[BUG] autoUpdatesChannel: "stable" ignored - updates to latest instead

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?

The autoUpdatesChannel: "stable" setting in settings.json is correctly recognized by claude doctor but ignored during the actual update operation. Claude updates to the latest version instead of the stable version. In this case I was starting from 2.1.5 w/ autoupdates disabled, and was upgraded straight to 2.1.34 instead of 2.1.25.

What Should Happen?

Should update to the stable version (2.1.25 at time of report)

Error Messages/Logs

Diagnostics
  └ Currently running: npm-global (2.1.34)

  Updates
  └ Auto-updates: enabled
  └ Update permissions: Yes
  └ Auto-update channel: stable       <-- Setting is recognized
  └ Stable version: 2.1.25            <-- But this was ignored
  └ Latest version: 2.1.34            <-- Updated to this instead

Steps to Reproduce

1. Configure ~/.claude/settings.json:

```json
{
"autoUpdatesChannel": "stable"
}

1. Be on an older version (I was on 2.1.5)
2. Run claude doctor or allow auto-update to trigger

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.34

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_