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CSI u Key Encoding

Category: input · Baseline: modern · Tags: Xterm Extensions · Specification ↗

The fixterms/CSI u encoding reports keypresses as CSI codepoint ; modifiers u sequences. This was the precursor to the Kitty keyboard protocol and provides unambiguous key identification for terminal applications.
How this is testedautomated
Query keyboard mode flags and check if the terminal supports CSI u encoding for key events.

The same probe runs against headless backends (via Termless) and real terminal apps (via a daemon launched in each terminal). This lets us distinguish parser correctness from rendering correctness.

Analysis2026-04-06

Supported by 10 of 12 terminals (83%). Not supported by: vt100.js, xterm.js. Part of the Modern TUI baseline. Notes: vt100.js: CSI u keyboard protocol not implemented; xterm.js: CSI u keyboard protocol not implemented.

Supported by 12 of 14 backends (86%)

Terminal Applications

TerminalVersionSupportNotes
iTerm23.6.9✓ yes
Ghostty1.3.1✓ yes
VS Code✓ yes
Warp✓ yes
Cursor✓ yes
Terminal.app✓ yes

Headless Backends

Parser correctness only — a means the parser accepts the sequence.

BackendVersionSupportNotes
Alacritty0.26.0✓ yes
Kitty0.40.0✓ yes
vterm0.2.0✓ yes
WezTerm0.1.0-fork.5✓ yes
vt100.js0.2.1✗ noCSI u keyboard protocol not implemented
xterm.js5.5.0✗ noCSI u keyboard protocol not implemented