[BUG] Sandbox creates placeholder files in project 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?

Hello

When sandbox mode is enabled, Claude Code creates empty 0-byte placeholder files in the project's working directory instead of a temporary location. These files appear in git status as untracked and persist after the session.

Actual behavior

Empty files created in CWD:

• .bash_profile, .bashrc, .profile, .zprofile, .zshrc
• .gitconfig, .gitmodules
• .ripgreprc
• .idea, .vscode (as files, not directories)
• .claude/commands (as file)

Environment

• Claude Code version: 2.1.9
• OS: Linux 6.18.4-arch1-1
• Shell: zsh
• Sandbox settings: { "enabled": true, "autoAllowBashIfSandboxed": true }

Workaround

Add files to .gitignore and delete them manually.

What Should Happen?

Placeholder files should either:

• Not be created (just block the read operation)
• Be created in TMPDIR, not the project directory
• Be cleaned up when the session ends

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Enable sandbox: "sandbox": { "enabled": true } in settings.local.json
2. Start a Claude Code session in any git repository
3. Run git status - observe untracked files

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.9

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Other Linux

Terminal/Shell

Xterm

Additional Information

_No response_