[BUG] EEXIST: file already exists, mkdir '~/.claude' on every prompt (Windows)

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?

Every prompt entered in Claude Code fails with the following error:

API Error: EEXIST: file already exists, mkdir 'C:\Users\<username>\.claude'
The error occurs immediately on startup and blocks all usage.

Steps to reproduce:

Install Claude Code on Windows
Open Claude Code CLI
Type any prompt and press Enter
Expected behavior:
Claude Code starts normally and processes the prompt.

Actual behavior:
Every prompt results in EEXIST: file already exists, mkdir 'C:\Users\<username>\.claude'. The directory already exists but Claude Code tries to create it again without checking.

Environment:

OS: Windows
Claude Code version: 2.1.173
Node.js version: (bitte ergänzen)
Root cause (suspected):
The mkdir call for ~/.claude is missing the { recursive: true } option. On Windows, Node.js throws EEXIST when trying to create a directory that already exists, instead of silently succeeding. Using fs.mkdir(path, { recursive: true }) or fs.mkdirSync(path, { recursive: true }) would fix this.

Workaround:
Running attrib -R %USERPROFILE%\.claude /S /D in an elevated PowerShell removes the ReadOnly attribute and resolves the issue temporarily.

Related issues: #31030, #27791, #31185

What Should Happen?

Claude Code should start normally and process inputs without throwing an error. The mkdir call for ~/.claude should use the { recursive: true } option, so that the program continues silently if the directory already exists — just as it works on other operating systems. After entering a question or command, Claude Code should return a normal response instead of crashing with EEXIST.

Error Messages/Logs

API Error: EEXIST: file already exists, mkdir 'C:\Users\Unsername\.claude'

Steps to Reproduce

Claude Code auf Windows installieren
Claude Code CLI öffnen
Warten bis Claude Code gestartet ist
Eine beliebige Eingabe tippen und Enter drücken
Der Fehler erscheint sofort — Claude Code liefert keine Antwort
Jede weitere Eingabe führt zum gleichen Fehler
Ein Neustart von Claude Code behebt das Problem nicht

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Code version: 2.1.173

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_