[BUG] Cowork: VirtioFS mount fails for users with macOS username "shared" — path collision with /Users/Shared/
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?
Cowork fails to mount any folder for users whose macOS username is "shared". Every folder selection produces a VirtioFS mount error because the home directory path /Users/shared/ collides with the macOS system directory /Users/Shared/ (macOS uses a case-insensitive filesystem).
The VM refuses to create the Shared path component under /mnt/.virtiofs-root/, presumably because it treats it as a reserved or protected system path.
What Should Happen?
Cowork should mount folders from the user's home directory regardless of the username.
Error Messages/Logs
RPC error: failed to mount ../Shared/Documents/Dewey_Classes as Dewey_Classes: source path does not exist and could not be created: /mnt/.virtiofs-root/Shared/Documents/Dewey_Classes: mkdir /mnt/.virtiofs-root/Shared: operation not permitted
Same error for any folder location within the home directory (tested Documents, Desktop).
Folders outside the home directory cannot be selected — the Cowork folder picker displays "this folder is outside of your directory."Steps to Reproduce
Have a macOS user account with the username "shared" (home directory: /Users/shared/)
Open Cowork and start a new task
Select any folder within the home directory
Mount fails immediately with the above error
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
Yes, this worked in a previous version
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
Claude Desktop (latest version, February 2026)
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
macOS
Terminal/Shell
Terminal.app (macOS)
Additional Information
macOS allows "shared" as a username, but /Users/Shared/ is also a system-level shared directory. The case-insensitive filesystem treats these as the same path.
No workaround exists — all home directory paths fail, and Cowork rejects folders outside the home directory.
Claude Code CLI works fine since it doesn't use VirtioFS.
The only current workaround is creating a separate macOS user account, which is impractical for daily use.
Showing cached comments. Read the full discussion on GitHub ↗
13 Comments
I am not sure this is limiited to the Shared path. Brand new Mac mini Tahoe I get:
RPC error: failed to mount ../Anthony/Desktop as Desktop: source path does not exist and could not be created: /mnt/.virtiofs-root/Anthony/Desktop: mkdir /mnt/.virtiofs-root/Anthony: operation not permittedit can't mount any dir on osx with Tahoe 26.3.1
+1 on
26.3.1 (a)Are you using iCloud sync for your folders? You can check my work around here: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/42795#issuecomment-4180975916
Fresh install of Tahoe uses lowercase for home folder name. I didn't like that so I had changed it to uppercase by logging out and using another admin account to rename it. MacOS doesn't mind but the VM does. Fix in my case was Option A from Claude below:
The VM determines the mount path from
$USER(which isanthony, lowercase), notNFSHomeDirectory. So the VM pre-creates/mnt/.virtiofs-root/anthony, but every path uses/Users/Anthony(capital A from disk).There are two real options:
Option A: Change account short name to
Anthony(makes$USER=Anthony)This is the fix you want but it's a significant change — it affects login, Terminal, ssh keys, etc. It must be done from a different admin account while logged out of
anthony. The steps are:anthony, log in as the other admin``
sudo dscl . -change /Users/anthony RecordName anthony Anthony
AnthonyOption B: Rename home dir to
anthony(you said no to this)Option C: File a bug with Anthropic — this is genuinely a Claude Code bug. The VM mount code should normalize the path using
$USERinstead of the raw filesystem path. Until fixed, the workaround is Option A or B.Bug report: anthropics/claude-code — "virtiofs mount fails when macOS home directory display name (e.g.
Anthony) differs in casing from account short name (anthony)"This should be Option C and this bug should not have be closed. It is still an issue.
Can confirm the issue still exist
Same error, filed it and Anthropic cant provide a solution. Bot says I am out of luck :|
Same. Claude must ask for permission for working directory.
For now, we have to give full access to the disk, it's a security issue.
Running into same issue. Is there an alternative to keep claude cowork functional?
Giving Claude App Full access to disk 🫢
Closing for now — inactive for too long. Please open a new issue if this is still relevant.
🧐