claude update downloads new versions but doesn't switch to them (symlink not updated)

[ronmikailov]

Bug Summary

The claude update command downloads newer versions to ~/.local/share/claude/versions/ but fails to update the symlink at ~/.local/bin/claude, leaving users stuck on older versions.

Environment

• OS: WSL2 (Linux 6.6.87.2-microsoft-standard-WSL2)
• Installation method: Standalone installer (curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash)
• Current version: 2.1.25 (stable)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude Code via the standalone installer
2. Run claude update periodically over time
3. Check ls -la ~/.local/share/claude/versions/

Observed Behavior

Multiple versions are downloaded but symlink stays on the old version:

$ ls -la ~/.local/share/claude/versions/
-rwxr-xr-x 1 user user 224472763 Feb  8 08:41 2.1.25
-rwxr-xr-x 1 user user 223098657 Feb  6 04:01 2.1.33
-rwxr-xr-x 1 user user 223101542 Feb  6 09:23 2.1.34

$ ls -la ~/.local/bin/claude
~/.local/bin/claude -> ~/.local/share/claude/versions/2.1.25

Running claude update reports "up to date" despite newer versions existing locally.

Additionally, when manually switching to a newer version (2.1.34) and then running claude update, it downgrades back to 2.1.25:

$ ln -sf ~/.local/share/claude/versions/2.1.34 ~/.local/bin/claude
$ claude --version
2.1.34 (Claude Code)

$ claude update
Current version: 2.1.34
Checking for updates to stable version...
Successfully updated from 2.1.34 to version 2.1.25  # <-- DOWNGRADE!

Expected Behavior

1. The symlink should be updated to point to the latest downloaded version
2. claude update should not downgrade from newer versions

Workaround

Manually update the symlink:

ln -sf ~/.local/share/claude/versions/2.1.34 ~/.local/bin/claude

Or use a wrapper script that properly handles symlink updates after the builtin update downloads new versions.

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. [Bug] Auto-update fails to update symlink to latest downloaded version #18700
2. Native binary auto-updater serves 2.1.25 instead of 2.1.34 on "latest" channel #23749
3. Auto-updater downgrades to older version (2.1.19 → 2.1.7) #21522

This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[github-actions]

This issue has been automatically closed as a duplicate of #18700.

If this is incorrect, please re-open this issue or create a new one.

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[github-actions]

This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.