/btw fails silently when terminal reports zero dimensions, args leak into conversation
Resolved 💬 5 comments Opened Mar 13, 2026 by eyeondrive Closed Apr 23, 2026
Summary
When running Claude Code in a terminal that reports COLUMNS=0 LINES=0 (specifically cmux v0.61.0, a Ghostty-based terminal), the /btw command fails silently. Instead of showing an error, it falls through to the skill system, which outputs "Unknown skill: btw" and leaks the user's question text into the conversation as "Args from unknown skill:".
Environment
- Claude Code: 2.1.74
- Terminal: cmux 0.61.0 (Ghostty-based,
TERM=xterm-ghostty) - macOS (Darwin 24.6.0)
/btwworks correctly in iTerm2 on the same machine with the same Claude Code version
Steps to Reproduce
- Open Claude Code in a terminal where
COLUMNS=0 LINES=0(cmux has this bug) - Type
/btw some question here - Observe output: "Unknown skill: btw" and the question text appears as a regular conversation message
Expected Behavior
Claude Code should detect that terminal dimensions are unavailable and show a clear error, e.g.:
/btw requires terminal dimensions to render its overlay. Your terminal is reporting 0x0. Try resizing or using a different terminal.
Actual Behavior
/btwhandler doesn't register (or silently fails)- Falls through to the skill/slash-command system
- "Unknown skill: btw" is displayed
- The question text leaks into the conversation as "Args from unknown skill:"
Notes
The root cause of COLUMNS=0 LINES=0 is a cmux bug (being reported separately), but Claude Code should handle this gracefully regardless. The silent fallthrough + args leaking into conversation is the Claude Code-side issue.
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