Stop Claude Code Extension from Auto-Attaching Your Open Files (VS Code, VSCodium, Cursor).

claude-code-fix-auto-attach-guide.md

Claude Code Extension: Fix Auto-Attach

Every time you open a new chat in Claude Code extension, it automatically attaches your currently-open file as context.

This wastes tokens, can leak sensitive files (like .env), and adds noise to every prompt.

This guide shows you how to turn off that feature.

Based on community fix from:

• anthropics/claude-code#24726 (comment-4343376892)
• anthropics/claude-code#24726 (comment-4577281297)

🔧 Option 1: Run the Script (Recommended)

Important

Disable auto-update for the "Claude Code for VS Code" extension, otherwise auto-updates will silently overwrite your patched file.

Go to the Extensions tab (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X), find "Claude Code for VS Code", and uncheck Auto Update.

When you want to update:

1. Disable "Claude Code for VS Code" extension
2. Update to the latest version
3. Re-enable the extension
4. Restart Extension
5. Re-run the script

Windows (PowerShell)

1. Download or save the script to a file, e.g. fix-auto-attach.ps1.

2. Open PowerShell in the folder where you saved the script and run:

   # The -Force parameter skips the user confirmation prompt to speed things up
   Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Force
   .\fix-auto-attach.ps1

   Or apply directly with a one-liner (no script download needed):

   $f = (Get-ChildItem "$env:USERPROFILE\.vscode\extensions\anthropic.claude-code-*\webview\index.js" -Recurse | Select-Object -Last 1).FullName; $c = Get-Content $f -Raw; $c = $c -replace 'useRef\(!0\),\[(\w+),(\w+)\]=(\w+)\.useState\(!0\)', 'useRef(!0),[$1,$2]=$3.useState(!1)'; Set-Content $f $c -NoNewline

   ❗ Important: For Cursor replace \.vscode with \.cursor, and for VSCodium with \.vscode-oss.

3. Reload VS Code / VSCodium / Cursor:

   • Press Ctrl+Shift+P
   • Type and run: Developer: Reload Window

macOS / Linux (bash)

Run the fix in one command:

WV=$(find ~/.vscode{,-server}/extensions -path '*anthropic.claude-code-*/webview/index.js' 2>/dev/null | tail -1)
cp "$WV" "$WV.bak"
perl -i -pe 's{useRef\(!0\),\[([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*),([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\]=([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\.useState\(!0\)}{useRef(!0),[$1,$2]=$3.useState(!1)}' "$WV"

❗ Important: For Cursor replace ~/.vscode with ~/.cursor, and for VSCodium replace with ~/.vscode-oss.

Then press Cmd+Shift+P → Developer: Reload Window.

🛠️ Option 2: Hardcore Mode

Caution

🚨 USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! 🚨

If you want to be absolutely certain that files can't be auto-injected — even if you accidentally click the toggle — use Hardcore mode. It removes the injection code entirely. The toggle button remains visible but does nothing.

PowerShell:

.\fix-auto-attach.ps1 -Hardcore

Bash:

WV=$(find ~/.vscode{,-server}/extensions -path '*anthropic.claude-code-*/webview/index.js' 2>/dev/null | tail -1)
cp "$WV" "$WV.bak"
perl -0 -i -pe 's{if\(([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\)if\(\1\.selectedText\)([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\.push\(\{type:"text",text:`<ide_selection>[\s\S]*?</ide_selection>`\}\);else \2\.push\(\{type:"text",text:`<ide_opened_file>[\s\S]*?</ide_opened_file>`\}\);}{}g' "$WV"

❗ Important: For Cursor replace ~/.vscode with ~/.cursor, and for VSCodium replace with ~/.vscode-oss.

Then Developer: Reload Window (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P).

↩️ How to Revert

Want to undo the patch? Restore the backup and reload:

PowerShell:

Get-ChildItem "$env:USERPROFILE\.vscode\extensions\anthropic.claude-code-*\webview\index.js.bak" | ForEach-Object {
    Copy-Item -Path $_.FullName -Destination (Join-Path $_.DirectoryName "index.js") -Force
}

❗ Important: For Cursor replace \.vscode with \.cursor, and for VSCodium with \.vscode-oss.

Bash:

WV=$(find ~/.vscode{,-server}/extensions -path '*anthropic.claude-code-*/webview/index.js' 2>/dev/null | tail -1) && cp -f "$WV.bak" "$WV"

❗ Important: For Cursor replace ~/.vscode with ~/.cursor, and for VSCodium replace with ~/.vscode-oss.

