Press Ctrl+C to Cancel a Prompt You're Typing and Start Over
Sometimes you start typing a prompt and realize halfway through that you want to take a completely different approach. Instead of holding backspace for ten seconds, Ctrl+C clears the input instantly.
Ctrl+C = cancel the current input, start fresh
Escape = interrupt Claude's running response
These are different actions for different moments. Ctrl+C works before you send — it clears what you've typed. Escape works after you send — it stops Claude mid-response.
When Ctrl+C is useful:
- Changed your mind — you started describing the bug but then realized you should check the logs first.
- Wrong approach — you're writing a complex prompt and halfway through realize there's a simpler way to ask.
- Pasted the wrong thing — you pasted a huge block of text and want to clear it before sending.
- Started in the wrong session — you were about to type a prompt for the wrong project. Clear it, switch directories, and start over.
The full set of input shortcuts:
Ctrl+C = cancel/clear the input
Ctrl+A = move cursor to start of input
Ctrl+E = move cursor to end of input
Shift+Enter = new line without sending
Enter = send the prompt
Up arrow = previous prompt from history
These all work the same as your shell because Claude Code's input prompt follows standard terminal conventions. The muscle memory you already have carries over directly.
Don't fight the delete key — Ctrl+C clears the slate in one keystroke.
via Claude Code
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When typing feels slow — describing a complex bug, explaining architecture, or thinking through a problem out loud — press Option+V to switch to voice input. Speak naturally and Claude Code transcribes your words into a prompt, so you can describe what you need at the speed of thought.
When Claude is heading down the wrong path — editing the wrong file, writing code you don't want, or giving a long explanation you don't need — press Escape to stop it immediately. You keep everything it did up to that point and can redirect with a new prompt.
Closed a session and realized you weren't done? Pass --continue (or -c) when launching Claude Code to pick up exactly where you left off — same context, same files, same conversation history — without re-explaining what you were working on.