Input caret invisible after returning from the session list (cursor visibility not restored) — Windows Terminal

Resolved 💬 2 comments Opened Jun 11, 2026 by andreyshipko Closed Jun 15, 2026

What happened

On a freshly launched session the text caret in the prompt input is visible. After
opening the in-app session list and returning to a conversation, the caret disappears:
typing still works, but there is no visible cursor showing the insertion point.

It looks like Claude Code hides the terminal cursor when entering the session list
(DECTCEM, ESC[?25l) and on return does not re-enable it (ESC[?25h) / does not
re-render the input caret.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Open Windows Terminal and run claude.

-> The caret is visible in the prompt input. OK

  1. Open the in-app session list (sessions/resume menu).
  2. Return to a conversation / select a session.

-> The caret in the prompt input is now gone. BUG

The caret reappears if you force a full repaint - resizing the terminal window or
pressing Ctrl+L brings it back, until the next time you go to the session list and back.

Expected behavior

The input caret stays visible after returning from the session list, exactly as it is
on a fresh launch.

Actual behavior

The input caret is invisible after returning from the session list. Cursor position is
not shown while typing. A manual full repaint (window resize / Ctrl+L) is required to
restore it.

Things I ruled out (so it does not appear to be a terminal/theme/env issue)

  • Terminal cursor color: color scheme is "One Half Dark", whose built-in cursorColor

is #FFFFFF (white, maximum contrast on the dark background).

  • Claude Code theme: default dark theme (no custom theme configured).
  • Windows Terminal GPU renderer: tested experimental.rendering.forceFullRepaint: true

and the fullscreen renderer (tui: fullscreen) - no effect.

  • Color env vars: FORCE_COLOR=3, NO_COLOR unset (colors are enabled).

Also reproduces in background / attached sessions.

Environment

  • Claude Code version: 2.1.172
  • OS: Windows 11 Pro (10.0.26200)
  • Terminal: Windows Terminal (Store build, Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe)
  • Shell: Windows PowerShell 5.1
  • TERM=xterm-256color, COLORTERM=truecolor
  • TUI mode: fullscreen

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