claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [BUG] Claude Desktop local mode crashes for git submodule path, but the same repo works as a standalone clone [1 comments, 2 participants]

2026-04-16 23:00:34 [info] Starting local session local_fef8f434-d018-4d4e-b204-f290130b0e10 in /Users/mbp14/Documents/dev/eradevelop/monorepo_solid/test_rust_algo 2026-04-16 23:00:34 [info] [CCD] Using skills plugin at: /Users/mbp14/Library/Application Support/Claude/local-agent-mode-sessions/skills-plugin/3b528fb8-7fb5-421b-9da2-2e15d1 11f5d3/e665ac42-bda5-4574-bcd5-6146fdd3945c 2026-04-16 23:00:34 [info] [CCD] Passing 1 plugin(s) to SDK (skills: 1, remote: 0, local: 0) 2026-04-16 23:00:34 [info] Using Claude Code binary at: /Users/mbp14/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude-code/2.1.92/claude.app/Contents/MacOS/claude 2026-04-16 23:00:34 [error] Session local_fef8f434-d018-4d4e-b204-f290130b0e10 query error: Claude Code process exited with code 1 2026-04-16 23:00:34 [info] [CCD CycleHealth] unhealthy cycle for local_fef8f434-d018-4d4e-b204-f290130b0e10 (0s, hadFirstResponse=false, reason=no_response)

Working case (standalone clone outside monorepo):

2026-04-16 23:00:49 [info] Starting local session local_fa8ae1db-e914-429c-9c05-fed3ea6ffaf3 in /Users/mbp14/Downloads/test_rust_algo_clean 2026-04-16 23:00:49 [info] [oauth] using cached token for orgId=... 2026-04-16 23:00:49 [info] [CCD] Using skills plugin at: /Users/mbp14/Library/Application Support/Claude/local-agent-mode-sessions/skills-plugin/3b528fb8-7fb5-421b-9da2-2e15d1 11f5d3/e665ac42-bda5-4574-bcd5-6146fdd3945c 2026-04-16 23:00:49 [info] [CCD] Passing 1 plugin(s) to SDK (skills: 1, remote: 0, local: 0) 2026-04-16 23:00:49 [info] Using Claude Code binary at: /Users/mbp14/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude-code/2.1.92/claude.app/Contents/MacOS/claude 2026-04-16 23:00:49 [info] Mapping internal session local_fa8ae1db-e914-429c-9c05-fed3ea6ffaf3 to CLI session 577f73c0-c7d4-4399-bf6f-089494243635 2026-04-16 23:00:57 [info] [CCD start-timing] local_fa8ae1db-e914-429c-9c05-fed3ea6ffaf3 preflight=55ms worktree=0ms mcp=5ms query=1ms enqueue=1ms init=628ms first_assistant=7506ms

TL;DR

The issue is likely due to Claude Desktop's inability to handle git submodules, causing the Claude Code process to exit with code 1 when opening a repository at its submodule path inside a monorepo.

Guidance

• Verify that the issue is indeed related to the git submodule layout by trying to open other submodules within the monorepo and observing if the same error occurs.
• Check if there are any known issues or limitations in Claude Desktop's documentation regarding support for git submodules.
• Consider cloning the submodule as a standalone repository and opening it in Claude Desktop as a temporary workaround.
• If possible, try updating Claude Code to a newer version to see if the issue has been resolved.

Example

No code snippet is provided as the issue seems to be related to the git submodule layout rather than a specific code problem.

Notes

The issue may be specific to the Anthropics API and macOS platform, and further investigation may be needed to determine the root cause. Additionally, the fact that Claude Code CLI works in both cases suggests that the issue may be related to the Claude Desktop implementation rather than the Claude Code binary itself.

Recommendation

Apply workaround: Clone the submodule as a standalone repository and open it in Claude Desktop, as this has been shown to work in the provided example. This workaround allows users to continue using Claude Desktop while the issue is being investigated and resolved.