Cmd + shift + L doesn't add code reference to existing chat inline

[gao288]

Describe the Bug

cmd + L allows the code reference to be added to prompt bar. But sometimes I want prompt like this:
Please help me refactor @codeRef1 according to @codeRef2.

cmd + shift + L doesn’t do this, instead it opens up a new chat and add my code reference to prompt bar instead of inline.

Steps to Reproduce

1. select a line of code
2. press cmd + shift + L
3. new chat with code reference added to prompt bar

Expected Behavior

cmd + shift + L add to prompt inline, or some other short cut that does this. Currently I couldn’t find any key binding that does this.

Operating System

MacOS

Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)

Version: 1.1.3
VSCode Version: 1.96.2
Commit: 979ba33804ac150108481c14e0b5cb970bda3260
Date: 2025-06-15T06:35:49.230Z
Electron: 34.5.1
Chromium: 132.0.6834.210
Node.js: 20.19.0
V8: 13.2.152.41-electron.0
OS: Darwin arm64 24.5.0

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

[deanrie]

Hey, if I understood correctly, you need to add the selected code to the context in the current chat? If so, try using Cmd + L for that.

Also, if you want to add a piece of code directly into the text, try copying the code and pasting it using Cmd + Shift + V.

If you need to refer to another file in the request, use @ for that. Let me know if I misunderstood you by providing more details.

[gao288]

So in windsurf, you could do something like this

[gao288]

But in cursor all context link exists at prompt bar

[TylerAustinW]

@gao288

d + L allows the code reference to be added to p

Yeah, this is a common pain point! Cursor doesn’t support inline code references like Windsurf does - everything goes to the context bar.

it’s better Use @filename for file references for inline