[Bug] claude auth login does not complete on headless servers (SSH)
Status Fixed / completed
Maintainer reply None cached
Workaround ✓ Mentioned in description ↑
Activity 3 comments · opened Mar 18, 2026 · closed Mar 18, 2026
Description
claude auth login on headless server (via SSH) displays OAuth URL but never completes. CLI polls for token but polling fails.
Environment
- Claude Code v2.1.77
- Ubuntu 24.04, ARM64, SSH session
Steps to Reproduce
- SSH into headless server
- Run
claude auth login - Copy URL to browser on another machine
- Authorize in browser
- CLI never detects authorization (stays waiting indefinitely)
Expected
CLI detects authorization via polling or accepts pasted authorization code.
Workaround
Copy ~/.claude/.credentials.json from authenticated machine. Token includes refresh token for auto-renewal.
Suggestion
Support device code flow (like Azure CLI) or accept paste-back authorization code for headless environments.
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