diff --git a/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/examples/demo.rs b/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/examples/demo.rs
index 5e453f5..4a067f8 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/examples/demo.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/examples/demo.rs
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ impl CoreSurface for DemoSurface {
         }
     }
 
-    fn preedit_callback(&self, _text: Option<&str>) -> Result<(), CoreError> {
+    fn preedit_callback(&self, _text: Option<&[u8]>) -> Result<(), CoreError> {
         Ok(())
     }
     fn focus_callback(&self, focused: bool) -> Result<(), CoreError> {
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/src/class/surface.rs b/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/src/class/surface.rs
index da26c85..f15cbf7 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/src/class/surface.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-apprt-gtk/src/class/surface.rs
@@ -1306,7 +1306,7 @@ impl Surface {
             mods,
             consumed_mods,
             composing: imp.im_composing.get(),
-            utf8: &utf8,
+            utf8: utf8.as_bytes(),
             unshifted_codepoint: keyval_unicode_unshifted,
         }) {
             Ok(e) => e,
@@ -3673,7 +3673,7 @@ mod imp {
             let (text, _, _) = ctx.preedit_string();
 
             // Update our preedit state in Ghostty core
-            if let Err(err) = surface.preedit_callback(Some(&text)) {
+            if let Err(err) = surface.preedit_callback(Some(text.as_bytes())) {
                 log::warn!("error in preedit callback err={err}");
             }
         }
@@ -3755,7 +3755,7 @@ mod imp {
                     mods: Mods::default(),
                     consumed_mods: Mods::default(),
                     composing: false,
-                    utf8: str,
+                    utf8: str.as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 }) {
                     log::warn!("error in key callback err={err}");
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-apprt/src/runtime_api.rs b/crates/ghostty-apprt/src/runtime_api.rs
index 4cba831..faf5d6f 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-apprt/src/runtime_api.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-apprt/src/runtime_api.rs
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ pub trait CoreSurface {
     // ---- input -------------------------------------------------------
     fn key_callback(&self, event: KeyEvent<'_>) -> Result<InputEffect, CoreError>;
     /// `preeditCallback(null)` clears.
-    fn preedit_callback(&self, text: Option<&str>) -> Result<(), CoreError>;
+    fn preedit_callback(&self, text: Option<&[u8]>) -> Result<(), CoreError>;
     fn focus_callback(&self, focused: bool) -> Result<(), CoreError>;
     /// Returns true if the click was consumed.
     fn mouse_button_callback(
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/keyboard.rs b/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/keyboard.rs
index d6101bd..a8b67bc 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/keyboard.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/keyboard.rs
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ pub struct OwnedKeyEvent {
     pub mods: Mods,
     pub consumed_mods: Mods,
     pub composing: bool,
-    pub utf8: String,
+    pub utf8: Vec<u8>,
     pub unshifted_codepoint: u32,
 }
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ impl OwnedKeyEvent {
             mods: e.mods,
             consumed_mods: e.consumed_mods,
             composing: e.composing,
-            utf8: e.utf8.to_owned(),
+            utf8: e.utf8.to_vec(),
             unshifted_codepoint: e.unshifted_codepoint,
         }
     }
@@ -1067,7 +1067,7 @@ mod tests {
                 ctrl: true,
                 ..Mods::default()
             },
-            utf8: "a",
+            utf8: "a".as_bytes(),
             unshifted_codepoint: 'a' as u32,
             ..KeyEvent::default()
         };
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/mod.rs b/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/mod.rs
index 785cc8e..37578f3 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-core/src/surface/mod.rs
@@ -1679,7 +1679,7 @@ impl Surface {
     /// The core surface will NOT reset the preedit state on charCallback or
     /// keyCallback and we rely completely on the apprt implementation to
     /// track the preedit state correctly.
-    pub fn preedit_callback(&self, preedit: Option<&str>) -> Result<(), CoreError> {
+    pub fn preedit_callback(&self, preedit: Option<&[u8]>) -> Result<(), CoreError> {
         let cfg = self.cfg();
         let mut st = self.lock_state();
 
@@ -1704,7 +1704,16 @@ impl Surface {
             return Ok(());
         };
 
-        // We convert the UTF-8 text to codepoints.
+        // We convert the UTF-8 text to codepoints. Like Zig's
+        // `Utf8View.init(text)`, invalid UTF-8 is an error: the prior preedit
+        // is already cleared and marked dirty, and no new preedit is set.
+        let text = match std::str::from_utf8(text) {
+            Ok(t) => t,
+            Err(e) => {
+                drop(st);
+                return Err(Box::new(e));
+            }
+        };
         let mut codepoints: Vec<PreeditCodepoint> = Vec::new();
         for cp in text.chars() {
             let width = usize::from(ghostty_unicode::table().get(u32::from(cp)).width);
@@ -1993,7 +2002,7 @@ impl CoreSurface for Surface {
         Surface::key_callback(self, event)
     }
 
