Keyboard shortcut or setting to expand [Pasted text #N] placeholders inline

[balkoonline]

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing requests and this feature hasn't been requested yet
• [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features)

Problem Statement

When pasting multi-line or longer text into Claude Code's input, it automatically replaces the content with a placeholder like [Pasted text #1]. While this keeps the UI clean, it prevents editing the pasted content before submission, which breaks workflows that rely on reviewing/editing auto-generated prompts.

Current Workarounds

1. Submit + ESC ESC: Press submit, then quickly press ESC twice to cancel and see the text
   • Problem: Uncomfortable, hacky, requires quick timing
2. Paste into external editor first: Edit there, copy back
   • Problem: Breaks the auto-paste workflow, adds friction

Steps to Reproduce

1. Copy text with multiple paragraphs (~500+ characters)
2. Paste into Claude Code input
3. Observe: Shows [Pasted text #1] instead of actual text
4. Cannot edit content without submitting first

Environment

• OS: Windows
• Terminal: VS Code integrated terminal
• Claude Code version: v2.0.33

Proposed Solution

Option 1: Keyboard shortcut (preferred)

• Add shortcut (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+E or V or click on placeholder) to expand inline
• Allows editing while keeping clean UI for those who don't need it

Alternative Solutions

Option 2: Configurable threshold

• Setting like paste_inline_threshold: 1000 (characters)
• Text below threshold pastes inline, above uses placeholder

Option 3: Always expandable

• Make [Pasted text #N] clickable to expand/collapse
• Best of both worlds: clean UI + editability

Priority

High - Significant impact on productivity

Feature Category

Configuration and settings

Use Case Example

I have a voice recording application that:

1. Records audio instructions in my native language
2. Transcribes using Whisper API
3. Translates and formats the text
4. Auto-pastes into Claude Code

For recordings of 2-3 minutes (~500-1000 characters), the text appears as [Pasted text #1] instead of inline. This means I cannot review or edit the auto-generated prompt before sending it, which is essential for catching transcription errors or refining instructions.

Additional Context

The current behavior works well for very large pastes, but for medium-length content (500-1500 characters) that users often need to edit, having no way to expand the placeholder is limiting. This particularly affects automated workflows where prompts are generated programmatically.

[github-actions[bot]]

---

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3412
2. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/9209
3. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/143

This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[balkoonline]

Closing as duplicate of #3412. My use case (voice transcription workflow with auto-paste) provides additional context for why this feature would be valuable, but the core request is the same. Seems like more and more people are running into this, so hope to see this implemented soon!

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue has been inactive for 30 days. If the issue is still occurring, please comment to let us know. Otherwise, this issue will be automatically closed in 30 days for housekeeping purposes.

[MattStarfield]

+1 for this feature request.

My use case: I need to visually verify pasted content (code, configs, error logs) before sending. The current placeholder behavior creates uncertainty about what's being submitted.

I'd prefer Option 2 (configurable threshold) with an additional toggle like "alwaysShowPastedText": true in settings.json to disable collapsing entirely. Default could remain current behavior for backwards compatibility.

The inability to see raw pasted text before submission is a significant workflow friction point.

[psihonavt]

I'm +1 for this feature as well. I often paste snippets of code that I'd want to edit before submitting.

[HeiMaerzPS]

+1, I find the current implementation extremely annoying and frustrating, I would really like the option to see the pasted text as well