[BUG] claude --worktree stalls/hangs indefinitely when launched from the default branch (macOS 26.3)

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?

Running claude --worktree (or claude -w) from the default branch (development) causes Claude Code to hang indefinitely. The session never starts. The only way out is to kill the process manually (Ctrl+C).

Environment

• OS: macOS 26.3
• Shell: zsh
• Claude Code version: 2.1.71
• Default branch name: development (not main or master)

Workaround

Manually create the worktree via git and launch Claude inside it:

git worktree add .claude/worktrees/my-feature -b my-feature development
cd .claude/worktrees/my-feature && claude

Related Issues

• #27466 — --worktree silently fails on detached HEAD (jj repos)

What Should Happen?

Expected Behavior

A new git worktree should be created branching from development and Claude should start a session inside it.

Actual Behavior

The process hangs indefinitely. No worktree is created. Must be killed manually.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Have a git repo with development as the default/main branch checked out
2. Run claude --worktree from that branch
3. Observe: process stalls, no worktree is created, session never starts

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.71

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Cursor

Additional Information

_No response_