M-RET does not do what is documented in org mode guide

Question

Environment

My emacs is GNU Emacs 29.4. I use it in a terminal emulator, iTerm2. I am on macOS Sonoma 14.5.

Problem

M-RET, M-S-RET, M-LEFT, M-RIGHT does not do what is documented in the org mode guide, https://orgmode.org/guide/Structure-Editing.html.

Other than that, I can use my Left Option key like a Meta key. (an iTerm Setting allows that.)*

How can I achieve the set of the functionalities that is defined in the guide linked above?

Findings

1. Checked what function the key combination bound to. C-h k M-RET yields ~3 in the buffer.

2. However, M-x org-meta-return enters a new heading before that. So, the function is there and works.

3. Checked what key the function is bound to C-h a org-meta-return shows a page M-RET is listed, but not unexpected C-RET as it seems to be working:

   org-meta-return C-c C-x m, C-c C-x RET, M-RET | Insert a new heading or wrap a region in a table.

4. Also, M-RET, and M-S-RET functionality seems to work with C-RET, and C-S-RET instead, respectively: They add new heading and todo element after the heading where point is at.

Configuration

I do not have any org-mode specific configuration other than:

(global-set-key (kbd "C-c l") #'org-store-link)
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c a") #'org-agenda)
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c c") #'org-capture)

*Also I am aware that Esc key can always be used for Meta, although not as press and hold but press.

Answer 1

C-h k M-RET yields ~3 in the buffer.

You are running Emacs inside of a terminal emulator. You generally can’t use M-RET in a terminal emulator at all; under normal circumstances terminal emulators tend to emulate the DEC VT100 and subsequent terminals which had no use for that key combination.

Some terminal emulators do have extended escape sequences for many or all key combinations that cannot otherwise be represented, but they aren’t standard and aren’t common. If you use xterm, search the documentation for modifyOtherKeys. If you use some other terminal emulator then I can’t help you; you’ll have to consult its documentation on your own.

Or you could just run the Emacs gui like a normal person.

Answer 2

In a terminal emulator, if you don't have a Meta key, instead of M-RET, you can use ESC RET and similarly for the arrow keys: ESC <right>, etc.

You cannot do everything you can do in the GUI, but you can go fairly far.

See Using Org on a TTY in the manual.