diff --git a/lua/sidekick/cli/actions.lua b/lua/sidekick/cli/actions.lua
index b8404d10..11ddc625 100644
--- a/lua/sidekick/cli/actions.lua
+++ b/lua/sidekick/cli/actions.lua
@@ -47,6 +47,16 @@ local function nav(dir)
   return function(terminal)
     local at_edge = vim.fn.winnr() == vim.fn.winnr(dir)
     if at_edge or terminal:is_float() then
+      -- When running under a mux backend (e.g., tmux via psmux on Windows),
+      -- returning the key as an expr string passes through Neovim's terminal
+      -- emulation, which can mangle control characters (e.g., C-j becomes CR).
+      -- Send the key directly to the mux pane instead.
+      if terminal.parent and terminal.parent.send_key then
+        vim.schedule(function()
+          terminal.parent:send_key(("C-%s"):format(dir))
+        end)
+        return
+      end
       return ("<c-%s>"):format(dir)
     end
     vim.schedule(function()
diff --git a/lua/sidekick/cli/session/tmux.lua b/lua/sidekick/cli/session/tmux.lua
index 942ed7d1..fe951152 100644
--- a/lua/sidekick/cli/session/tmux.lua
+++ b/lua/sidekick/cli/session/tmux.lua
@@ -186,6 +186,14 @@ function M:submit()
   Util.exec({ "tmux", "send-keys", "-t", self.tmux_pane_id, "Enter" })
 end
 
+---Send a raw key to a tmux pane
+---@param key string tmux key name (e.g., "C-j", "Enter", "Escape")
+function M:send_key(key)
+  if self.mux_session then
+    Util.exec({ "tmux", "send-keys", "-t", self.mux_session, key })
+  end
+end
+
 function M:dump()
   local pane_id = self:pane_id()
   if not pane_id then