[BUG] - EXIT CODE 3

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?

Since Thursday (02/20/2026), Claude Code crashes multiple times a day with "Error: Claude Code process exited with code 3". It happens randomly, sometimes without doing anything. the error message in terminal : https://bun.report/1.3.10/W_11423d3cmgEuhogCwmzrfwl0uiBgyvBw32CwmvBo7xB44wCwvhgmCw236lC4i16lCg6xjkBgsjufCYKERNEL32.DLLg0jCCSntdll.dlloqi1BA0eNrLzEvOLypKTS5RSMzJTM/LTc0rAQBMcwep

Environment:

OS: Windows 11
Machine: Lenovo Yoga Slim (recent, high-end AI-focused laptop)
Claude Code version: 2.1.52 (was also happening on 2.1.49)
IDE: VSCode extension
Steps to reproduce:

Happens randomly during normal use
Also happens during heavy tasks (JSON analysis, API calls)
Colleagues using the same tools on less powerful machines do not experience this issue
Workaround: Ctrl+Shift+P → Reload Window fixes it temporarily but it keeps coming back.

This is significantly impacting my productivity. Please investigate.

What Should Happen?

Solve the problem

Error Messages/Logs

"Error: Claude Code process exited with code 3".

Steps to Reproduce

Open VSCode with the Claude Code extension installed (v2.1.52)
Start a conversation with Claude Code
Wait or work normally — crash happens randomly without any specific action
Sometimes triggered during heavy tasks (JSON file analysis, API calls)
Error message appears: "Claude Code process exited with code 3"
Temporary fix: Ctrl+Shift+P → Reload Window
Issue repeats multiple times per day

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

(v2.1.52)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_