diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
index 1faf8bacf1..8140d413f7 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ pub enum InputResult {
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 struct AttachedImage {
-    placeholder: String,
+    display_placeholder: String,
+    model_placeholder: String,
     path: PathBuf,
 }
 
@@ -291,7 +292,11 @@ impl ChatComposer {
 
         // Count placeholder occurrences in the new text.
         let mut placeholder_counts: HashMap<String, usize> = HashMap::new();
-        for placeholder in self.attached_images.iter().map(|img| &img.placeholder) {
+        for placeholder in self
+            .attached_images
+            .iter()
+            .map(|img| &img.display_placeholder)
+        {
             if placeholder_counts.contains_key(placeholder) {
                 continue;
             }
@@ -304,7 +309,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         // Keep attachments only while we have matching occurrences left.
         let mut kept_images = Vec::new();
         for img in self.attached_images.drain(..) {
-            if let Some(count) = placeholder_counts.get_mut(&img.placeholder)
+            if let Some(count) = placeholder_counts.get_mut(&img.display_placeholder)
                 && *count > 0
             {
                 *count -= 1;
@@ -317,7 +322,9 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         self.textarea.set_text("");
         let mut remaining: HashMap<&str, usize> = HashMap::new();
         for img in &self.attached_images {
-            *remaining.entry(img.placeholder.as_str()).or_insert(0) += 1;
+            *remaining
+                .entry(img.display_placeholder.as_str())
+                .or_insert(0) += 1;
         }
 
         let mut occurrences: Vec<(usize, &str)> = Vec::new();
@@ -396,15 +403,26 @@ impl ChatComposer {
 
     /// Attempt to start a burst by retro-capturing recent chars before the cursor.
     pub fn attach_image(&mut self, path: PathBuf, width: u32, height: u32, _format_label: &str) {
-        // Include the full path in the placeholder so the model can refer back to the local file.
-        let file_label = path.display().to_string();
-        let base_placeholder = format!("{file_label} {width}x{height}");
-        let placeholder = self.next_image_placeholder(&base_placeholder);
+        let display_label = Self::display_label_for_image_placeholder(&path);
+        let full_label = path.display().to_string();
+
+        let display_base = format!("{display_label} {width}x{height}");
+        let model_base = format!("{full_label} {width}x{height}");
+
+        let display_placeholder = self.next_image_placeholder(&display_base);
+        let model_placeholder = Self::model_placeholder_from_display_placeholder(
+            &display_placeholder,
+            &display_base,
+            &model_base,
+        );
         // Insert as an element to match large paste placeholder behavior:
         // styled distinctly and treated atomically for cursor/mutations.
-        self.textarea.insert_element(&placeholder);
-        self.attached_images
-            .push(AttachedImage { placeholder, path });
+        self.textarea.insert_element(&display_placeholder);
+        self.attached_images.push(AttachedImage {
+            display_placeholder,
+            model_placeholder,
+            path,
+        });
     }
 
     pub fn take_recent_submission_images(&mut self) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
@@ -412,6 +430,16 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         images.into_iter().map(|img| img.path).collect()
     }
 
+    pub fn expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(&self, display_text: &str) -> String {
+        let mut text = display_text.to_string();
+        for img in &self.attached_images {
+            if text.contains(&img.display_placeholder) {
+                text = text.replace(&img.display_placeholder, &img.model_placeholder);
+            }
+        }
+        text
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn flush_paste_burst_if_due(&mut self) -> bool {
         self.handle_paste_burst_flush(Instant::now())
     }
@@ -478,6 +506,56 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         }
     }
 
+    fn display_label_for_image_placeholder(path: &Path) -> String {
+        let Some(file_name) = path.file_name().and_then(|name| name.to_str()) else {
+            return "image".to_string();
+        };
+
+        // Avoid dumping very long absolute paths into the composer UI (common when attaching screenshots).
+        if !path.is_absolute() {
+            return path.display().to_string();
+        }
+
+        // Count normal path segments (including the file name).
+        let mut segments: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
+        for c in path.components() {
+            if let std::path::Component::Normal(seg) = c {
+                segments.push(seg.to_string_lossy().into_owned());
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Keep short absolute paths readable.
+        if segments.len() <= 2 {
+            return path.display().to_string();
+        }
+
+        let top = segments
+            .first()
+            .cloned()
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "...".to_string());
+        format!("/{top}/.../{file_name}")
+    }
+
+    fn model_placeholder_from_display_placeholder(
+        display_placeholder: &str,
+        display_base: &str,
+        model_base: &str,
+    ) -> String {
+        let Some(inner) = display_placeholder
+            .strip_prefix('[')
+            .and_then(|s| s.strip_suffix(']'))
+        else {
+            return format!("[{model_base}]");
+        };
+
+        if let Some(tail) = inner.strip_prefix(display_base) {
+            format!("[{model_base}{tail}]")
+        } else {
+            // Fallback: preserve the placeholder bracket shape even if we can't recover the suffix.
+            format!("[{model_base}]")
+        }
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn insert_str(&mut self, text: &str) {
         self.textarea.insert_str(text);
         self.sync_popups();
@@ -1436,15 +1514,15 @@ impl ChatComposer {
             let mut needed: HashMap<String, usize> = HashMap::new();
             for img in &self.attached_images {
                 needed
-                    .entry(img.placeholder.clone())
-                    .or_insert_with(|| text_after.matches(&img.placeholder).count());
+                    .entry(img.display_placeholder.clone())
+                    .or_insert_with(|| text_after.matches(&img.display_placeholder).count());
             }
 
