[BUG] VS code latest extension bug

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 VS Code extension v2.1.51 (win32-x64) fails to activate on Windows with a TypeError related to createRequire. The error references a Linux build server path (/home/runner/work/claude-cli-internal/...) that is invalid on Windows.
Downgrading to v2.1.42 resolves the issue, confirming this is a build/packaging bug introduced in v2.1.51.
Error Log
2026-02-24 13:38:57.206 [info] ExtensionService#_doActivateExtension Anthropic.claude-code, startup: false, activationEvent: 'onStartupFinished'
2026-02-24 13:38:57.257 [error] Activating extension Anthropic.claude-code failed due to an error:
2026-02-24 13:38:57.257 [error] TypeError: The argument 'filename' must be a file URL object, file URL string, or absolute path string. Received 'file:///home/runner/work/claude-cli-internal/claude-cli-internal/build-agent-sdk/sdk.mjs'
at Module.createRequire (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1915:13)
at Object.<anonymous> (c:\Users\kkche\.vscode\extensions\anthropic.claude-code-2.1.51-win32-x64\extension.js:45:4602)
at Module._compile (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1714:14)
at Module._extensions..js (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1848:10)
at Module.load (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1448:32)
at Module._load (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1270:12)
Symptoms

Extension shows "Activating..." indefinitely in Running Extensions list
command 'claude-vscode.editor.openLast' not found error appears
No "Claude Code" entry appears in the OUTPUT panel dropdown
The extension was previously disabled globally (possibly due to repeated activation failures)

Steps to Reproduce

Install Claude Code for VS Code extension v2.1.51 on Windows
Open any folder/workspace
Extension fails to activate with the above error

Workaround
Downgrade to v2.1.42 via: Extensions → Claude Code → Uninstall dropdown (▼) → "Install Another Version..." → Select 2.1.42. Disable Auto Update to prevent re-upgrading.
Root Cause Analysis
The extension.js file in the win32-x64 package contains a hardcoded Linux path (file:///home/runner/work/claude-cli-internal/claude-cli-internal/build-agent-sdk/sdk.mjs) from the CI/CD build environment. Module.createRequire() on Windows rejects this path because it is not a valid Windows file URL or absolute path.
Environment

OS: Windows 11
VS Code: Latest
Extension: anthropic.claude-code-2.1.51-win32-x64
Claude Code CLI: 2.1.51
Working version: 2.1.42

What Should Happen?

Down grade to previous version is a solution

Error Messages/Logs

2026-02-24 13:38:57.257 [error] Activating extension Anthropic.claude-code failed due to an error:
2026-02-24 13:38:57.257 [error] TypeError: The argument 'filename' must be a file URL object, file URL string, or absolute path string. Received 'file:///home/runner/work/claude-cli-internal/claude-cli-internal/build-agent-sdk/sdk.mjs'
	at Module.createRequire (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1915:13)
	at Object.<anonymous> (c:\Users\kkche\.vscode\extensions\anthropic.claude-code-2.1.51-win32-x64\extension.js:45:4602)
	at Module._compile (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1714:14)
	at Module._extensions..js (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1848:10)
	at Module.load (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1448:32)
	at Module._load (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1270:12)
	at c._load (node:electron/js2c/node_init:2:17993)
	at e._load (file:///c:/Program%20Files/Microsoft%20VS%20Code/072586267e/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:405:6055)
	at t._load (file:///c:/Program%20Files/Microsoft%20VS%20Code/072586267e/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:223:22773)
	at s._load (file:///c:/Program%20Files/Microsoft%20VS%20Code/072586267e/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:215:24706)
	at TracingChannel.traceSync (node:diagnostics_channel:328:14)
	at wrapModuleLoad (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:244:24)
	at Module.require (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1470:12)
	at require (node:internal/modules/helpers:147:16)
	at pee.Cb (file:///c:/Program%20Files/Microsoft%20VS%20Code/072586267e/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:254:1256)

Steps to Reproduce

Down grade to previous version is a solution

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

2.1.49

Claude Code Version

Claude Code v2.1.51

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_