github / github/copilot-cli

ESC ESC does not save the half-typed command in history

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#3,720 0 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
area:input-keyboard
Dominant language
Shell
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Description

### Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve

In the middle of typing a prompt, use ESC ESC to stash what's typed in history

### Proposed solution

There are so many times where I'm in the middle of typing a long prompt, and I realize I need to do something else first. A common one is I realized after typing half my prompt that I forgot to do /add-dir for an important directory. I want to be able to do ESC ESC to clear the prompt and *add my prompt in progress to the history not just erase it*. This is a huge pain point for me in transitioning from CC. I so often just instinctively hit ESC ESC and curse at myself "what did I just do!" because I really needed to save all the text I just typed out.

### Example prompts or workflows

"I'm typing this really long prompt out with very detailed instructions of everything I want done. As I'm typing, I realize I need to pull in a file from another project that I have not yet done /add-dir." ESC ESC
Expected: Save all the text I typed in the history, I can get back to it just by hitting up arrow.
Actual: All of the text I typed before hitting ESC ESC is gone forever.

### Additional context

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start by tracing the ESC ESC prompt-handling path and how the CLI writes and reads command history. Reproduce the described workflow, then verify that clearing a half-typed prompt preserves it and that pressing the up arrow restores the saved text.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
shell
Domain
cli
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
58/100

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