version_from_registry: None,
+        pkg_config,
     })
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/gen.rs b/src/cli/gen.rs
index d75d0ca..6e73b3a 100644
--- a/src/cli/gen.rs
+++ b/src/cli/gen.rs
@@ -42,11 +42,13 @@ struct GenDeps {
     include_dirs: Vec<String>,
     lib_dirs: Vec<String>,
     libs: Vec<String>,
+    cflags: Vec<String>,
+    ldflags: Vec<String>,
 }
 
-/// Collects path-dependency include/lib/libs from `dcr.toml` for code generation.
+/// Collects dependency metadata from `dcr.toml` for code generation.
 ///
-/// Skips `system` deps and non-path entries. Falls back to common include/lib
+/// Resolves path layouts and pkg-config flags while skipping system deps. Falls back to common include/lib
 /// directory names only when those directories exist.
 fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) -> GenDeps {
     let deps_val = match config.get("dependencies") {
@@ -56,6 +58,8 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
                 include_dirs: vec![],
                 lib_dirs: vec![],
                 libs: vec![],
+                cflags: vec![],
+                ldflags: vec![],
             };
         }
     };
@@ -66,6 +70,8 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
                 include_dirs: vec![],
                 lib_dirs: vec![],
                 libs: vec![],
+                cflags: vec![],
+                ldflags: vec![],
             };
         }
     };
@@ -73,12 +79,37 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
     let mut include_dirs = Vec::new();
     let mut lib_dirs = Vec::new();
     let mut libs = Vec::new();
+    let mut cflags = Vec::new();
+    let mut ldflags = Vec::new();
 
     for (name, value) in deps_table {
         let tbl = match value.as_table() {
             Some(t) => t,
             None => continue,
         };
+        let pkg_names = tbl
+            .get("pkg-config")
+            .or_else(|| tbl.get("pkg_config"))
+            .map(|raw| {
+                raw.as_str()
+                    .map(|s| vec![s.to_string()])
+                    .or_else(|| {
+                        raw.as_array().map(|a| {
+                            a.iter()
+                                .filter_map(|v| v.as_str().map(str::to_string))
+                                .collect()
+                        })
+                    })
+                    .unwrap_or_default()
+            })
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        if !pkg_names.is_empty() {
+            let (flags, link_flags) =
+                crate::utils::build::resolve_pkg_config_flags_lossy(&pkg_names, &[], &[]);
+            cflags.extend(flags);
+            ldflags.extend(link_flags);
+            continue;
+        }
         // skip system deps
         if tbl.get("system").and_then(|v| v.as_bool()).unwrap_or(false) {
             continue;
@@ -169,6 +200,8 @@ fn resolve_deps_for_gen(config: &Config, profile: &str, project_root: &Path) ->
         include_dirs,
         lib_dirs,
         libs,
+        cflags,
+        ldflags,
     }
 }
 
@@ -350,8 +383,10 @@ fn collect_project_info_inner(
     });
 
     let resolved = resolve_deps_for_gen(&config, profile, &root);
-    let (resolved_cflags, resolved_ldflags) =
+    let (mut resolved_cflags, mut resolved_ldflags) =
         resolve_pkg_config_flags_lossy(&pkg_configs, &base_cflags, &base_ldflags);
+    resolved_cflags.extend(resolved.cflags.clone());
+    resolved_ldflags.extend(resolved.ldflags.clone());
 
     // Build exclude/include pattern lists (same logic as cli::build)
     let mut combined_excludes: Vec<PathBuf> = Vec::new();
diff --git a/src/cli/init.rs b/src/cli/init.rs
index 0c0537c..4d80411 100644
--- a/src/cli/init.rs
+++ b/src/cli/init.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ use crate::utils::log::{error, warn};
 use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
 use std::fs;
 use std::io::Write;
-use toml::Value;
 
 /// Initializes the current working directory as a new DCR project.
 ///
@@ -91,18 +90,8 @@ pub fn init(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
     println!("Initializing the project in {cwd}");
 
