diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index 69bbaa1fd2..ca1f965898 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ This document is intended for Spotless developers.
 We adhere to the [keepachangelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/) format (starting after version `1.27.0`).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
+### Fixed
+* `ktlint` steps now read from the `string` instead of the `file` so they don't clobber earlier steps. (fixes [#1599](https://github.com/diffplug/spotless/issues/1599))
 
 ## [3.0.0.BETA3] - 2024-10-15
 ### Added
diff --git a/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.java b/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.java
index 32ef497de8..78bd28f86b 100644
--- a/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.java
+++ b/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2023 DiffPlug
+ * Copyright 2023-2024 DiffPlug
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ public Unit invoke(LintError lint, Boolean corrected) {
 
 	@Override
 	public String format(
+			String unix,
 			Path path,
 			Path editorConfigPath,
 			Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap) {
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ public String format(
 				editorConfig,
 				editorConfigOverride,
 				false)
-				.format(path, formatterCallback);
+				.format(unix, path, formatterCallback);
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.java b/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.java
index 00c6744b4c..f4c1e04af7 100644
--- a/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.java
+++ b/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.java
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ public Unit invoke(LintError lint, Boolean corrected) {
 
 	@Override
 	public String format(
+			String unix,
 			Path path,
 			Path editorConfigPath,
 			Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap) {
@@ -146,13 +147,16 @@ public String format(
 			editorConfig = EditorConfigDefaults.Companion.load(editorConfigPath, RuleProviderKt.propertyTypes(allRuleProviders));
 		}
 
+		// create Code and then set the content to match previous steps in the Spotless pipeline
+		Code code = Code.Companion.fromPath(path);
+		KtLintCompatAdapter.setCodeContent(code, unix);
 		return new KtLintRuleEngine(
 				allRuleProviders,
 				editorConfig,
 				editorConfigOverride,
 				false,
 				path.getFileSystem())
-				.format(Code.Companion.fromPath(path), formatterCallback);
+				.format(code, formatterCallback);
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.java b/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.java
index b683b84ca1..951b82704a 100644
--- a/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.java
+++ b/lib/src/compatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.java
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ public Unit invoke(LintError lint, Boolean corrected) {
 
 	@Override
 	public String format(
+			String unix,
 			Path path,
 			Path editorConfigPath,
 			Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap) {
@@ -108,6 +109,9 @@ public String format(
 			editorConfig = EditorConfigDefaults.Companion.load(editorConfigPath, RuleProviderKt.propertyTypes(allRuleProviders));
 		}
 
+		// create Code and then set the content to match previous steps in the Spotless pipeline
+		Code code = Code.Companion.fromPath(path);
+		KtLintCompatAdapter.setCodeContent(code, unix);
 		return new KtLintRuleEngine(
 				allRuleProviders,
 				editorConfig,
@@ -115,7 +119,7 @@ public String format(
 				true,
 				false,
 				path.getFileSystem())
-				.format(Code.Companion.fromPath(path), formatterCallback);
+				.format(code, formatterCallback);
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/lib/src/compatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.java b/lib/src/compatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.java
index 0e97cdd12d..86387d0d6b 100644
--- a/lib/src/compatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.java
+++ b/lib/src/compatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.java
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ public Unit invoke(LintError lint, Boolean corrected) {
 
 	@Override
 	public String format(
+			String unix,
 			Path path,
 			Path editorConfigPath,
 			Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap) {
@@ -103,13 +104,16 @@ public String format(
 					editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		}
 
+		// create Code and then set the content to match previous steps in the Spotless pipeline
+		Code code = Code.Companion.fromPath(path);
+		KtLintCompatAdapter.setCodeContent(code, unix);
 		return new KtLintRuleEngine(
 				allRuleProviders,
 				editorConfig,
 				editorConfigOverride,
 				false,
 				path.getFileSystem())
-				.format(Code.Companion.fromPath(path), formatterCallback);
+				.format(code, formatterCallback);
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/lib/src/compatKtLintApi/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompatAdapter.java b/lib/src/compatKtLintApi/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompatAdapter.java
index 1bfa0da6da..0fcecb3f6c 100644
--- a/lib/src/compatKtLintApi/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompatAdapter.java
+++ b/lib/src/compatKtLintApi/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompatAdapter.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2022-2023 DiffPlug
+ * Copyright 2022-2024 DiffPlug
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -15,13 +15,31 @@
  */
 package com.diffplug.spotless.glue.ktlint.compat;
 
