diff --git a/emacs-config.org b/emacs-config.org
index 4c67d80..b799b41 100644
--- a/emacs-config.org
+++ b/emacs-config.org
@@ -1311,7 +1311,16 @@ All lisp-family languages
          :files ("symex/symex*.el" "symex/doc/*.texi" "symex/doc/figures"))
         :config
         (symex-mode 1)
-        (global-set-key (kbd "s-;") #'symex-mode-interface))
+        (global-set-key (kbd "s-;") #'symex-mode-interface)
+        ;; RET in normal mode enters symex
+        (evil-define-key 'normal symex-lisp-mode-map
+          (kbd "RET") #'symex-mode-interface)
+        ;; ESC in insert mode goes to symex, then normal on next ESC
+        (evil-define-key 'insert symex-lisp-mode-map
+          (kbd "<escape>") (lambda ()
+                             (interactive)
+                             (evil-normal-state)
+                             (symex-mode-interface))))
 
       (use-package symex-evil
         :after (symex evil)