             let mut used: HashMap<String, usize> = HashMap::new();
             let mut kept: Vec<AttachedImage> = Vec::with_capacity(self.attached_images.len());
             for img in self.attached_images.drain(..) {
-                let total_needed = *needed.get(&img.placeholder).unwrap_or(&0);
-                let used_count = used.entry(img.placeholder.clone()).or_insert(0);
+                let total_needed = *needed.get(&img.display_placeholder).unwrap_or(&0);
+                let used_count = used.entry(img.display_placeholder.clone()).or_insert(0);
                 if *used_count < total_needed {
                     kept.push(img);
                     *used_count += 1;
@@ -1468,7 +1546,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         // Detect if the cursor is at the end of any image placeholder.
         // If duplicates exist, remove the specific occurrence's mapping.
         for (i, img) in self.attached_images.iter().enumerate() {
-            let ph = &img.placeholder;
+            let ph = &img.display_placeholder;
             if p < ph.len() {
                 continue;
             }
@@ -1498,7 +1576,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
                 .attached_images
                 .iter()
                 .enumerate()
-                .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.placeholder == *ph)
+                .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.display_placeholder == *ph)
                 .nth(occ_before)
             {
                 Some((remove_idx, ph.clone()))
@@ -1517,7 +1595,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         // let result = 'out: {
         let out: Option<(usize, String)> = 'out: {
             for (i, img) in self.attached_images.iter().enumerate() {
-                let ph = &img.placeholder;
+                let ph = &img.display_placeholder;
                 if p + ph.len() > text.len() {
                     continue;
                 }
@@ -1545,7 +1623,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
                     .attached_images
                     .iter()
                     .enumerate()
-                    .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.placeholder == *ph)
+                    .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.display_placeholder == *ph)
                     .nth(occ_before)
                 {
                     break 'out Some((remove_idx, ph.clone()));
@@ -3294,11 +3372,11 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(text.contains("[/tmp/image_dup.png 10x5]"));
         assert!(text.contains("[/tmp/image_dup.png 10x5 #2]"));
         assert_eq!(
-            composer.attached_images[0].placeholder,
+            composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder,
             "[/tmp/image_dup.png 10x5]"
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            composer.attached_images[1].placeholder,
+            composer.attached_images[1].display_placeholder,
             "[/tmp/image_dup.png 10x5 #2]"
         );
     }
@@ -3316,7 +3394,7 @@ mod tests {
         );
         let path = PathBuf::from("/tmp/image3.png");
         composer.attach_image(path.clone(), 20, 10, "PNG");
-        let placeholder = composer.attached_images[0].placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder = composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder.clone();
 
         // Case 1: backspace at end
         composer.textarea.move_cursor_to_end_of_line(false);
@@ -3327,7 +3405,7 @@ mod tests {
         // Re-add and test backspace in middle: should break the placeholder string
         // and drop the image mapping (same as text placeholder behavior).
         composer.attach_image(path, 20, 10, "PNG");
-        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[0].placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder.clone();
         // Move cursor to roughly middle of placeholder
         if let Some(start_pos) = composer.textarea.text().find(&placeholder2) {
             let mid_pos = start_pos + (placeholder2.len() / 2);
@@ -3399,8 +3477,8 @@ mod tests {
         composer.handle_paste(" ".into());
         composer.attach_image(path2.clone(), 10, 5, "PNG");
 