+import java.lang.reflect.Field;
 import java.nio.file.Path;
+import java.security.AccessController;
+import java.security.PrivilegedAction;
 import java.util.Map;
 
 public interface KtLintCompatAdapter {
 
 	String format(
+			String content,
 			Path path,
 			Path editorConfigPath,
-			Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap);
+			Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap) throws NoSuchFieldException, IllegalAccessException;
+
+	static void setCodeContent(Object code, String content) {
+		AccessController.doPrivileged((PrivilegedAction<Void>) () -> {
+			try {
+				Field contentField = code.getClass().getDeclaredField("content");
+				contentField.setAccessible(true);
+				contentField.set(code, content);
+			} catch (NoSuchFieldException | IllegalAccessException e) {
+				// Handle exceptions as needed
+				throw new RuntimeException("Failed to set content field", e);
+			}
+			return null;
+		});
+	}
 }
diff --git a/lib/src/ktlint/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/KtlintFormatterFunc.java b/lib/src/ktlint/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/KtlintFormatterFunc.java
index b81e107609..a8e5bc32fc 100644
--- a/lib/src/ktlint/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/KtlintFormatterFunc.java
+++ b/lib/src/ktlint/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/KtlintFormatterFunc.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2021-2023 DiffPlug
+ * Copyright 2021-2024 DiffPlug
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -60,12 +60,13 @@ public KtlintFormatterFunc(
 	}
 
 	@Override
-	public String applyWithFile(String unix, File file) {
+	public String applyWithFile(String unix, File file) throws NoSuchFieldException, IllegalAccessException {
 		Path absoluteEditorConfigPath = null;
 		if (editorConfigPath != null) {
 			absoluteEditorConfigPath = editorConfigPath.getOnlyFile().toPath();
 		}
 		return adapter.format(
+				unix,
 				file.toPath(),
 				absoluteEditorConfigPath,
 				editorConfigOverrideMap);
diff --git a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0AdapterTest.java b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0AdapterTest.java
index 17fe40fb9c..f9c19d69a7 100644
--- a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0AdapterTest.java
+++ b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot48Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0AdapterTest.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2023 DiffPlug
+ * Copyright 2023-2024 DiffPlug
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -33,19 +33,19 @@ public class KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0AdapterTest {
 	@Test
 	public void testDefaults(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter ktLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "empty_class_body.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "empty_class_body.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "empty_class_body.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
 
-		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class empty_class_body\n", formatted);
 	}
 
 	@Test
 	public void testEditorConfigCanDisable(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter ktLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "fails_no_semicolons.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "fails_no_semicolons.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "fails_no_semicolons.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public void testEditorConfigCanDisable(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		// ktlint_filename is an invalid rule in ktlint 0.48.0
 		editorConfigOverrideMap.put("ktlint_filename", "disabled");
 
-		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot48Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class fails_no_semicolons {\n\tval i = 0;\n}\n", formatted);
 	}
 
diff --git a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0AdapterTest.java b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0AdapterTest.java
index b34a83ebc3..27d085f7fd 100644
--- a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0AdapterTest.java
+++ b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot49Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0AdapterTest.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2023 DiffPlug
+ * Copyright 2023-2024 DiffPlug
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -33,26 +33,26 @@ public class KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0AdapterTest {
 	@Test
 	public void testDefaults(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter ktLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "EmptyClassBody.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "EmptyClassBody.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "EmptyClassBody.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
 
-		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class EmptyClassBody\n", formatted);
 	}
 
