Temporary tmpclaude-*-cwd files created in project root instead of system temp directory

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 creates temporary files named tmpclaude-*-cwd (e.g., tmpclaude-0117-cwd, tmpclaude-03ed-cwd) in the project's working directory. These files appear to track the current working directory for subprocesses/agents.

Problems:

• Files pollute the project root directory
• They show up as untracked files in git status
• Multiple files accumulate over sessions (20+ files observed)
• Files are small (~17 bytes) but clutter the workspace and distract from actual changed files

What Should Happen?

These temporary files should be created in the system temp directory (%TEMP% on Windows, /tmp on Unix) rather than the user's project directory. Alternatively, they should be cleaned up automatically when the session ends.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start a Claude Code session in any project directory
2. Use features that spawn subagents (e.g., Task tool with Explore agent, or run /init)
3. Check the project root with ls -la or view in file explorer
4. Observe tmpclaude-*-cwd files appearing in the project root

Claude Model

Opus 4.5

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

2.1.2 (Claude Code)

Claude Code Version

2.1.6 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell 7

Additional Information

This bug report was submitted via Browser MCP and Claude Code - demonstrating the tool's capability to interact with web forms while also ironically reporting an issue with the tool itself.