[BUG] Auto-mode safety classifier reports model "temporarily unavailable," blocking all Bash/WebSearch while normal generation works fine

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?

In auto mode, every Bash and WebSearch action is blocked with an error stating the classifier model is "temporarily unavailable," so auto mode cannot determine the action's safety. This happens on every attempt, not intermittently.
Crucially, normal generation works fine at the same time. Plain chat responses on the same model succeed, and read-only operations (file reads, code search) work. Only the auto-mode safety classifier call fails. This rules out network reachability, auth, model availability, and usage limits as the cause; the failure is isolated to the classifier request path.
Reproduces identically in both the Claude Code CLI and the VS Code extension, on the same machine (Ubuntu 26.04)

What Should Happen?

Auto mode should be able to classify the action and, if it's safe, run the requested Bash command or WebSearch without error.

Error Messages/Logs

claude-opus-4-8[1m] is temporarily unavailable, so auto mode cannot determine the safety of Bash right now. Wait briefly and then try this action again. If it keeps failing, continue with other tasks that don't require this action and come back to it later. Note: reading files, searching code, and other read-only operations do not require the classifier and can still be used.

claude-opus-4-8[1m] is temporarily unavailable, so auto mode cannot determine the safety of WebSearch right now. Wait briefly and then try this action again. If it keeps failing, continue with other tasks that don't require this action and come back to it later. Note: reading files, searching code, and other read-only operations do not require the classifier and can still be used.

claude-sonnet-4-6 is temporarily unavailable, so auto mode cannot determine the safety of Bash right now. Wait briefly and then try this action again. If it keeps failing, continue with other tasks that don't require this action and come back to it later. Note: reading files, searching code, and other read-only operations do not require the classifier and can still be used.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Use a Claude Max account in auto-accept (auto) permission mode or plan mode
2. Ask Claude to perform any task requiring a Bash command or WebSearch.
3. Observe the "temporarily unavailable" classifier error on the tool call, every time.
4. Confirm the contrast: send a plain chat prompt (no tool use) → it succeeds. Run a read-only operation → it succeeds. Only the auto-mode classifier call fails.

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.177

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Ubuntu/Debian Linux

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_