-    fn preedit_callback(&self, text: Option<&str>) -> Result<(), CoreError> {
+    fn preedit_callback(&self, text: Option<&[u8]>) -> Result<(), CoreError> {
         let _crash = self.crash_guard();
         Surface::preedit_callback(self, text)
     }
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-core/tests/common/mod.rs b/crates/ghostty-core/tests/common/mod.rs
index de42da7..57db6cb 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-core/tests/common/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-core/tests/common/mod.rs
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ impl Harness {
                 Mods::default()
             },
             composing: false,
-            utf8,
+            utf8: utf8.as_bytes(),
             unshifted_codepoint: unshifted,
         });
         // GTK reports the same text/codepoint on release.
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ impl Harness {
             mods,
             consumed_mods: Mods::default(),
             composing: false,
-            utf8,
+            utf8: utf8.as_bytes(),
             unshifted_codepoint: unshifted,
         });
         eff
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_ime.rs b/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_ime.rs
index bf867b2..ece8331 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_ime.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_ime.rs
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ fn preedit_state_and_ime_point() {
     let h = harness!(Harness::recorder("", &[]));
     let before = h.surface.ime_point();
     h.surface
-        .preedit_callback(Some("\u{3042}\u{3044}"))
+        .preedit_callback(Some("\u{3042}\u{3044}".as_bytes()))
         .unwrap();
     {
         let st = h.surface.lock_state();
@@ -57,6 +57,20 @@ fn preedit_state_and_ime_point() {
     assert_eq!(h.recorded(), Vec::<u8>::new());
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn preedit_with_invalid_utf8_is_an_error_and_clears_prior() {
+    let h = harness!(Harness::recorder("", &[]));
+    // Like Zig's preeditCallback (`try Utf8View.init(text)`): invalid UTF-8
+    // returns an error after the prior preedit has been cleared, and no new
+    // preedit is set. Nothing is written to the pty.
+    h.surface.preedit_callback(Some(b"ab")).unwrap();
+    assert!(h.surface.lock_state().preedit.is_some());
+    assert!(h.surface.preedit_callback(Some(b"a\xffb\xc3")).is_err());
+    assert!(h.surface.lock_state().preedit.is_none());
+    h.settle(50);
+    assert_eq!(h.recorded(), Vec::<u8>::new());
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn preedit_is_rendered_and_cleared() {
     let h = harness!(Harness::recorder("", &[]));
@@ -71,7 +85,7 @@ fn preedit_is_rendered_and_cleared() {
         });
         b
     };
-    h.surface.preedit_callback(Some("abcd")).unwrap();
+    h.surface.preedit_callback(Some("abcd".as_bytes())).unwrap();
     h.wait("preedit visible", |h| {
         let r = region(h, cols.clone(), 0);
         !r.is_empty() && r != baseline
@@ -89,7 +103,7 @@ fn commit_sends_text_and_composing_keys_do_not() {
     h.key_event(KeyEvent {
         key: Key::KeyK,
         composing: true,
-        utf8: "k",
+        utf8: "k".as_bytes(),
         unshifted_codepoint: 'k' as u32,
         ..KeyEvent::default()
     });
@@ -98,12 +112,12 @@ fn commit_sends_text_and_composing_keys_do_not() {
 
     // Commit: preedit ends, committed text is sent with no key.
     h.surface
-        .preedit_callback(Some("\u{3053}\u{3093}"))
+        .preedit_callback(Some("\u{3053}\u{3093}".as_bytes()))
         .unwrap();
     h.surface.preedit_callback(None).unwrap();
     h.key_event(KeyEvent {
         key: Key::Unidentified,
-        utf8: "\u{3053}\u{3093}\u{306b}\u{3061}\u{306f}",
+        utf8: "\u{3053}\u{3093}\u{306b}\u{3061}\u{306f}".as_bytes(),
         ..KeyEvent::default()
     });
     h.expect_input("\u{3053}\u{3093}\u{306b}\u{3061}\u{306f}".as_bytes());
@@ -115,7 +129,7 @@ fn enter_with_committed_text_sends_text_not_cr() {
     let h = harness!(Harness::recorder("", &[]));
     h.key_event(KeyEvent {
         key: Key::Enter,
-        utf8: "\u{6f22}",
+        utf8: "\u{6f22}".as_bytes(),
         ..KeyEvent::default()
     });
     h.expect_input("\u{6f22}".as_bytes());
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_keys.rs b/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_keys.rs
index a6bd25f..88a239a 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_keys.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-core/tests/e2e_keys.rs
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ fn key_release_without_press_is_ignored_in_legacy() {
     h.key_event(ghostty_input::KeyEvent {
         action: ghostty_input::key::Action::Release,
         key: Key::KeyA,
-        utf8: "a",
+        utf8: "a".as_bytes(),
         ..Default::default()
     });
     h.type_text("b");
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/set.rs b/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/set.rs
index 94dae21..1a9bc77 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/set.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/set.rs
@@ -574,8 +574,9 @@ impl Set {
 
