[MODEL] Claude incorrectly states Ctrl+G (nvim shortcut) doesn't exist when asked

Report Unexpected Model Behavior

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• [x] I have searched existing issues for similar behavior reports
• [x] This report does NOT contain sensitive information (API keys, passwords, etc.)

Type of Behavior Issue

Other unexpected behavior

What You Asked Claude to Do

I asked: "I think you, claude code has a keybind for 'edit this prompt in my $EDITOR' what is it?"

What Claude Actually Did

Claude spawned a claude-code-guide subagent to research the question. After the subagent completed (4 tool uses, 37.5k tokens, 12s), Claude confidently provided an incorrect answer:

Based on my search, there isn't a documented keybind for opening your prompt in $EDITOR. The available keyboard shortcuts include things like Ctrl+R for reverse search and Esc+Esc to rewind changes, but no external editor integration.

Claude then suggested multiline editing alternatives (\ + Enter, Option+Enter, Shift+Enter, Ctrl+J) and recommended checking /help or filing a feature request if I wanted this feature added.

The correct answer is Ctrl+G - this shortcut exists and works, but Claude didn't know about it.

Expected Behavior

Claude should have responded with the correct answer: Ctrl+G opens the current prompt in the user's $EDITOR.

This shortcut is documented (see issues #10193 and #16597 which specifically mention Ctrl+G) and has been a feature of Claude Code for some time.

Permission Mode

Accept Edits was OFF (manual approval required)

Can You Reproduce This?

Haven't tried to reproduce

Claude Model

Opus

Conversation Log

> I think you, claude code has a keybind for "edit this prompt in my $EDITOR" what is it?

• claude-code-guide(Find editor keybind)
  └ Done (4 tool uses · 37.5k tokens · 12s)

• Based on my search, there isn't a documented keybind for opening your prompt in $EDITOR.

The available keyboard shortcuts include things like Ctrl+R for reverse search and Esc+Esc to rewind changes, but no external editor integration.

For multiline editing, you can use:
- \ + Enter (all terminals)
- Option+Enter (macOS)
- Shift+Enter (iTerm2, WezTerm, Ghostty, Kitty)
- Ctrl+J (line feed)

If you're certain this feature exists, it may be a recent addition or plugin. You could check /help within Claude Code or file a feature request at https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues if you'd like it added.

Impact

Low - Minor inconvenience (had to use external search to find correct answer)

Claude Code Version

2.1.12

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Additional Context

This appears to be part of a broader pattern where Claude's model lacks accurate knowledge about Claude Code's own features and keyboard shortcuts. Related closed issues:

• #2443 - Claude doesn't know about its own /bug command
• #1360 - Claude should be aware of his capabilities

The claude-code-guide subagent, despite using 37.5k tokens and multiple tool calls, failed to find information about the Ctrl+G shortcut. This suggests either:

1. The shortcut isn't well-documented in places the agent searches
2. The agent's search strategy missed relevant documentation
3. The model's training data doesn't include this information

Screenshot from the session is attached showing the interaction.

<img width="1512" height="623" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9f6d2da0-546f-425c-a101-98d329d5522a" />