diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 8feebb7..154f416 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ vimcode is a TUI plugin for [OpenCode](https://opencode.ai). Before working on i
 - **`key:before` is NOT a valid intercept type.** The keymap only supports `"key"`, `"key:after"`, and `"raw"`. Passing `"key:before"` silently registers a raw terminal sequence handler that crashes on key events.
 - `dispatchCommand()` from inside a `key` intercept doesn't work for cursor movement. Wrap in `setTimeout(..., 0)` to break out of the intercept stack.
 - `registerLayer` with `activeWhen` using SolidJS signals requires `reactiveMatcherFromSignal` from `@opentui/keymap/solid`. Plain `() => signal()` doesn't trigger re-evaluation. We chose intercepts instead of layers to avoid this.
-- **Leader key is handled entirely within the keymap's `dispatchLayers()`.** There is no separate `useKeyboard` handler for it. `registerTimedLeader` registers a token; `dispatchLayers()` matches it; `getPendingSequence()` exposes the state. Calling `ctx.consume()` in a `key` intercept sets `event.propagationStopped`, which the keymap checks after each intercept — if set, it skips `dispatchLayers()` entirely. This is the correct way to suppress the leader in insert mode.
+- **Leader key is handled entirely within the keymap's `dispatchLayers()`.** There is no separate `useKeyboard` handler for it. `registerTimedLeader` registers a token; `dispatchLayers()` matches it; `getPendingSequence()` exposes the state. Calling `ctx.consume()` in a `key` intercept sets `event.propagationStopped`, which the keymap checks after each intercept — if set, it skips `dispatchLayers()` entirely. In insert mode, printable leaders are consumed and inserted as text; non-printable leaders (ctrl+x, etc.) are not consumed, so they fall through to `dispatchLayers()` and trigger OpenCode's leader bindings.
 - **`api.tuiConfig.keybinds`** gives access to OpenCode's resolved keybind config. `api.tuiConfig.keybinds.get("leader")?.[0]?.key` returns the configured leader key. Used by `resolveLeader()` to auto-detect the leader without requiring a separate plugin option.
 - **SolidJS imports do NOT work in git-installed plugins.** The host's `ensureRuntimePluginSupport` intercepts `solid-js` and `@opentui/solid` imports, but `@opentui/solid/jsx-dev-runtime` (generated by the JSX transform) doesn't resolve from the package cache. Declaring them as peer deps also fails — Bun installs local `.d.ts` stubs that shadow the host's runtime modules. Until OpenCode fixes this, avoid JSX and `solid-js` imports in distributed plugins. Use `api.ui.toast()` for mode feedback instead of slot indicators.
 - **Do NOT add `solid-js`, `@opentui/solid`, or `@opentui/core` as dependencies or peerDependencies.** If they're in `package.json`, Bun installs them into the plugin's `node_modules/`, and the local `.d.ts` stubs shadow the host's runtime module intercepts. The host provides these at runtime via `ensureRuntimePluginSupport`. Keep them only in `devDependencies` (via `@opencode-ai/plugin` which pulls them in for type-checking).
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 7c86535..ceb6b02 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ Format follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/). Version
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- Non-printable leader keys (e.g. `ctrl+x`) now work in insert mode instead of being swallowed ([#42](https://github.com/oribarilan/vimcode/issues/42)).
 - Escape from insert mode now moves cursor left, matching vim.
 - Clipboard now uses `wl-copy` on Wayland instead of `xclip`, which doesn't work there.
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 017ded5..cb4ca57 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ vimcode reads OpenCode's leader key from your `tui.json` keybinds and handles it
 
 In **normal and visual mode**, the leader key and the follow-up key pass straight through to OpenCode, so leader shortcuts (`<leader>c` for copy, etc.) work as expected.
 
-In **insert mode**, vimcode intercepts the leader key to prevent the leader menu from popping up while you type. If the leader is a printable key like space, the character still gets inserted normally.
+In **insert mode**, printable leaders (like space) insert their character. Non-printable leaders (like `ctrl+x`) pass through to OpenCode, so leader shortcuts work from any mode.
 
 This allows, for example, to use the popular vim-style `space` leader, set it in your `tui.json`:
 
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index b5c6806..ff0cedd 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -312,10 +312,12 @@ const plugin: TuiPluginModule = {
               : handleNormalKey(state, key, ctx.event, prompt);
         if (handlerMode === "normal") finishOneShotIfComplete(state, result);
 
-        // In insert mode, if the handler didn't consume the key, check
-        // if it's a leader key. Swallow it to prevent the leader menu
-        // from popping up while typing. This runs after handleInsertKey
-        // so explicit handlers (escape, return, tab, ctrl+o) take priority.
+        // In insert mode, intercept printable leaders (space, "a") so
+        // they insert their character instead of triggering the leader
+        // menu mid-typing. Non-printable leaders (ctrl+x, alt+m) fall
+        // through to dispatchLayers() so app-level shortcuts work
+        // without switching modes. Runs after handleInsertKey so
+        // explicit handlers (escape, return, tab, ctrl+o) take priority.
         // Don't mutate `result` — it may be the shared PASS constant.
         let consume = result.consume;
         let actions = result.actions;
@@ -323,8 +325,10 @@ const plugin: TuiPluginModule = {
           const matched = findMatchingLeader(ctx.event, leaderKeys);
           if (matched) {
             const ch = leaderChar(matched);
-            actions = ch ? [{ type: "insertText" as const, text: ch }] : [];
-            consume = true;
+            if (ch) {
+              actions = [{ type: "insertText" as const, text: ch }];
+              consume = true;
+            }
           }
         }