Windows installer broken: bootstrap.ps1 returns HTTP 503

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?

aThe Windows installer fails because the GCS-hosted bootstrap.ps1 file returns HTTP 503 (Service Unavailable).

Running irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex in PowerShell results in:

irm : The underlying connection was closed: An unexpected error occurred on a receive.

The install script at https://claude.ai/install.ps1 redirects to:
https://storage.googleapis.com/claude-code-dist-86c565f3-f756-42ad-8dfa-d59b1c096819/claude-code-releases/bootstrap.ps1

Direct browser navigation to that GCS URL returns 503 (confirmed via Chrome network tab — two sequential GET requests, both 503). The claude.ai domain itself and storage.googleapis.com root are reachable, so this is specific to the installer bucket/file.

What Should Happen?

aRunning irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex should download and install Claude Code successfully. The bootstrap.ps1 file should be served from GCS with HTTP 200.

Error Messages/Logs

irm : The underlying connection was closed: An unexpected error occurred on a receive.
At line:1 char:1
+ irm
+ ~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (System.Net.HttpWebRequest:HttpWebRequest) [Invoke-RestMethod], WebException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : WebCmdletWebResponseException,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.InvokeRestMethodCommand

HTTP 503 confirmed via Chrome network tab on:
https://storage.googleapis.com/claude-code-dist-86c565f3-f756-42ad-8dfa-d59b1c096819/claude-code-releases/bootstrap.ps1

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open PowerShell on Windows
2. Run: irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
3. Observe connection error — installer fails to download bootstrap.ps1 from GCS

Alternative verification:

1. Open Chrome and navigate to: https://storage.googleapis.com/claude-code-dist-86c565f3-f756-42ad-8dfa-d59b1c096819/claude-code-releases/bootstrap.ps1
2. Observe HTTP 503 response

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

N/A - cannot install

Claude Code Version

N/A - cannot install

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

• OS: Windows 10/11
• Date observed: 2026-04-05
• Workaround: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code works fine
• Both claude.ai and storage.googleapis.com root are reachable; the issue is specific to the installer bucket path returning 503