         // If our UTF-8 text is exactly one codepoint, we try to match that.
         if !event.utf8.is_empty() {
-            let mut it = event.utf8.chars();
-            // No codepoints or multiple codepoints drops to invalid format
+            // Invalid UTF-8, no codepoints or multiple codepoints drops to
+            // invalid format.
+            let mut it = crate::key_encode::utf8_chars(event.utf8).unwrap_or_else(|| "".chars());
             if let (Some(cp), None) = (it.next(), it.next()) {
                 trigger.key = TriggerKey::Unicode(cp as u32);
                 if let Some(v) = self.get_entry(trigger) {
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/tests.rs b/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/tests.rs
index 3d232c6..b808eb1 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-input/src/binding/tests.rs
@@ -1097,7 +1097,7 @@ fn ev(key: Key, mods: Mods, utf8: &str, unshifted: u32) -> KeyEvent<'_> {
     KeyEvent {
         key,
         mods,
-        utf8,
+        utf8: utf8.as_bytes(),
         unshifted_codepoint: unshifted,
         ..KeyEvent::default()
     }
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-input/src/key.rs b/crates/ghostty-input/src/key.rs
index f644ed7..0d86ce0 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-input/src/key.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-input/src/key.rs
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ pub struct KeyEvent<'a> {
     /// This will be an empty string if there is no text generated.
     /// If composing is true and this is non-empty, this is preedit
     /// text.
-    pub utf8: &'a str,
+    pub utf8: &'a [u8],
 
     /// The codepoint for this key when it is unshifted. For example,
     /// shift+a is "A" in UTF-8 but unshifted would provide 'a'.
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ impl Default for KeyEvent<'_> {
             mods: Mods::default(),
             consumed_mods: Mods::default(),
             composing: false,
-            utf8: "",
+            utf8: b"",
             unshifted_codepoint: 0,
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-input/src/key_encode.rs b/crates/ghostty-input/src/key_encode.rs
index 29fd428..914d40e 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-input/src/key_encode.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-input/src/key_encode.rs
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ fn kitty<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Resu
                 if event.key == Key::Backspace {
                     return Ok(());
                 }
-                return writer.write_all(event.utf8.as_bytes());
+                return writer.write_all(event.utf8);
             }
         }
 
@@ -180,8 +180,12 @@ fn kitty<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Resu
                 // We only do this for printable characters. We should
                 // inspect the real unicode codepoint properties here but
                 // the real world issue is usually control characters.
-                if !event.utf8.chars().any(|c| is_control(u32::from(c))) {
-                    return writer.write_all(event.utf8.as_bytes());
+                // Invalid UTF-8 falls back to encoding the key press as if it
+                // didn't produce text (the bytes are never sent as plain text).
+                if let Some(mut chars) = utf8_chars(event.utf8)
+                    && !chars.any(|c| is_control(u32::from(c)))
+                {
+                    return writer.write_all(event.utf8);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -192,7 +196,7 @@ fn kitty<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Resu
         // (e.g. composed/IME text), so send it as-is so programs can
         // still receive it.
         if !event.utf8.is_empty() {
-            return writer.write_all(event.utf8.as_bytes());
+            return writer.write_all(event.utf8);
         }
         return Ok(());
     };
@@ -209,7 +213,7 @@ fn kitty<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Resu
             mods: KittyMods::from_input(event.action, event.key, all_mods),
             event: KittyEvent::None,
             alternates: [None, None],
-            text: "",
+            text: b"",
         };
 
         if opts.kitty_flags.report_events {
@@ -230,7 +234,10 @@ fn kitty<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Resu
                 break 'alternates;
             }
 
-            let mut it = event.utf8.chars();
+            // Assume invalid UTF-8 means no UTF-8.
+            let Some(mut it) = utf8_chars(event.utf8) else {
+                break 'alternates;
+            };
 
             // If we have a codepoint in our UTF-8 sequence, then we can
             // report the shifted version.
@@ -376,7 +383,8 @@ fn legacy<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Res
     // for any char with a modifier. Ctrl sequences like Ctrl+a
     // are already handled above.
     if opts.modify_other_keys_state_2 {
-        let mut it = utf8.chars();
+        // Assume invalid UTF-8 means we have no UTF-8.
+        let mut it = utf8_chars(utf8).unwrap_or_else(|| "".chars());
         // We only do this if we have a single codepoint. There shouldn't
         // ever be a multi-codepoint sequence that triggers this.
         if let (Some(codepoint), None) = (it.next().map(u32::from), it.clone().next()) {
@@ -449,7 +457,9 @@ fn legacy<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Res
 
             // Get our codepoint. If we have more than one codepoint this
             // can't be valid CSIu.
-            let mut it = event.utf8.chars();
+            let Some(mut it) = utf8_chars(event.utf8) else {
+                break 'csiu;
+            };
             let Some(first) = it.next() else {
                 break 'csiu;
             };
@@ -501,7 +511,7 @@ fn legacy<W: Write>(writer: &mut W, event: &KeyEvent, opts: &Options) -> io::Res
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    writer.write_all(utf8.as_bytes())
+    writer.write_all(utf8)
 }
 
