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Fix Claude Code Environment Variable Configuration Errors

Debug Claude Code authentication failures, OAuth errors, and API key configuration issues with platform-specific solutions and automated management tools.

JSONbored

October 27, 2025

environment-variables

configuration

api-keys

authentication

debugging

security

TL;DR

Claude Code configuration errors commonly affect authentication, OAuth handling, and permission settings. This guide provides platform-specific fixes for Windows WSL, macOS, and Linux. Security best practices protect API keys with layered approaches. Automated management with direnv simplifies environment setup.

Critical Configuration Alert

Configuration issues represent a significant portion of Claude Code support requests. OAuth callback failures and API key exposure risks remain top concerns. This guide addresses the most common configuration problems through proper setup patterns.

Problem Overview

Claude Code Configuration Error Indicators

**Primary Symptoms:** OAuth account information missing, API key not found errors, permission denied on file operations, MCP server connection failures **Common Triggers:** SSH environment limitations, corporate network restrictions, cross-platform path conflicts, expired OAuth tokens **Affected Versions:** Claude Code 3.0+, all platforms (Windows/macOS/Linux) **Impact Level:** Complete workflow disruption - no code generation possible

Quick Diagnosis

Identify Your Configuration Issue

**Yes:** Platform-specific installation issue - See Platform Configuration section **No:** Continue to next question

Common Error Messages

Claude Code Configuration Errors

Feature	Solution	Code
OAuth account information not found in config	Remove all Claude directories (~/.claude, ~/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/). Clear npm cache. Reinstall fresh.	AUTH_001
Missing API key · Run /login	Run /doctor command. Set install method: claude config set --global installMethod npm-global	AUTH_002
Permission denied: Cannot access file	Configure permission scopes: Read(src/), Edit(/docs/), Deny(~/.env)	PERM_001
MCP server connection failed	Set STACK_EXCHANGE_API_KEY and MAX_REQUEST_PER_WINDOW=30 in configuration	MCP_001

Step-by-Step Solutions

Complete Configuration Fix Process

Step 1: Platform-Specific Setup

**Purpose:** Configure Claude Code for your operating system with optimal performance settings. **Windows WSL Configuration:** WSL 2 with Ubuntu provides better performance. Keep projects within WSL filesystem (~/). **macOS Native Installation:** Keychain automatically stores OAuth tokens securely. Terminal and iTerm2 integration works seamlessly. **Linux NPM Configuration:** Avoid sudo-related issues with dedicated npm directory. Alpine Linux requires additional packages.

⏱️ 5 minutes

bash

# Windows WSL .wslconfig
[wsl2]
memory=8GB
processors=4
swap=2GB
localhostForwarding=true

# macOS Installation
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.claude/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

# Linux NPM Setup
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Step 2: Authentication Configuration

**Purpose:** Establish secure authentication with proper token management and API key storage. **Security Note:** Consider implementing key rotation policies for enhanced security.

bash

# Environment Variable Setup (.bashrc)
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-api-03-..."
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="custom-auth-token"
export CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_HELPER_TTL_MS=3600000

# API Key Helper Script (api-key-helper.sh)
#!/bin/bash
# Dynamic key generation from secure vault
KEY=$(vault kv get -field=api_key secret/claude)
echo "$KEY"

# Settings Configuration (.claude/settings.json)
{
  "apiKeyHelper": "./api-key-helper.sh",
  "mcpServers": {
    "stackOverflow": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-stack-exchange"],
      "env": {
        "STACK_EXCHANGE_API_KEY": "your-key",
        "MAX_REQUEST_PER_WINDOW": "30"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Permission Configuration

**Purpose:** Set granular file access rules with proper security boundaries. **Enterprise Override:** Managed settings in /Library/Application Support/ClaudeCode enforce policies.

json

# Project-Specific Permissions (.claude/settings.local.json)
{
  "permissions": {
    "fileAccess": [
      "Read(src/**)",
      "Edit(/docs/**)",
      "Deny(~/.env)",
      "Deny(**/*.key)"
    ],
    "commands": [
      "Bash(npm run test:*)",
      "Deny(rm -rf *)"
    ]
  },
  "defaultMode": "acceptEdits"
}

Step 4: Debug and Verify

**Purpose:** Validate configuration and identify remaining issues using diagnostic commands. **Common Fixes:** - **OAuth Token Expiration:** Run /logout then /login --force - **Config Mismatch:** claude config set --global installMethod npm-global - **Keychain Issues (macOS):** security delete-generic-password -a $USER -s "Claude Code" - **Credential Reset (Linux):** rm -rf ~/.claude/credentials.json **Success Indicators:** Green status in /doctor output confirms proper configuration.

bash

# Check configuration health
claude doctor

# View current settings
claude config list --all

# Test authentication
claude /login --force

# Verify environment variables
env | grep ANTHROPIC

# Check permission status
claude /status

Permission Precedence

Permission Rules Hierarchy

Feature	Priority	Example	Use Case
Deny Rules	Highest (1)	Deny(~/.env)	Block sensitive files absolutely
Ask Rules	Medium (2)	Ask(/etc/**)	Prompt for system file access
Allow Rules	Lowest (3)	Read(src/**)	Grant standard project access

Common Root Causes

Why Configuration Errors Occur

OAuth Callback Blocking

Common issue

Corporate firewalls and proxy servers block OAuth callbacks from claude.ai. Network restrictions prevent token exchange completion.

