CRITICAL BUG: Claude Code Corrupts MacOS During GitHub Ops

by RICHARD 59 views

Hey guys, we've got a serious situation here. This is not just your run-of-the-mill bug report – we're talking about system-level corruption! This article dives deep into a critical regression in Claude Code v1.0.93 that's causing macOS systems to go haywire during bulk GitHub operations. Buckle up, because this is a wild ride.

🚨 SEVERITY: CRITICAL - SYSTEM CORRUPTION

This is a Code Red situation, folks. System corruption means exactly what it sounds like: bad news. We need to address this ASAP.

Bug Type: System corruption regression Claude Code Version: v1.0.93 Release Date: 2025-08-26 22:22:24 UTC Impact: Complete macOS user profile corruption Status: Confirmed regression of previously fixed issue

Summary

Claude Code v1.0.93 is the culprit, guys. This version is causing complete macOS system corruption when it's trying to do bulk GitHub CLI operations through the ykf-orchestrator-v4 agent. And the kicker? This is a regression. That means it's a bug that was supposedly fixed back in March 2025 but has somehow crawled its way back in. We need to figure out WHY this happened. Imagine spending hours customizing your macOS setup, only to have it all wiped away. This bug results in a complete macOS user profile corruption, making it a high-severity issue that demands immediate attention. The regression aspect of this bug is particularly concerning because it indicates a potential breakdown in the software testing or release processes. Understanding the root cause of this regression will be crucial in preventing similar issues in future releases. The impact of this bug extends beyond mere inconvenience; it can lead to significant data loss and productivity disruption for affected users. Therefore, addressing this issue promptly and effectively is paramount.

Timeline of Events

Let's break down the timeline, so you can see how this all unfolded. Time is of the essence, and we need to understand exactly what happened when, and why.

Timestamp Event Source
2025-08-26 22:22:24 UTC Claude Code v1.0.93 released Release logs
2025-08-26 23:46:36 User requested: "make all GitHub repositories private" Claude logs
2025-08-26 23:46:36 - 01:46:27 Claude executed bulk GitHub CLI operations using ykf-orchestrator-v4 Shell snapshots
2025-08-27 01:46:27 CEST macOS system corruption occurred System timestamps
~2 hours Total time from GitHub operations to corruption Calculated

The timeline clearly demonstrates a direct correlation between the bulk GitHub operations and the system corruption. The two-hour delay is also a key piece of information, suggesting that the issue might be related to a gradual resource exhaustion or a delayed write operation. This kind of temporal analysis is crucial in debugging complex system issues. By pinpointing the exact moments when events occurred, we can narrow down the possible causes and develop more targeted solutions. In this case, the two-hour window provides a valuable constraint for our investigation, guiding us to focus on processes and actions that were active during that period. The precision of the timestamps underscores the need for robust logging and monitoring systems in software development.

Technical Evidence

Okay, let's get our hands dirty with the technical details. This is where things get really interesting.

1. Precise Correlation

  • GitHub Operations Window: 2025-08-26 23:46:36 → 2025-08-27 01:46:27 CEST (exactly 2 hours)
  • System Corruption Time: 2025-08-27 01:46:27 CEST
  • There is a Perfect temporal correlation between bulk GitHub CLI operations and system failure

The precise temporal correlation is a smoking gun. It's not just a coincidence; the timing is too perfect. This strongly suggests a causal relationship between the GitHub operations and the system corruption. When investigating software bugs, especially those involving system-level issues, pinpointing the exact moment of failure is crucial. Here, the fact that the system corruption occurred precisely at the end of the two-hour window during which the bulk GitHub operations were executed is a critical piece of evidence. It allows us to rule out many potential causes that might have occurred at different times and focus our attention on the activities that were happening during that specific period. This level of precision highlights the importance of having detailed system logs and monitoring tools.