 fn legacy_alt_prefix(
@@ -536,7 +546,7 @@ fn legacy_alt_prefix(
     }
 
     // Otherwise, we require utf8 to already have the byte represented.
-    let utf8 = event.utf8.as_bytes();
+    let utf8 = event.utf8;
     if utf8.len() == 1 {
         return Some(utf8[0]);
     }
@@ -654,7 +664,12 @@ fn pc_style_function_key(
 /// This will return None if the key event should not be converted
 /// into a C0 byte. There are many cases for this and you should read
 /// the source code to understand them.
-fn ctrl_seq(logical_key: Key, utf8: &str, unshifted_codepoint: u32, mods: key::Mods) -> Option<u8> {
+fn ctrl_seq(
+    logical_key: Key,
+    utf8: &[u8],
+    unshifted_codepoint: u32,
+    mods: key::Mods,
+) -> Option<u8> {
     let ctrl_only = key::Mods {
         ctrl: true,
         ..key::Mods::default()
@@ -679,7 +694,7 @@ fn ctrl_seq(logical_key: Key, utf8: &str, unshifted_codepoint: u32, mods: key::M
         // If we have exactly one UTF8 byte, we assume that is the
         // character we want to convert to a C0 byte.
         if utf8.len() == 1 {
-            break 'ch utf8.as_bytes()[0];
+            break 'ch utf8[0];
         }
 
         // If we have a logical key that maps to a single byte
@@ -813,8 +828,14 @@ fn is_control(cp: u32) -> bool {
 
 /// Returns true if this string is comprised of a single
 /// control character. This returns false for multi-byte strings.
-fn is_control_utf8(s: &str) -> bool {
-    s.len() == 1 && is_control(u32::from(s.as_bytes()[0]))
+fn is_control_utf8(s: &[u8]) -> bool {
+    s.len() == 1 && is_control(u32::from(s[0]))
+}
+
+/// Strictly decode `bytes` as UTF-8 (Zig: `std.unicode.Utf8View.init`),
+/// returning `None` for invalid UTF-8.
+pub(crate) fn utf8_chars(bytes: &[u8]) -> Option<std::str::Chars<'_>> {
+    std::str::from_utf8(bytes).ok().map(str::chars)
 }
 
 /// This is the bitmask for fixterm CSI u modifiers.
@@ -926,7 +947,7 @@ struct KittySequence<'a> {
     mods: KittyMods,
     event: KittyEvent,
     alternates: [Option<u32>; 2],
-    text: &'a str,
+    text: &'a [u8],
 }
 
 impl KittySequence<'_> {
@@ -964,9 +985,10 @@ impl KittySequence<'_> {
         }
 
