[BUG] Computer Use executes on wrong device, bypasses all permission gates on non-enabled machine

Resolved 💬 4 comments Opened Mar 24, 2026 by dennisdonohoe Closed Apr 22, 2026

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?

Two Macs, same Anthropic account (Max plan)
Cowork session initiated on Mac mini (via VNC from MacBook)
Computer Use enabled on Mac mini only, not on MacBook Pro
Chrome navigation executed on MacBook Pro despite Computer Use being disabled there
Both machines running Claude Desktop simultaneously
Dispatch was configured (likely the routing culprit)

Accessibility: Claude is off
Screen Recording: Claude isn't even listed
Claude Desktop settings: Computer Use off, Browser Use off, Keep computer awake off

What Should Happen?

When Computer Use is enabled on Machine A (Mac mini) and a Cowork session is started from Machine A's Claude Desktop, all screen control actions (screenshots, mouse/keyboard input, Chrome navigation) should execute exclusively on Machine A.
Machine B (MacBook Pro), which is logged into the same Anthropic account but has Computer Use disabled in Claude Desktop settings and has no macOS Accessibility or Screen Recording permissions granted to Claude, should never be targeted for Computer Use actions under any circumstances.
The app-level toggle (Settings > General > Computer Use) and macOS-level permissions (Accessibility, Screen Recording) should act as hard gates that prevent any Computer Use execution on that device, regardless of account-level session routing.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Have two Macs logged into the same Anthropic account (Max plan) with Claude Desktop installed on both
  2. Machine A (Mac mini): Enable Computer Use in Claude Desktop Settings > General. Grant Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions in macOS System Settings
  3. Machine B (MacBook Pro): Leave Computer Use disabled in Claude Desktop Settings . Do not grant Accessibility or Screen Recording permissions to Claude. Leave Browser Use off
  4. Open Claude Desktop on both machines simultaneously
  5. On Machine A, open the Cowork tab, start a new session, and grant folder access to a local directory
  6. Send a prompt that requires Computer Use (e.g., "Open Chrome and navigate to [website]")
  7. Observe that Chrome navigation and screen control actions execute on Machine B instead of Machine A, despite Machine B having all Computer Use permissions disabled at both the app and OS level

Environment:

Machine A: Mac mini (M-series), macOS Version 26.3.1 (25D2128), Claude 1.1.8359 (64248d) 2026-03-23T22:17:05.000Z
Machine B: MacBook Pro M5, macOS [Version 26.3.1 (25D2128), Claude 1.1.8359 (64248d) 2026-03-23T22:17:05.000Z
Plan: Max
Dispatch: configured/paired between both machines
Both machines on same network via Tailscale

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Desktop 1.1.8359 (64248d)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

Accessibility settings on MacBook:
<img width="713" height="616" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2c4c22ba-f447-44eb-bb7a-caad14eb5350" />

Screen & System Audio Recording settings on MacBook:
<img width="718" height="620" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a8bfd779-64e2-4efe-adac-45eeef4dd940" />

Claude Desktop Settings on MacBook:
<img width="1269" height="952" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1ba3015f-0925-436b-a6cf-5881c6dbdcde" />

Accessibility settings on Mac Mini:

<img width="712" height="618" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/86a1a852-1ac7-48e5-aa0d-538be39d0533" />

Screen & System Audio Recording settings on Mac Mini:

<img width="726" height="617" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/73ba19b3-ffb4-425d-9217-099b4a217438" />

Claude Desktop Settings on Mac Mini:
<img width="1180" height="958" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/05dacf62-bea4-4ffb-b5ab-7718bd1a95d3" />

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