[BUG] date handling and not following instructions in CLAUDE.md

Environment

• Platform (select one):
• [ ] Anthropic API
• [ ] AWS Bedrock
• [ x] Google Vertex AI
• [ ] Other: <!-- specify -->
• Claude CLI version: 1.0.19
• Operating System: Macos 15.5
• Terminal: iterm2

Bug Description

Bug 1: Incorrect Date/Time Handling

• Claude Code should use the client computer's system time
• Currently appears to use an incorrect or outdated time reference
• Example: Answered "December" when the actual month is June 2025

Bug 2: Not Following .claude/CLAUDE.md Instructions

• Instructions in .claude/CLAUDE.md about date handling were ignored
• The file explicitly stated to use Central Time and June 11, 2025 as the

date

• Claude Code should consistently read and apply these user-defined

instructions

Steps to Reproduce

1. edit the .claude/CLAUDE.md file and add this:

Important guidance:

• We are in Central Time. Please make sure that all dates, times, etc are created based on Central Time.
• Date Format: Always interpret dates in M/D/YYYY format (US format). For example, 6/10/2025 means June 10, 2025, NOT October 6, 2025.

1. launch claude in an empty directory
2. ask it what month it is

Expected Behavior

Should reply June

Actual Behavior

Replied "December"

Additional Context

Then I asked it if it read my .claude/CLAUDE.md. Then it apologized and said that it forgot to follow my guidance.

But it would be best for it to handle dates correctly in the first place with out guidance.