[BUG] Forced API key login from employer poisoned personal settings in Claude Code CLI.

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?

I use a personal machine for personal & work projects. My employer uses API billing for Claude Code CLI and I use a personal Claude Pro subscription for my own projects within Claude Cod CLI.

It appears whatever method my employer uses to setup Claude Code poisoned local json settings files to force API auth by inserting "forceLoginMethod": "console".

This put me into an incredibly frustrating circle when trying to work on my personal projects as I kept being told I had no credits. Credits? I don't need credits. None of the UI made it obvious I was in API billing mode, nor asked if I wanted to switch to a Pro/Max subscription mode.

/status did show "API key: /login managed key" but I couldn't get around it, and every logon was forced to this. Every attempt to ask the CLI how to fix it was met with "Credit balance too low · Add funds: " which is kind of hilarious and insulting at the same time.

Using my Claude Pro sub to chat with Claude.ai (using Claude to get around Claude), it eventually told me after a few prompts to look in the json settings files for forceLoginMethod. After whacking that setting we had success. The other option was to change it from "console" to "claudeai" to force my Pro sub.

What Should Happen?

If logon auth method is being forced via json settings, the user should be informed during the logon process and given a hint of how to alter it if necessary. When getting hit with the "Credit balance too low" the user should be told why that is, _API key balance too low / Sub ran out_, and given alternate methods to continue beyond "purchase more" if they wish to.

Error Messages/Logs

"Credit balance too low · Add funds: "

Steps to Reproduce

1. Set "forceLoginMethod": "console" inside the json settings file for Claude CLI.
2. Do some work using an API key connected to an account/environment with a balance. (e.g., employer)
3. Log out, then log in with personal account intending to do work with a Claude Pro sub.
4. Try something, get the "Credit balance too low · Add funds: "
5. Log out, log in, repeat the process. No hints, no clues, just blocked from work.
6. Remove forceLoginMethod (or change it from console to claudeai)
7. Log out and in again, choosing your Claude Pro/Max sub.
8. Everything works.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.45

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_