     // Create and initialize default manifest (dcr.toml).
-    let mut config = match Config::new("./dcr.toml") {
-        Ok(cfg) => cfg,
-        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to create dcr.toml");
-            return 1;
-        }
-    };
-    if config
-        .edit("package.name", Value::String(project_name.clone()))
-        .is_err()
-    {
-        error("Failed to write dcr.toml");
+    if Config::create("./dcr.toml", Some(&project_name)).is_err() {
+        error("Failed to create dcr.toml");
         return 1;
     }
     println!(
diff --git a/src/cli/new.rs b/src/cli/new.rs
index 3592a39..f0671d4 100644
--- a/src/cli/new.rs
+++ b/src/cli/new.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ use crate::utils::log::{error, warn};
 use crate::utils::text::{BOLD_CYAN, BOLD_GREEN, colored, printc};
 use std::fs;
 use std::io::Write;
-use toml::Value;
 
 /// Executes the `dcr new` command to scaffold a new C/C++ project directory structure.
 ///
@@ -110,18 +109,8 @@ pub fn new(args: &[String]) -> i32 {
 
     // Initialize and write project configuration manifest (dcr.toml).
     let toml_path = format!("./{project_name}/dcr.toml");
-    let mut config = match Config::new(&toml_path) {
-        Ok(cfg) => cfg,
-        Err(_) => {
-            error("Failed to create dcr.toml");
-            return 1;
-        }
-    };
-    if config
-        .edit("package.name", Value::String(project_name.to_string()))
-        .is_err()
-    {
-        error("Failed to write dcr.toml");
+    if Config::create(&toml_path, Some(project_name)).is_err() {
+        error("Failed to create dcr.toml");
         return 1;
     }
     println!(
diff --git a/src/cli/test.rs b/src/cli/test.rs
index f536d1f..0d614c9 100644
--- a/src/cli/test.rs
+++ b/src/cli/test.rs
@@ -134,8 +134,12 @@ fn run_testsuite(profile: &str) -> Result<i32, String> {
     cflags.extend(get_list_with_profile(&config, "cflags", profile));
     let ldflags = get_list_with_profile(&config, "ldflags", profile);
     let pkg_configs = get_list_with_profile(&config, "pkg_config", profile);
-    let (cflags, ldflags) = resolve_pkg_config_flags(&pkg_configs, &cflags, &ldflags)?;
-    let includes = test_include_dirs(&config, profile);
+    let (mut cflags, mut ldflags) = resolve_pkg_config_flags(&pkg_configs, &cflags, &ldflags)?;
+    let deps = crate::core::deps::resolve_deps(&config, profile, None, Path::new("."))?;
+    cflags.extend(deps.cflags);
+    ldflags.extend(deps.ldflags);
+    let mut includes = test_include_dirs(&config, profile);
+    includes.extend(deps.include_dirs);
     let test_sources = collect_test_sources()?;
     if test_sources.is_empty() {
         return Err("tests/test.c not found; run 'dcr test --init' first".to_string());
diff --git a/src/cli/tree.rs b/src/cli/tree.rs
index 4c24517..5717c9b 100644
--- a/src/cli/tree.rs
+++ b/src/cli/tree.rs
@@ -115,6 +115,19 @@ fn print_deps(
                         format!(" v{}", v)
                     } else if let Some(git) = t.get("git").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) {
                         format!(" ({})", git)
+                    } else if let Some(pkg) = t.get("pkg-config").or_else(|| t.get("pkg_config")) {
+                        if let Some(s) = pkg.as_str() {
+                            format!(" (pkg-config: {})", s)
+                        } else if let Some(arr) = pkg.as_array() {
+                            let names = arr
+                                .iter()
+                                .filter_map(|v| v.as_str())
+                                .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+                                .join(", ");
+                            format!(" (pkg-config: {})", names)
+                        } else {
+                            "".to_string()
+                        }
                     } else {
                         "".to_string()
                     }
diff --git a/src/core/build/engine.rs b/src/core/build/engine.rs
index 8facd20..4833ab8 100644
--- a/src/core/build/engine.rs
+++ b/src/core/build/engine.rs
@@ -769,8 +769,10 @@ fn build_project_at_inner(
         )?;
     }
 
