How do I view or edit long pasted text in Claude Code instead of [Pasted text +X lines]?
When text is pasted into Claude Code, such as from dictation software or a long prompt, it collapses into a placeholder like "[Pasted text #1 +34 lines]". Users cannot preview or edit the full content before submitting. The original report was from Claude Code 1.0.51 on macOS, and a later commenter saw it on Claude Code v2.0.33 in VS Code on Windows.
Originally asked on GitHub: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3412
6 answers
The thread has no official fix. The issue was closed as completed without explanation, but commenters say the placeholder still appears in newer versions, so treat it as still open. No maintainer described a setting to turn off collapsing or a way to preview pasted blocks inline.
Workarounds reported in the thread:
- Ctrl+G: one commenter said the latest version opens the long prompt in a visual editor with this shortcut, where it can be reviewed and changed before submission. No other commenter confirmed this.
- Escape to reveal: one user pressed Escape to interrupt Claude Code, which made the hidden text visible. They copied it, split it into smaller chunks, and pasted it back to avoid truncation. They described this as inconvenient.
- External editor: paste the text into a separate editor first, review it there, then paste the final version into Claude Code.
Another commenter said that submitting and pressing Escape twice shows the text. However, cycling back with the up arrow only displays the truncated placeholder again, so the text cannot be edited that way.
Did this work for you?What @balkoonline tried on GitHub (Partly worked)
Pressed Escape to interrupt Claude Code so the hidden pasted text appeared, copied it, split it into smaller chunks, and pasted it back to avoid truncation. The commenter described this as inconvenient.
Source: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3412#issuecomment-3490567546 (opens external site)
Did this work for you?What @whinc tried on GitHub (Outcome unclear)
Said Ctrl+G opens the long prompt in a visual editor for review and editing before submission. No one in the thread confirmed trying it.
Source: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3412#issuecomment-3538362114 (opens external site)
Did this work for you?What @balkoonline tried on GitHub (Outcome unclear)
Suggested pasting the transcription into a separate text editor, reviewing it there, and then pasting the final version into Claude Code. The commenter did not say it worked.
Source: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3412#issuecomment-3490567546 (opens external site)
Did this work for you?What @balkoonline tried on GitHub (Outcome unclear)
Submitted the prompt and pressed Escape twice to reveal the text, which the commenter described as hacky.
Source: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3412#issuecomment-3489984669 (opens external site)
Did this work for you?What @blackbird-chrisf tried on GitHub (Didn't work)
After cancelling, tried the up arrow to cycle back to the prompt for editing, but it displayed the truncated placeholder again.
Source: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/3412#issuecomment-3490333169 (opens external site)
Did this work for you?