[BUG] Windows 11 ARM64: CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH not recognized with ARM64 Git for Windows, space-free path

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?

Claude Code cannot find bash.exe on Windows 11 ARM64 regardless of configuration method. The path has no spaces, the file exists, and all three configuration methods have been attempted and fail identically. The error occurs even when running claude doctor.

Suspected root cause: Claude Code's path validation calls cygpath for path conversion (Cygwin-specific), which does not exist in the MSYS2 environment used by Git for Windows ARM64. The ARM64 Git Bash environment identifies as MSYS_NT-10.0-[build]-ARM64, not Cygwin.

What Should Happen?

Claude Code should start normally. The bash.exe path is valid, space-free, and correctly configured via all documented methods.

Error Messages/Logs

Claude Code was unable to find CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH path "C:\Git\bin\bash.exe"

Steps to Reproduce

1. Windows 11 Pro ARM64
2. Install Git for Windows ARM64 (Git-2.53.0.2-arm64.exe) to C:\Git (no spaces)
3. Add C:\Git\bin to front of system PATH
4. Set system environment variable: CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH=C:\Git\bin\bash.exe
5. Set same value in ~/.claude/settings.json under "env"
6. Open a new CMD terminal and run: claude

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.92 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

Verification that configuration is correct:

which bash.exe
→ bash.exe is an external : C:\Git\bin\bash.exe

echo %CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH%
→ C:\Git\bin\bash.exe

~/.claude/settings.json contents:
{
"env": {
"CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH": "C:\\Git\\bin\\bash.exe"
},
"autoUpdatesChannel": "latest"
}

All of the following were attempted and failed:

• CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH env var with single backslashes
• CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH env var with double backslashes
• Setting value in ~/.claude/settings.json
• Adding C:\Git\bin to front of PATH
• Reinstalling Git from default C:\Program Files\Git to C:\Git to eliminate spaces in path
• Running claude doctor (same error, no additional output)

Related issues: #4507, #9883, #10152, #31060