[BUG] Invalid Version error on startup - changelog format breaks semver parsing

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?

Claude Code crashes on startup with "Invalid Version: 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)" error. The remote changelog uses a date suffix format that the semver parser cannot handle. This affects all versions (tested 2.1.0 and 2.0.76) since they fetch the same remote changelog from api.anthropic.com at startup.

Existing running sessions continue to work, but no new sessions can be started.

What Should Happen?

Claude Code should start normally. The changelog parser should handle version strings with date suffixes, or the changelog format should use valid semver (e.g., "2.1.0" without the parenthetical date).

Error Messages/Logs

ERROR  Invalid Version: 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)
file:///home/ryanb/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:869:8900
- iT (file:///home/ryanb/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:869:8900)
- SJ8 (file:///home/ryanb/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:869:14028)
- Object.dJ8 (file:///home/ryanb/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:869:14584)
-  (file:///home/ryanb/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:3091:4240)
-     at Array.sort (<anonymous>)
- de2 (file:///home/ryanb/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:3091:4224)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install or update claude-code: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
2. Run claude in any directory
3. Error occurs immediately or after trust dialog

The issue is caused by the remote changelog at api.anthropic.com containing "## 2.1.0 (2026-01-07)" which the semver parser rejects.

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

2.0.76

Claude Code Version

2.1.0 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Ubuntu/Debian Linux

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

_No response_