[BUG] CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN ignored when `claude --print`

Resolved 💬 3 comments Opened Aug 5, 2025 by pikturdev Closed Aug 15, 2025

Environment

  • Platform (select one):
  • [x] Anthropic API
  • [ ] AWS Bedrock
  • [ ] Google Vertex AI
  • [ ] Other: <!-- specify -->
  • Claude CLI version: Since 1.0.67
  • Operating System: Linux c956dfb691a7 6.14.10-orbstack-00291 aarch64 GNU/Linux
  • Terminal: xterm-256color

Bug Description

When headless claude --print
And CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN set in environment
Or present in $HOME/.claude/.credentials.json
Then authenticate with OAuth token
And ignore ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

Steps to Reproduce

# Remove ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY; 

# Install 1.0.68 (latest as of 5 August)
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code@1.0.68; 

claude --version # 1.0.68 (Claude Code)

# Simple test asserts OAuth token usage
echo "ping" | CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN=$(cat $HOME/.claude/.credentials.json | jq -r '.claudeAiOauth.accessToken') claude -p # Credit balance is too low

Expected Behavior

When headless claude --print
And CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN set in environment
Or present in $HOME/.claude/.credentials.json
Then authenticate with OAuth token
And ignore ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

Actual Behavior

CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN is ignored; falls back to ANTHROPIC_API_KEY if present in environment.

Additional Context

Last known good version 1.0.66
Claude Max Subscription (paid to September 2025)

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