         // Text section
-        if !self.text.is_empty() {
+        // Assume invalid UTF-8 means we have no text.
+        if let Some(chars) = utf8_chars(self.text).filter(|_| !self.text.is_empty()) {
             let mut count = 0;
-            for c in self.text.chars() {
+            for c in chars {
                 let cp = u32::from(c);
                 // If the codepoint is non-printable ASCII character, skip.
                 if is_control(cp) {
@@ -1022,7 +1044,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::KeyA,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "abcd",
+                    utf8: "abcd".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1048,7 +1070,7 @@ mod tests {
                     key: Key::KeyA,
                     action: key::Action::Repeat,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "a",
+                    utf8: "a".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1073,7 +1095,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Enter,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1094,7 +1116,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Backspace,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1115,7 +1137,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Tab,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1137,7 +1159,7 @@ mod tests {
                     action: key::Action::Release,
                     key: Key::Enter,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1160,7 +1182,7 @@ mod tests {
                     action: key::Action::Release,
                     key: Key::Backspace,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1183,7 +1205,7 @@ mod tests {
                     action: key::Action::Release,
                     key: Key::Tab,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1206,7 +1228,7 @@ mod tests {
                     action: key::Action::Release,
                     key: Key::Enter,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1230,7 +1252,7 @@ mod tests {
                     action: key::Action::Release,
                     key: Key::Backspace,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1254,7 +1276,7 @@ mod tests {
                     action: key::Action::Release,
                     key: Key::Tab,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1284,7 +1306,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1312,7 +1334,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1340,7 +1362,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1365,7 +1387,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Enter,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1396,7 +1418,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1428,7 +1450,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1456,7 +1478,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Delete,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "\u{7f}",
+                    utf8: "\u{7f}".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1538,7 +1560,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Unidentified,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "\u{fb}",
+                    utf8: "\u{fb}".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1569,7 +1591,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "A",
+                    utf8: "A".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 97,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1599,7 +1621,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "A",
+                    utf8: "A".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 65,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1629,7 +1651,7 @@ mod tests {
                         caps_lock: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "J",
+                    utf8: "J".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 106,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1661,7 +1683,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: ":",
+                    utf8: ":".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: u32::from(';'),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1690,7 +1712,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Semicolon,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "\u{447}",
+                    utf8: "\u{447}".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 1095,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1722,7 +1744,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "\u{427}",
+                    utf8: "\u{427}".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 1095,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1754,7 +1776,7 @@ mod tests {
                         caps_lock: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "\u{427}",
+                    utf8: "\u{427}".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 1095,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1787,7 +1809,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 337,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1816,7 +1838,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::ArrowUp,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "\u{1e}",
+                    utf8: "\u{1e}".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1844,7 +1866,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1870,7 +1892,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::ShiftLeft,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1896,7 +1918,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::ShiftLeft,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "",
+                    utf8: "".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -1925,7 +1947,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "j",
+                    utf8: "j".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 106,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1957,7 +1979,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "J",
+                    utf8: "J".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 106,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -1990,7 +2012,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "J",
+                    utf8: "J".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 106,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2019,7 +2041,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Delete,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "\u{7f}",
+                    utf8: "\u{7f}".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2045,7 +2067,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Enter,
-                    utf8: "A",
+                    utf8: "A".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 0x0D,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2073,7 +2095,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Numpad1,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "1",
+                    utf8: "1".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2100,7 +2122,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Backspace,
-                    utf8: "A",
+                    utf8: "A".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 0x0D,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2128,7 +2150,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Backspace,
-                    utf8: "A",
+                    utf8: "A".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 0x0D,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2149,7 +2171,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Enter,
-                    utf8: "A",
+                    utf8: "A".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 0x0D,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2170,7 +2192,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Escape,
-                    utf8: "A",
+                    utf8: "A".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 0x0D,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2196,7 +2218,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "_",
+                    utf8: "_".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2221,7 +2243,7 @@ mod tests {
                         alt: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "c",
+                    utf8: "c".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2241,7 +2263,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::KeyC,
-                    utf8: "c",
+                    utf8: "c".as_bytes(),
                     mods: Mods {
                         alt: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
@@ -2293,7 +2315,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::KeyF,
-                    utf8: "\u{444}",
+                    utf8: "\u{444}".as_bytes(),
                     mods: Mods {
                         alt: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
@@ -2322,7 +2344,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "c",
+                    utf8: "c".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2346,7 +2368,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: " ",
+                    utf8: " ".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2395,7 +2417,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "H",
+                    utf8: "H".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2425,7 +2447,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "H",
+                    utf8: "H".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2451,7 +2473,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
                     consumed_mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "8",
+                    utf8: "8".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2477,7 +2499,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "i",
+                    utf8: "i".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2497,7 +2519,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "m",
+                    utf8: "m".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2517,7 +2539,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "[",
+                    utf8: "[".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2538,7 +2560,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "@",
+                    utf8: "@".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: u32::from('2'),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2564,7 +2586,7 @@ mod tests {
                         shift: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "M",
+                    utf8: "M".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: u32::from('m'),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2635,7 +2657,7 @@ mod tests {
                     key: Key::Numpad1,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
                     consumed_mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "1",
+                    utf8: "1".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2657,7 +2679,7 @@ mod tests {
                     key: Key::Numpad1,
                     mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
                     consumed_mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "1",
+                    utf8: "1".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2683,7 +2705,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
                     consumed_mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "1",
+                    utf8: "1".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2709,7 +2731,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
                     consumed_mods: Mods { ..Mods::default() },
-                    utf8: "1",
+                    utf8: "1".as_bytes(),
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
                 &Options {
@@ -2893,7 +2915,7 @@ mod tests {
                         ctrl: true,
                         ..Mods::default()
                     },
-                    utf8: "\u{151}",
+                    utf8: "\u{151}".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 337,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2914,7 +2936,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &mut w,
                 &KeyEvent {
                     key: Key::Backspace,
-                    utf8: "\u{7f}",
+                    utf8: "\u{7f}".as_bytes(),
                     unshifted_codepoint: 0x08,
                     ..KeyEvent::default()
                 },
@@ -2939,7 +2961,7 @@ mod tests {
             mods: KittyMods::default(),
             event: KittyEvent::None,
             alternates: [None, None],
-            text: "",
+            text: b"",
         }
     }
 
