diff --git a/zellij-server/src/route.rs b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
index 285f333c..1a559d08 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/route.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ use zellij_utils::{
     channels::SenderWithContext,
     input::{
         actions::{Action, Direction},
+        command::TerminalAction,
         get_mode_info,
     },
     ipc::{ClientToServerMsg, ExitReason, ServerToClientMsg},
@@ -143,6 +144,18 @@ fn route_action(
             };
             session.senders.send_to_pty(pty_instr).unwrap();
         }
+        Action::Run(command) => {
+            let run_cmd = Some(TerminalAction::RunCommand(command.clone().into()));
+            let pty_instr = match command.direction {
+                Some(Direction::Left) => PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalVertically(run_cmd),
+                Some(Direction::Right) => PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalVertically(run_cmd),
+                Some(Direction::Up) => PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalHorizontally(run_cmd),
+                Some(Direction::Down) => PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalHorizontally(run_cmd),
+                // No direction specified - try to put it in the biggest available spot
+                None => PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminal(run_cmd),
+            };
+            session.senders.send_to_pty(pty_instr).unwrap();
+        }
         Action::CloseFocus => {
             session
                 .senders
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
index 615df3c4..36fd93b1 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 //! Definition of the actions that can be bound to keys.
 
+use super::command::RunCommandAction;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use zellij_tile::data::InputMode;
 
@@ -65,6 +66,8 @@ pub enum Action {
     CloseTab,
     GoToTab(u32),
     TabNameInput(Vec<u8>),
+    /// Run speficied command in new pane.
+    Run(RunCommandAction),
     /// Detach session and exit
     Detach,
 }
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs
index 79bbe5ab..ca505ea2 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/command.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 //! Trigger a command
+use super::actions::Direction;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
@@ -8,9 +9,28 @@ pub enum TerminalAction {
     RunCommand(RunCommand),
 }
 
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Default, Serialize, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Default, Serialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct RunCommand {
     pub command: PathBuf,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub args: Vec<String>,
 }
+
+/// Intermediate representation
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Default, Serialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct RunCommandAction {
+    pub command: PathBuf,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub args: Vec<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub direction: Option<Direction>,
+}
+
+impl From<RunCommandAction> for RunCommand {
+    fn from(action: RunCommandAction) -> Self {
+        RunCommand {
+            command: action.command,
+            args: action.args,
+        }
+    }
+}