diff --git a/hermes_cli/setup.py b/hermes_cli/setup.py
index 63f5267ddf..19e9366a20 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/setup.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/setup.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import importlib.util
 import json
 import logging
 import os
+import re
 import shutil
 import sys
 import copy
@@ -208,12 +209,23 @@ def prompt(question: str, default: str = None, password: bool = False) -> str:
         else:
             value = input(color(display, Colors.YELLOW))
 
-        return value.strip() or default or ""
+        cleaned = _sanitize_pasted_input(value)
+        return cleaned.strip() or default or ""
     except (KeyboardInterrupt, EOFError):
         print()
         sys.exit(1)
 
 
+_BRACKETED_PASTE_PATTERN = re.compile(r"\x1b\[\s*200~|\x1b\[\s*201~")
+
+
+def _sanitize_pasted_input(value: str) -> str:
+    """Strip terminal bracketed-paste control markers from pasted text."""
+    if not isinstance(value, str) or not value:
+        return value
+    return _BRACKETED_PASTE_PATTERN.sub("", value)
+
+
 def _curses_prompt_choice(question: str, choices: list, default: int = 0, description: str | None = None) -> int:
     """Single-select menu using curses. Delegates to curses_radiolist."""
     from hermes_cli.curses_ui import curses_radiolist
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_setup_prompt_menus.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_setup_prompt_menus.py
index fd017d87df..e776ba1fc5 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_setup_prompt_menus.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_setup_prompt_menus.py
@@ -1,6 +1,28 @@
 from hermes_cli import setup as setup_mod
 
 
+def test_prompt_strips_bracketed_paste_markers(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "builtins.input",
+        lambda _prompt="": "\x1b[200~sk-ant-api-key\x1b[201~",
+    )
+
+    value = setup_mod.prompt("API key")
+
+    assert value == "sk-ant-api-key"
+
+
+def test_password_prompt_strips_bracketed_paste_markers(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "getpass.getpass",
+        lambda _prompt="": "\x1b[200~secret-token\x1b[201~",
+    )
+
+    value = setup_mod.prompt("API key", password=True)
+
+    assert value == "secret-token"
+
+
 def test_prompt_choice_uses_curses_helper(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(setup_mod, "_curses_prompt_choice", lambda question, choices, default=0, description=None: 1)