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Insert/replace mode (IRM)

Category: modes · Tags: ECMA-48 Standard · Specification ↗

IRM (Insert/Replace Mode) controls whether new characters insert (shifting existing content right) or replace (overwriting) at the cursor. Enable insert mode with ESC [ 4 h, disable (replace mode) with ESC [ 4 l. Replace mode is the default. Most modern TUI applications use explicit ICH/DCH sequences rather than IRM.

Supported by 4 of 6 backends (67%)

Support Matrix

BackendVersionSupportNotes
Alacritty0.26.0✓ yes
Ghostty1.3.1✓ yes
WezTerm0.1.0-fork.5✓ yes
xterm.js5.5.0✓ yes
Kitty0.40.0~ partialNot exposed via Python batch bridge
vt1000.1.0✗ noIRM not implemented — pure TypeScript emulator

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