[BUG] Persistent IDE disconnections in VS Code terminal (recurring issue, auto-closed #4871)

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 Claude Code terminal in VS Code frequently shows "IDE Disconnected", losing its integration with the editor. This requires constant manual reconnection via /ide, which disrupts workflow significantly.

This was previously tracked in #4871, which was automatically closed by the stale bot after 60 days of inactivity — not because the issue was resolved. While the original v1.0.64 regression received a hotfix in v1.0.65, the underlying IDE connectivity instability has persisted across many subsequent versions and continues to affect users today.

This Is a Long-Standing, Widely-Reported Problem

Issue #4871 was closed automatically by the stale bot, not because the problem was fixed. The broader IDE connectivity instability has been reported repeatedly across many versions, platforms, and IDEs.

Related issues (many also auto-closed or marked as duplicates):

| Issue | Title | Status | Platform |
|-------|-------|--------|----------|
| #1399 | Claude Code IDE Connection Issue | Closed | Linux |
| #4837 | Frequent IDE disconnections disrupting workflow in VS Code | Closed | macOS |
| #4854 | Cursor IDE Connection Instability | Closed | — |
| #4871 | Claude Code IDE connectivity issues (v1.0.64) | Auto-closed (stale) | Cross-platform |
| #6741 | IDE Disconnected still shows after selected JetBrains IDE | Closed (duplicate) | Windows/WSL2 |
| #14116 | Confusing "IDE disconnected" indicator during startup handshake | Auto-closed (stale) | Linux |
| #16394 | IDE connection inconsistency: /ide shows connected but /doctor missing IDE status | Open | macOS |
| #19884 | IDE disconnected during long-running commands | Closed (duplicate) | Windows |
| #20826 | Cursor IDE integration fails: option disappears after brief availability | Open | Windows |
| #23921 | /ide command fails to detect VS Code on Windows (non-WSL) | Closed (duplicate) | Windows |
| #25253 | VSCode Plugin 2.1.39 hangs after first request | Open | macOS |

Community reports outside GitHub:

• LINUX DO forum discussion — Users reporting the same IDE disconnected issue in VS Code terminals
• - Aiville community post — Community guide created due to the frequency of this problem

Why This Needs a Dedicated Fix

1. The stale bot is masking the problem. Issues get auto-closed after 60 days of inactivity, creating the illusion that the problem is resolved. Users open new issues, those get closed as duplicates or go stale, and the cycle repeats.
2. It affects all platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) and multiple IDEs (VS Code, Cursor, JetBrains, Windsurf).
3. It has been reported since at least May 2025 (#1399) and continues in February 2026 (#25253), spanning 9+ months of Claude Code releases.
4. The workaround (/ide) is disruptive — it interrupts Claude mid-response and breaks flow, especially during complex multi-file operations.

A systematic investigation into why the MCP-based IDE connection is inherently unstable would be greatly appreciated, rather than treating each report as an isolated incident.

What Should Happen?

The IDE connection should remain stable throughout the entire session without requiring manual reconnection. The "IDE Disconnected" status should only appear when there is a genuine connectivity problem, not intermittently during normal usage.

Error Messages/Logs

a[ERROR] MCP server "ide" Transport error: Error: Uncaught error in notification handler: [
  {
    "code": "invalid_type",
    "expected": "string",
    "received": "undefined",
    "path": [
      "params",
      "uri"
    ],
    "message": "Required"
  }
]

(Error observed in verbose/debug mode, reported by multiple users in #4871)

Steps to Reproduce

Open VS Code with the Claude Code extension installed and active
Launch Claude Code in the integrated terminal
Work normally — ask questions, let Claude read/edit files
After some time (sometimes minutes, sometimes during long-running operations), the status shows "IDE Disconnected"
Run /ide to reconnect — connection re-establishes but drops again later
The disconnect happens during long-running commands, after periods of inactivity, or seemingly at random during normal file editing

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.39 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_