-        let placeholder1 = composer.attached_images[0].placeholder.clone();
-        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[1].placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder1 = composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[1].display_placeholder.clone();
         let text = composer.textarea.text().to_string();
         let start1 = text.find(&placeholder1).expect("first placeholder present");
         let end1 = start1 + placeholder1.len();
@@ -3423,7 +3501,8 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(
             vec![AttachedImage {
                 path: path2,
-                placeholder: "[/tmp/image_dup2.png 10x5]".to_string()
+                display_placeholder: "[/tmp/image_dup2.png 10x5]".to_string(),
+                model_placeholder: "[/tmp/image_dup2.png 10x5]".to_string()
             }],
             composer.attached_images,
             "one image mapping remains"
@@ -3450,7 +3529,8 @@ mod tests {
 
         let needs_redraw = composer.handle_paste(tmp_path.to_string_lossy().to_string());
         assert!(needs_redraw);
-        let expected_prefix = format!("[{} 3x2] ", tmp_path.display());
+        let display_label = ChatComposer::display_label_for_image_placeholder(&tmp_path);
+        let expected_prefix = format!("[{display_label} 3x2] ");
         assert!(composer.textarea.text().starts_with(&expected_prefix));
 
         let imgs = composer.take_recent_submission_images();
@@ -4168,7 +4248,8 @@ mod tests {
         let placeholder = "[image 10x10]".to_string();
         composer.textarea.insert_element(&placeholder);
         composer.attached_images.push(AttachedImage {
-            placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
+            display_placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
+            model_placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
             path: PathBuf::from("img.png"),
         });
         composer
@@ -4183,7 +4264,7 @@ mod tests {
         );
         assert!(composer.pending_pastes.is_empty());
         assert_eq!(composer.attached_images.len(), 1);
-        assert_eq!(composer.attached_images[0].placeholder, placeholder);
+        assert_eq!(composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder, placeholder);
         assert_eq!(composer.textarea.cursor(), composer.current_text().len());
     }
 
@@ -4202,7 +4283,8 @@ mod tests {
         let placeholder = "[image 10x10]".to_string();
         composer.textarea.insert_element(&placeholder);
         composer.attached_images.push(AttachedImage {
-            placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
+            display_placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
+            model_placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
             path: PathBuf::from("img.png"),
         });
 
@@ -4252,7 +4334,8 @@ mod tests {
         let placeholder = "[image 10x10]".to_string();
         composer.textarea.insert_element(&placeholder);
         composer.attached_images.push(AttachedImage {
-            placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
+            display_placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
+            model_placeholder: placeholder.clone(),
             path: PathBuf::from("img.png"),
         });
 
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
index 7634f699aa..e9a15dda51 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
@@ -549,6 +549,14 @@ impl BottomPane {
         self.composer.take_recent_submission_images()
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(
+        &self,
+        display_text: &str,
+    ) -> String {
+        self.composer
+            .expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(display_text)
+    }
+
     fn as_renderable(&'_ self) -> RenderableItem<'_> {
         if let Some(view) = self.active_view() {
             RenderableItem::Borrowed(view)
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs
index f4418ceadb..a25dd1187d 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs
@@ -371,14 +371,16 @@ pub(crate) struct ChatWidget {
 }
 
 struct UserMessage {
-    text: String,
+    display_text: String,
+    model_text: String,
     image_paths: Vec<PathBuf>,
 }
 
 impl From<String> for UserMessage {
     fn from(text: String) -> Self {
         Self {
-            text,
+            display_text: text.clone(),
+            model_text: text,
             image_paths: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
@@ -387,7 +389,8 @@ impl From<String> for UserMessage {
 impl From<&str> for UserMessage {
     fn from(text: &str) -> Self {
         Self {
-            text: text.to_string(),
+            display_text: text.to_string(),
+            model_text: text.to_string(),
             image_paths: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
@@ -397,7 +400,11 @@ fn create_initial_user_message(text: String, image_paths: Vec<PathBuf>) -> Optio
     if text.is_empty() && image_paths.is_empty() {
         None
     } else {
-        Some(UserMessage { text, image_paths })
+        Some(UserMessage {
+            display_text: text.clone(),
+            model_text: text,
+            image_paths,
+        })
     }
 }
 
@@ -813,7 +820,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             let queued_text = self
                 .queued_user_messages
                 .iter()
-                .map(|m| m.text.clone())
+                .map(|m| m.display_text.clone())
                 .collect::<Vec<_>>()
                 .join("\n");
             let existing_text = self.bottom_pane.composer_text();
@@ -1621,7 +1628,8 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             } if !self.queued_user_messages.is_empty() => {
                 // Prefer the most recently queued item.
                 if let Some(user_message) = self.queued_user_messages.pop_back() {
-                    self.bottom_pane.set_composer_text(user_message.text);
+                    self.bottom_pane
+                        .set_composer_text(user_message.display_text);
                     self.refresh_queued_user_messages();
                     self.request_redraw();
                 }
@@ -1630,8 +1638,12 @@ impl ChatWidget {
                 match self.bottom_pane.handle_key_event(key_event) {
                     InputResult::Submitted(text) => {
                         // If a task is running, queue the user input to be sent after the turn completes.
+                        let model_text = self
+                            .bottom_pane
+                            .expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(&text);
                         let user_message = UserMessage {
-                            text,
+                            display_text: text,
+                            model_text,
                             image_paths: self.bottom_pane.take_recent_submission_images(),
                         };
                         self.queue_user_message(user_message);
@@ -1909,15 +1921,19 @@ impl ChatWidget {
     }
 
