[BUG] ESC key not working on Mac - cannot interrupt Claude

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

The ESC key does not respond in Claude Code on my Mac laptop, making it impossible to interrupt
Claude's responses. ESC works normally in all other applications.

System Information:

• Claude Code Version: 2.0.37
• macOS Version: 26.1 (Build 25B78)
• Terminal Type: xterm-256color
• Installation Method: npm (via nvm)
• Mac Model: MacBook Pro (you can add your specific model)

What Should Happen?

ESC should interrupt Claude during responses, cancel menus, and exit views.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Start Claude Code in terminal
2. Ask Claude to generate a long response or run a long command
3. Press ESC key during the response
4. Expected: Response should stop/interrupt
5. Actual: Nothing happens, response continues

Confirmed:

• ✅ ESC works in all other terminal applications
• ✅ ESC works in other applications (browsers, editors, etc.)
• ✅ ESC works on my other laptops running Claude Code
• ❌ ESC does NOT work specifically in Claude Code on this Mac

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.37

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_