Interactive mode and terminal experience
Claude Code shortcuts, Vim mode, history, shell mode, background Bash, terminal configuration, tmux, fullscreen rendering, voice input and caching.
This guide covers the main points from Interactive mode, Keybindings, Terminal config, Fullscreen rendering and Voice dictation. See commands for the command list and CLI/terminal reference for installation channels, variables, PATH and deep links. Here the focus is efficient terminal operation.
#Keyboard reference
| Action | Default shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interrupt a response | Esc or Ctrl+C | Does not terminate the entire session |
| Exit | Ctrl+D | Exits when input is empty |
| Clear screen | Ctrl+L | Does not clear context |
| Search history | Ctrl+R | Cross-project history depends on version |
| Expand/collapse transcript | Ctrl+O | Inspect fuller context |
| Toggle TODO view | Ctrl+T | View tasks |
| Change permission mode | Shift+Tab | Cycle modes such as default, plan and auto |
| Planning entry | Option+P | Enable Option as Meta on macOS |
| Tasks/background entry | Option+T | Background/task views |
| Output/transcript entry | Option+O | Reliability depends on terminal support |
Terminals may intercept Option, Shift+Enter, mouse scrolling or system shortcuts. Start troubleshooting with:
/terminal-setup#Input modes
| Input | Purpose | Cache effect |
|---|---|---|
/ | Open command menu | Browsing alone does not call the model |
@ | Reference files, directories or resources | Loaded content adds context |
# | Quick memory entry | May change the prefix in future sessions |
! | Shell mode, including command output in context | Long output increases future tokens |
| Paste an image | Supply a screenshot | Large images increase request size |
/btw | Ask a side question | Keeps it out of the main conversation |
Use ! to ask Claude about a shell command's output, but avoid printing long sensitive logs. For monitoring, see Monitor in the tool reference and routines and /loop.
#Multiline input
| Method | Suitable for |
|---|---|
Shift+Enter | Terminals supporting the combination |
| Paste multiline text | Most terminals |
| Backslash continuation | Short shell-style input |
| External editor | Long prompts or complex plans |
If Shift+Enter is unsupported, adjust iTerm2, Terminal.app, VS Code, Warp or tmux according to the official terminal guide. Test with a short prompt before using it in a production task.
#Vim mode
Select Editor mode in /config; the old /vim command is no longer the current switch.
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Insert | Normal text entry |
| Normal | Move with h/j/k/l, w/b/e, 0/$ and related keys |
| Visual | Select text for deletion, copy or replacement |
| Command | Configured history, submit and cancel actions |
Vim mode changes input editing, not model prompts or cache matching. Resolve conflicts using the active keybindings and terminal interception rules.
#Custom keybindings
Rebind actions when:
- The terminal intercepts a default shortcut.
- Your team wants consistent common actions.
- Vim/tmux conventions conflict with defaults.
- Voice, diff, model picker or task views need easier keys.
Change a few frequent shortcuts first rather than replacing the entire map.
| Risk | Response |
|---|---|
| OS/terminal intercepts first | Choose another combination or change terminal settings |
| Vim conflict | Distinguish normal/insert contexts |
| tmux prefix conflict | Avoid Ctrl+B or change the prefix |
| Configuration does not apply | Investigate with /doctor or safe mode |
#Background Bash and tasks
Run long commands such as development servers, watch tests or log tails in the background.
| Operation | Command or entry |
|---|---|
| View background tasks | /tasks or /bashes |
| Stop a task | /stop or task view |
| Continue observing output | Monitor or read saved logs |
| Headless wait ceiling | CLAUDE_CODE_PRINT_BG_WAIT_CEILING_MS |
Background output still costs context tokens when read. Filter long watch streams to errors, failures, warnings or the last N lines.
#Fullscreen rendering and mouse support
The terminal rendering mode reduces flicker and improves long-conversation scrolling and mouse interaction.
| Capability | Notes |
|---|---|
| Mouse selection | More stable text selection in supported terminals |
| Wheel scrolling | Scroll the conversation |
| Search and review | Easier navigation through long transcripts |
| tmux | Check mouse and alternate-screen settings |
| Native selection | Some terminals require a modifier key |
This local renderer does not change model requests or caches. For rendering problems, switch to the default TUI/classic renderer to identify terminal compatibility issues.
#tmux, themes and notifications
| Need | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Shortcut conflict in tmux | Adjust prefix, mouse and escape-time |
| Completion notification | Terminal bell or Notification hook |
| Theme mismatch | /theme or a custom theme |
| Option key does not work | Enable Option as Meta on macOS |
| Slow large-text pastes | Save a temporary file and ask Claude to read its path |
Themes, fullscreen rendering, keybindings and terminal bells affect the local experience. They usually do not change prompts or caches.
#Voice input
Voice dictation is an official-account feature with hold-to-record or tap-to-record prompt input.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Account | Usually requires claude.ai login |
| Permissions | Grant the terminal microphone access on macOS |
| Language | Dictation language is configurable |
| Keybindings | Can be rebound |
| Passion8 | Custom keys/Base URL may make voice unavailable |
Dictation becomes ordinary prompt text, then follows the same conversation and cache rules as typed input.
#Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Check first |
|---|---|
| Shortcut does not work | Terminal interception, keybindings, tmux |
| Shift+Enter does not insert a newline | /terminal-setup and terminal configuration |
| Unexpected Vim behavior | Editor mode in /config |
| Fullscreen flicker or mouse issues | Default renderer, tmux/terminal settings |
| No voice recording permission | OS microphone permission and official authentication |
| High CPU or freeze | Troubleshooting |
#Cache effects
| Action | Five-minute/one-hour behavior |
|---|---|
| History search, themes, shortcuts | Local UI; no cache effect |
! shell mode | Output adds future input tokens |
Update CLAUDE.md or memory | May apply in a new session and rebuild its prefix |
/btw | Keeps a temporary side question out of the main conversation |
| Fullscreen/tmux/bell | Local experience, no cache-key change |
| Voice input | Ordinary message rules after transcription |
#Official references
Support
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