A method of decoding an encoded video bitstream using at least one processor includes determining, based on the encoded video bitstream, that a single-value string matching mode is enabled; obtaining, from the encoded video bitstream, an index indicating a reference sample within a set including a plurality of reference samples; based on the reference sample indicated by the index, determining a color value to be used for samples included in a current string of a current block; reconstructing the samples included in the current string based on the determined color value; and reconstructing the current block using the reconstructed current string.