[BUG] File paths in chat panel responses not ctrl+clickable (plain text and backtick format)

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?

File paths referenced in Claude's responses as plain text or in backtick format (e.g. ` tools/books.py ) are not ctrl+clickable to open in the editor. Only markdown link format [file](path)` works in some cases, but even those don't consistently trigger VSCode's file-open behavior on ctrl+click.

Note: This is distinct from #69240 which reports a regression where previously-working markdown links stopped opening files. This issue is about plain-text and backtick-formatted paths that have never been clickable.

What Should Happen?

File paths in Claude's responses (whether plain text, backtick-wrapped, or markdown link format) should be ctrl+clickable and open the file in the editor — similar to how file paths in VSCode's integrated terminal output are already clickable.

Error Messages/Logs

N/A — no error; ctrl+click simply has no effect on the path.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code in the VSCode side panel
2. Ask Claude to reference a file in the project (e.g. "what does tools/books.py do?")
3. Claude responds with the path in plain text or backtick format: ` tools/books.py `
4. Try ctrl+click on the path text
5. Nothing happens — file does not open in editor

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.183 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Other Linux

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

Related: #69240 (regression for markdown-style links that previously worked). This issue covers the broader case: plain text and backtick-formatted paths are never handled.

VSCode's integrated terminal already detects file paths in output and makes them ctrl+clickable — extending similar detection to the Claude Code chat panel would significantly improve the navigation experience.