diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index e86ac06..d141319 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ INSERT MODE
 +----------------------+---------------------------------------------+
 | ``ctrl-tab``         | start scrollback completion                 |
 +----------------------+---------------------------------------------+
-| ``ctrl-shift-space`` | start command mode                          |
+| ``ctrl-shift-space`` | start selection mode                        |
 +----------------------+---------------------------------------------+
 | ``ctrl-shift-t``     | open terminal in the current directory [1]_ |
 +----------------------+---------------------------------------------+
@@ -75,11 +75,11 @@ INSERT MODE
               __vte_prompt_command
             fi
 
-COMMAND MODE
+SELECTION MODE
 ------------
 
 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
-| ``escape`` or ``ctrl-[`` | deactivate command mode                                   |
+| ``escape`` or ``ctrl-[`` | enter insert mode                                         |
 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
 | ``x``                    | activate url hints mode                                   |
 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ COMMAND MODE
 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
 | ``o``                    | open the current selection as a url                       |
 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
-| ``Return``               | open the current selection as a url and exit command mode |
+| ``Return``               | open the current selection as a url and enter insert mode |
 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
 | ``n``                    | next search match                                         |
 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
diff --git a/termite.1 b/termite.1
index a20d9ef..e38328d 100644
--- a/termite.1
+++ b/termite.1
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ unicode input (standard GTK binding)
 .IP "\fBctrl-tab\fP"
 start scrollback completion
 .IP "\fBctrl-shift-space\fP"
-start command mode
+enter selection mode
 .IP "\fBctrl-shift-t\fP"
 open a new terminal in the current directory
 .IP "\fBctrl-shift-up\fP"
@@ -61,14 +61,14 @@ scroll down a line
 scroll up a page
 .IP "\fBshift-pagedown\fP"
 scroll down a page
-.SS Command Mode
-In \fBCommand Mode\fP you interact with the interface of \fBtermite\fP
+.SS Selection Mode
+In \fBSelection Mode\fP you interact with the interface of \fBtermite\fP
 and the visual representation of the programs running within it. You can
 search, mark and copy contents from the display for use in other
 programs.
 .PP
 .IP "\fBescape\fP or \fBctrl-[\fP"
-deactivate command mode
+enter insert mode
 .IP "\fBx\fP"
 activate url hints mode
 .IP "\fBv\fP"
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ reverse url search
 .IP "\fBo\fP"
 open the current selection as a url
 .IP "\fBReturn\fP"
-open the current selection as a url and exit command mode
+open the current selection as a url and enter insert mode
 .IP "\fBn\fP"
 next search match
 .IP "\fBN\fP"