How can I paste into the text field (prompt area) instead of it adding a "snippet"?

Discussion
1

I notice that, sometimes, cursor takes the information from my clipboard and adds it to my prompt in the form of like a snippet or a file for context. However, sometimes I just want to paste it into the actual text field. Is there a way to “force” this to happen?

For example, I have recently run across a ton of problems and decided, for this particular scenario, to write my prompt out in a new tab so I can just tweak it to get better results. In cursor, however, I can’t paste the contents of this, which is essentially a detailed question. If I paste this detailed question that I copied to my clipboard, I can’t actually click “Send” because the text field is empty, even though I’m trying to paste simple text in there.

2025-02-28_15-58-55 (1)

As a workaround, I have to copy my text out of Cursor, paste it into Slack (only tried Slack), copy it again, and then I can finally paste it into the text field.

I feel like I’ve got to be missing something very obvious here, but perhaps not. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

2

Hey, try using the shortcut Cmd + Shift + V.

3 Likes
3

Thanks a lot! This worked perfectly!!

4

Is it possible to create a binding setting for this? This shortcut conflicts with my global shortcut.

5

As far as I know, no, because this is a standard shortcut in the macOS system. You can try changing it in the system settings.

6

I found a workaround to resolve this issue.

My global Cmd+Shift+V shortcut is assigned to another application, preventing Cursor from recognizing it. To address this, I created a dummy app shortcut in macOS, allowing Cursor to revert to its default behavior for Cmd+Shift+V.

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Navigate to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts… > App Shortcuts.
  2. Click the “+” button to add a new shortcut.
  3. Configure the following:
  • Application: Cursor
  • Menu Title: Override global shift-paste shortcut (use any non-existent menu item name)
  • Keyboard Shortcut: Cmd+Alt+Shift+V

This setup effectively unbinds the conflicting global shortcut, enabling Cursor to use its default paste behavior without inserting a snippet. The only downside is that you have to use the new keyboard shortcut Cmd+Alt+Shift+V in order to trigger the default Cmd+Shift+V behavior.

1 Like