Python 3.13: Pressing the Tab key while in the REPL prints 4 spaces instead of 1 tab (breaking backspace)
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Description
Bug report
Bug description:
Tested on 3.12:
In the <=3.12 Python REPL on Linux, I can press the tab key, and a tab character is printed in the console. I can then use the backspace key to undo that whole tab character.
Tested on 3.13:
In the 3.13 Python REPL on Linux, if I type a tab character, it seems to convert it to 4 spaces, and thus pressing the backspace key once only deletes 1/4 of the indentation.
This is either a bug, or if it's a feature, it should be configurable and without changing the sane defaults from <=3.12.
How can I get back to the <=3.12 behaviour?
CPython versions tested on:
3.12, 3.13
Operating systems tested on:
Linux, macOS
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by reproducing the Tab and backspace behavior in the Python 3.12 and 3.13 REPL on Linux or macOS, comparing the reported indentation handling. Trace the REPL input path responsible for converting Tab input, then verify that the resolved behavior matches the <=3.12 behavior or provides the requested configuration.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- python
- Domain
- cli
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 45/100