this is the source definitions for the scary escape code regex # from tests in Terminal.app, this regex should cover all basic \e[ and \e] cases ^([\[\]]([\d\?]+)?(;[\d\?]+)*)?. # this catches any case the above does not # make sure to not include any special characters the main regex finds (like ?) \[[^a-zA-Z0-9@\?]+. # esc + paren + any single char [\(\)]. # didn't re-check this one (not included) [\[K]\d+;\d+