[BUG] Option+K (Alt+K) overwrites context instead of adding multiple references in VS Code extension

[mtskf]

Description

In the VS Code extension, using Option+K (Mac) / Alt+K (Windows/Linux) to add file context now overwrites the previous context instead of adding multiple references.

Previous Behavior

• Option+K inserted an @file:line reference directly into the chat input field as text
• Multiple uses of Option+K would add multiple @ references to the input
• Users could easily add context from multiple files

Current Behavior

• Option+K adds context to a panel below the chat input field
• Using Option+K again replaces the previous context instead of adding to it
• Users cannot add multiple file/selection contexts using this shortcut

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open VS Code with Claude Code extension
2. Open File A, select some code, press Option+K
3. Context from File A appears in the context panel
4. Open File B, select some code, press Option+K
5. Expected: Both File A and File B contexts are shown
6. Actual: Only File B context is shown (File A is overwritten)

Impact

This is a significant regression for workflows that require referencing multiple files:

• Comparing two files
• Asking about relationships between components and their types
• Refactoring code that spans multiple files

Workaround

• Manually type @file1 @file2 in the chat input
• Drag and drop files (limited functionality per #3967)

Environment

• VS Code: 1.108.0
• Claude Code Extension: Latest version
• OS: macOS

Related Issues

• #3967 (multiple files context via drag-and-drop)

[mtskf]

Additional Context

This is a confirmed regression. The previous behavior (inserting @file:line as text in the chat input, allowing multiple references) was working correctly before.

After updating to the latest version of the VS Code extension, the behavior changed to the current overwrite behavior.

This suggests a recent update introduced this breaking change unintentionally.

[github-actions[bot]]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/18083
2. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/18145
3. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/18126

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[developergunny]

same issue