     fn submit_user_message(&mut self, user_message: UserMessage) {
-        let UserMessage { text, image_paths } = user_message;
-        if text.is_empty() && image_paths.is_empty() {
+        let UserMessage {
+            display_text,
+            model_text,
+            image_paths,
+        } = user_message;
+        if display_text.is_empty() && image_paths.is_empty() {
             return;
         }
 
         let mut items: Vec<UserInput> = Vec::new();
 
         // Special-case: "!cmd" executes a local shell command instead of sending to the model.
-        if let Some(stripped) = text.strip_prefix('!') {
+        if let Some(stripped) = display_text.strip_prefix('!') {
             let cmd = stripped.trim();
             if cmd.is_empty() {
                 self.app_event_tx.send(AppEvent::InsertHistoryCell(Box::new(
@@ -1934,8 +1950,8 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             return;
         }
 
-        if !text.is_empty() {
-            items.push(UserInput::Text { text: text.clone() });
+        if !model_text.is_empty() {
+            items.push(UserInput::Text { text: model_text });
         }
 
         for path in image_paths {
@@ -1943,7 +1959,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
         }
 
         if let Some(skills) = self.bottom_pane.skills() {
-            let skill_mentions = find_skill_mentions(&text, skills);
+            let skill_mentions = find_skill_mentions(&display_text, skills);
             for skill in skill_mentions {
                 items.push(UserInput::Skill {
                     name: skill.name.clone(),
@@ -1959,17 +1975,19 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             });
 
         // Persist the text to cross-session message history.
-        if !text.is_empty() {
+        if !display_text.is_empty() {
             self.codex_op_tx
-                .send(Op::AddToHistory { text: text.clone() })
+                .send(Op::AddToHistory {
+                    text: display_text.clone(),
+                })
                 .unwrap_or_else(|e| {
                     tracing::error!("failed to send AddHistory op: {e}");
                 });
         }
 
         // Only show the text portion in conversation history.
-        if !text.is_empty() {
-            self.add_to_history(history_cell::new_user_prompt(text));
+        if !display_text.is_empty() {
+            self.add_to_history(history_cell::new_user_prompt(display_text));
         }
         self.needs_final_message_separator = false;
     }
@@ -2226,7 +2244,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
         let messages: Vec<String> = self
             .queued_user_messages
             .iter()
-            .map(|m| m.text.clone())
+            .map(|m| m.display_text.clone())
             .collect();
         self.bottom_pane.set_queued_user_messages(messages);
     }
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
index 31b7c926cd..d380e12d42 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
@@ -1010,7 +1010,7 @@ async fn alt_up_edits_most_recent_queued_message() {
     // And the queue should now contain only the remaining (older) item.
     assert_eq!(chat.queued_user_messages.len(), 1);
     assert_eq!(
-        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().text,
+        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().display_text,
         "first queued"
     );
 }
@@ -1040,7 +1040,7 @@ async fn enqueueing_history_prompt_multiple_times_is_stable() {
 
     assert_eq!(chat.queued_user_messages.len(), 3);
     for message in chat.queued_user_messages.iter() {
-        assert_eq!(message.text, "repeat me");
+        assert_eq!(message.display_text, "repeat me");
     }
 }
 
@@ -1061,7 +1061,7 @@ async fn streaming_final_answer_keeps_task_running_state() {
 