2. Claude Execution Logs

User Request: "make all GitHub repositories private"
Agent: ykf-orchestrator-v4
Execution Method: Bulk GitHub CLI operations (gh repo edit --visibility private)
Start Time: 2025-08-26 23:46:36
Operations: Multiple repositories processed in sequence

The Claude execution logs give us a peek into what was happening behind the scenes. It’s crystal clear: the user requested a bulk operation, and Claude dutifully went to work using the ykf-orchestrator-v4 agent. The agent, executing bulk GitHub CLI commands, appears to be at the heart of the issue. Examining execution logs provides a valuable insight into the series of events leading up to a system failure. In this case, the logs clearly show that the user initiated a bulk GitHub operation, which was then handled by the ykf-orchestrator-v4 agent. This information is crucial because it pinpoints the specific component of the system that was involved in the operation and might have contributed to the corruption. By analyzing the logs, we can understand the nature of the operation, the commands executed, and the sequence of events, which helps in narrowing down the potential causes of the bug.

3. Shell Command Snapshots

  • Multiple gh repo edit --visibility private commands executed
  • Batch operations on numerous repositories
  • Resource-intensive GitHub API calls
  • Memory/system resource exhaustion pattern

Shell command snapshots show us the nitty-gritty details of what commands were being run. We see a flurry of gh repo edit commands, indicating that the agent was indeed processing repositories in bulk. The mention of resource-intensive GitHub API calls and a potential memory/system resource exhaustion pattern suggests that the system might have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of operations. Shell command snapshots provide a granular view of the specific commands executed by the system, allowing for a detailed analysis of the operations performed. In this instance, the snapshots reveal that multiple gh repo edit commands were run, indicating a bulk operation involving numerous repositories. This is a key piece of information because it suggests that the issue might be related to the scale of the operation. Furthermore, the mention of resource-intensive GitHub API calls and a potential memory/system resource exhaustion pattern points towards a possible bottleneck in system resources. By examining these snapshots, developers can gain valuable insights into the system's behavior and identify potential areas of concern.

4. System State Evidence

  • Touch ID completely disabled
  • All application preferences reset (Alfred, iTerm2, 1Password, Bartender, etc.)
  • macOS user profile corruption
  • Months/years of customizations wiped

This is where the real damage becomes apparent. Touch ID disabled? Application preferences reset? User profile corrupted? This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a catastrophic failure. Months, even years, of customizations are gone. This system state evidence paints a grim picture of the aftermath of the bug. The fact that Touch ID is disabled, application preferences are reset, and the macOS user profile is corrupted indicates a severe level of system instability. This kind of corruption can lead to significant data loss and require extensive effort to restore the system to a usable state. The wiping out of months or years of customizations highlights the potential for long-term impact on users' productivity and workflow. This evidence is crucial in understanding the extent of the damage caused by the bug and underscores the need for a swift and effective resolution.

Connection to March 2025 Incident

This is where things get really concerning. This isn't just a new bug; it's a regression of a previously fixed issue. That means something went wrong in our process, and we need to figure out why.

This is a confirmed regression of the system corruption bug documented in March 2025:

  1. Same Symptoms: Complete macOS profile corruption, Touch ID disabled, preferences reset
  2. Same Trigger Pattern: Bulk operations through Claude Code
  3. Same Agent Involvement: ykf-orchestrator-v4 agent executing system-intensive operations
  4. Same Timing: ~2 hour delay between operations and corruption

The similarities between this incident and the one in March 2025 are uncanny. The same symptoms, the same trigger pattern, the same agent involved, and even the same timing. This points to a fundamental issue that wasn't properly addressed in the original fix. The identification of a regression is a critical step in bug analysis because it highlights the reemergence of a previously resolved issue. In this case, the fact that the current bug shares several key characteristics with a system corruption bug documented in March 2025 is a strong indicator that the underlying problem might not have been fully addressed. The similarities in symptoms, trigger pattern, agent involvement, and timing suggest that the root cause could be a persistent vulnerability or a flaw in the initial fix. Recognizing this connection allows developers to leverage their previous understanding of the issue and potentially expedite the debugging process.

The March 2025 fix was either:

  • Not properly implemented in v1.0.93
  • Regressed during recent changes
  • Insufficient to handle GitHub CLI bulk operations

These are the key questions we need to answer. Did the fix not make it into this release? Did recent changes undo the fix? Or was the original fix simply not robust enough? These potential explanations for the regression provide a crucial starting point for further investigation. Determining which of these scenarios is the most likely explanation will help guide the debugging process and ensure that the fix is both effective and sustainable. If the fix was not properly implemented in v1.0.93, it might indicate an issue in the release management process. If the bug regressed due to recent changes, it suggests a need for better change management and testing procedures. If the original fix was insufficient, it highlights the importance of conducting thorough root cause analysis and implementing robust solutions.

