Cannot paste text in Kilo CLI (API keys, messages, copy/paste not working)

[Solaceking]

Description

Users are unable to paste text into the Kilo CLI interface. This affects:

• Pasting API keys during /connect setup
• Pasting messages/prompts
• Copying and pasting any text

Environment

• Platform: Linux
• Kilo CLI installed via npm

Steps to Reproduce

1. Run kilo to start the TUI
2. Attempt to paste text (API key, message, etc.) using standard paste shortcuts (Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Shift+V, right-click paste)
3. Paste does not work - nothing is pasted into the input field

Expected Behavior

Text should paste into the CLI input field when using standard paste shortcuts.

Actual Behavior

Nothing happens when attempting to paste. This makes the CLI unusable for users who need to paste API keys or longer text.

Additional Context

This has been reported by multiple users. Some workarounds that may or may not work:

• Different paste shortcuts (Ctrl+Shift+V, right-click)
• Using /editor to open an external editor

Impact

Critical - users cannot set up the CLI without being able to paste API keys.

[Solaceking]

Related Issues

This appears to be part of a broader clipboard/paste issue across Kilo products:

kilocode repository:

• #2555 - Can't paste in JetBrains IDEs (Linux Wayland) - OPEN
• #4830 - Paste truncates first 44 chars in VSCode terminal - FIXED
• #2988 - Copy/paste multiline corrupts layout in CLI - FIXED

kilo repository:

• #151 - Windows terminal issues after exiting CLI - OPEN

Workaround

Users can try using /editor to open an external editor where paste works, then save and close to submit.

[Aliman00]

I'm using Kilo CLI and I'm able to paste in text by shift + ctrl + v, but I haven't found a way to copy text from Kilo CLI.

I'm running Debian / Gnome and I'm using gnome terminal.

[catrielmuller]

Hey @Solaceking and @Aliman00! To unlock all the awesome features, we suggest using a Kitty-compatible terminal like Ghosty (https://ghostty.org/), Kitty (https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/), or Alacritty (https://alacritty.org/).
Happy coding!

[Aliman00]

Actually I just solved it, all I needed was to install xclip and I'm able to copy text from Kilo to anywhere I need, as for paste text into Kilo it's solved with shift + ctrl + v :) so I'm happy !!!!