Claude Code /tui: Switch to a Flicker-Free Fullscreen Mode

When you have Claude Code (an AI coding tool used in the terminal) do a long task, the results stream down the screen. But the longer the output gets, the more the screen can flicker or appear choppy. It tires your eyes and makes it hard to follow progress. The command that changes how the screen is displayed here is /tui.

Definition (What It Is)

/tui is a command that changes the renderer of the terminal UI (TUI, Text User Interface — a screen drawn with text).

There are two renderers (ways of drawing the screen). The default mode stacks output downward like a normal terminal, while fullscreen mode claims the whole screen as a single app and shows it smoothly without flicker.

How to Use It (By Difficulty)

Basic — Switch to Fullscreen

/tui fullscreen

This switches to fullscreen mode. Long output is displayed stably without flickering, making it far more comfortable to watch a long task.

Applied — Check Which Mode You're In

/tui

Running it without options tells you which renderer is currently active. Use it to check when you're unsure "am I in default or fullscreen right now?"

Common Pitfalls (When Applicable)

• Because fullscreen mode takes over the whole screen, scrolling up to review previously printed content may behave differently from default mode. If you often need to look back at past output, default mode can be more convenient.
• On some older terminals, fullscreen rendering may break. If the screen looks odd, just switch back to default mode with /tui.

Real-World Example

There are times you have it modify a large batch of files at once and the output flickers endlessly, hurting your eyes. After switching with /tui fullscreen, the screen refreshes cleanly within a single screen, letting you watch progress comfortably.

Taking It Further

When running long automated tasks (builds, large refactors, etc.), turning on fullscreen mode makes monitoring easier. Conversely, when exchanging short commands and frequently scanning logs up and down, default mode is better. The trick is to switch between them depending on the nature of the work.

Summary

/tui is a command for choosing how the screen is drawn, between default and fullscreen. If long output flickers and bothers you, try /tui fullscreen once. The same task becomes much easier to watch.

Based on: Claude Code v2.1.154 (2026.05)