[BUG] Unlimited timestamped backups of .claude.json

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 --version: 2.1.42 (Claude Code)

(Probably) every change to settings and possibly other events triggers the creation of a timestamped backup of %USERPROFILE%\.claude.json. There appears to be no limit to this "backup" feature, as my home directory now contains several dozen of these files.

I have not found any setting to disable this behavior, and the frequency of the backups leads me to believe this is likely a bug rather than a design choice.

I'm not sure if it matters, but I installed Claude Code via winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode.

What Should Happen?

Keep the total number of backups and overall frequency reasonable - creating several backups within a few seconds is overkill, as is having no limit on the total number.

Ideally, give users an option to disable this feature completely, as there are already better backup solutions available (outside of Claude Code) than an accumulating heap of timestamped files.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude Code winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode
2. Start using it - change few settings, make few session restarts.
3. Check %USERPROFILE% directory

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.42

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_