[BUG] Claude Code hangs/freezes when opening an empty directory

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?

What's happening:

When I open an empty directory with Claude Code (version 2.1.74), the application freezes during startup and becomes completely unresponsive - no input is accepted.

What Should Happen?

Claude Code should start normally in any directory, including empty ones, without hanging or requiring manual intervention.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Problem:
When opening an empty directory (or a directory with only a .git folder but no commits), Claude Code becomes unresponsive during initialization, or ClaudeCode program just exit.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Create a new empty directory: mkdir tmp-xxx && cd tmp-xxx
2. Start Claude Code in this directory: claude
3. The application hangs and cannot accept input

Workaround:
Running git init in the empty directory before or after starting Claude Code resolves the issue and allows normal operation.

Additional Context:

• ~/.claude.json configuration file exists and is valid
• ~/.claude/projects directory exists with proper permissions
• The issue appears to be related to git repository state detection during initialization
• Once git init is executed, the session works perfectly

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

2.1.2xx

Claude Code Version

2.1.74

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Other Linux

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

Environment:

• Claude Code version: 2.1.74
• OS: Linux (4.19.112-2.el8.x86_64)
• Shell: bash
• Platform: Native installation