Cursor invisible in vterm copy-mode when using vterm's native keybinding (C-c C-t)

[gmg48]

The cursor disappears when entering vterm copy-mode using vterm's native keybinding C-c C-t, making it difficult to select text. When entering copy-mode through claude-code.el's keybinding C-c c z, the cursor remains visible as expected.

Steps to reproduce:

0. Set claude-code.el to use vterm
1. Start Claude Code with C-c c c
2. Press C-c C-t (vterm's native copy-mode keybinding)
3. Observe that the cursor is not visible
4. Press C-c c z and observe that the cursor is visible now

Expected Behavior:

Cursor should remain visible in copy-mode regardless of which keybinding is used to enter it.

Workaround:

Adding this hook restores cursor visibility:

(add-hook 'vterm-copy-mode-hook
            (lambda ()
              (when (string-prefix-p "*claude:" (buffer-name))
                (setq-local cursor-type (if vterm-copy-mode t nil)))))

[gmg48]

@rmorison I've updated the hook code.

[gmg48]

Fixed a bug where the cursor would disappear in vterm buffers other than Claude Code.
The previous approach using (when (bound-and-true-p claude-code-mode) ...) didn't work reliably because claude-code-mode is also a minor mode (so it is a global variable).

Instead, I'm now checking the buffer name prefix to ensure the fix only applies to Claude Code buffers:

(add-hook 'vterm-copy-mode-hook
            (lambda ()
              (when (string-prefix-p "*claude:" (buffer-name))
                (setq-local cursor-type (if vterm-copy-mode t nil)))))

Alternatively, this sets cursor-type to 'bar (i.e. |) when in copy-mode, making it easier to visually distinguish the mode:

(add-hook 'vterm-copy-mode-hook
          (lambda ()
            (if (string-prefix-p "*claude:" (buffer-name))
                (setq-local cursor-type (if vterm-copy-mode 'bar nil))
              (setq-local` cursor-type (if vterm-copy-mode 'bar 'box)))))

cc @rmorison

[rmorison]

Fixed a bug where the cursor would disappear in vterm buffers other than Claude Code.

Did same in parallel: rmorison/.dotfiles@10cde67

Thanks and Happy New Year!