@@ -3010,7 +3032,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn kitty_sequence_text() {
         assert_eq!(
             enc(KittySequence {
-                text: "A",
+                text: "A".as_bytes(),
                 ..seq(127, b'u')
             }),
             b"\x1B[127;;65u"
@@ -3018,7 +3040,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(
             enc(KittySequence {
                 event: KittyEvent::Release,
-                text: "A",
+                text: "A".as_bytes(),
                 ..seq(127, b'u')
             }),
             b"\x1B[127;1:3;65u"
@@ -3029,7 +3051,7 @@ mod tests {
                     shift: true,
                     ..KittyMods::default()
                 },
-                text: "A",
+                text: "A".as_bytes(),
                 ..seq(127, b'u')
             }),
             b"\x1B[127;2;65u"
@@ -3040,14 +3062,14 @@ mod tests {
     fn kitty_sequence_text_with_control_characters() {
         assert_eq!(
             enc(KittySequence {
-                text: "\n",
+                text: "\n".as_bytes(),
                 ..seq(127, b'u')
             }),
             b"\x1b[127u"
         );
         assert_eq!(
             enc(KittySequence {
-                text: "A\n",
+                text: "A\n".as_bytes(),
                 ..seq(127, b'u')
             }),
             b"\x1b[127;;65u"
@@ -3102,7 +3124,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn ctrlseq_normal_ctrl_c() {
         assert_eq!(
-            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "c", 'c' as u32, ctrl()),
+            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "c".as_bytes(), 'c' as u32, ctrl()),
             Some(0x03)
         );
     }
@@ -3110,7 +3132,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn ctrlseq_normal_ctrl_c_right_control() {
         assert_eq!(
-            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "c", 'c' as u32, right_ctrl()),
+            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "c".as_bytes(), 'c' as u32, right_ctrl()),
             Some(0x03)
         );
     }
@@ -3123,7 +3145,7 @@ mod tests {
             ..Mods::default()
         };
         assert_eq!(
-            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "c", 'c' as u32, mods),
+            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "c".as_bytes(), 'c' as u32, mods),
             Some(0x03)
         );
     }
@@ -3131,7 +3153,12 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn ctrlseq_no_ctrl_does_nothing() {
         assert_eq!(
-            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "c", 'c' as u32, Mods::default()),
+            ctrl_seq(
+                Key::Unidentified,
+                "c".as_bytes(),
+                'c' as u32,
+                Mods::default()
+            ),
             None
         );
     }
@@ -3144,7 +3171,7 @@ mod tests {
             ..Mods::default()
         };
         assert_eq!(
-            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "_", '-' as u32, mods),
+            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "_".as_bytes(), '-' as u32, mods),
             Some(0x1F)
         );
     }
@@ -3157,7 +3184,7 @@ mod tests {
             ..Mods::default()
         };
         assert_eq!(
-            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "C", 'c' as u32, mods),
+            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "C".as_bytes(), 'c' as u32, mods),
             Some(0x03)
         );
     }
@@ -3168,18 +3195,27 @@ mod tests {
             shift: true,
             ..Mods::default()
         };
-        assert_eq!(ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "C", 'c' as u32, shift), None);
+        assert_eq!(
+            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "C".as_bytes(), 'c' as u32, shift),
+            None
+        );
         let both = Mods {
             shift: true,
             ctrl: true,
             ..Mods::default()
         };
-        assert_eq!(ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "C", 'c' as u32, both), None);
+        assert_eq!(
+            ctrl_seq(Key::Unidentified, "C".as_bytes(), 'c' as u32, both),
+            None
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn ctrlseq_russian_ctrl_c() {
-        assert_eq!(ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с", 0x0441, ctrl()), Some(0x03));
+        assert_eq!(
+            ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с".as_bytes(), 0x0441, ctrl()),
+            Some(0x03)
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -3189,7 +3225,7 @@ mod tests {
             shift: true,
             ..Mods::default()
         };
-        assert_eq!(ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с", 0x0441, mods), None);
+        assert_eq!(ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с".as_bytes(), 0x0441, mods), None);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -3199,16 +3235,54 @@ mod tests {
             alt: true,
             ..Mods::default()
         };
-        assert_eq!(ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с", 0x0441, mods), Some(0x03));
+        assert_eq!(
+            ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с".as_bytes(), 0x0441, mods),
+            Some(0x03)
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn ctrlseq_right_ctrl_c() {
         assert_eq!(
-            ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с", 'c' as u32, right_ctrl()),
+            ctrl_seq(Key::KeyC, "с".as_bytes(), 'c' as u32, right_ctrl()),
             Some(0x03)
         );
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn invalid_utf8_text_is_passed_through_or_ignored() {
+        let ev = KeyEvent {
+            key: Key::KeyA,
+            unshifted_codepoint: 'a' as u32,
+            utf8: b"\xff\xfe",
+            ..KeyEvent::default()
+        };
+        let mut out = Vec::new();
+        legacy_like(&mut out, &ev);
+        assert_eq!(out, b"\xff\xfe");
+
+        // Kitty associated text with invalid UTF-8 is dropped, not lossy.
+        let mut out = Vec::new();
+        encode(
+            &mut out,
+            &ev,
+            &Options {
+                kitty_flags: KittyFlags {
+                    disambiguate: true,
+                    report_all: true,
+                    report_associated: true,
+                    ..KittyFlags::default()
+                },
+                ..Options::default()
+            },
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(out, b"\x1b[97u");
+    }
+
+    fn legacy_like(out: &mut Vec<u8>, ev: &KeyEvent<'_>) {
+        encode(out, ev, &Options::default()).unwrap();
+    }
 }
 
