Esc in Claude Code

Interrupt Claude mid-turn, keeping the work so far, or close a dialog.

Mac

Esc

Windows

Esc

Option-key shortcuts need your terminal to send Option as Meta on macOS. Source: Claude Code interactive mode docs, checked 2026-10-24.

More shortcuts

  • Esc Esc: Clear the input draft, or on empty input open the rewind menu.
  • Shift+Tab: Cycle permission modes: default, acceptEdits, plan and more.
  • Option+P / Alt+P: Switch model without clearing your prompt.

All keyboard shortcuts

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