     assert_eq!(chat.queued_user_messages.len(), 1);
     assert_eq!(
-        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().text,
+        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().display_text,
         "queued submission"
     );
     assert_matches!(op_rx.try_recv(), Err(TryRecvError::Empty));
@@ -1120,6 +1120,67 @@ async fn ctrl_c_cleared_prompt_is_recoverable_via_history() {
     );
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn submitting_image_shows_short_path_but_sends_full_path_to_model() {
+    let (mut chat, mut rx, mut op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(None).await;
+
+    // Use a long absolute path so the display placeholder is shortened.
+    let image_path = PathBuf::from("/var/tmp/some/dir/image.png");
+
+    chat.bottom_pane.insert_str("see ");
+    chat.bottom_pane
+        .attach_image(image_path.clone(), 24, 42, "png");
+
+    let display_text = chat.bottom_pane.composer_text();
+    assert!(
+        display_text.contains("[/var/.../image.png 24x42]"),
+        "expected shortened display placeholder, got {display_text:?}"
+    );
+
+    chat.handle_key_event(KeyEvent::new(KeyCode::Enter, KeyModifiers::NONE));
+
+    // The user-visible transcript should keep the short placeholder.
+    let cells = drain_insert_history(&mut rx);
+    assert!(
+        !cells.is_empty(),
+        "expected a user history cell to be inserted"
+    );
+    let rendered = lines_to_single_string(&cells[0]);
+    assert!(
+        rendered.contains("/var/.../image.png"),
+        "expected transcript to contain shortened placeholder, got {rendered:?}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        !rendered.contains("/var/tmp/some/dir/image.png"),
+        "expected transcript not to contain full path, got {rendered:?}"
+    );
+
+    // The model-facing text should expand the placeholder to the full path.
+    let mut model_text: Option<String> = None;
+    while let Ok(op) = op_rx.try_recv() {
+        if let Op::UserInput { items } = op {
+            for item in items {
+                if let codex_protocol::user_input::UserInput::Text { text } = item {
+                    model_text = Some(text);
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if model_text.is_some() {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    let model_text = model_text.expect("expected Op::UserInput with a Text item");
+    assert!(
+        model_text.contains("/var/tmp/some/dir/image.png"),
+        "expected model text to contain full path, got {model_text:?}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        !model_text.contains("/var/.../image.png"),
+        "expected model text not to contain shortened placeholder, got {model_text:?}"
+    );
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn exec_history_cell_shows_working_then_completed() {
     let (mut chat, mut rx, _op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(None).await;
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs b/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
index d3741fcd07..67ab352def 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/chat_composer.rs
@@ -81,7 +81,8 @@ pub enum InputResult {
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 struct AttachedImage {
-    placeholder: String,
+    display_placeholder: String,
+    model_placeholder: String,
     path: PathBuf,
 }
 
@@ -191,6 +192,36 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         self.skills = skills;
     }
 
+    fn display_label_for_image_placeholder(path: &Path) -> String {
+        let Some(file_name) = path.file_name().and_then(|name| name.to_str()) else {
+            return "image".to_string();
+        };
+
+        // Avoid dumping very long absolute paths into the composer UI (common when attaching screenshots).
+        if !path.is_absolute() {
+            return path.display().to_string();
+        }
+
+        // Count normal path segments (including the file name).
+        let mut segments: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
+        for c in path.components() {
+            if let std::path::Component::Normal(seg) = c {
+                segments.push(seg.to_string_lossy().into_owned());
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Keep short absolute paths readable.
+        if segments.len() <= 2 {
+            return path.display().to_string();
+        }
+
+        let top = segments
+            .first()
+            .cloned()
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "...".to_string());
+        format!("/{top}/.../{file_name}")
+    }
+
     fn layout_areas(&self, area: Rect) -> [Rect; 3] {
         let footer_props = self.footer_props();
         let footer_hint_height = self
@@ -330,14 +361,18 @@ impl ChatComposer {
 
     /// Attempt to start a burst by retro-capturing recent chars before the cursor.
     pub fn attach_image(&mut self, path: PathBuf, width: u32, height: u32, _format_label: &str) {
-        // Include the full path in the placeholder so the model can refer back to the local file.
-        let file_label = path.display().to_string();
-        let placeholder = format!("[{file_label} {width}x{height}]");
+        let display_label = Self::display_label_for_image_placeholder(&path);
+        let full_label = path.display().to_string();
+        let display_placeholder = format!("[{display_label} {width}x{height}]");
+        let model_placeholder = format!("[{full_label} {width}x{height}]");
         // Insert as an element to match large paste placeholder behavior:
         // styled distinctly and treated atomically for cursor/mutations.
-        self.textarea.insert_element(&placeholder);
-        self.attached_images
-            .push(AttachedImage { placeholder, path });
+        self.textarea.insert_element(&display_placeholder);
+        self.attached_images.push(AttachedImage {
+            display_placeholder,
+            model_placeholder,
+            path,
+        });
     }
 
     pub fn take_recent_submission_images(&mut self) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
@@ -345,6 +380,16 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         images.into_iter().map(|img| img.path).collect()
     }
 
