Restart Computer with insufficient warning

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?

When enabling Cowork mode for the first time, the Claude desktop app displayed a prompt indicating that an update was required and a restart was needed to continue. The wording implied that the Claude app would be restarting. Instead, clicking through the prompt restarted my entire computer, with no additional confirmation step and no opportunity to save in-progress work in other applications.

At the time, I had multiple other applications open with unsaved work.

Steps to reproduce

1. Install the Claude desktop app.
2. Click on Cowork mode for the first time.
3. Observe the prompt stating an update is needed and that a restart is required.
4. Click to proceed.
5. Observe that the entire operating system reboots — not just the Claude app.

Expected behavior

The prompt should make it unambiguous that the user's computer will restart, not just the Claude application. A safer flow would be:

• An explicit warning, e.g. "This update requires restarting your computer. Please save your work in all open applications before continuing."
• A two-step confirmation: an initial notice, then a final "Restart now" / "Restart later" choice.
• Ideally, a "Restart later" option so the user can finish current work and trigger the restart when convenient.

Actual behavior

A single prompt that reads as if Claude itself is restarting. Clicking through immediately initiated a full OS reboot, bypassing any chance to save open work in other apps.

Impact

• Erosion of trust in the installer/update flow — users cannot tell what action a prompt will actually take.
• This is a data-loss issue, not just a wording issue. Any prompt that can reboot the user's machine should be held to a much higher bar than a typical app dialog.

Suggested fix

1. Rewrite the prompt copy to explicitly state "restart your computer" (not just "restart").
2. Add a "Save your work first" instruction directly in the prompt.
3. Add a confirmation step or a "Restart later" option before initiating the reboot.
4. If technically possible, scope the update so it does not require a full OS restart at all.

Environment

• Claude desktop app (first launch / first Cowork activation)
• Operating system: [Windows 11]

What Should Happen?

Restart should be more explicit in scope and provide opportunity for cancel if other apps open

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install the Claude desktop app.
2. Click on Cowork mode for the first time.
3. Observe the prompt stating an update is needed and that a restart is required.
4. Click to proceed.
5. Observe that the entire operating system reboots — not just the Claude app.

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Pro

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_