[BUG] First message starting with “/” is treated as a command even when it’s just text

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 I paste a message that starts with a forward slash as the first message in a new Claude Code conversation, Claude Code incorrectly interprets it as a command and then does nothing. If I send a follow up message, it replies that there’s no such command. This makes it impossible to paste paths or similar text as the first message without triggering an error.

What Should Happen?

Don't interpret path string as command

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start a new conversation in Claude Code.
2. Paste /example-path
3. no response happening
4. write a second message
5. claude code replies it can't find a command /example-path

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude 1.5354.0 (9a9e3d) 2026-04-29T01:14:34.000Z

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Warp

Additional Information

_No response_