Then Developer: Reload Window (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P).

Note

If the extension auto-updated since you applied the patch, the .bak file may be a version behind and causing errors when the extension runs.

In that case, reinstall the extension to get a fresh index.js, or download the same version manually from Open VSX (under Resources) and copy webview/index.js into the extension's webview/ folder.

❓ FAQ

What does the patch actually do?

The Claude Code webview uses React state (useState(true)) to decide whether to inject the open file. The patch flips the default to useState(false). That's it. The toggle button still works — you can turn attachment ON for individual chats when you want it.

Will this break Claude Code?

No. The patch only changes a default value. All features remain functional. The only difference: your open file won't be auto-attached to new conversations.

What if the extension auto-updates?

Auto-updates revert the patch because the extension files get replaced. After an update, just run the script again. The script tells you if the pattern wasn't found.

I get "Patch pattern not found" — what now?

The extension was likely updated and the minified variable names changed. Check the original GitHub comment for updates, or file an issue linking back to it.

Does this affect @-mention attachments, images, or drag-drop?

No. Only the automatic <ide_opened_file> and <ide_selection> injection. Manual attachments still work as expected.

I use Cursor or VSCodium — will the script find it?

Yes. The PowerShell script automatically searches .vscode, .vscode-oss, and .cursor extension directories and picks the most recent bundle.

📋 Quick Reference

Action	Command
Apply fix (Windows)	.\fix-auto-attach.ps1
Apply fix (Mac/Linux)	Run the perl one-liner above
Hardcore mode (Windows)	.\fix-auto-attach.ps1 -Hardcore
Revert	Restore .bak file, reload window
Reload window	Ctrl+Shift+P → Developer: Reload Window

How It Works (for the curious)

The auto-attach chip state lives in a minified React component inside the extension's webview/index.js. The relevant line looks like this in the minified bundle:

useRef(!0),[P,_]=n1.useState(!0)  // true  = ON by default

The patch changes the second !0 (true) to !1 (false):

useRef(!0),[P,_]=n1.useState(!1)  // false = OFF by default

The useRef(!0) before the destructuring is what makes this anchor unique — there are other useState(!0) calls in the bundle, but only one is preceded by useRef(!0) with a two-variable destructuring.

claude-code-fix-auto-attach.ps1

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Disables the auto-attach of open files / selections in Claude Code's IDE extension.
.DESCRIPTION
    Patches the Claude Code webview bundle to default the file-attachment chip to OFF
    (ide_opened_file / ide_selection no longer injected automatically). The toggle
    button remains fully functional — click it ON when you want to attach the current file.

    Supports VS Code, VSCodium, and Cursor extensions.

    Use -Hardcore to also excise the injection logic entirely (chip toggle does nothing).
.PARAMETER Hardcore
    If set, removes the ide_opened_file/ide_selection injection block entirely
    so the chip toggle has no effect — zero chance of accidental injection.
.LINK
    https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/24726
    https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/24726#issuecomment-4343376892
    https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/24726#issuecomment-4577281297
.EXAMPLE
    .\fix-auto-attach.ps1
    Default behaviour: chip starts OFF but can be toggled ON.

.EXAMPLE
    .\fix-auto-attach.ps1 -Hardcore
    Aggressive: chip toggle does nothing, zero injection possible.
#>

param(
    [switch]$Hardcore
)

$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"

# --- 1. Locate the webview bundle ---
$searchPaths = @(
    "$env:USERPROFILE\.vscode\extensions",
    "$env:USERPROFILE\.vscode-server\extensions",
    "$env:USERPROFILE\.vscode-oss\extensions",
    "$env:USERPROFILE\.cursor\extensions",
    "$env:USERPROFILE\.cursor-server\extensions"
)

$bundles = @()
foreach ($base in $searchPaths) {
    $found = Get-ChildItem "$base\anthropic.claude-code-*\webview\index.js" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    $bundles += $found
}

Write-Host ""
if ($bundles.Count -eq 0) {
    Write-Host "ERROR: No Claude Code extension webview found." -ForegroundColor Red
    Write-Host ""
    Write-Host "Checked paths:" -ForegroundColor Red
    foreach ($p in $searchPaths) {
        Write-Host "  - ${p}\anthropic.claude-code-*\webview\index.js"
    }
    Write-Host ""
    exit 1
}

if ($bundles.Count -gt 1) {
    Write-Host "WARNING: Multiple Claude Code extensions found!" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    foreach ($b in $bundles) {
        Write-Host "  $($b.FullName)"
    }
    Write-Host ""
    Write-Host "Using the most recent: $($bundles[-1].FullName)" -ForegroundColor Cyan
    Write-Host ""
}

