[BUG] Cannot read screenshots pasted directly into terminal (macOS clipboard screenshots with Cmd+Shift+4)

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?

When taking a screenshot with Cmd+Shift+Control+4 (which copies to clipboard) and pasting it into Claude Code's terminal, the image appears in the conversation but Claude Code only sees a generic placeholder image (showing a mountain landscape with sun icon) instead of the actual screenshot content.

However, screenshots saved to disk can be read successfully when their file path is provided. The issue is specific to clipboard screenshots that are pasted directly into the terminal interface.

<img width="503" height="145" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e44a0400-1408-4363-8273-04cff4d9543f" />

What Should Happen?

Claude Code should be able to read and analyze the actual content of screenshots pasted directly into the terminal from the macOS clipboard, just as it can read regular image files.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code terminal on macOS
2. Take a screenshot using Cmd+Shift+Control+4 (this copies the screenshot to clipboard)
3. Select the area you want to capture
4. Paste the screenshot into Claude Code terminal using Cmd+V
5. The image will appear in the conversation
6. Ask Claude Code to describe or analyze the screenshot (e.g., "What do you see in this image?")
7. Claude Code will describe a generic placeholder image (mountain landscape with sun) instead of the actual screenshot content

Expected: Claude Code describes the actual screenshot content
Actual: Claude Code only sees a placeholder image

Note: The same screenshot saved to disk and then accessed via file path works correctly.

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.76

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Cursor

Additional Information

_No response_