[BUG] Cowork/Code fail with 403 "Invalid authorization" for 10+ days — Chat 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?
Cowork and Code modes fail to start a session with a 403
"Invalid authorization" (permission_error). Regular Chat works fine on
the same account and network. This has persisted for 10+ days.
Error:
Unable to start session. Authentication failed (403):
{"type":"error","error":{"type":"permission_error","message":"Invalid authorization"}}
Also: "Failed to start Claude's workspace — VM service not running."
request_id (a new one every attempt → request reaches the server and is
rejected server-side):
- req_011CdTZrY2BTRLdXnFFkUxMw
- req_011CdTbe71vDR9MTMwE8Jkkf
Already tried, no effect:
- Re-login
- Renamed .claude/.credentials.json (new token created)
- Reinstalled the workspace
- Restarted the PC
- Confirmed Chat works on the same account/network
This looks like an account-level, server-side Cowork authorization
issue that needs a reset from Anthropic.
What Should Happen?
Cowork and Code should authenticate and start a session successfully,
the same way regular Chat does on this account.
Error Messages/Logs
Steps to Reproduce
- Open Cowork 2. Send any task 3. 403 every time (Chat on same account works)
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
Yes, this worked in a previous version
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
Claude Desktop (Cowork/Code), not standalone Claude Code CLI
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
Windows
Terminal/Shell
Windows Terminal
Additional Information
Note: I use Claude via a Pro subscription (claude.ai / Claude Desktop),
not the raw Anthropic API. Selecting "Anthropic API" only because the
dropdown has no "Claude subscription" option.
<img width="583" height="309" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2ff8f9e3-bfe1-406b-b8f9-684176e5e158" />
<img width="504" height="217" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d3d3b644-7097-4493-bc3d-57dd7574d1b1" />