[Feature Request] Auto-expand relative paths to absolute for terminal clickability

Open 💬 1 comment Opened Feb 5, 2026 by mkromann

Bug Description
Feature Request: Auto-expand relative paths to absolute for terminal clickability

Summary
When Claude outputs file paths in responses, relative paths (e.g.,
docs/rfcs/001-variant-metafields.md) are not clickable in the terminal, while absolute paths
are. Claude should automatically output absolute paths to improve UX.

Current Behavior
Created RFC at docs/rfcs/001-variant-metafields.md
→ Not clickable in terminal

Expected Behavior
Created RFC at
/Users/kromann/dev/taxon-agents/taxon-barefoot-aps/docs/rfcs/001-variant-metafields.md
→ Clickable, opens in IDE

Why This Matters

  • Modern terminals (iTerm2, Wezterm, Ghostty, VS Code integrated terminal) support clickable

file paths

  • Cursor and VS Code terminals make absolute paths clickable, allowing quick navigation
  • Claude knows the working directory, so expanding paths is trivial
  • Reduces friction when Claude references files in output

Suggested Implementation

  1. When outputting a file path that exists, expand to absolute path
  2. Alternatively, use file:// URI format
  3. Could be a setting: "Output absolute paths" (default: on)

Workaround
User can ask Claude to use absolute paths, but this shouldn't require explicit instruction.

Environment Info

  • Platform: darwin
  • Terminal: ghostty
  • Version: 2.1.31
  • Feedback ID: 0f369317-5a63-4924-9d98-fcf11ca2e1a1

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