[BUG] Windows: Bash/Read/Write/Edit tools fail - hardcoded Git path with spaces in native binary

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 native binary claude.exe bundled in the VS Code extension has C:\Program Files\Git\bin hardcoded. The space in Program Files causes path resolution to fail during execution, even though the directory and bash.exe exist at that path.

Environment

• OS: Windows 10 (MSYS_NT-10.0-19045)
• Extension: anthropic.claude-code-2.1.39-win32-x64
• Git: Installed at default C:\Program Files\Git\
• VS Code: Latest

Impact

Completely blocks all file read/write/edit operations and shell command execution. Only Grep and Glob work (they use bundled ripgrep). This makes Claude Code largely unusable on Windows for any task requiring file modifications or command execution.

Workarounds Attempted (ALL failed)

1. Set SHELL env var to symlink path without spaces — ignored
2. Modified PATH to include C:\Git\bin — ignored
3. Registry edit of HKLM\SOFTWARE\GitForWindows\InstallPath — ignored
4. Edited extension.js to remove all Program Files\Git references — error persists (path also in native claude.exe binary)
5. Directory junction mklink /J "C:\Program Files\Git" "C:\Git" — Glob confirms bash.exe found through junction, but execution still fails
6. VS Code terminal.integrated.profiles.windows setting — ignored
7. Reinstalled Git to C:\Git (no spaces) — claude.exe still references hardcoded path
8. Uninstalled/reinstalled Claude Code extension — no change

Root Cause

Path C:\Program Files\Git\bin is embedded in the compiled native binary:

What Should Happen?

• claude.exe should properly quote file paths containing spaces
• Should respect SHELL env var and/or system PATH
• All default Windows paths (including C:\Program Files\) must work

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Git for Windows to default location (C:\Program Files\Git\)
2. Install Claude Code VS Code extension
3. Attempt any Bash, Read, Write, or Edit tool operation
4. All fail with: Executable not found in $PATH: "C:\Program Files\Git\bin"

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

latest

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_