+    pub fn expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(&self, display_text: &str) -> String {
+        let mut text = display_text.to_string();
+        for img in &self.attached_images {
+            if text.contains(&img.display_placeholder) {
+                text = text.replace(&img.display_placeholder, &img.model_placeholder);
+            }
+        }
+        text
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn flush_paste_burst_if_due(&mut self) -> bool {
         self.handle_paste_burst_flush(Instant::now())
     }
@@ -1353,15 +1398,15 @@ impl ChatComposer {
             let mut needed: HashMap<String, usize> = HashMap::new();
             for img in &self.attached_images {
                 needed
-                    .entry(img.placeholder.clone())
-                    .or_insert_with(|| text_after.matches(&img.placeholder).count());
+                    .entry(img.display_placeholder.clone())
+                    .or_insert_with(|| text_after.matches(&img.display_placeholder).count());
             }
 
             let mut used: HashMap<String, usize> = HashMap::new();
             let mut kept: Vec<AttachedImage> = Vec::with_capacity(self.attached_images.len());
             for img in self.attached_images.drain(..) {
-                let total_needed = *needed.get(&img.placeholder).unwrap_or(&0);
-                let used_count = used.entry(img.placeholder.clone()).or_insert(0);
+                let total_needed = *needed.get(&img.display_placeholder).unwrap_or(&0);
+                let used_count = used.entry(img.display_placeholder.clone()).or_insert(0);
                 if *used_count < total_needed {
                     kept.push(img);
                     *used_count += 1;
@@ -1385,7 +1430,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         // Detect if the cursor is at the end of any image placeholder.
         // If duplicates exist, remove the specific occurrence's mapping.
         for (i, img) in self.attached_images.iter().enumerate() {
-            let ph = &img.placeholder;
+            let ph = &img.display_placeholder;
             if p < ph.len() {
                 continue;
             }
@@ -1415,7 +1460,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
                 .attached_images
                 .iter()
                 .enumerate()
-                .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.placeholder == *ph)
+                .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.display_placeholder == *ph)
                 .nth(occ_before)
             {
                 Some((remove_idx, ph.clone()))
@@ -1434,7 +1479,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
         // let result = 'out: {
         let out: Option<(usize, String)> = 'out: {
             for (i, img) in self.attached_images.iter().enumerate() {
-                let ph = &img.placeholder;
+                let ph = &img.display_placeholder;
                 if p + ph.len() > text.len() {
                     continue;
                 }
@@ -1462,7 +1507,7 @@ impl ChatComposer {
                     .attached_images
                     .iter()
                     .enumerate()
-                    .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.placeholder == *ph)
+                    .filter(|(_, img2)| img2.display_placeholder == *ph)
                     .nth(occ_before)
                 {
                     break 'out Some((remove_idx, ph.clone()));
@@ -3210,7 +3255,7 @@ mod tests {
         );
         let path = PathBuf::from("/tmp/image3.png");
         composer.attach_image(path.clone(), 20, 10, "PNG");
-        let placeholder = composer.attached_images[0].placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder = composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder.clone();
 
         // Case 1: backspace at end
         composer.textarea.move_cursor_to_end_of_line(false);
@@ -3221,7 +3266,7 @@ mod tests {
         // Re-add and test backspace in middle: should break the placeholder string
         // and drop the image mapping (same as text placeholder behavior).
         composer.attach_image(path, 20, 10, "PNG");
-        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[0].placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder.clone();
         // Move cursor to roughly middle of placeholder
         if let Some(start_pos) = composer.textarea.text().find(&placeholder2) {
             let mid_pos = start_pos + (placeholder2.len() / 2);
@@ -3293,8 +3338,8 @@ mod tests {
         composer.handle_paste(" ".into());
         composer.attach_image(path2.clone(), 10, 5, "PNG");
 
-        let placeholder1 = composer.attached_images[0].placeholder.clone();
-        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[1].placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder1 = composer.attached_images[0].display_placeholder.clone();
+        let placeholder2 = composer.attached_images[1].display_placeholder.clone();
         let text = composer.textarea.text().to_string();
         let start1 = text.find(&placeholder1).expect("first placeholder present");
         let end1 = start1 + placeholder1.len();
@@ -3317,7 +3362,8 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(
             vec![AttachedImage {
                 path: path2,
-                placeholder: "[/tmp/image_dup2.png 10x5]".to_string()
+                display_placeholder: "[/tmp/image_dup2.png 10x5]".to_string(),
+                model_placeholder: "[/tmp/image_dup2.png 10x5]".to_string()
             }],
             composer.attached_images,
             "one image mapping remains"
@@ -3344,7 +3390,8 @@ mod tests {
 
