diff --git a/.config/sway/config b/.config/sway/config
index 3f8349c..9867a10 100644
--- a/.config/sway/config
+++ b/.config/sway/config
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ input type:keyboard {
 
 # key bindings
 # start a terminal
-bindsym --to-code $mod+Return exec $term
+bindsym --to-code $mod+Return exec $term msg create-window || $term
 
 # kill focused window
 bindsym --to-code $mod+Shift+q kill
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ bindsym --to-code $mod+d exec $menu
 
 # app shortcuts
 bindsym --to-code $mod+b exec librewolf
-bindsym --to-code $mod+m exec $term --class in_scratchpad -e ncmpcpp
-bindsym --to-code $mod+e exec $term -e neomutt
-bindsym --to-code $mod+n exec $term -e newsboat
+bindsym --to-code $mod+m exec $term msg create-window --class in_scratchpad -e ncmpcpp || $term --class in_scratchpad -e ncmpcpp
+bindsym --to-code $mod+e exec $term msg create-window -e neomutt || $term -e neomutt
+bindsym --to-code $mod+n exec $term msg create-window -e newsboat || $term -e newsboat
 
 # open windows with id "in_scratchpad" in scratchpad
 for_window [app_id="in_scratchpad"] move container to scratchpad, focus