BUG] Claude Desktop app - "Claude Code process exited with code 1" on every message

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?

Every message sent in the Claude Desktop app (Code tab, local session) results in no response. The bundled Claude Code binary (2.1.78) immediately exits with code 1 when the desktop app launches it. No error is shown in the UI — the message appears but no response is ever returned.
This happens with any folder (tested with project folder and empty test folder). Regular claude.ai chat works fine. Claude Code CLI in Terminal works perfectly.

What Should Happen?

Claude should respond to the message.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

Open Claude Desktop app (v1.1.7714)
Go to Code tab
Select any local folder (e.g. ~/Documents/test)
Type "hi" and send
Message appears but no response is returned — brief skeleton loader flashes then disappears

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

1.1.7714

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

[BUG] Claude Desktop app - "Claude Code process exited with code 1" on every message

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

Environment

• Claude Desktop app version: 1.1.7714 (3bd6f6)
• Bundled Claude Code binary: 2.1.78
• CLI Claude Code version: 2.1.81 (installed via npm)
• OS: macOS (MacBook Pro)
• Node.js: Installed and working
• Auth: Logged in via claude.ai OAuth, Pro plan
• Shell: zsh

What's Wrong?

Every message sent in the Claude Desktop app (Code tab, local session) results in no response. The bundled Claude Code binary (2.1.78) immediately exits with code 1 when the desktop app launches it. No error is shown in the UI — the message appears but no response is ever returned.

This happens with any folder (tested with project folder and empty test folder). Regular claude.ai chat works fine. Claude Code CLI in Terminal works perfectly.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Desktop app (v1.1.7714)
2. Go to Code tab
3. Select any local folder (e.g. ~/Documents/test)
4. Type "hi" and send
5. Message appears but no response is returned — brief skeleton loader flashes then disappears

Expected Behavior

Claude should respond to the message.

Actual Behavior

No response. The log shows the Claude Code process crashes instantly:

[info] Starting local session local_25d71665-... in /Users/adidom/Documents/test
[info] [CCD] Using skills plugin at: .../skills-plugin/.../693558d5-...
[info] [CCD] Passing 1 plugin(s) to SDK (skills: 1, local: 0)
[info] Using Claude Code binary at: .../claude-code/2.1.78/claude.app/Contents/MacOS/claude
[error] Session local_25d71665-... query error: Claude Code process exited with code 1
[info] [CCD CycleHealth] unhealthy cycle (0s, hadFirstResponse=false, reason=no_response)

The crash happens immediately (0 seconds) after launching the binary with the skills plugin.

Key Diagnostic Findings

1. CLI works perfectly: Running the same binary directly from Terminal responds fine:

``
cd ~/Documents/Adidom-workspace && ~/.../claude-code/2.1.78/claude.app/Contents/MacOS/claude -p "hi"
# Output: "Hi! How can I help you today?"
``

1. Skills plugin is involved: The crash always occurs right after Passing 1 plugin(s) to SDK. Removing the skills plugin folder (rm -rf ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/local-agent-mode-sessions/skills-plugin) stops the crash, but messages still get no response.

1. Not folder-specific: Happens with any folder, including an empty ~/Documents/test.

1. Not auth-related: OAuth token is valid, claude auth status shows logged in.

1. Not permissions-related: Full Disk Access and Files & Folders permissions are enabled for Claude.

What I've Already Tried (all failed)

• Completely uninstalled and reinstalled the desktop app
• Deleted all app data (~/Library/Application Support/Claude, caches, preferences, saved state, HTTP storages, WebKit data)
• Removed skills plugin folder
• Removed all local session data
• Removed MCP config (claude_desktop_config.json)
• Removed bundled claude-code folder to force re-download
• Granted Full Disk Access and Files & Folders permissions
• Trusted the folder via CLI
• Tried multiple different folders
• Fresh login after full data wipe

Log Location

~/Library/Logs/Claude/main.log