Circuits and techniques for operating an integrated circuit (IC) with a configurable input-output circuit are disclosed. A disclosed circuit includes a single-ended input-output buffer coupled to an output terminal. The single-ended input-output buffer is operable to transmit an input signal to the output terminal as an output signal. A pre-emphasis circuit that is operable to sharpen a first edge and a second edge of the output signal is coupled between the single-ended input-output buffer and the output terminal. The first edge of the output signal is sharpened when the input signal switches from a first logic level to a second logic level while the second edge of the output signal is sharpened when the input signal switches from the second logic level to the first logic level.