 	@Test
 	public void testEditorConfigCanDisable(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter ktLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
 		editorConfigOverrideMap.put("indent_style", "tab");
 		editorConfigOverrideMap.put("ktlint_standard_no-semi", "disabled");
 
-		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = ktLintCompat0Dot49Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class FailsNoSemicolons {\n\tval i = 0;\n}\n", formatted);
 	}
 
diff --git a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0AdapterTest.java b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0AdapterTest.java
index 0bb501a06e..27dce68f09 100644
--- a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0AdapterTest.java
+++ b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint0Dot50Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0AdapterTest.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2023 DiffPlug
+ * Copyright 2023-2024 DiffPlug
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -33,26 +33,26 @@ public class KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0AdapterTest {
 	@Test
 	public void testDefaults(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "EmptyClassBody.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "EmptyClassBody.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "EmptyClassBody.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
 
-		String formatted = KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class EmptyClassBody\n", formatted);
 	}
 
 	@Test
 	public void testEditorConfigCanDisable(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
 		editorConfigOverrideMap.put("indent_style", "tab");
 		editorConfigOverrideMap.put("ktlint_standard_no-semi", "disabled");
 
-		String formatted = KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = KtLintCompat0Dot50Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class FailsNoSemicolons {\n\tval i = 0;\n}\n", formatted);
 	}
 
diff --git a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0AdapterTest.java b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0AdapterTest.java
index 0f5f9cf16c..760aa89ae5 100644
--- a/lib/src/testCompatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0AdapterTest.java
+++ b/lib/src/testCompatKtLint1Dot0Dot0/java/com/diffplug/spotless/glue/ktlint/compat/KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0AdapterTest.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2023 DiffPlug
+ * Copyright 2023-2024 DiffPlug
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -33,26 +33,26 @@ public class KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0AdapterTest {
 	@Test
 	public void testDefaults(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "EmptyClassBody.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "EmptyClassBody.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "EmptyClassBody.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
 
-		String formatted = KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class EmptyClassBody\n", formatted);
 	}
 
 	@Test
 	public void testEditorConfigCanDisable(@TempDir Path path) throws IOException {
 		KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter = new KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter();
-		loadAndWriteText(path, "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
+		var content = loadAndWriteText(path, "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
 		final Path filePath = Paths.get(path.toString(), "FailsNoSemicolons.kt");
 
 		Map<String, Object> editorConfigOverrideMap = new HashMap<>();
 		editorConfigOverrideMap.put("indent_style", "tab");
 		editorConfigOverrideMap.put("ktlint_standard_no-semi", "disabled");
 
-		String formatted = KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.format(filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
+		String formatted = KtLintCompat1Dot0Dot0Adapter.format(content, filePath, null, editorConfigOverrideMap);
 		assertEquals("class FailsNoSemicolons {\n\tval i = 0;\n}\n", formatted);
 	}
 
diff --git a/plugin-gradle/CHANGES.md b/plugin-gradle/CHANGES.md
index fe3d1aa529..c5e2171005 100644
--- a/plugin-gradle/CHANGES.md
+++ b/plugin-gradle/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 We adhere to the [keepachangelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/) format (starting after version `3.27.0`).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
+### Fixed
+* `ktlint` steps now read from the `string` instead of the `file` so they don't clobber earlier steps. (fixes [#1599](https://github.com/diffplug/spotless/issues/1599))
 
 ## [7.0.0.BETA3] - 2024-10-15
 ### Added
diff --git a/plugin-maven/CHANGES.md b/plugin-maven/CHANGES.md
index 4f11ab296a..4eb157e7d0 100644
--- a/plugin-maven/CHANGES.md
+++ b/plugin-maven/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 We adhere to the [keepachangelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/) format (starting after version `1.27.0`).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
+### Fixed
+* `ktlint` steps now read from the `string` instead of the `file` so they don't clobber earlier steps. (fixes [#1599](https://github.com/diffplug/spotless/issues/1599))
 
 ## [2.44.0.BETA3] - 2024-10-15
 ### Added