[BUG] [Windows] Extension fails to activate - hardcoded Linux path causes TypeError
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?
Environment:
- OS: Windows 11
- VS Code Version: (your version)
- Claude Code Extension Version: 2.1.51
- Claude CLI Version: 2.1.51
Problem:
The Claude Code VS Code extension fails to activate on Windows.
All commands (claude-vscode.terminal.open, claude-vscode.sidebar.open, etc.)
are not found because the extension never activates.
Error from Extension Host Log:
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\..\.vscode\extensions\anthropic.claude-code-2.1.51-win32-x64\extension.js:45:4602)
Root Cause:
The extension contains a hardcoded Linux path
(/home/runner/work/...) inside the Windows build (win32-x64).
This causes activation to fail completely on Windows.
Impact:
- Sidebar does not open
- Terminal command not found
- No Claude commands available in Command Palette
- CLI works fine (claude --version shows 2.1.51)
Steps to Reproduce:
- Install anthropic.claude-code on Windows
- Open VS Code
- Try Ctrl+Shift+P → "Claude: Open in Terminal"
- Error: command 'claude-vscode.terminal.open' not found
What Should Happen?
The Claude Code VS Code extension should activate successfully on Windows
and register all commands properly, including:
- claude-vscode.terminal.open
- claude-vscode.sidebar.open
- claude-vscode.editor.openLast
The extension should use platform-independent or Windows-compatible
paths instead of hardcoded Linux paths
(/home/runner/work/...) in the Windows (win32-x64) build.
After activation, the Claude sidebar should open in VS Code and
all commands should be available in the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P).
Error Messages/Logs
Extension Host Log:
2026-02-24 11:44:18.806 [info] ExtensionService#_doActivateExtension
Anthropic.claude-code, startup: false, activationEvent: 'onStartupFinished'
2026-02-24 11:44:18.879 [error] Activating extension Anthropic.claude-code
failed due to an error:
2026-02-24 11:44:18.880 [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\Foysol\.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 Object.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 Module.c._load (node:electron/js2c/node_init:2:17993)
VS Code Command Palette Error:
"Command 'Claude Code: Open in Terminal' resulted in an error"
"command 'claude-vscode.terminal.open' not found"
"Command 'Claude Code: Open in Side Bar' resulted in an error"
"command 'claude-vscode.sidebar.open' not found"
"Command 'Claude Code: Open Last' resulted in an error"
"command 'claude-vscode.editor.openLast' not found"
Note: Claude CLI works fine in terminal (claude --version = 2.1.51)
The issue is only with the VS Code extension activation on Windows.
Steps to Reproduce
- Install Claude Code CLI on Windows:
Run: irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
Result: Claude Code v2.1.51 installed successfully
- Add CLI to Windows PATH:
C:\Users\Foysol\.local\bin
- Verify CLI works:
Run: claude --version
Result: 2.1.51 (Claude Code) ✓
- Install VS Code extension:
Run: code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code
Result: Extension 'anthropic.claude-code' v2.1.51 successfully installed ✓
- Fully close and reopen VS Code
- Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
- Search and run: "Claude Code: Open in Terminal"
Result: Error - command 'claude-vscode.terminal.open' not found ✗
- Search and run: "Claude Code: Open in Side Bar"
Result: Error - command 'claude-vscode.sidebar.open' not found ✗
- Check Extension Host Log (Developer: Show Logs → Extension Host)
Result: TypeError with hardcoded Linux path found ✗
Tried uninstalling and reinstalling extension multiple times.
Same error persists every time.
OS: Windows 11
VS Code: latest
Extension: anthropic.claude-code v2.1.51 (win32-x64)
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
Yes, this worked in a previous version
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
Claude Code v2.1.51
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
Windows
Terminal/Shell
VS Code integrated terminal
Additional Information
_No response_
3 Comments
Found 3 possible duplicate issues:
This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.
🤖 Generated with Claude Code
Hi, sorry about the disruption. We just published v2.1.52 which should hopefully work better.
This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.