[BUG] IntelliJ Plugin force-enables "Use Option as Meta key" on every launch, breaking special characters on non-US keyboards

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?

Description

The Claude Code plugin for JetBrains IDEs automatically enables the "Use Option as Meta key" setting in the IDE's terminal configuration every time it's launched. This breaks the ability to type special characters (like @, #, ~, [, ], etc.) on non-US keyboard layouts where the Option/Alt key is required for these characters.

Actual Behavior

The plugin force-enables "Use Option as Meta key" on every launch, requiring users to manually disable it each time they want to use Claude Code from the IDE.

Impact

On Spanish, Latin American, and other non-US keyboard layouts, the Option key is essential for typing special characters:

• Option + 2 = @
• Option + 3 = #
• Option + 8/9 = [ ]

When "Use Option as Meta key" is enabled, these key combinations stop working in the terminal, making it impossible to type email addresses, hashtags, or write code that uses brackets.

Environment

• OS: macOS 26.2 (Build 25C56)
• Hardware: MacBook Pro (M1 Pro)
• IDEs affected:
• PyCharm Professional 2025.3
• WebStorm 2025.3
• (Likely affects all JetBrains IDEs)
• Keyboard Layout: Spanish/Latin American

Workaround

Manually disable "Use Option as Meta key" in Settings → Tools → Terminal after every launch of Claude Code, which is tedious and disrupts workflow.

What Should Happen?

The plugin should respect the user's existing terminal settings and not modify the "Use Option as Meta key" configuration.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open PyCharm or WebStorm
2. Go to Settings → Tools → Terminal
3. Uncheck "Use Option as Meta key"
4. Click Apply and OK
5. Launch Claude Code from the IDE plugin (via toolbar icon or command)
6. Go back to Settings → Tools → Terminal
7. Observe that "Use Option as Meta key" is now checked again

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

v2.0.72

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

PyCharm terminal

Additional Information

_No response_