---
title: critic-gate-tmux-shift-enter-fix
type: note
permalink: dotfiles/decisions/critic-gate-tmux-shift-enter-fix
tags:
- tmux
- critic-gate
- approved
---

# Critic Gate: tmux Shift+Enter Fix

## Verdict
- [decision] APPROVED — Plan is minimal, correctly scoped, and non-destructive.

## Rationale
- Single `bind-key -n S-Enter send-keys "\n"` addition to `~/.tmux.conf`.
- `extended-keys on` (line 8) and `extkeys` terminal feature (line 9) already present — `S-Enter` will be recognised.
- No existing conflicting bindings in `.tmux.conf`.
- Config will load cleanly; standard tmux syntax.

## Assumption Challenges
- [finding] `S-Enter` key name is valid because extended-keys is already enabled. ✅
- [finding] `send-keys "\n"` sends LF (0x0A). For TUI apps and multi-line tools, this inserts a newline as intended. For bare shell prompts, LF may still trigger accept-line (same as Enter). No shell-side `bindkey` exists in `.zshrc` to differentiate. This is a known limitation, not a blocker — follow-up zle binding may be needed.

## Files Evaluated
- `/home/alex/dotfiles/.tmux.conf` (57 lines, all relevant config)
- `/home/alex/dotfiles/.zshrc` (2 lines, no keybindings)

## Relations
- gates [[tmux-shift-enter-fix]]