diff --git a/features/run_control/key.feature b/features/run_control/key.feature
index 842f1c8..1c9533c 100644
--- a/features/run_control/key.feature
+++ b/features/run_control/key.feature
@@ -8,3 +8,12 @@ Feature: `key' run control keyword
     And uhwm is running
     When I press the alt+f keys
     Then the output must contain "trigger f key code"
+
+  Scenario: translates common key names to their X equivalent
+    Given a run control file with:
+      """
+      key(:enter) { puts 'trigger return key code' }
+      """
+    And uhwm is running
+    When I press the alt+Return keys
+    Then the output must contain "trigger return key code"
diff --git a/lib/uh/wm/run_control.rb b/lib/uh/wm/run_control.rb
index fc66ceb..79e8a00 100644
--- a/lib/uh/wm/run_control.rb
+++ b/lib/uh/wm/run_control.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 module Uh
   module WM
     class RunControl
+      KEYSYM_TRANSLATIONS = {
+        backspace:  :BackSpace,
+        enter:      :Return,
+        return:     :Return,
+        tab:        :Tab
+      }.freeze
+
       class << self
         def evaluate env
           rc_path = File.expand_path(env.rc_path)
@@ -18,7 +25,14 @@ module Uh
       end
 
       def key keysym, &block
-        @env.keybinds[keysym] = block
+        @env.keybinds[translate_keysym keysym] = block
+      end
+
+
+      private
+
+      def translate_keysym keysym
+        KEYSYM_TRANSLATIONS.key?(keysym) ? KEYSYM_TRANSLATIONS[keysym] : keysym
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/uh/wm/run_control_spec.rb b/spec/uh/wm/run_control_spec.rb
index 3ac1f39..43498e5 100644
--- a/spec/uh/wm/run_control_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/uh/wm/run_control_spec.rb
@@ -52,15 +52,20 @@ module Uh
       describe '#key' do
         let(:code) { -> { :keybind_code } }
 
-        before { rc.key :f, &code }
-
         it 'registers a key binding in the env' do
+          rc.key :f, &code
           expect(env.keybinds.keys).to include :f
         end
 
         it 'registers given block with the key binding' do
+          rc.key :f, &code
           expect(env.keybinds[:f].call).to eq :keybind_code
         end
+
+        it 'translates common key names to equivalent X keysym' do
+          rc.key :enter, &code
+          expect(env.keybinds.keys).to include :Return
+        end
       end
     end
   end