[BUG] Claude Code silently exits (code 0) when git is not installed

[DigitalCyberSoft]

Description

Claude Code interactive mode renders the TUI welcome screen, then immediately exits with code 0 when git is not installed on the system. No error message is shown. The user has no indication that git is a required dependency.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Use a fresh Linux server without git installed (e.g. Fedora 42 minimal VPS)
2. Install Claude Code: curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | sh
3. Run claude
4. TUI renders the welcome screen, REPL prompt appears, then process exits immediately with code 0
5. Terminal dumps VTE escape codes after exit

Expected Behavior

Claude Code should either:

• Print a clear error: Error: git is required but not found. Install it with: dnf install git / apt install git
• Or list git as a dependency in the install script and check for it during installation

Actual Behavior

• Silent exit with code 0
• No error message whatsoever
• claude doctor does not flag missing git
• claude --version works fine
• claude -p "hello" gives misleading error: Error: Input must be provided either through stdin or as a prompt argument when using --print
• Hours of debugging required to identify the cause

Environment

• Claude Code: v2.1.74
• OS: Fedora 42 (kernel 6.18), Vultr VPS, 2GB RAM, x86_64
• Shell: bash
• TERM: xterm-256color
• TTY: Valid /dev/pts/0

Fix Confirmation

dnf install git immediately resolves the issue. Claude stays open and functions normally after git is installed.

Related Issues

• [BUG] Claude Code exits immediately in non-git directories with "Input must be provided" error #23195 — exits in non-git directories (same silent exit behavior)
• [BUG] Claude code with version > 2.1.29 exits immediately when run in non-git directory #27455 — exits in non-git directories post v2.1.29

Notes

• The install script (claude.ai/install.sh) does not check for or mention git as a dependency
• claude doctor should detect missing git and report it
• This is especially common on minimal server/VPS images that ship without git

[DigitalCyberSoft]

Additional context: not everyone uses git. Users coming from SVN, Mercurial, Perforce, or running on minimal servers with no VCS at all should not be blocked from using Claude Code.

Git should be an optional dependency that enhances functionality (project root detection, diff tracking, .gitignore awareness), not a hard requirement that causes a silent exit. Claude Code should degrade gracefully when git is absent — fall back to working directory as project root, skip diff-based features, and continue working.

At absolute minimum, if git truly is required, the install script and claude doctor must check for it and tell the user clearly.

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. [BUG] Claude code with version > 2.1.29 exits immediately when run in non-git directory #27455
2. [BUG] Claude Code 2.0.43+ exits immediately after rendering welcome screen on RHEL8 #12084
3. Interactive mode exits immediately when no git repository is found #31745

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[DigitalCyberSoft]

Attempted to submit a PR for this but the CLI source code is not in this repository — it's closed source. This repo only contains plugins and automation scripts.

This means this fix has to come from Anthropic directly. Suggesting a straightforward fix:

1. Install script (claude.ai/install.sh): Add a which git check and warn if missing
2. Startup: Before entering the TUI, check if git is in PATH. If not, print: Error: git is required but not installed. Install it with your package manager (e.g. dnf install git, apt install git) and exit with a non-zero code
3. claude doctor: Add a git binary check to the diagnostics output
4. Longer term: Make git optional — use working directory as project root when git is absent, skip diff/blame features gracefully

The current behavior (silent exit code 0, no error) cost hours of debugging on a fresh Fedora 42 VPS. This will hit anyone spinning up Claude on minimal server images.

[github-actions]

Closing for now — inactive for too long. Please open a new issue if this is still relevant.

[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.