[BUG] Full crash due to a date in the changelog line for 2.1.0
Resolved 💬 51 comments Opened Jan 7, 2026 by tino Closed Jan 7, 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?
When trying to start claude it crashes with:
ERROR Invalid Version: 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)
file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:239:6514
- aj (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:239:6514)
- Rj8 (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:239:11642)
- Object.fj8 (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:239:12198)
- (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:2614:4237)
- at Array.sort (<anonymous>)
- rr2 (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:2614:4221)
- qs2 (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:2614:14824)
- h5 (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:252:20693)
- IY (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:252:39057)
- ss (file:///opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:252:49664)
```
This also happened in a conversation I still have open. Maybe when it updated.
This string is in `~/.claude/cache/changelog.md`:
```md
# Changelog
## 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)
- Added automatic skill hot-reload - skills created or modified in `~/.claude/skills` or `.claude/skills` are now immediately available without restarting the session
...When I remove the (2026-01-07), and then start claude, it crashes, and the full changelog is back.
Earlier version don't contain a date, like ## 2.0.76.
What Should Happen?
It shouln't crash
Error Messages/Logs
Steps to Reproduce
see above
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
Yes, this worked in a previous version
Last Working Version
None, as they all restore the same broken changelog!
Claude Code Version
2.1.0
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
macOS
Terminal/Shell
Terminal.app (macOS)
Additional Information
PS. How could this pass QA?
51 Comments
Happening with both npm install and Homebrew install
They must have drunk vibed this version...
Okay, the nerfing has gone way too far this time
Happening here too -- claudeless at the moment ;)
Confirmed I'm getting this too - restarted a claude instance and now it hits the same
ERROR Invalid Version: 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)Lies 😂
Yup same problem ^^"
Merry Christmas
same problem
OK, to fix, remove the 2.1.0 changelog, then run
chmod 444 ~/.claude/cache/changelog.mdand claude starts again 😄vibe coded
drunk coded 💪
Same
<img width="1364" height="323" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/50654e3c-35b5-4855-9034-1605bb1ee97b" />
+1
I just see
<img width="864" height="591" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7643d239-f976-41f3-b3d2-b3e6e186bbf8" />
Claude nerfed Claude, tokens should be free now 🙈
free month of max pro
What do you mean / how do I remove the 2.1.0 changelog? From where?
run ❯ claude install 2.0.76
Yeah well it took me ~15m to write this I guess, I did search!
<img width="1267" height="643" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c8326b78-e0f8-494a-9123-7491b4b3d4ca" />
Same problem here. And @tino's workaround worked for me. Thank you!
● Bash(node --version)
⎿ v22.21.1
● Bash(npm --version)
⎿ 10.9.4
rm ~/.claude/cache/changelog.mdworked for me!Temporary workaround:
chmod 555 ~/.claude/cache seemed to fix it temporarily
You're a hero. That fixed it!
Open
~/.claude/cache/changelog.mdThen change
## 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)to## 2.1.0e
not for me
Emptying like @anorth2 wrote above works. But I did
vim ~/.claude/cache/changelog.mdand remove just that changelog block.makes no diff
This fixed it for now
<img width="401" height="139" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b4a41ddb-fea4-4cab-92cc-4d391cade374" />
<img width="816" height="244" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2cdf32c7-a2bb-4167-96ba-dab9bf1a9344" />
why would that fix it.....lol....i deleted the .cache dir....makes no dif...lmao
The changelog does not exist in
~/.claude/cache/changelog.mdfor me. Changing it does not make any difference.You need to edit that line in changelog.md, then set
chmod 444.If it doesn't exist, try running Claude again.
claude recreates it..through autoupdate
claude recreates it..through autoupdate
Run
grep -r "2.1.0 (2026-01-07)" ~/.claude/. Maybe it is in a differnt location.U make the file only editable user, which prvents claude for updating it
sed -i '' 's/## 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)/## 2.1.0/' ~/.claude/cache/changelog.md ~/.claude/plugins/marketplaces/claude-code-plugins/CHANGELOG.md
no.....claude recreates it..through autoupdate
For people on W10/W11
Worked fine for me
I just deleted the changelog.md and it started up, now the new changelog it created doesn't have the ( date )
You can also just change that
throw Errorline in the cli.js toif(!B)B = '2.1.0';😬 for now (line 869)yes, fine if you dont have autoupdate on
rm ~/.claude/cache/changelog.md
For me it was in
~/.claude.jsonascachedChangelog. Edit it there and remove the date. Claude works again.EVERYBODY STAY CALM (except me)
This worked, thanks @iRonin
worked here: echo "" > ~/.claude/cache/changelog.md && chmod 444 ~/.claude/cache/changelog.md
Worked on linux with npm @jankal Thanks.
<img width="1765" height="193" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/059d1975-f8bc-4a16-8364-106fa14dff64" />
Go to the end and delete this date "(2026-01-07)" here
~/.claude.jsonascachedChangelogThis issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.