[BUG] Ctrl+Backspace doesn't delete word in Claude Code on Windows

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?

Problem

On Windows (Windows Terminal + PowerShell), Ctrl+Backspace is the standard shortcut for deleting the previous word — it works correctly in PowerShell and
most other apps. Inside Claude Code's chat input, it does nothing.

Alt+Backspace works for word deletion inside Claude Code, but in PowerShell it inserts a garbage character rather than deleting a word. So there's no single
key that works in both contexts.

Expected behavior

Ctrl+Backspace deletes the previous word in Claude Code's chat input, consistent with Windows terminal behavior.

Current behavior

• Ctrl+Backspace in Claude Code: no effect
• Alt+Backspace in Claude Code: deletes previous word ✓
• Ctrl+Backspace in PowerShell (outside Claude Code): deletes previous word ✓
• Alt+Backspace in PowerShell: inserts garbage character

The escape sequences for these two keys differ, and Claude Code only handles the one that PowerShell doesn't, and vice versa. There's no terminal-level
workaround that fixes both without breaking the other.

Environment

• Platform: Windows 11
• Terminal: Windows Terminal
• Shell: PowerShell
• Claude Code: 2.1.112

Related issues

#21092, #34539, #40591, #46087 all track similar issues but are macOS-specific (Option+Backspace). This is the Windows equivalent.

What Should Happen?

Expected behavior

Ctrl+Backspace deletes the previous word in Claude Code's chat input, consistent with Windows terminal behavior.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Windows Terminal with PowerShell
2. Launch Claude Code (claude)
3. Type a multi-word prompt (e.g. hello world)
4. Press Ctrl+Backspace
5. Observe that nothing happens — the word is not deleted

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.112

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_