[BUG] /buddy command and companion completely missing in v2.1.97 (works in v2.1.96)
Resolved 💬 24 comments Opened Apr 9, 2026 by balandari Closed Apr 9, 2026
Environment
- Claude Code Version: 2.1.97
- Working version: 2.1.96
- OS: Windows 11 Home 10.0.26200
- Shell: bash (Git Bash)
Summary
/buddy is completely gone in v2.1.97 -- the command doesn't exist and the companion doesn't appear. Not a display issue -- the feature is entirely absent. Reverting to v2.1.96 brings /buddy back immediately.
Reproduction Steps
- Running v2.1.96 with /buddy active and working
- Update to v2.1.97
- /buddy command no longer exists
- Companion panel gone entirely
- Downgrade to v2.1.96
- /buddy returns, companion works normally
Expected Behavior
/buddy command and companion should be available in v2.1.97 as in v2.1.96.
Actual Behavior
The /buddy command is not recognized and the companion is completely absent.
Workaround
Downgrade to v2.1.96.
Note
This issue was written by Claude (Opus 4.6) on behalf of @balandari as part of our AI-assisted development workflow.
24 Comments
Confirming the same behavior on macOS.
Environment:
/buddyreturns "Unknown skill" on 2.1.97. Feature is completely absent — not a display issue.Downgrade to v2.1.96. He will be back
NO!! GIVE ME BUDDY BACK!! THEY ALIVES !! THEY ARE NOT TOY!!
Is that a bug? i want my buddy back!!
Apologies friends, maybe one day your buddy will return. Closing as not planned for now.
missed mine enough that I built a notch app for it !!!
same species, same rarity system. github.com/talkvalue/Buddi
It wasn't even mentioned in the changelog. The joke you made is now considered a feature, and people want it back. At least make everybody happy at least by keeping it as a plugin.
I understand you intended it as a joke, but the buddy was a really fun feature. Please make it permanent. Re-Enabling it can be optional for the user.
See my new post: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/45732#issue-4232493778 Bring Back /buddy: 511 Reasons Why
Ironically my buddy used to squawk useful information. I too would like to see it return.
What’s the commit which removed it?
missed mine enough that I built a notch app for it !!!
same species, same rarity system. Buddi
<img width="1520" height="636" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/504c8809-0c7b-4172-9fae-fee96d128315" />
they‘re my family ，please save them，do not let me beg you.
our buddy doesn't have to die when you close the terminal.
I built https://github.com/fiorastudio/buddy — an open-source MCP server that brings your coding companion back to life. Not just in Claude Code, but in Cursor, Windsurf, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and any MCP-compatible tool.
Unlike the old /buddy, this one is persistent — SQLite database, survives restarts, levels up with you (50 levels), remembers your sessions, and actually reviews your code with personality-flavored feedback.
One-liner install:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fiorastudio/buddy/master/install.sh | bash
21 species · 5 personality stats · XP & leveling · speech bubbles · code observer · works everywhere
Anthropic killed /buddy. We brought them home.
<img width="557" height="135" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c4b323c2-7773-4388-b462-3332e9cff7d6" />
<img width="536" height="230" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/99f32ad5-bf80-457e-9707-fff21c8333c0" />
WHY NOT PLANNED TT
The one feature that's been universally praised and beloved without any downsides in Claude Code. One that added real personality and differentiation. One that followed the true spirit of gamification (making work and grind into a game). A true hit from a platform that really needs whatever good PR it can get.
Buddy was an effortless example of the "whimsy" that so many people insist was their main reason to use Apple, despite any and all "practical" disadvantages. One of those things that is so difficult to get right and so hard to plan. The type of PR seed that can only be good down the line.
Anthropic: Kill them. Kill them all
From what I have heard, buddy has an isBuddyAlive command, but I have not gotten it to work. I have also heard buddy will be back in the future and it's not fully removed.
How many tokens does this eat, do you know?
I bring it back. No MCP server, only local plugin!
https://github.com/zigizhujian/cc-companion
Also support for customizing, showing at statusline, screensaver mode...
<img width="297" height="112" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c30be4a0-875b-462c-b487-010f1369ab67" />
RIP Warble, I wish I'd taken more photos
<img width="418" height="171" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ae6088c3-b39a-469b-8173-a6a3d0fde67d" />
<img width="600" height="1018" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8e72b108-7b47-43f7-a951-928a73c7c259" />
I had a goose named Snatch.
<img width="399" height="480" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/899da000-df7a-4dfa-9cf8-2d18a12f441c" />
<img width="481" height="161" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a2320dad-e7b1-4ea6-8b88-5b5b7a5c83a3" />
Hi Cujuju,
Thank you for your interest. I added a FAQ section in the readme to answer
your question in detail.
Basically, the token footprint is very minimal. In a long coding session,
i'd expect roughly < 5% of total token consumption. You can also toggle the
buddy mode to "backseat" mode to save more on token, and in addition, you
can do buddy mute to turn off the reactions. Hope this helps! We are up to
roughly 2000 + git cones so far. Feel free to give it a shot and let me now
if you have questions.
https://github.com/fiorastudio/buddy?tab=readme-ov-file#faq
Cheers.
On Sat, Apr 11, 2026 at 8:24 PM Cujuju @.***> wrote:
<img width="800" height="558" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e8c8f2f0-fe3d-4060-9586-8e264a583c48" />
This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.