A receiving link device includes a receiver (RX) to receive a data signal from a transmitting link device, the receiver including an equalizer to detect RX tap values and a processing device coupled to the receiver, the processing device to perform operations including: programming the receiver with information related to target RX tap values that are associated RX pre-cursors or RX post-cursors; detecting, using the equalizer, that an RX pre-cursor value is greater or less than a target RX tap value; generating, based on the detecting, a tap message including an up or a down command to decrease or increase a corresponding transmitter (TX) pre-cursor value of the transmitting link device; and causing the tap message to be provided to a local transmitter to be transmitted to a remote receiver of the transmitting link device, which causes the transmitting link device to adjust the corresponding TX pre-cursor value.