[BUG] Git not detected in Claude Desktop app despite correct CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH config (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?

The Claude Desktop app blocks starting a local Code session with the error "Git is required for local sessions. Download Git for Windows, or set the CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH environment variable to your git executable, then restart the app." This occurs despite Git Bash being correctly installed, fully functional, and the environment variable being set at both User and System level.

What Should Happen?

The Claude Desktop app should detect Git Bash via the correctly configured CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH environment variable and allow a local Code session to start without error.

Error Messages/Logs

Git is required for local sessions. Download Git for Windows, or set the CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH environment variable to your git executable, then restart the app.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Git for Windows (with recommended PATH options)
2. Set CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH as both a User and System environment variable to C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe
3. Reboot the machine (repeated multiple times)
4. Open the Claude Desktop app
5. Attempt to start a new local Code session

Error appears: "Git is required for local sessions. Download Git for Windows, or set the CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH environment variable to your git executable, then restart the app."

Verified from a terminal that Git Bash is fully functional:

• Test-Path "C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe" → True
• & "C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe" --version → GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-cygwin)

Claude Model

_No response_

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.204 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

_No response_