-    let (resolved_cflags, resolved_ldflags) =
+    let (mut resolved_cflags, mut resolved_ldflags) =
         resolve_pkg_config_flags(&pkg_configs, &build_cflags, &build_ldflags)?;
+    resolved_cflags.extend(resolved.cflags.clone());
+    resolved_ldflags.extend(resolved.ldflags.clone());
     let mut combined_excludes = Vec::new();
     for dir in exclude_dirs {
         combined_excludes.push(dir.clone());
@@ -1011,6 +1013,8 @@ fn extend_transitive_link_deps(
     consumer_deps.include_dirs.extend(deps.include_dirs);
     consumer_deps.lib_dirs.extend(deps.lib_dirs);
     consumer_deps.libs.extend(deps.libs);
+    consumer_deps.cflags.extend(deps.cflags);
+    consumer_deps.ldflags.extend(deps.ldflags);
     for child_root in deps.package_roots {
         extend_transitive_link_deps(
             Path::new(&child_root),
diff --git a/src/core/build_config.rs b/src/core/build_config.rs
index 8144a24..e8ccd6b 100644
--- a/src/core/build_config.rs
+++ b/src/core/build_config.rs
@@ -244,13 +244,19 @@ pub struct WorkspaceMemberConfig {
 }
 
 impl Config {
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
     /// Creates a new Config instance from a TOML file path. If the file does not exist, it creates a default one.
     pub fn new(path: &str) -> Result<Self, ConfigError> {
+        Self::create(path, None)
+    }
+
+    /// Creates a new Config instance with an explicit package name for the default template when creating a new file.
+    pub fn create(path: &str, package_name: Option<&str>) -> Result<Self, ConfigError> {
         let path = PathBuf::from(path);
         let (data, doc) = if path.exists() {
             load_parts(&path)?
         } else {
-            let content = default_toml_text();
+            let content = default_toml_text(package_name)?;
             let doc: DocumentMut = content.parse().map_err(ConfigError::TomlEdit)?;
             fs::write(&path, doc.to_string())?;
             let data: Value = toml::from_str(&content)?;
@@ -830,14 +836,20 @@ fn load_parts(path: &Path) -> Result<(Value, DocumentMut), ConfigError> {
     Ok((data, doc))
 }
 
-fn default_toml_text() -> String {
-    let name = std::env::current_dir()
-        .ok()
-        .and_then(|p| p.file_name().map(|v| v.to_string_lossy().to_string()))
+fn default_toml_text(package_name: Option<&str>) -> Result<String, ConfigError> {
+    let name = package_name
+        .map(|s| s.to_string())
+        .or_else(|| {
+            std::env::current_dir()
+                .ok()
+                .and_then(|p| p.file_name().map(|v| v.to_string_lossy().to_string()))
+        })
         .unwrap_or_else(|| "project".to_string());
+    validate_non_empty_string(&name, "package.name")?;
+    validate_package_name(&name)?;
     let dcr_version = env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION");
 
-    format!(
+    Ok(format!(
         "[package]\n\
          name = \"{name}\"\n\
          version = \"{DEFAULT_VERSION}\"\n\
@@ -854,7 +866,7 @@ fn default_toml_text() -> String {
          kind = \"{DEFAULT_KIND}\"\n\
          \n\
          [dependencies]\n"
-    )
+    ))
 }
 
 fn dcr_version_warn_once(path_key: &str) -> bool {
@@ -1285,6 +1297,22 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn create_rejects_invalid_name_without_writing_manifest() {
+        let dir = temp_dir("invalid_create_name");
+        let path = dir.join("dcr.toml");
+        for name in ["", "bad name", "../bad", "bad\"name", " bad", "bad."] {
+            let result = Config::create(&path.to_string_lossy(), Some(name));
+            assert!(matches!(result, Err(ConfigError::Invalid(_))), "{name:?}");
+            assert!(!path.exists(), "invalid name must not create a manifest");
+        }
+        let config = Config::create(&path.to_string_lossy(), Some("valid-name")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            config.get("package.name").and_then(Value::as_str),
+            Some("valid-name")
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn new_creates_default_config() {
         let dir = temp_dir("new_default");
diff --git a/src/core/deps/common.rs b/src/core/deps/common.rs
index 76fa078..18a98c2 100644
--- a/src/core/deps/common.rs
+++ b/src/core/deps/common.rs
@@ -4,5 +4,7 @@ pub struct ResolvedDeps {
     pub include_dirs: Vec<String>,
     pub lib_dirs: Vec<String>,
     pub libs: Vec<String>,
+    pub cflags: Vec<String>,
+    pub ldflags: Vec<String>,
     pub package_roots: Vec<String>,
 }
diff --git a/src/core/deps/mod.rs b/src/core/deps/mod.rs
index 71f1ba7..78e8269 100644
--- a/src/core/deps/mod.rs
+++ b/src/core/deps/mod.rs
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ pub mod register;
 use crate::core::build_config::Config;
 use crate::core::deps::common::ResolvedDeps;
 use crate::core::deps::lock::{DepLock, write_lock};
+use crate::utils::build::{resolve_pkg_config_flags, run_pkg_config};
 use std::path::Path;
 
