claude update fails with permission error even when npm prefix is user-owned

[Tlimanli]

Bug Report

Version

2.1.77 (attempting to update to 2.1.81)

OS

macOS Darwin 25.3.0

Problem

claude update returns a permission error even though the npm prefix directories are owned by the current user (not root).

Exact Error

Warning: Insufficient permissions for auto-updates
Fix: Do one of: (1) Re-install node without sudo, or (2) Use `claude install` for native installation
New version available: 2.1.81 (current: 2.1.77)
Installing update...
Using global installation update method...
Error: Insufficient permissions to install update
Try running with sudo or fix npm permissions
Or consider using native installation with: claude install

Environment Details

npm prefix: /usr/local
owner of /usr/local/lib/node_modules: tallipszyc (user, not root)
owner of /usr/local/bin/claude: tallipszyc (user, not root)

Workaround

Running npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code directly works without any permission issues.

Expected Behavior

claude update should succeed when the user owns the npm prefix directory, without requiring sudo.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install claude-code via npm globally with user-owned prefix (/usr/local)
2. Run claude update
3. Observe permission error despite user owning all relevant directories

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. Bug Report Insufficient permissions for global npm install #2820
2. [BUG] Incorrect Installation Diagnostics for npm-global Installation #8523
3. [Bug] claude update - multiple installations detected at same path after npmrc prefix change #35520

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

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[github-actions]

This issue has been automatically closed as a duplicate of #2820.

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.