[BUG] Claude Desktop doesn't work with apiKeyHelper

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 have Claude Code (terminal) configured with apiKeyHelper and it works fine.

I have also installed Claude Desktop.

When I type /desktop in Claude Code, it shows:

  Error: Failed to open Claude Desktop. Please try opening it manually.
  Press any key to continue…

A Claude Desktop window opens but it only shows a login form with an email address field.

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should work, using the API key returned from the configured apiKeyHelper.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Configure an apiKeyHelper that returns a valid API key in %USERPROFILE%\.claude\settings.json.
2. Install both Claude Code for terminal and Claude Desktop.
3. Run Claude Code in the terminal and set it up.
4. Run command /desktop.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.47 (terminal)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_