Desktop app forces broken binary 2.1.78, CLI 2.1.81 works fine (exit code 1 crash loop)

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?

Description
Claude Code in the Desktop app crashes immediately on every launch. The CLI (v2.1.81) works perfectly in the terminal.

I have submitted multiple support requests through Anthropic's official support channels over the past week with no resolution. The AI bot (Fin) keeps suggesting steps I've already completed, and no human agent has responded despite repeated escalation requests. I'm a Max plan subscriber paying 90€/month for a service I cannot use.

Root cause identified
The Desktop app (v1.1.7714) downloads and forces binary v2.1.78, which exits with code 1 before producing any response. Deleting the binary triggers a re-download of the same broken version.

Error logs (~/Library/Logs/Claude/main.log)

Using Claude Code binary at: .../claude-code/2.1.78/claude.app/Contents/MacOS/claude
[error] Session query error: Claude Code process exited with code 1
[CCD CycleHealth] unhealthy cycle (0s, hadFirstResponse=false, reason=no_response)

Troubleshooting completed (all unsuccessful)

• claude update → CLI updated to 2.1.81 ✅
• claude install → config aligned to native ✅
• Sign out / sign in from Desktop app
• VPN disabled → tested, same result
• Deleted ~/Library/Caches/Claude/
• Deleted ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/local-agent-mode-sessions/
• Deleted binary 2.1.78 from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude-code/ → re-downloads and crashes again
• Disabled all local plugins and extensions
• Removed conflicting npm global installation
• Verified network connectivity → OK
• Verified ~/.claude/ permissions → OK (writable)
• Followed all steps from https://docs.claude.com/en/docs/claude-code/troubleshooting

Environment

• macOS 26.3.1 (Build 25D2128)
• Claude Desktop app: v1.1.7714
• Claude Code CLI: 2.1.81 → works
• Claude Code in Desktop: forces binary 2.1.78 → crash
• Plan: Max (90€/month)

Expected behavior
The Desktop app should use the latest working binary (2.1.81), not the broken 2.1.78.

What Should Happen?

The Desktop app should use the latest working binary (2.1.81) instead of the broken 2.1.78. Claude Code should start and respond normally in the Desktop app, as it does in the CLI.

Error Messages/Logs

Using Claude Code binary at: /Users/flgironde/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude-code/2.1.78/claude.app/Contents/MacOS/claude
[error] Session local_7f2098b6-ac88-4919-9d7b-bc54e385aa15 query error: Claude Code process exited with code 1
[CCD CycleHealth] unhealthy cycle for local_7f2098b6-ac88-4919-9d7b-bc54e385aa15 (0s, hadFirstResponse=false, reason=no_response)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Desktop app (v1.1.7714) on macOS 26.3.1
2. Go to the Code tab
3. Type any message and press Enter
4. No response, logs show "Claude Code process exited with code 1"
5. The app downloads binary 2.1.78 which crashes, while CLI 2.1.81 works fine

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

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

Max plan subscriber (90€/month). Multiple support requests submitted to Anthropic support over the past week with no human response — only automated bot (Fin) replies suggesting already-completed steps.

The issue is specifically with the Desktop app (v1.1.7714) which forces binary 2.1.78 that crashes. The CLI at 2.1.81 works perfectly. This is not a user-side issue.

Desktop app version: 1.1.7714
macOS version: 26.3.1 (Build 25D2128)