diff --git a/home/tmux.conf b/home/tmux.conf
index afcca49..97c5ee1 100644
--- a/home/tmux.conf
+++ b/home/tmux.conf
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ bind C-Space send-prefix
 # this also makes hitting Enter exit copy-mode, which is a godsend
 setw -g mode-keys vi
 
+# need this for ctrl+arrows, etc.
+set-option -g xterm-keys on
+
 # remove delay on escape key
 set -sg escape-time 0
 
diff --git a/home/vimrc b/home/vimrc
index c45598b..b9ca445 100644
--- a/home/vimrc
+++ b/home/vimrc
@@ -178,6 +178,15 @@ set backspace=eol,start,indent        " make backspace useful
 " tab completion in command-line
 if has('wildmenu') | set wildmenu | endif
 
+if &term =~ '^tmux'
+    " https://unix.stackexchange.com/a/34723
+    " tmux will send xterm-style keys when xterm-keys is on
+    execute "set <xUp>=\e[1;*A"
+    execute "set <xDown>=\e[1;*B"
+    execute "set <xRight>=\e[1;*C"
+    execute "set <xLeft>=\e[1;*D"
+endif
+
 " easy indent/unindent
 nn <tab> >>
 nn <s-tab> <<