 /// The Zig tests that only run on Darwin (`isDarwin()` / `os.tag == .macos`
@@ -3255,7 +3329,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
                     alt: true,
                     ..Mods::default()
                 },
-                utf8: "∑",
+                utf8: "∑".as_bytes(),
                 unshifted_codepoint: 119,
                 ..KeyEvent::default()
             };
@@ -3276,7 +3350,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
                     alt: true,
                     ..Mods::default()
                 },
-                utf8: "∑",
+                utf8: "∑".as_bytes(),
                 unshifted_codepoint: 119,
                 ..KeyEvent::default()
             };
@@ -3288,7 +3362,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
             // Without Alt modifier
             let ev = KeyEvent {
                 key: Key::KeyW,
-                utf8: "∑",
+                utf8: "∑".as_bytes(),
                 unshifted_codepoint: 119,
                 ..KeyEvent::default()
             };
@@ -3304,7 +3378,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
         with_darwin(true, || {
             let ev = KeyEvent {
                 key: Key::KeyC,
-                utf8: "≈",
+                utf8: "≈".as_bytes(),
                 unshifted_codepoint: u32::from('c'),
                 mods: Mods {
                     alt: true,
@@ -3333,7 +3407,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
         with_darwin(true, || {
             let ev = KeyEvent {
                 key: Key::Period,
-                utf8: ">",
+                utf8: ">".as_bytes(),
                 unshifted_codepoint: u32::from('.'),
                 mods: Mods {
                     alt: true,
@@ -3365,7 +3439,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
                     ..Mods::default()
                 },
                 // common translation of option+8 with European keyboard layouts
-                utf8: "[",
+                utf8: "[".as_bytes(),
                 ..KeyEvent::default()
             };
             let opts = Options {
@@ -3382,7 +3456,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
         with_darwin(true, || {
             let ev = KeyEvent {
                 key: Key::KeyB,
-                utf8: "b",
+                utf8: "b".as_bytes(),
                 mods: Mods {
                     super_: true,
                     ..Mods::default()
@@ -3395,7 +3469,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
         with_darwin(false, || {
             let ev = KeyEvent {
                 key: Key::KeyB,
-                utf8: "b",
+                utf8: "b".as_bytes(),
                 mods: Mods {
                     super_: true,
                     ..Mods::default()
@@ -3411,7 +3485,7 @@ mod macos_tests {
         with_darwin(true, || {
             let ev = KeyEvent {
                 key: Key::KeyB,
-                utf8: "B",
+                utf8: "B".as_bytes(),
                 mods: Mods {
                     super_: true,
                     shift: true,
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/inspector.rs b/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/inspector.rs
index d460a4f..285370d 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/inspector.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/inspector.rs
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ mod tests {
         insp.record_key_event(crate::KeyEvent::new(&KeyEvent {
             action: Action::Press,
             key: Key::KeyA,
-            utf8: "a",
+            utf8: "a".as_bytes(),
             ..KeyEvent::default()
         }));
 
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/widgets/key.rs b/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/widgets/key.rs
index 5f98dff..63ab1f2 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/widgets/key.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-inspector/src/widgets/key.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ impl InputEvent {
             mods: ev.mods,
             consumed_mods: ev.consumed_mods,
             composing: ev.composing,
-            utf8: ev.utf8.to_owned(),
+            // Display only: invalid UTF-8 is shown as U+FFFD.
+            utf8: String::from_utf8_lossy(ev.utf8).into_owned(),
             unshifted_codepoint: ev.unshifted_codepoint,
         }
     }
@@ -494,7 +495,7 @@ mod tests {
         Event::new(&KeyEvent {
             action: Action::Press,
             key,
-            utf8,
+            utf8: utf8.as_bytes(),
             ..KeyEvent::default()
         })
     }
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-lib/src/embedded.rs b/crates/ghostty-lib/src/embedded.rs
index f71e541..b3ab654 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-lib/src/embedded.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-lib/src/embedded.rs
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ struct OwnedKey {
     mods: Mods,
     consumed_mods: Mods,
     composing: bool,
-    text: String,
+    text: Vec<u8>,
     unshifted_codepoint: u32,
 }
 
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ impl OwnedKey {
         };
         // SAFETY: per the function contract.
         let text = unsafe { cstr(e.text) }
-            .map(|c| c.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
+            .map(|c| c.to_bytes().to_vec())
             .unwrap_or_default();
 
         // We want to get the physical unmapped key to process keybinds.
@@ -1636,7 +1636,7 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn ghostty_surface_preedit(
     } else {
         // SAFETY: `text` points to `len` readable bytes.
         let bytes = unsafe { std::slice::from_raw_parts(text.cast::<u8>(), len) };
-        Some(String::from_utf8_lossy(bytes).into_owned())
+        Some(bytes.to_vec())
     };
     if let Err(err) = core.preedit_callback(preedit.as_deref()) {
         log::error!("error in preedit callback err={err}");
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-lib/tests/surface.rs b/crates/ghostty-lib/tests/surface.rs
index e316eda..d790cbc 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-lib/tests/surface.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-lib/tests/surface.rs
@@ -519,6 +519,28 @@ fn selection_and_clipboard_round_trip() {
 /// A child that prints the hex of the first two bytes it receives raw.
 const HEX_TWO: &str = "stty raw -echo; dd bs=1 count=2 2>/dev/null | od -An -tx1 | tr -d ' \\n'; printf '\\nHEX-DONE\\n'; sleep 5";
 
