[BUG] Windows: All install methods (npm/ps1/cmd/winget) fail with "defines.json" Syntax Error referencing C:\Program Files\nodejs

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?

Claude Code fails to install/run on Windows across every installation method, with a Syntax Error in defines.json referencing a hardcoded Node.js path.

What Should Happen?

Claude Code should install and run successfully without referencing a hardcoded or unsubstituted Node.js path.

Error Messages/Logs

1 | "C:\Program Files\nodejs"
    ^
error: Syntax Error
    at defines.json:1:1

(On one occasion, seen with an unsubstituted template placeholder instead of the drive letter:)

1 | "<drv>:\Program Files\nodejs"
    ^
error: Syntax Error
    at defines.json:1:1

Steps to Reproduce

1. On Windows, run any of the following install methods:

• npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
• irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
• curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd
• winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode

1. Run claude --version (or attempt to run claude at all)
2. The defines.json Syntax Error appears every time, regardless of install method

Additional troubleshooting already performed (issue persists in all cases):

• Uninstalled Node.js completely and rebooted — error still occurs, even though C:\Program Files\nodejs no longer exists on disk
• Temporarily removed nodejs from PATH — no change
• Verified %SystemDrive% returns "C:" correctly

Claude Model

_No response_

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Unknown — claude --version cannot run due to this bug

Platform

Other

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_