$bundlePath = $bundles[-1].FullName
Write-Host "Found: $bundlePath" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host ""

# --- 2. Create a backup ---
$backupPath = "${bundlePath}.bak"
if (-not (Test-Path $backupPath)) {
    Copy-Item $bundlePath $backupPath
    Write-Host "Backup created: $backupPath" -ForegroundColor Cyan
} else {
    Write-Host "Backup already exists: $backupPath (skipping)" -ForegroundColor Yellow
}
Write-Host ""

# --- 3. Read the bundle ---
$content = Get-Content $bundlePath -Raw
$oldContent = $content

# --- 4. Apply patch ---
if ($Hardcore) {
    # ----------------------------------------------------------------
    # Hardcore mode: remove the if(J){...ide_opened_file...} block
    # from the VB1() (or similar) producer function entirely.
    # The chip stays visible but its toggle does nothing.
    # ----------------------------------------------------------------
    $pattern = 'if\(([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\)if\(\1\.selectedText\)([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\.push\(\{type:"text",text:`<ide_selection>[\s\S]*?</ide_selection>`\}\);else \2\.push\(\{type:"text",text:`<ide_opened_file>[\s\S]*?</ide_opened_file>`\}\);'
    $content = $content -replace $pattern, ''
} else {
    # ----------------------------------------------------------------
    # Standard mode: flip useState(!0) -> useState(!1) so the chip
    # defaults to OFF but the user can still toggle it ON per chat.
    # ----------------------------------------------------------------
    # Anchored on: useRef(!0),[X,Y]=N.useState(!0)
    # The preceding useRef(!0) discriminates this specific useState
    # from the other 5+ useState(!0) calls in the minified bundle.
    $content = $content -replace 'useRef\(!0\),\[([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*),([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\]=([A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*)\.useState\(!0\)', 'useRef(!0),[$1,$2]=$3.useState(!1)'
}

$modeLabel = if ($Hardcore) { "HARDCORE" } else { "STANDARD" }

if ($content -ceq $oldContent) {
    Write-Host "ERROR: Patch pattern not found in the bundle ($modeLabel mode)." -ForegroundColor Red
    Write-Host ""
    Write-Host "The extension version may have changed, check the original issue for updated anchors:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    Write-Host "  https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/24726#issuecomment-4343376892" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    Write-Host "  https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/24726#issuecomment-4577281297" -ForegroundColor Yellow
    Write-Host ""
    exit 1
}

Set-Content $bundlePath -Value $content -NoNewline
Write-Host "Patch applied successfully! ($modeLabel mode)" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host ""

# --- 5. Validate ---
if ($Hardcore) {
    # Check if any <ide_selection> injection blocks remain (the producer, not the parser)
    $stillPresent = $content -match 'if\(\w+\)if\(\w+\.selectedText\)\w+\.push\(\{type:"text",text:`<ide_selection>'
    if ($stillPresent) {
        Write-Host "WARNING: ide_selection injection block still present in bundle -- patch may be incomplete." -ForegroundColor Yellow
    } else {
        Write-Host "Validation: ide_selection injection block removed from bundle." -ForegroundColor Green
    }
} else {
    $matchCount = [regex]::Matches($content, 'useRef\(!0\),\[[A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*,[A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*\]=[A-Za-z_\$][\w\$]*\.useState\(!1\)').Count
    if ($matchCount -eq 1) {
        Write-Host "Validation: 1 patched anchor found (expected)." -ForegroundColor Green
    } else {
        Write-Host "WARNING: Expected 1 patched anchor, found $matchCount." -ForegroundColor Yellow
    }
}

# --- 6. Instructions ---
$reloadKey = if ($env:OS -match 'Windows_NT') { "Ctrl+Shift+P" } else { "Cmd+Shift+P" }

Write-Host ""
Write-Host "============================================" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "  ${modeLabel} MODE - Fix applied!" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "============================================" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "  1. Press $reloadKey in VS Code / VSCodium / Cursor" -ForegroundColor White
Write-Host "  2. Run: `"Developer: Reload Window`"" -ForegroundColor White
Write-Host "  3. The auto-attach chip will now start OFF in new chats." -ForegroundColor White
Write-Host ""
Write-Host "To revert, restore the backup:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host "  Copy-Item -Path '${backupPath}' -Destination '${bundlePath}' -Force" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Then reload the window." -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host ""

Tested on: Claude Code for VS Code 2.1.177