Cross-Platform Path Conflicts

Cross-platform

Windows WSL mixes Linux and Windows paths causing significant performance degradation. File system boundaries create permission errors.

Token Storage Limitations

SSH sessions

SSH environments lack persistent token storage mechanisms. Credential files become inaccessible across sessions.

Permission Scope Misconfiguration

Configuration

Default security rules block legitimate file operations. Enterprise policies override user settings unexpectedly.

Prevention Strategies

Prevent Future Configuration Issues

**Automated Environment Management:** Use direnv for directory-based configuration loading **Container-Based Development:** Docker ensures consistent environments - Prevents platform-specific issues entirely **Regular Validation Checks:** Run claude doctor weekly - Early detection of configuration drift

Alternative Solutions

When Standard Fixes Don't Work

Alternative approaches for persistent or unusual cases

Diagnostic Commands

diagnostic-commands.sh

bash

# Essential diagnostic commands for Claude Code

# Check overall configuration health
claude doctor

# View all configuration settings
claude config list --all

# Test authentication status
claude auth status --verbose

# Verify environment variables
env | grep ANTHROPIC

# Check file permissions
claude code --test-permissions ./

# View OAuth token status
claude token info

# Reset configuration completely
claude config reset --all

# Force new authentication
claude /login --force

# Check MCP server status
claude mcp status

# View error logs
claude logs --tail 50

# Test API connectivity
claude api test

Security Best Practices

Protect Your Claude Code Configuration

0% Complete

Never commit .env files containing API keysHIGH

Use .gitignore patterns: .env*, secrets/**, *.key to prevent exposure

Implement regular API key rotation policiesHIGH

Use vault integration or cloud secret managers for automatic rotation

Enable file access deny rules for sensitive pathsHIGH

Block ~/.ssh, ~/.aws, ~/.env with explicit deny permissions

Use separate API keys for each environmentLOW

Development, staging, production require isolated credentials

Configure OAuth token expiration policiesLOW

Set CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_HELPER_TTL_MS for automatic refresh

Audit permission scopes monthlyLOW

Review file access patterns and command restrictions regularly

Tool Configuration Examples

Platform-Specific Configuration Scripts

Windows WSL • setup-wsl.ps1

setup-wsl.ps1

powershell

# Enable WSL and install Ubuntu
wsl --install -d Ubuntu
wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2

# Configure WSL resources
@"
[wsl2]
memory=8GB
processors=4
swap=2GB
localhostForwarding=true
"@ | Out-File -FilePath "$env:USERPROFILE\.wslconfig" -Encoding utf8

# Install Claude Code in WSL
wsl -d Ubuntu -e bash -c "curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash"

macOS Keychain • setup-macos.sh

setup-macos.sh

bash

#!/bin/bash
# Store API key in Keychain
security add-generic-password \
  -a "$USER" \
  -s "Claude Code API" \
  -w "sk-ant-api-03-..."

# Retrieve API key from Keychain
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=$(security find-generic-password \
  -a "$USER" \
  -s "Claude Code API" \
  -w)

# Configure Claude to use Keychain
claude config set apiKeyHelper "./keychain-helper.sh"

Docker • docker-compose.yml

docker-compose.yml

yaml

version: '3.8'
services:
  claude:
    image: node:18-alpine
    volumes:
      - ./workspace:/workspace
      - claude-config:/home/node/.claude
    environment:
      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
      - NODE_ENV=development
    command: >
      sh -c "npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code &&
             claude code --project /workspace"
    
volumes:
  claude-config:

Team Setup Guide

Team and Enterprise Configuration

**Team Plans:** Enhanced usage limits per seat **Enterprise Plans:** Maximum usage with priority support **Shared Configuration:** CLAUDE.md files define team standards **Role Management:** Settings → Members for seat allocation

Team Environment Synchronization

Step 1: Create Team Configuration Template

Commit .env.example to version control. Team members copy to .env locally.

bash

# Team Claude Code Configuration Template
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-api-03-REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_KEY
CLAUDE_PROJECT_PATH=/workspace
CLAUDE_DEFAULT_MODEL=claude-3-sonnet
CLAUDE_TEAM_ID=team_123456
MAX_REQUEST_PER_WINDOW=30

Step 2: Configure direnv for Auto-Loading

Run direnv allow to approve configuration. Settings load automatically per directory.

bash

# Project-specific Claude configuration
source_up  # Inherit parent directory settings
dotenv     # Load .env file
export CLAUDE_PROJECT=$(basename $PWD)
export CLAUDE_CONFIG_PATH="$PWD/.claude"

# Team-specific MCP servers
export MCP_SERVERS="github,stackexchange,filesystem"

Common Pitfalls

Critical Anti-Patterns to Avoid

- Hardcoding API keys in source code - exposed in version control - Using same API key across all environments - security breach risk - Mixing Windows and WSL paths - causes significant performance degradation - Ignoring OAuth token expiration - leads to unexpected failures - Skipping permission configuration - enables unintended file access

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Claude Code show 'OAuth account information not found' after successful browser login?

