VS Code: 3 blank windows open when launching Claude from VS Code terminal

Description

When launching claude from the integrated terminal in VS Code (PowerShell), 3 blank VS Code windows open automatically. These windows have no project/folder open - they are completely empty.

This behavior is annoying but not blocking - I can close the 3 windows and continue working normally.

Environment

• OS: Windows 10/11
• Claude Code version: 2.1.5
• VS Code version: 1.111.0
• Terminal: PowerShell (integrated in VS Code)
• Claude VS Code extension: Tested with and without anthropic.claude-code extension - same behavior

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open VS Code with a project/folder
2. Open the integrated terminal (PowerShell)
3. Run claude
4. Observe: 3 blank VS Code windows open

Expected Behavior

Claude should start without opening additional VS Code windows.

Actual Behavior

3 blank VS Code windows open every time Claude is launched from VS Code's integrated terminal.

Workaround Found

Clearing these environment variables before launching Claude prevents the issue:

$env:CLAUDE_CODE_SSE_PORT = $null
$env:TERM_PROGRAM = $null
$env:VSCODE_INJECTION = $null
claude

Relevant Environment Variables (in VS Code terminal)

CLAUDE_CODE_SSE_PORT             63492
TERM_PROGRAM                     vscode
TERM_PROGRAM_VERSION             1.111.0
VSCODE_INJECTION                 1

Additional Notes

• Running claude from CMD outside VS Code works fine (no extra windows)
• This issue started recently (within the last few days) - possibly after an update to Claude Code or VS Code
• The issue persists even after uninstalling the Claude VS Code extension