Environment Details

Let's talk about the environment where this bug is manifesting. Knowing the specifics can help us narrow down the cause.

  • OS: macOS (Darwin 24.5.0)
  • Claude Code Version: v1.0.93
  • Agent: ykf-orchestrator-v4 (Automation & API Central)
  • GitHub CLI: Latest version
  • Operation Type: Bulk repository visibility changes
  • Repository Count: Multiple (exact count available in logs)

These environment details provide crucial context for the bug report. Knowing the specific operating system, Claude Code version, agent, GitHub CLI version, and operation type helps developers narrow down the potential causes of the issue. The fact that the bug occurs during bulk repository visibility changes suggests that the problem might be related to the handling of a large number of requests or the interaction with the GitHub API. The repository count being multiple further emphasizes the importance of considering scalability and resource management aspects. This detailed environmental information enables developers to reproduce the bug in a controlled setting and identify the specific conditions under which it occurs.

Reproduction Steps ⚠️ DO NOT ATTEMPT

WARNING: These steps WILL corrupt your macOS system. Only attempt in isolated test environment.

These steps are included for completeness, but seriously, don't try this at home (or in your production environment). We're listing this for controlled testing in isolated environments only.

  1. Install Claude Code v1.0.93
  2. Authenticate GitHub CLI with account having multiple repositories
  3. Request Claude to "make all GitHub repositories private"
  4. Claude will use ykf-orchestrator-v4 agent
  5. Agent executes bulk gh repo edit --visibility private commands
  6. Wait approximately 2 hours
  7. System corruption occurs: Touch ID disabled, preferences reset

Clearly outlining the reproduction steps is crucial for developers to replicate the bug and understand the conditions under which it occurs. However, in this case, the warning is paramount due to the severity of the bug. Emphasizing the risk of system corruption and advising against attempting the steps in a production environment is essential to prevent unintended data loss or system instability. By providing these steps, developers can set up an isolated testing environment to safely reproduce the bug and investigate its cause. The detailed steps, including the specific Claude Code version, authentication requirements, and wait time, ensure that the reproduction is as accurate as possible.

Expected vs Actual Behavior

Let's compare what should have happened with what actually happened. This stark contrast highlights the severity of the bug.

Expected

  • GitHub repositories visibility changed to private
  • System remains stable and unaffected
  • User profile and preferences preserved

Actual

  • Complete macOS user profile corruption
  • Touch ID disabled requiring reconfiguration
  • All application preferences reset
  • Months/years of customizations lost
  • System requires extensive reconfiguration

The comparison between expected and actual behavior clearly illustrates the significant deviation caused by the bug. While the intended outcome was a simple change in repository visibility, the actual result is a catastrophic system corruption. The loss of user profile data, disabled Touch ID, and reset application preferences highlight the severity of the impact on users. This contrast is essential for stakeholders to understand the magnitude of the issue and prioritize its resolution. It also underscores the importance of thorough testing and quality assurance processes to prevent such drastic discrepancies between expected and actual outcomes.

Impact Assessment

What's the real-world impact of this bug? It's not just a technical problem; it has serious consequences for users and the company.

Immediate Impact

  • Data Loss: All application preferences and customizations
  • Security: Touch ID authentication disabled
  • Productivity: Hours/days of reconfiguration required
  • Trust: Users cannot safely use bulk operations

Broader Impact

  • User Base Risk: All macOS users using Claude Code v1.0.93
  • Reputation: Critical regression in supposedly fixed feature
  • Legal: Potential data loss liability
  • Adoption: Users will avoid Claude Code for critical operations

This impact assessment paints a comprehensive picture of the potential repercussions of the bug. The immediate impact includes data loss, security vulnerabilities, productivity disruption, and a loss of user trust. The broader impact extends to the entire user base, the company's reputation, potential legal liabilities, and a decrease in user adoption. The assessment emphasizes the severity of the bug and its potential for long-term damage. By clearly outlining the consequences, it helps stakeholders understand the urgency of the situation and prioritize the necessary actions. This thorough impact assessment serves as a strong justification for allocating resources and taking immediate steps to mitigate the risks associated with the bug.

