How should I handle OCD-related typing habits in a coding interview?

You don't need to treat this as a ridiculous question. In a live coding exercise, try talking through your approach, assumptions, and checks as you work. That gives the interviewer something to follow even if the typing itself takes extra time.

If you want to say something upfront, a brief explanation that you have a typing habit is an option. You don't have to give the interviewer a detailed account of your OCD just to explain every keystroke.

If the habit could noticeably affect a timed assessment, consider contacting the recruiter or hiring team before the interview. You could ask about extra time or whether the exercise can be done in an environment you control.

Accommodation rules and what an employer can provide vary, so ask about their process rather than assuming a particular request will be granted. You can also ask what information they need and who will see it.

I wouldn't make an interview the test of whether you can just ignore the urge. If the habit is causing distress or getting in your way, a therapist familiar with OCD can help you explore treatment.

Exposure and response prevention is one approach you could discuss with a professional. The goal would be to work on the pattern deliberately, not force yourself through an already stressful interview without support.

Try a timed practice problem and see how much time the typing pattern actually takes. That gives you a more concrete basis for deciding whether to request extra time, rather than guessing how noticeable it might be.