[BUG] Memory leak: Node processes consuming 4GB+ each, causing system crash on M4 Mac

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 spawns multiple Node processes that each consume 4+ GB RAM, totaling 21+ GB on a 16GB machine. Causes extreme memory pressure and WindowServer watchdog timeout crash.

What Should Happen?

Should, presumably, not crash my entire system.

Error Messages/Logs

Evidence from crash log                                                       
  ┌─────────┬─────────────────┐                                                 
  │ Process │ Resident Memory │                                                 
  ├─────────┼─────────────────┤                                                 
  │ node    │ 4.50 GB         │                                                 
  ├─────────┼─────────────────┤                                                 
  │ node    │ 4.48 GB         │                                                 
  ├─────────┼─────────────────┤                                                 
  │ node    │ 4.25 GB         │                                                 
  ├─────────┼─────────────────┤                                                 
  │ node    │ 4.12 GB         │                                                 
  ├─────────┼─────────────────┤                                                 
  │ node    │ 3.92 GB         │                                                 
  ├─────────┼─────────────────┤                                                 
  │ Total   │ ~21 GB          │                                                 
  └─────────┴─────────────────┘                                                 
  Crash details                                                                 
                                                                                
  - Crashed process: WindowServer                                               
  - Termination reason: WATCHDOG - "monitoring timed out for service"           
  - Details: "43 seconds since last successful checkin"                         
  - Thermal: Nominal (not overheating)

Steps to Reproduce

Reproduction

• Run Claude Code with normal usage
• Run browser alongside
• Memory grows over time until crash

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.22

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

Environment

• Device: MacBook Air M4 (Mac16,12)
• RAM: 16 GB
• macOS: 26.2 (25C56)
• Claude Code: 2.1.22