Diagnostic warning incorrectly reports 'config install method is global' for native-only installs
Resolved 💬 3 comments Opened Apr 4, 2026 by leesamuel423 Closed Apr 8, 2026
Description
The /mcp diagnostics command shows a spurious warning for users who only have the native binary installation:
⚠ Running native installation but config install method is 'global'
Environment
- Claude Code version: 2.1.92
- Installation method: Native binary only (
~/.local/share/claude/versions/2.1.92) - Platform: macOS (Darwin 24.4.0, arm64)
- No npm installation present — confirmed via
npm list -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code(empty) andwhich -a claude(single result)
Steps to Reproduce
- Install Claude Code via the native binary installer (no npm)
- Run
/mcpin a Claude Code session - Observe the System Diagnostics section
Expected Behavior
No warning should appear, since the native binary is the only installation and there is no conflicting global npm install.
Actual Behavior
The diagnostic check reports a mismatch between the runtime-detected install type (native) and a config-recorded install method (global), even though no global npm installation exists.
Notes
- The user's
~/.claude/settings.jsonand~/.claude/settings.local.jsoncontain noinstallMethodfield — the'global'value appears to be an internal default assumption - The binary at
~/.local/bin/claudeis a symlink to the native versioned binary, confirmed asMach-O 64-bit executable arm64
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