[BUG] Arch update of VSCode now yields Node version error, claude unusable

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 updated arch and now I can't use claude code in VSCode

Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
View output logs · [Troubleshooting resources](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/vs-code#troubleshooting)

VSCode version:

Version: 1.109.4
Commit: c3a26841a84f20dfe0850d0a5a9bd01da4f003ea
Date: 2026-02-16T15:35:57.932Z
Electron: 39.3.0
ElectronBuildId: 13313481
Chromium: 142.0.7444.265
Node.js: 22.21.1
V8: 14.2.231.22-electron.0
OS: Linux x64 6.18.9-arch1-2

Claude version:

Identifier
anthropic.claude-code
Version
2.1.47
Last Updated
14 hours ago
Size
83.46MB

What Should Happen?

Claude should work.

Error Messages/Logs

2026-02-18 19:05:14.423 [info] Claude code extension is now active?
2026-02-18 19:05:14.423 [info] MCP Server running on port 41178 (localhost only)
2026-02-18 19:06:10.785 [info] Claude code extension is now active?
2026-02-18 19:06:10.785 [info] MCP Server running on port 48852 (localhost only)
2026-02-18 19:06:10.785 [info] AuthManager initialized
2026-02-18 19:06:11.242 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"kxjle2n90ed","request":{"type":"init"}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.245 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 19:06:11.246 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 19:06:11.248 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 19:06:11.248 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 19:06:11.268 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"ulsg6ho2sn","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.269 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"pg0mrhxqzzj","request":{"type":"get_claude_state"}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.279 [info] Loading config cache by launching Claude...
2026-02-18 19:06:11.279 [error] Failed to load config cache: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:06:11.279 [error] Error processing client request: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:06:11.279 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"1v01m2e55yy","request":{"type":"get_current_selection"}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.279 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"odj7j5ait6","request":{"type":"get_asset_uris"}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.280 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"tgl7dqcllt","request":{"type":"list_sessions_request"}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.307 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"interrupt_claude","channelId":"pg0mrhxqzzj"}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.308 [warning] Channel not found: pg0mrhxqzzj
2026-02-18 19:06:11.317 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"piz4nf6edh","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.346 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"jw3vw9r3ca","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.351 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"2t3g6tgili","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-18 19:06:11.361 [info] Launching Claude on channel: 2t3g6tgili
2026-02-18 19:06:11.361 [info] Closing Claude on channel: 2t3g6tgili
2026-02-18 19:06:11.361 [error] Error spawning Claude (on channel 2t3g6tgili): Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:41:36.756 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"7tnx1ybwmy3","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"What's the main takeaway…","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:41:36.778 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"fc0uyarv4d","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-18 19:41:36.792 [info] Launching Claude on channel: fc0uyarv4d
2026-02-18 19:41:36.792 [info] Closing Claude on channel: fc0uyarv4d
2026-02-18 19:41:36.792 [error] Error spawning Claude (on channel fc0uyarv4d): Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:41:36.793 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"io_message","channelId":"fc0uyarv4d","message":{"type":"user","uuid":"e48f866c-0daa-42e0-9108-7a8e5f9b3f7e","session_id":"","parent_tool_use_id":null,"message":{"role":"user","content":[{"type":"text","text":"<ide_opened_file>The user opened the file /home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo/src/machine/usb/cdc/buffer.go in the IDE. This may or may not be related to the current task.</ide_opened_file>"},{"type":"text","text":"What's the main takeaway from this conversation on ring buffers safe for use in multicore/interrupt driven systems? https://www.embeddedrelated.com/showthread/comp.arch.embedded/77084-1.php"}]}},"done":false}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.133 [info] AuthManager initialized
2026-02-18 19:41:43.378 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"g1jes4li5tv","request":{"type":"init"}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.381 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 19:41:43.381 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 19:41:43.382 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 19:41:43.382 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 19:41:43.418 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"bykmclv6qt","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.419 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"kevibw5foy","request":{"type":"get_claude_state"}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.428 [info] Loading config cache by launching Claude...
2026-02-18 19:41:43.428 [error] Failed to load config cache: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:41:43.428 [error] Error processing client request: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:41:43.428 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"ae2maxda9oj","request":{"type":"get_current_selection"}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.429 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"7nxujag3nke","request":{"type":"get_asset_uris"}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.429 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"nd9a25wnsqd","request":{"type":"list_sessions_request"}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.429 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"1qslwt00gcd","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.432 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"fanzbsvdo94","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.433 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"zhx3k8hko2","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.444 [info] Launching Claude on channel: zhx3k8hko2
2026-02-18 19:41:43.444 [info] Closing Claude on channel: zhx3k8hko2
2026-02-18 19:41:43.444 [error] Error spawning Claude (on channel zhx3k8hko2): Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:41:43.444 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"interrupt_claude","channelId":"kevibw5foy"}
2026-02-18 19:41:43.444 [warning] Channel not found: kevibw5foy
2026-02-18 19:41:46.662 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"gcv7cbgl2jg","request":{"type":"open_output_panel"}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.059 [info] AuthManager initialized
2026-02-18 19:46:12.297 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"r72yxx47oq9","request":{"type":"init"}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.300 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 19:46:12.300 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 19:46:12.300 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 19:46:12.300 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 19:46:12.310 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"2rje2vxed6w","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.310 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"jamwn3bqgae","request":{"type":"get_claude_state"}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.319 [info] Loading config cache by launching Claude...
