[BUG] [regression] HTTP MCP server with Bearer token shows "needs-auth" in claude -p mode since 2.1.83 (worked in 2.1.81)

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?

Bug Description

HTTP MCP server configured with a Bearer token in headers shows status needs-auth
and no MCP tools are available when running claude -p (headless/print mode).
The same configuration works correctly in interactive mode.

Regression

• Last working version: 2.1.81
• Broken since: 2.1.83
• Platform: macOS

MCP Configuration (~/.claude.json)

{
"mcpServers": {
"myserver": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://example.com/mcp",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer <token>"
}
}
}
}

Reproduction

claude -p "list mcp tools" --verbose --output-format stream-json

Actual (2.1.83+)

mcp_servers: [{ "name": "myserver", "status": "needs-auth" }]
No MCP tools available — Claude falls back to WebFetch/WebSearch.

Notes

This is a Bearer token setup, NOT OAuth — no auth flow should be needed.
In 2.1.81, status was "connected" and tools loaded correctly.

What Should Happen?

Expected

mcp_servers: [{ "name": "myserver", "status": "connected" }]
MCP tools available in session.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

#works
claude mcp list

#does not work
claude -p "list mcp tools" \
--verbose \
--output-format stream-json \
2>/dev/null | python3 -c "
import sys, json
for line in sys.stdin:
try:
d = json.loads(line.strip())
if d.get('type') == 'system':
print('mcp_servers:', d.get('mcp_servers'))
print('mcp tools:', [t for t in d.get('tools',[]) if 'mcp' in t][:3])
except: pass
"

---
2.1.81: mcp_servers: [{'name': 'server-name', 'status': 'connected'}]
2.1.83+: mcp_servers: [{'name': 'server-name', 'status': 'needs-auth'}]

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

2.1.81

Claude Code Version

2.1.81

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_