How I Bypassed Claude Code's Image Pasting Limitation in DevContainers

Ever tried pasting a screenshot into Claude Code while running in a devcontainer? It doesn't work. The containerized environment can't access your clipboard. I tried many clipboard tools and scripts on both host and guest machines, even SSH wrappers, but the clipboard never worked. After exhausting all the traditional approaches, I found a clever workaround that bypasses the clipboard entirely.

The Magic Discovery

When you paste a full file path to an image in Claude Code, it automatically recognizes and attaches the image! This was the breakthrough that changed everything.

Step 1: Mount Your Screenshots Folder

In .devcontainer/devcontainer.json, add a mount for your screenshots:

{
  "mounts": [
    "source=/Users/shyam/Downloads/tmp,target=/clipboard,type=bind,readonly"
  ]
}

Step 2: Create a Quick List Task

In .vscode/tasks.json, add a task to list recent images:

{
  "tasks": [{
    "label": "List Images in /clipboard",
    "type": "shell",
    "command": "find /clipboard -type f \\( -iname \"*.jpg\" -o -iname \"*.png\" -o -iname \"*.gif\" -o -iname \"*.jpeg\" \\) -printf '%T@ %p\\n' | sort -nr | head -n 10 | cut -d' ' -f2-"
  }]
}

Step 3: One-Click with Task Runner

Install the Task Runner extension for instant access:

"extensions": ["SanaAjani.taskrunnercode"]

The Workflow

1. Take and Save Screenshot

2. Click Task Runner

3. Copy the Latest Image Path

4. Paste Path - Claude Handles It!

Example in Action

# Task output shows:
/clipboard/error_2025-01-19.png
/clipboard/ui_mockup.png

# Just paste in Claude Code:
"Check this error: /clipboard/error_2025-01-19.png"
# → Image automatically appears as attachment!

Why This Works

• Docker mount makes host files visible in container
• Task lists paths sorted by newest first
• Claude Code's built-in feature recognizes image paths and auto-attaches them
• No manual file transfers or complex workarounds needed

Pro Tips

1. Dedicated folder: Use a specific folder for screenshots, not your main Downloads
2. Direct save: Configure your screenshot tool to save there automatically
3. Security: The mount is read-only to prevent accidental modifications
4. Cleanup: Periodically clear old screenshots to keep the list manageable

Conclusion

This simple hack turns a frustrating limitation into a minor inconvenience. The key was discovering that Claude Code automatically attaches images when you provide their full path. Combined with a Docker mount and a one-click task, you get a seamless workflow for sharing visual context in containerized environments.

Sometimes the best solutions are hiding in plain sight!