fix: support key-combo syntax for API send keys (#613)

Co-authored-by: Can Celik <ogulcancelik@gmail.com>

3 files changed, 14 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/docs/next/CHANGELOG.md b/docs/next/CHANGELOG.md
index 6dd0e9e2..adec3e27 100644
--- a/docs/next/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/docs/next/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 - Public workspace, tab, and pane ids are now short stable handles such as `w1`, `w1:t1`, and `w1:p1`; closed tab and pane ids no longer retarget later resources. (#569)
 
 ### Fixed
+- `pane.send_keys` and `pane.send_input.keys` now accept Herdr key-combo strings such as `ctrl+h`, `ctrl+j`, `ctrl+k`, and `ctrl+l`.
 - Config startup and reload now warn about unknown top-level table sections, including a `[toast]` hint that points to `[ui.toast]`, instead of silently ignoring them.
 - Claude Code session restore now accepts real `/clear`, `/resume`, and compacted session identity changes while still ignoring nested `claude -p` startup sessions that inherit the pane environment. (#620)
 - Auto-named tab labels now stay compact after closing, moving, or creating tabs while public tab ids remain stable.
diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx
index f1e0d834..99f1faae 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx
@@ -145,6 +145,13 @@ herdr pane send-keys <pane_id> <key> [key ...]
 herdr pane run <pane_id> <command>
 ```
 
+`<key>` uses Herdr key-combo syntax: plain printable keys such as `a`,
+special keys such as `enter`, `tab`, `esc`, `backspace`, `left`, `right`,
+`up`, and `down`, modifier chords such as `ctrl+h`, `control+j`, `alt+x`,
+and `shift+tab`, function keys such as `f1`, and named punctuation such as
+`minus`, `plus`, and `backtick`. Legacy `C-c` and `c-c` are accepted as
+aliases for `ctrl+c`.
+
 `pane run` submits text plus Enter atomically. Prefer it over `send-text` plus `send-keys Enter` for commands.
 
 Report agent state from custom hooks:
diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx
index 0331d560..88280441 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx
@@ -99,6 +99,12 @@ Pane control methods use public pane ids such as `w1:p1`. Methods whose
 schema makes `pane_id` optional use the server's active focused pane when it is
 omitted. `pane.move` always requires the source `pane_id`.
 
+`pane.send_keys` and `pane.send_input.keys` accept Herdr key-combo strings:
+plain printable keys, special keys like `enter` and `esc`, modifier chords
+like `ctrl+h`, `control+j`, `alt+x`, and `shift+tab`, function keys like
+`f1`, and named punctuation like `minus` and `plus`. They do not accept
+`prefix+` binding strings.
+
 ```json
 {"id":"req_current","method":"pane.current","params":{"caller_pane_id":"w1:p1"}}
 {"id":"req_layout","method":"pane.layout","params":{"pane_id":"w1:p1"}}