 /// Returns the version string from a dependency's dcr.toml file, or an empty string if missing.
@@ -73,7 +74,22 @@ pub fn resolve_deps(
     if let Some(deps) = deps_table {
         // Process each dependency declaration in the TOML table
         for (name, value) in deps {
-            if register::is_registry_dep(value) {
+            if let Some(packages) = pkg_config_dep(value, name)? {
+                let (cflags, ldflags) = resolve_pkg_config_flags(&packages, &[], &[])?;
+                resolved.cflags.extend(cflags);
+                resolved.ldflags.extend(ldflags);
+                let version = packages
+                    .first()
+                    .and_then(|pkg| run_pkg_config(pkg, "--modversion").ok())
+                    .map(|v| v.trim().to_string())
+                    .unwrap_or_default();
+                lock_packages.push(DepLock {
+                    name: name.clone(),
+                    version,
+                    checksum: String::new(),
+                    source: format!("pkg-config+{}", packages.join(",")),
+                });
+            } else if register::is_registry_dep(value) {
                 let pkg_info = register::resolve_package_from_registry(name)?;
                 let dep_root = register::package_root_from_registry_info(&pkg_info)?;
 
@@ -274,6 +290,48 @@ fn git_dep(value: &toml::Value) -> Option<GitDep<'_>> {
     None
 }
 
+/// Extracts one or more pkg-config package names from a dependency table.
+/// Both `pkg-config` and the legacy-style `pkg_config` spelling are accepted.
+fn pkg_config_dep(
+    value: &toml::Value,
+    dependency_name: &str,
+) -> Result<Option<Vec<String>>, String> {
+    let Some(table) = value.as_table() else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let raw = table.get("pkg-config").or_else(|| table.get("pkg_config"));
+    let Some(raw) = raw else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let packages = if let Some(pkg) = raw.as_str() {
+        vec![pkg.to_string()]
+    } else {
+        raw.as_array()
+            .ok_or_else(|| {
+                format!(
+                    "Dependency `{dependency_name}` field `pkg-config` must be a string or array of strings"
+                )
+            })?
+            .iter()
+            .map(|value| {
+                value.as_str().map(str::to_string).ok_or_else(|| {
+                    format!(
+                        "Dependency `{dependency_name}` field `pkg-config` must contain only strings"
+                    )
+                })
+            })
+            .collect::<Result<Vec<_>, _>>()?
+            .into_iter()
+            .collect()
+    };
+    if packages.is_empty() || packages.iter().any(|pkg| pkg.trim().is_empty()) {
+        return Err(format!(
+            "Dependency `{dependency_name}` field `pkg-config` must not be empty"
+        ));
+    }
+    Ok(Some(packages))
+}
+
 /// Extracts the path for a path-based dependency, supporting both table format and legacy string format.
 fn path_dep_path(value: &toml::Value) -> Option<&str> {
     if let Some(table) = value.as_table() {
@@ -436,6 +494,20 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(path_dep_path(&Value::String("1.2.3".to_string())), None);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn pkg_config_dep_accepts_string_and_array() {
+        let single: Value = toml::from_str("pkg-config = \"fmt\"").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            pkg_config_dep(&single, "fmt"),
+            Ok(Some(vec!["fmt".to_string()]))
+        );
+        let many: Value = toml::from_str("pkg_config = [\"fmt\", \"zlib\"]").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            pkg_config_dep(&many, "base"),
+            Ok(Some(vec!["fmt".to_string(), "zlib".to_string()]))
+        );
+    }
+
     /// Verifies that push_default_lib_dirs includes the target/lib directory when it exists.
     #[test]
     fn default_lib_dirs_include_packaged_library_output() {
diff --git a/tests/cli_deps.rs b/tests/cli_deps.rs
index 297e5ba..9a5a44a 100644
--- a/tests/cli_deps.rs
+++ b/tests/cli_deps.rs
@@ -52,6 +52,24 @@ fn dcr_add_dependencies() {
         "git short dep not found in toml"
     );
 