         let needs_redraw = composer.handle_paste(tmp_path.to_string_lossy().to_string());
         assert!(needs_redraw);
-        let expected_prefix = format!("[{} 3x2] ", tmp_path.display());
+        let display_label = ChatComposer::display_label_for_image_placeholder(&tmp_path);
+        let expected_prefix = format!("[{display_label} 3x2] ");
         assert!(composer.textarea.text().starts_with(&expected_prefix));
 
         let imgs = composer.take_recent_submission_images();
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs b/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
index 2ebd0715e7..98fab17ade 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui2/src/bottom_pane/mod.rs
@@ -536,6 +536,14 @@ impl BottomPane {
         self.composer.take_recent_submission_images()
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(
+        &self,
+        display_text: &str,
+    ) -> String {
+        self.composer
+            .expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(display_text)
+    }
+
     fn as_renderable(&'_ self) -> RenderableItem<'_> {
         if let Some(view) = self.active_view() {
             RenderableItem::Borrowed(view)
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget.rs b/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget.rs
index d92cf60214..1cab44db54 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget.rs
@@ -337,14 +337,16 @@ pub(crate) struct ChatWidget {
 }
 
 struct UserMessage {
-    text: String,
+    display_text: String,
+    model_text: String,
     image_paths: Vec<PathBuf>,
 }
 
 impl From<String> for UserMessage {
     fn from(text: String) -> Self {
         Self {
-            text,
+            display_text: text.clone(),
+            model_text: text,
             image_paths: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
@@ -353,7 +355,8 @@ impl From<String> for UserMessage {
 impl From<&str> for UserMessage {
     fn from(text: &str) -> Self {
         Self {
-            text: text.to_string(),
+            display_text: text.to_string(),
+            model_text: text.to_string(),
             image_paths: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
@@ -363,7 +366,11 @@ fn create_initial_user_message(text: String, image_paths: Vec<PathBuf>) -> Optio
     if text.is_empty() && image_paths.is_empty() {
         None
     } else {
-        Some(UserMessage { text, image_paths })
+        Some(UserMessage {
+            display_text: text.clone(),
+            model_text: text,
+            image_paths,
+        })
     }
 }
 
@@ -778,7 +785,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             let queued_text = self
                 .queued_user_messages
                 .iter()
-                .map(|m| m.text.clone())
+                .map(|m| m.display_text.clone())
                 .collect::<Vec<_>>()
                 .join("\n");
             let existing_text = self.bottom_pane.composer_text();
@@ -1482,7 +1489,8 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             } if !self.queued_user_messages.is_empty() => {
                 // Prefer the most recently queued item.
                 if let Some(user_message) = self.queued_user_messages.pop_back() {
-                    self.bottom_pane.set_composer_text(user_message.text);
+                    self.bottom_pane
+                        .set_composer_text(user_message.display_text);
                     self.refresh_queued_user_messages();
                     self.request_redraw();
                 }
@@ -1491,8 +1499,12 @@ impl ChatWidget {
                 match self.bottom_pane.handle_key_event(key_event) {
                     InputResult::Submitted(text) => {
                         // If a task is running, queue the user input to be sent after the turn completes.
+                        let model_text = self
+                            .bottom_pane
+                            .expand_attached_image_placeholders_for_model(&text);
                         let user_message = UserMessage {
-                            text,
+                            display_text: text,
+                            model_text,
                             image_paths: self.bottom_pane.take_recent_submission_images(),
                         };
                         self.queue_user_message(user_message);
@@ -1717,15 +1729,19 @@ impl ChatWidget {
     }
 
     fn submit_user_message(&mut self, user_message: UserMessage) {
-        let UserMessage { text, image_paths } = user_message;
-        if text.is_empty() && image_paths.is_empty() {
+        let UserMessage {
+            display_text,
+            model_text,
+            image_paths,
+        } = user_message;
+        if display_text.is_empty() && image_paths.is_empty() {
             return;
         }
 
         let mut items: Vec<UserInput> = Vec::new();
 
         // Special-case: "!cmd" executes a local shell command instead of sending to the model.
-        if let Some(stripped) = text.strip_prefix('!') {
+        if let Some(stripped) = display_text.strip_prefix('!') {
             let cmd = stripped.trim();
             if cmd.is_empty() {
                 self.app_event_tx.send(AppEvent::InsertHistoryCell(Box::new(
@@ -1742,8 +1758,10 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             return;
         }
 
-        if !text.is_empty() {
-            items.push(UserInput::Text { text: text.clone() });
+        if !model_text.is_empty() {
+            items.push(UserInput::Text {
+                text: model_text.clone(),
+            });
         }
 
         for path in image_paths {
@@ -1751,7 +1769,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
         }
 
         if let Some(skills) = self.bottom_pane.skills() {
-            let skill_mentions = find_skill_mentions(&text, skills);
+            let skill_mentions = find_skill_mentions(&display_text, skills);
             for skill in skill_mentions {
                 items.push(UserInput::Skill {
                     name: skill.name.clone(),
@@ -1767,17 +1785,19 @@ impl ChatWidget {
             });
 
