[BUG] Buddy species/rarity/stats reset after `claude install`, description text mismatch with new species

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?

After running claude install, my Buddy's species, rarity, and stats were all reset/changed. Two separate bugs were observed:

Bug 1: Buddy species, rarity, and stats reset after claude install

Before claude install:

• Species: RABBIT
• - Rarity: ★★ UNCOMMON
• - - Stats: 21 / 32 / 15 / 90 / 34

After claude install:

• Species: CAPYBARA
• - Rarity: ★ COMMON
• - - Stats: 18 / 4 / 21 / 11 / 63

The Buddy's name ("Kettle") and personality description were preserved, but the species, rarity, and all stats changed completely.

Bug 2: Description text does not match the new species

After the reset, the Buddy is displayed as a CAPYBARA, but the description text still reads "A self-assured rabbit..." — referencing the old species (rabbit). This text/species mismatch appears to be a separate bug in how the description is generated or stored.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Have an existing Buddy (e.g., RABBIT, UNCOMMON)
2. 2. Notice that the brew-installed version of Claude Code does not auto-update
3. 3. Remove the brew installation: brew uninstall claude
4. 4. Reinstall via npm: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
5. 5. Run claude install to complete the installation
6. 6. Observe that the Buddy's species/rarity/stats have changed
7. 7. Observe that the description text still references the old species

Expected behavior:

• Buddy species, rarity, and stats should persist across reinstalls and claude install
• - OR if the Buddy must be regenerated, the description text should match the new species

Actual behavior:

• Species changed: RABBIT → CAPYBARA
• - Rarity changed: UNCOMMON → COMMON
• - - Stats fully changed
• - - - Description text still says "rabbit" despite the species now being CAPYBARA

Environment:

• Version: 2.1.91 (Claude Code) — same version before and after
• - Platform: macOS
• - - Install path: /Users/yundoun/.local/bin/claude
• - - - npm global: @anthropic-ai/claude-code@2.1.91
• - - - - Previous install method: Homebrew (brew install claude) — removed due to no auto-update
• - - - - - Current install method: npm (npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code)

Screenshots: (attached — before and after comparison)

What Should Happen?

The original Buddy (RABBIT, ★★ UNCOMMON) should be preserved after reinstalling or running claude install. Buddy data — including species, rarity, and stats — should persist across install method changes (brew → npm) and claude install runs. There is no reason for the Buddy to be reassigned to a completely different species (CAPYBARA) with lower rarity (★ COMMON) just because the user switched package managers. The user's Buddy should not be silently reset without any warning or opt-in.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Have an existing Claude Code installation via Homebrew with an established Buddy (RABBIT, ★★ UNCOMMON, name: "Kettle")
2. 2. Notice that the brew-installed version does not auto-update to the latest version
3. 3. Remove the Homebrew installation: brew uninstall claude
4. 4. Install via npm: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
5. 5. Run claude install to complete the setup
6. 6. Open Claude Code and check the Buddy status
7. 7. Observe that the Buddy's species has changed from RABBIT to CAPYBARA, rarity dropped from ★★ UNCOMMON to ★ COMMON, and all stats are different
8. 8. Observe that the Buddy's description text still says "rabbit" despite the species now being CAPYBARA

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.91

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

iTerm2

Additional Information

<img width="476" height="686" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1601c3b1-af11-4433-9d10-e72628a5ecbb" />
!Image