2026-02-18 19:46:12.319 [error] Failed to load config cache: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:46:12.319 [error] Error processing client request: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:46:12.319 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"9ipbb3zdumo","request":{"type":"get_current_selection"}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.320 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"dl32n55y5uv","request":{"type":"get_asset_uris"}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.320 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"jl72xr4v7ep","request":{"type":"list_sessions_request"}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.320 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"9bqnoz8ired","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.321 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"4rcyhtj32nl","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.323 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"5a233tbxc5","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.335 [info] Launching Claude on channel: 5a233tbxc5
2026-02-18 19:46:12.335 [info] Closing Claude on channel: 5a233tbxc5
2026-02-18 19:46:12.335 [error] Error spawning Claude (on channel 5a233tbxc5): Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 19:46:12.335 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"interrupt_claude","channelId":"jamwn3bqgae"}
2026-02-18 19:46:12.335 [warning] Channel not found: jamwn3bqgae
2026-02-18 19:46:44.130 [info] Claude code extension is now active?
2026-02-18 19:46:44.130 [info] MCP Server running on port 55856 (localhost only)
2026-02-18 21:44:14.701 [info] AuthManager initialized
2026-02-18 21:44:15.033 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"kzzebqhmrn","request":{"type":"init"}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.038 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 21:44:15.038 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 21:44:15.039 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-18 21:44:15.039 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-18 21:44:15.049 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"yzejhi8qqr","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.050 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"7cstqj32e5m","request":{"type":"get_claude_state"}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.071 [info] Loading config cache by launching Claude...
2026-02-18 21:44:15.071 [error] Failed to load config cache: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 21:44:15.071 [error] Error processing client request: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 21:44:15.071 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"lxu5la06id","request":{"type":"get_current_selection"}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.071 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"8xyxcnmmrq6","request":{"type":"get_asset_uris"}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.072 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"mg6el0g5ly","request":{"type":"list_sessions_request"}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.072 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"zrcjtsva0b","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.073 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"5u3f5pcadib","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.073 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"znnozqfwmb","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.088 [info] Launching Claude on channel: znnozqfwmb
2026-02-18 21:44:15.088 [info] Closing Claude on channel: znnozqfwmb
2026-02-18 21:44:15.088 [error] Error spawning Claude (on channel znnozqfwmb): Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 21:44:15.091 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"interrupt_claude","channelId":"7cstqj32e5m"}
2026-02-18 21:44:15.091 [warning] Channel not found: 7cstqj32e5m
2026-02-18 21:44:23.976 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"t4g0it04xe","request":{"type":"open_output_panel"}}
2026-02-18 21:44:58.234 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"8w4vcwqgj8f","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"get a good idea for the …","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-18 21:44:58.258 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"jh9fccnytpm","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-18 21:44:58.279 [info] Launching Claude on channel: jh9fccnytpm
2026-02-18 21:44:58.279 [info] Closing Claude on channel: jh9fccnytpm
2026-02-18 21:44:58.279 [error] Error spawning Claude (on channel jh9fccnytpm): Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-18 21:44:58.280 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"io_message","channelId":"jh9fccnytpm","message":{"type":"user","uuid":"775a266b-f7a6-437e-951a-34863d02c56b","session_id":"","parent_tool_use_id":null,"message":{"role":"user","content":[{"type":"text","text":"<ide_opened_file>The user opened the file /home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo/src/internal/bytealg/ring.go in the IDE. This may or may not be related to the current task.</ide_opened_file>"},{"type":"text","text":"get a good idea for the Ring512 type. Review it for unsafe code. Must be critical mission ready. Be meticulous and incisive."}]}},"done":false}
2026-02-19 09:43:55.514 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"45z828ud4r5","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-19 09:43:55.520 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"obihl6q39u8","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-19 09:43:55.521 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"60bat6g19zo","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.180 [info] AuthManager initialized
2026-02-19 09:45:02.447 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"ahqkurv9mmc","request":{"type":"init"}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.450 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-19 09:45:02.450 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-19 09:45:02.451 [info] Getting authentication status
2026-02-19 09:45:02.451 [info] OAuth tokens found in secure storage
2026-02-19 09:45:02.462 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"wc5igt3xh7k","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.462 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"6jeuerwdxk9","request":{"type":"get_claude_state"}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [info] Loading config cache by launching Claude...
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [error] Failed to load config cache: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [error] Error processing client request: Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"270zvclqe6","request":{"type":"get_current_selection"}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"q0e89xgaa8o","request":{"type":"get_asset_uris"}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"clty5ykt12i","request":{"type":"list_sessions_request"}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"8ud3xpxlpfo","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.474 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"uzt45ln1l3r","request":{"type":"rename_tab","title":"Claude Code","hasPendingPermissions":false,"hasUnseenCompletion":false}}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.475 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"launch_claude","channelId":"bf4xie9bh25","cwd":"/home/pato/Documents/src/tg/tinygo","model":"default","permissionMode":"default","thinkingLevel":"default_on"}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.486 [info] Launching Claude on channel: bf4xie9bh25
2026-02-19 09:45:02.486 [info] Closing Claude on channel: bf4xie9bh25
2026-02-19 09:45:02.486 [error] Error spawning Claude (on channel bf4xie9bh25): Error: Claude Code requires Node.js version 18 or higher to be installed.
2026-02-19 09:45:02.487 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"interrupt_claude","channelId":"6jeuerwdxk9"}
2026-02-19 09:45:02.487 [warning] Channel not found: 6jeuerwdxk9
2026-02-19 09:47:14.352 [info] Received message from webview: {"type":"request","requestId":"kmacgmiekpq","request":{"type":"open_output_panel"}}

Steps to Reproduce

1. Update Arch
2. Claude fails

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.47

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Other Linux

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_