         // Persist the text to cross-session message history.
-        if !text.is_empty() {
+        if !display_text.is_empty() {
             self.codex_op_tx
-                .send(Op::AddToHistory { text: text.clone() })
+                .send(Op::AddToHistory {
+                    text: display_text.clone(),
+                })
                 .unwrap_or_else(|e| {
                     tracing::error!("failed to send AddHistory op: {e}");
                 });
         }
 
         // Only show the text portion in conversation history.
-        if !text.is_empty() {
-            self.add_to_history(history_cell::new_user_prompt(text));
+        if !display_text.is_empty() {
+            self.add_to_history(history_cell::new_user_prompt(display_text));
         }
         self.needs_final_message_separator = false;
     }
@@ -2034,7 +2054,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
         let messages: Vec<String> = self
             .queued_user_messages
             .iter()
-            .map(|m| m.text.clone())
+            .map(|m| m.display_text.clone())
             .collect();
         self.bottom_pane.set_queued_user_messages(messages);
     }
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget/tests.rs b/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
index f904fc25ca..4fde367287 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui2/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
@@ -970,7 +970,7 @@ async fn alt_up_edits_most_recent_queued_message() {
     // And the queue should now contain only the remaining (older) item.
     assert_eq!(chat.queued_user_messages.len(), 1);
     assert_eq!(
-        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().text,
+        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().display_text,
         "first queued"
     );
 }
@@ -1000,7 +1000,7 @@ async fn enqueueing_history_prompt_multiple_times_is_stable() {
 
     assert_eq!(chat.queued_user_messages.len(), 3);
     for message in chat.queued_user_messages.iter() {
-        assert_eq!(message.text, "repeat me");
+        assert_eq!(message.display_text, "repeat me");
     }
 }
 
@@ -1021,7 +1021,7 @@ async fn streaming_final_answer_keeps_task_running_state() {
 
     assert_eq!(chat.queued_user_messages.len(), 1);
     assert_eq!(
-        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().text,
+        chat.queued_user_messages.front().unwrap().display_text,
         "queued submission"
     );
     assert_matches!(op_rx.try_recv(), Err(TryRecvError::Empty));
@@ -1080,6 +1080,67 @@ async fn ctrl_c_cleared_prompt_is_recoverable_via_history() {
     );
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn submitting_image_shows_short_path_but_sends_full_path_to_model() {
+    let (mut chat, mut rx, mut op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(None).await;
+
+    // Use a long absolute path so the display placeholder is shortened.
+    let image_path = PathBuf::from("/var/tmp/some/dir/image.png");
+
+    chat.bottom_pane.insert_str("see ");
+    chat.bottom_pane
+        .attach_image(image_path.clone(), 24, 42, "png");
+
+    let display_text = chat.bottom_pane.composer_text();
+    assert!(
+        display_text.contains("[/var/.../image.png 24x42]"),
+        "expected shortened display placeholder, got {display_text:?}"
+    );
+
+    chat.handle_key_event(KeyEvent::new(KeyCode::Enter, KeyModifiers::NONE));
+
+    // The user-visible transcript should keep the short placeholder.
+    let cells = drain_insert_history(&mut rx);
+    assert!(
+        !cells.is_empty(),
+        "expected a user history cell to be inserted"
+    );
+    let rendered = lines_to_single_string(&cells[0]);
+    assert!(
+        rendered.contains("/var/.../image.png"),
+        "expected transcript to contain shortened placeholder, got {rendered:?}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        !rendered.contains("/var/tmp/some/dir/image.png"),
+        "expected transcript not to contain full path, got {rendered:?}"
+    );
+
+    // The model-facing text should expand the placeholder to the full path.
+    let mut model_text: Option<String> = None;
+    while let Ok(op) = op_rx.try_recv() {
+        if let Op::UserInput { items } = op {
+            for item in items {
+                if let codex_protocol::user_input::UserInput::Text { text } = item {
+                    model_text = Some(text);
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if model_text.is_some() {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    let model_text = model_text.expect("expected Op::UserInput with a Text item");
+    assert!(
+        model_text.contains("/var/tmp/some/dir/image.png"),
+        "expected model text to contain full path, got {model_text:?}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        !model_text.contains("/var/.../image.png"),
+        "expected model text not to contain shortened placeholder, got {model_text:?}"
+    );
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn exec_history_cell_shows_working_then_completed() {
     let (mut chat, mut rx, _op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(None).await;