[BUG] Claude-code brew install fails if Claude already installed, even if also via Brew
Resolved 💬 3 comments Opened Jan 1, 2026 by jeyrb Closed Jan 4, 2026
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?
brew install claude-code fails if Claude already installed - tried this with Claude installed natively and via brew.
==> Installing Cask claude-code
==> Purging files for version 2.0.76 of Cask claude-code
Error: It seems there is already a Binary at '/opt/homebrew/bin/claude'.
Trying brew install --force Claude recommended doesn't resolve that.
Claude is suitably embarrassed at diagnosing its own install problems ;-)
What Should Happen?
a) it works
b) failing that, its documented in troubleshooting guide
c) failing that, Claude's own advice to solve it works
Made it work using sudo mv /opt/homebrew/bin/claude /opt/homebrew/bin/claude-noncode, leaving this bug report here for folks who might want Claude but not know to do that
Error Messages/Logs
Steps to Reproduce
brew install claude
brew install claude-code
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
I don't know
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
2.0.76
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
macOS
Terminal/Shell
Other
Additional Information
shell is ghostty
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