+#[test]
+fn key_text_and_preedit_are_bytes_not_lossy_utf8() {
+    // Key text is a byte slice (Zig `[]const u8`): non-UTF-8 text reaches
+    // the pty unchanged.
+    let h = host!("");
+    let s = h.surface(HEX_TWO);
+    let raw = CString::new(&b"\xff\xfe"[..]).unwrap();
+    assert!(unsafe { ghostty_surface_key(s, key(1, KEY_A, 0, Some(&raw))) });
+    h.wait_screen(s, "fffe");
+    unsafe { ghostty_surface_free(s) };
+
+    // Invalid preedit bytes are rejected like Zig (logged error, no panic).
+    let s = h.surface("printf 'READY\\n'; sleep 30");
+    h.wait_screen(s, "READY");
+    let p = b"a\xffb";
+    unsafe {
+        ghostty_surface_preedit(s, p.as_ptr().cast(), p.len());
+        ghostty_surface_preedit(s, ptr::null(), 0);
+        ghostty_surface_free(s);
+    }
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn clipboard_completion_and_binding_action_keep_raw_bytes() {
     // Clipboard contents are bytes: 0xFF must reach the child as 0xFF.
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/src/key_event.rs b/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/src/key_event.rs
index d0d20b7..6f02cab 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/src/key_event.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/src/key_event.rs
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ pub struct KeyEventWrapper {
 }
 
 impl KeyEventWrapper {
-    /// Borrow as the Rust [`KeyEvent`]. Zig's `utf8` is a byte slice, ours is
-    /// `&str`: invalid UTF-8 is truncated to its longest valid prefix.
+    /// Borrow as the Rust [`KeyEvent`]. `utf8` is a byte slice (as in Zig) and is
+    /// passed through unchanged, even if it is not valid UTF-8.
     ///
     /// # Safety
     /// The caller-provided UTF-8 bytes must still be alive.
@@ -39,17 +39,13 @@ impl KeyEventWrapper {
             // SAFETY: per the contract of `ghostty_key_event_set_utf8`.
             unsafe { std::slice::from_raw_parts(self.utf8, self.utf8_len) }
         };
-        let text = match std::str::from_utf8(bytes) {
-            Ok(s) => s,
-            Err(e) => std::str::from_utf8(&bytes[..e.valid_up_to()]).unwrap_or(""),
-        };
         KeyEvent {
             action: self.action,
             key: self.key,
             mods: self.mods,
             consumed_mods: self.consumed_mods,
             composing: self.composing,
-            utf8: text,
+            utf8: bytes,
             unshifted_codepoint: self.unshifted_codepoint,
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/tests/wasm_examples.rs b/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/tests/wasm_examples.rs
index 599cefc..f772757 100644
--- a/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/tests/wasm_examples.rs
+++ b/crates/ghostty-vt-capi/tests/wasm_examples.rs
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ fn wasm_key_encode_example() {
             action,
             key,
             mods,
-            utf8,
+            utf8: utf8.as_bytes(),
             unshifted_codepoint: unshifted as u32,
             ..KeyEvent::default()
         };
diff --git a/docs/rewrite/notes/final-Z10.md b/docs/rewrite/notes/final-Z10.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..808b19f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/rewrite/notes/final-Z10.md
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# Z10: byte-typed key text and preedit
+
+`KeyEvent.utf8` is now `&[u8]` (Zig `[]const u8`) end to end; the Z9 "documented limit" for C key `text` / preedit is gone.
+
+- `ghostty-input`: `KeyEvent.utf8: &[u8]`; `key_encode` writes the bytes unchanged. Where Zig validates with `Utf8View.init ... catch` (plain-text control scan, kitty alternates, modify-other-keys, ctrl CSI-u, kitty associated text, binding unicode lookup) invalid UTF-8 takes the same "no UTF-8" fallback (`utf8_chars`). Legacy/kitty "send text directly" paths write the raw bytes.
+- `ghostty-core`: `OwnedKeyEvent.utf8: Vec<u8>`; `Surface::preedit_callback(Option<&[u8]>)` (and the `RuntimeSurface` trait in `ghostty-apprt`). Preedit bytes are decoded lossily (U+FFFD) for the renderer codepoints only. Deviation: Zig returns an error on invalid preedit; we render replacement chars instead (no panic).
+- `ghostty-lib`: `ghostty_surface_key` copies `text` as raw bytes; `ghostty_surface_preedit` passes bytes. `ghostty_surface_text` was already bytes.
+- `ghostty-vt-capi`: `ghostty_key_event_*` no longer truncates invalid UTF-8 to its valid prefix; passes bytes through.
+- Inspector key widget shows invalid text lossily (display only). GTK callers pass `as_bytes()` of valid UTF-8.
+- Tests: `ghostty-lib/tests/surface.rs::key_text_and_preedit_are_bytes_not_lossy_utf8` (key text `ff fe` reaches the pty), `ghostty-core/tests/e2e_ime.rs::preedit_with_invalid_utf8_is_replaced_for_display_only`, `ghostty-input` `invalid_utf8_*` encoder tests. Existing tests only changed mechanically (`"x"` -> `"x".as_bytes()`).
+
+## Orchestrator follow-up
+Preedit with invalid UTF-8 now matches Zig exactly instead of rendering
+U+FFFD: `preedit_callback` clears the prior preedit, marks it dirty and
+returns an error (Zig: `try std.unicode.Utf8View.init(text)`); the C API
+logs it like `embedded.zig`. Test: `preedit_with_invalid_utf8_is_an_error_and_clears_prior`.