[BUG] Claude Code VS Code extension keeps showing “requires git-bash” on Windows even though Git Bash + env var are correctly set

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

– OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
– Git Bash installed at C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe
– Windows environment variable CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH is set at System level to that exact path
– In a fresh VS Code terminal I can run:

git --version → git version 2.51.2.windows.1
bash --version → GNU bash, version 5.2.37(1)
echo $env:CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH → C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe

claude --version → 2.0.47 (Claude Code)
– I fully removed the extension (.vscode/extensions + Code/User/globalStorage entries) and reinstalled it.
– I also tested with a fresh VS Code profile (renamed %APPDATA%\Code and let VS Code recreate it).
– Despite all this, the Claude Code panel still shows:
“Error: Claude Code on Windows requires git-bash… If installed but not in PATH, set environment variable CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH=C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe”
– On another PC with the same Git + env var config, the extension works fine.

It looks like the extension’s Git Bash detection is failing on this Windows install even when CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH is correct and Git Bash is executable from the VS Code terminal. Happy to share logs from View → Output → Claude Code if that helps.

What Should Happen?

It should start accepting prompts

Error Messages/Logs

Error: Claude Code on Windows requires git-bash (https://git-scm.com/downloads/win). If installed but not in PATH, set environment variable pointing to your bash.exe, similar to: CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH=C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open VSCode
2. Open Claude Extension dialog

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.47 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_