[Bug] API Error 500 on every prompt - Claude Max completely unusable

Bug Description

Claude Code returns a 500 Internal Server Error on every single prompt. The tool is completely unusable — no requests succeed. This is on the Claude Max ($200/month) plan.

Error Message

API Error: 500
{"type":"error","error":{"type":"api_error","message":"Internal server error"},"request_id":"req_011CYV9uG7uP4D1i3S8okZFo"}

Environment

• OS: macOS
• Claude Code version: 2.1.56
• Plan: Claude Max ($200/month)
• Started: February 24, 2026 (ongoing as of filing)
• Frequency: 100% of prompts — not intermittent, completely broken

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open terminal
2. Run claude
3. Send any prompt
4. Receive 500 error every time

What I've Tried

• Restarting Claude Code
• Starting new conversations
• Different prompts (simple and complex)

Impact

Paying $200/month for a service that is returning server errors on every request. Cannot do any work.

Notes

This appears related to the wave of 500 errors reported in #27559, #27635, #22838, and #23111. Multiple users are experiencing the same issue in February 2026.