CLI returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" on every command including logout (native binary, Max plan)

Bug Description

Claude Code CLI v2.1.49 (native binary install) immediately returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" on every command, including claude logout. The CLI is completely unusable.

Claude Code Desktop app works fine on the same machine and account.

Environment

• Claude Code version: v2.1.49 (native binary install via curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | sh)
• Plan: Claude Max (Opus 4.6, 1M context)
• OS: macOS 26.3 (Build 25D125)
• Architecture: Apple Silicon (M1 Pro, arm64)
• Shell: Zsh with oh-my-zsh

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open terminal
2. Run claude → "API Error: Rate limit reached"
3. Run claude logout → "API Error: Rate limit reached"

Any command triggers the same error immediately.

Expected Behavior

• claude should start an interactive session
• claude logout should not make API calls that can be rate-limited

Actual Behavior

Every command, including logout, returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" before doing anything useful.

Troubleshooting Attempted

• claude logout → same rate limit error
• Checked ~/.claude/.credentials.json → file does not exist (auth is in macOS Keychain)
• Checked for stale ANTHROPIC_API_KEY env var → none set
• Desktop app works fine with the same account

Additional Context

• No .credentials.json file in ~/.claude/ (expected for Keychain-based auth)
• The error appears instantly, not after extended usage
• This has persisted across sessions — it's not a temporary rate limit