Root Cause Analysis (Preliminary)

Let's play detective and try to figure out what's causing this mess.

Likely Causes

  1. Resource Exhaustion: Bulk GitHub operations overwhelming system resources
  2. Agent Isolation Failure: ykf-orchestrator-v4 not properly sandboxed
  3. Memory Management: Insufficient cleanup during bulk operations
  4. System API Abuse: Excessive system calls corrupting user profile
  5. Regression: March 2025 fix not properly maintained

Technical Vectors

  • GitHub CLI bulk operations → High CPU/Memory usage
  • System resource exhaustion → Profile corruption
  • Agent execution context → System-level access issues

This preliminary root cause analysis identifies several potential culprits and technical pathways that could be contributing to the bug. The likely causes range from resource exhaustion and agent isolation failures to memory management issues, system API abuse, and, importantly, the regression of a previous fix. The technical vectors outline the potential chains of events leading from the initial trigger (bulk GitHub operations) to the final outcome (profile corruption). This analysis provides a valuable framework for further investigation, guiding developers to focus on specific areas and potential vulnerabilities. By identifying these likely causes and technical vectors, the team can efficiently allocate resources and prioritize testing efforts to pinpoint the exact root cause of the issue.

Requested Actions

Okay, what do we do now? Here's a breakdown of the actions that need to be taken, and when.

Immediate (Within 24 hours)

  1. Emergency Hotfix: Release v1.0.94 with bulk operations disabled
  2. Public Warning: Issue security advisory about v1.0.93
  3. Rollback Guidance: Instructions to revert to safe version

Short-term (Within 1 week)

  1. Root Cause Investigation: Full forensic analysis
  2. Regression Analysis: How March 2025 fix was lost
  3. Test Suite Enhancement: Add system corruption detection tests
  4. Agent Sandboxing: Implement proper isolation for ykf-orchestrator-v4

Long-term (Within 1 month)

  1. Architecture Review: Redesign bulk operation handling
  2. Resource Management: Implement proper limits and monitoring
  3. User Protection: Add safeguards for system-intensive operations
  4. Quality Assurance: Prevent future regressions

These requested actions are structured across immediate, short-term, and long-term horizons, ensuring a comprehensive and phased approach to addressing the bug. The immediate actions focus on mitigating the immediate risks by releasing a hotfix, issuing a public warning, and providing rollback guidance. The short-term actions aim at a thorough investigation, including root cause and regression analyses, as well as test suite enhancements and agent sandboxing. The long-term actions address the underlying architectural issues, resource management, user protection, and quality assurance processes. This structured approach allows for a balanced response, addressing both the immediate crisis and the long-term prevention of similar issues. The clarity and prioritization of these actions are crucial for effective management of the situation.

Additional Context

Any extra information that might be helpful? You bet.

Files Available for Analysis

  • /Users/yoyaku/RAPPORT-COMPLET-CORRUPTION-CLAUDE-CODE.md - Detailed corruption report
  • Various logs in /Users/yoyaku/logs/ directory
  • Shell snapshots with exact timestamps
  • System state before/after evidence

Supporting Evidence

  • Precise timestamp correlation
  • Shell command history
  • System preference files (corrupted state)
  • Agent execution logs

The availability of these files and supporting evidence is crucial for a thorough investigation. The detailed corruption report, logs, shell snapshots, and system state evidence provide a wealth of information for developers to analyze. The precise timestamp correlation, shell command history, system preference files, and agent execution logs offer valuable insights into the events leading up to the bug and its impact. By providing access to this comprehensive set of resources, the report facilitates a more efficient and accurate root cause analysis. This transparency and willingness to share detailed information are essential for fostering trust and collaboration in resolving critical issues.

Contact Information

This report is submitted on behalf of affected users who have experienced system corruption with Claude Code v1.0.93. The evidence provided shows clear correlation between bulk GitHub operations and subsequent macOS system corruption.

This is a critical security and stability issue requiring immediate attention.

Report prepared: 2025-08-27 Evidence collection: Complete Reproduction risk: Confirmed high User impact: Severe system corruption Action required: Emergency response