[Bug] Windows: 3 blank VS Code windows spawn on every Claude Code session start (terminal & extension)
Status Fixed / completed
Reported on v2.1.69
Maintainer reply None cached
Activity 3 comments · opened Mar 5, 2026 · closed Mar 6, 2026
Description
Every time I start a new Claude Code session — whether from the terminal or from the VS Code extension — 3 empty/blank VS Code windows open automatically. This happens consistently, across different projects.
- Disabling/uninstalling the Claude Code VS Code extension does not fix it
- Happens in pure terminal mode (no extension active)
- Happens in any project directory, not just a specific workspace
- Setting
"window.restoreWindows": "none"in VS Code does not help
Environment
- OS: Windows 11 Pro 10.0.26100.7171
- Claude Code: 2.1.69
- Node.js: v24.2.0
- VS Code: latest stable
- Shell: bash (Git Bash) / PowerShell
- Terminal: Windows Terminal
Steps to Reproduce
- Open a terminal (or VS Code)
- Run
claudein any directory - 3 blank VS Code windows appear immediately
Related Issues
This appears to be the same root cause as:
- #21039 — "Multiple startup banner renders on Windows - Ink initializes 3 times"
- #23743 — "Claude Code spawns 3 blank windows on Windows VS Code startup" (closed as duplicate of #21039)
Issue #21039 was closed as NOT_PLANNED / stale, but the bug is still present in v2.1.69.
<img width="1910" height="1139" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f1877eda-f984-4b5b-a198-5d170195d7c7" />
3 Comments
I also get this issue - happened rightafter moving from Pro to API plan but i've no idea if that is relevant as i can't go back to pro again to test.
I updated to version 2.1.70 today. So far, it seems as if the bug has been fixed.
No additional empty VSCode windows are launched anymore.
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.