[BUG] Windows Alt+V shortcut not documented - users receive inaccurate CTRL+V paste tooltip instructions

Resolved 💬 5 comments Opened Sep 2, 2025 by deadeuzesse Closed Jan 7, 2026

Environment

  • Platform (select one):
  • [ ] Anthropic API
  • [ ] AWS Bedrock
  • [ ] Google Vertex AI
  • [x] Other: Claude Code
  • Claude CLI version: 1.0.100
  • Operating System: Windows 11 (MINGW64_NT-10.0-19045)
  • Terminal: Git Bash

## Bug Description
Windows users are not informed about the correct keyboard shortcuts for Claude Code. The application displays or implies CTRL+V for paste operations, but the actual working shortcut on Windows is ALT+V. This creates confusion and makes functionality appear broken.

## Steps to Reproduce

  1. Install Claude Code on Windows + Git for Windows
  2. Launch Claude Code in Git Bash terminal
  3. Take a screenshot with Windows+Shift+S
  4. Try to paste content using CTRL+V (standard Windows paste shortcut)
  5. Observe that CTRL+V does not work
  6. Check official documentation at https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/interactive-mode
  7. Note that ALT+V is not mentioned anywhere in official documentation

## Expected Behavior

  • Windows users should see ALT+V clearly documented in official documentation
  • Tooltips/help text should show platform-appropriate shortcuts
  • Documentation should explicitly state platform differences
  • Users should not have to discover ALT+V through trial and error

## Actual Behavior

  • Official documentation does not mention ALT+V anywhere
  • Users attempt CTRL+V and think paste functionality is broken
  • No platform-specific shortcut reference exists in official docs
  • Users must discover ALT+V through GitHub issues or community support

## Additional Context

Related Issues:

  • #6756: [Bug] Keyboard Navigation and Image Paste Functionality Broken

Evidence of Documentation Gap:

  • Searched all official Anthropic documentation (docs.anthropic.com)
  • ALT+V is mentioned in GitHub issue #6756, not in official docs
  • Interactive mode keyboard shortcuts page has no Windows-specific instructions
  • CLI reference has no mention of platform-specific shortcuts

Impact:

  • Poor user experience for Windows users
  • Increased support burden from users thinking features are broken
  • Platform inequality between Windows and macOS/Linux users
  • Users waste time troubleshooting non-existent problems

Suggested Solutions:

  1. Update Official Documentation:
  • Add Platform-specific shortcuts to keyboard shortcuts reference
  • Include platform differences in CLI reference
  • Update help system to show ALT+V for Windows users
  1. Dynamic Platform Detection:
  • Show platform-appropriate shortcuts in tooltips
  • Runtime detection of OS for help text
  • Consider CTRL+V alias for ALT+V on Windows for consistency
  1. Comprehensive Platform Guide:
  • Create dedicated Windows setup/usage section
  • Include troubleshooting for platform-specific issues
  • Document all known Windows limitations/workarounds

Current Workaround:
Windows users can use ALT+V for paste operations, but this is completely undocumented and must be discovered through community sources.

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