+    // Test pkg-config prefix.
+    let out = run_dcr(&["add", "fmt", "pkg-config:fmt"], &dir);
+    assert!(out.status.success(), "dcr add pkg-config should succeed");
+    let toml = std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("dcr.toml")).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        toml.contains("fmt = { pkg-config = \"fmt\" }"),
+        "pkg-config dep not found in toml"
+    );
+
+    // Test multiple pkg-config packages via pkg: prefix.
+    let out = run_dcr(&["add", "openssl", "pkg:openssl,libcrypto"], &dir);
+    assert!(out.status.success(), "dcr add multiple pkg should succeed");
+    let toml = std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("dcr.toml")).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        toml.contains("openssl = { pkg-config = [\"openssl\", \"libcrypto\"] }"),
+        "multi pkg-config dep not found in toml"
+    );
+
     // Test flags (branch)
     let out = run_dcr(
         &["add", "branch_lib", "github:user/repo", "--branch", "dev"],
@@ -146,6 +164,56 @@ fn path_prebuilt_dependency_without_manifest_links() {
     );
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn pkg_config_dependency_resolves_system_library() {
+    let Some(compiler) = available_compiler() else {
+        eprintln!("no compiler found; skipping pkg-config dependency test");
+        return;
+    };
+    if !std::process::Command::new("pkg-config")
+        .args(["--exists", "zlib"])
+        .status()
+        .map(|status| status.success())
+        .unwrap_or(false)
+    {
+        eprintln!("pkg-config zlib unavailable; skipping pkg-config dependency test");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let root = unique_sandbox_dir("pkg_config_dep");
+    let app = root.join("app");
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(app.join("src")).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(
+        app.join("dcr.toml"),
+        "[package]\nname = \"app\"\nversion = \"0.1.0\"\n\n[build]\nlanguage = \"c\"\ncompiler = \"clang\"\nkind = \"bin\"\n\n[dependencies]\nzlib = { pkg-config = \"zlib\" }\n",
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(
+        app.join("src/main.c"),
+        "#include <zlib.h>\nint main(void) { return zlibVersion() == 0 ? 1 : 0; }\n",
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    let out = run_dcr_env(&["build"], &app, &[("DCR_COMPILER", compiler)]);
+    assert!(
+        out.status.success(),
+        "pkg-config dependency build failed: {}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr)
+    );
+    let lock = std::fs::read_to_string(app.join("dcr.lock")).unwrap();
+    assert!(lock.contains("source = \"pkg-config+zlib\""));
+
+    // Check dcr tree displays pkg-config info
+    let tree_out = run_dcr(&["tree"], &app);
+    assert!(tree_out.status.success(), "dcr tree should succeed");
+    let tree_str = String::from_utf8_lossy(&tree_out.stdout);
+    assert!(
+        tree_str.contains("zlib (pkg-config: zlib)"),
+        "dcr tree should format pkg-config dependency, got: {}",
+        tree_str
+    );
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn path_dcr_dependency_is_built_before_consumer() {
     let Some(compiler) = available_compiler() else {
diff --git a/tests/cli_new.rs b/tests/cli_new.rs
index ddf07ea..b6f683c 100644
--- a/tests/cli_new.rs
+++ b/tests/cli_new.rs
@@ -79,3 +79,24 @@ fn init_vcs_options_work() {
         assert!(gitignore.contains(".dcr/"));
     }
 }
+
+#[test]
+fn new_in_non_ascii_parent_directory() {
+    let parent_dir = unique_sandbox_dir("Проекты с пробелами");
+    let out = run_dcr(&["new", "my_app"], &parent_dir);
+    assert!(
+        out.status.success(),
+        "dcr new should succeed inside non-ascii parent dir: {}",
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stderr)
+    );
+
+    let project_dir = parent_dir.join("my_app");
+    assert!(project_dir.is_dir(), "project dir should exist");
+    assert!(project_dir.join("dcr.toml").is_file(), "dcr.toml missing");
+
+    let toml_content = std::fs::read_to_string(project_dir.join("dcr.toml")).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        toml_content.contains("name = \"my_app\""),
+        "package name should be my_app in dcr.toml"
+    );
+}