OAuth callback handling fails when corporate firewalls block return URLs. The browser completes authentication but Claude Code never receives tokens. Fix by removing ~/.claude directory, clearing npm cache, and reinstalling. Use API key authentication as fallback for restricted networks.

How do I fix 'Missing API key · Run /login' errors in SSH sessions?

SSH environments lack persistent token storage causing authentication failures. Export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY='sk-ant-api-03-...' in shell profile. Run claude config set --global installMethod npm-global to fix config mismatches. The /doctor command reveals specific configuration conflicts.

What causes WSL performance issues with Claude Code?

Cross-filesystem operations between Windows and Linux cause significant slowdowns. Keep projects within WSL filesystem (~/) not Windows mounts (/mnt/c/). Configure WSL 2 with adequate RAM allocation. Use native Linux paths exclusively for optimal performance.

How do I configure Claude Code for team collaboration?

Team plans provide enhanced usage limits per seat. Create CLAUDE.md files for shared context. Use direnv for environment synchronization. Configure role-based access through Settings → Members. Implement .env.example templates for consistent team setup.

What security measures protect API keys in Claude Code?

Never commit credentials to version control using .gitignore patterns. Implement regular key rotation policies. Use separate keys per environment (dev/staging/prod). Enable apiKeyHelper scripts for dynamic generation. Configure deny rules for sensitive file paths.

Fix Claude Code Environment Variable Configuration Errors

Debug Claude Code authentication failures, OAuth errors, and API key configuration issues with platform-specific solutions and automated management tools.

JSONbored

October 27, 2025

environment-variables

configuration

api-keys

authentication

debugging

security

TL;DR

Critical Configuration Alert

Problem Overview

Claude Code Configuration Error Indicators

Quick Diagnosis

Identify Your Configuration Issue

**Yes:** Platform-specific installation issue - See Platform Configuration section **No:** Continue to next question

Common Error Messages

Claude Code Configuration Errors

Feature	Solution	Code
OAuth account information not found in config	Remove all Claude directories (~/.claude, ~/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/). Clear npm cache. Reinstall fresh.	AUTH_001
Missing API key · Run /login	Run /doctor command. Set install method: claude config set --global installMethod npm-global	AUTH_002
Permission denied: Cannot access file	Configure permission scopes: Read(src/), Edit(/docs/), Deny(~/.env)	PERM_001
MCP server connection failed	Set STACK_EXCHANGE_API_KEY and MAX_REQUEST_PER_WINDOW=30 in configuration	MCP_001

Step-by-Step Solutions

Complete Configuration Fix Process

Step 1: Platform-Specific Setup

⏱️ 5 minutes

bash

# Windows WSL .wslconfig
[wsl2]
memory=8GB
processors=4
swap=2GB
localhostForwarding=true

# macOS Installation
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.claude/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

# Linux NPM Setup
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Step 2: Authentication Configuration

**Purpose:** Establish secure authentication with proper token management and API key storage. **Security Note:** Consider implementing key rotation policies for enhanced security.

bash

# Environment Variable Setup (.bashrc)
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-api-03-..."
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="custom-auth-token"
export CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_HELPER_TTL_MS=3600000

# API Key Helper Script (api-key-helper.sh)
#!/bin/bash
# Dynamic key generation from secure vault
KEY=$(vault kv get -field=api_key secret/claude)
echo "$KEY"

# Settings Configuration (.claude/settings.json)
{
  "apiKeyHelper": "./api-key-helper.sh",
  "mcpServers": {
    "stackOverflow": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-stack-exchange"],
      "env": {
        "STACK_EXCHANGE_API_KEY": "your-key",
        "MAX_REQUEST_PER_WINDOW": "30"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Permission Configuration

**Purpose:** Set granular file access rules with proper security boundaries. **Enterprise Override:** Managed settings in /Library/Application Support/ClaudeCode enforce policies.

json

# Project-Specific Permissions (.claude/settings.local.json)
{
  "permissions": {
    "fileAccess": [
      "Read(src/**)",
      "Edit(/docs/**)",
      "Deny(~/.env)",
      "Deny(**/*.key)"
    ],
    "commands": [
      "Bash(npm run test:*)",
      "Deny(rm -rf *)"
    ]
  },
  "defaultMode": "acceptEdits"
}

Step 4: Debug and Verify

bash

# Check configuration health
claude doctor

# View current settings
claude config list --all

# Test authentication
claude /login --force

# Verify environment variables
env | grep ANTHROPIC

# Check permission status
claude /status

Permission Precedence

Permission Rules Hierarchy

Feature	Priority	Example	Use Case
Deny Rules	Highest (1)	Deny(~/.env)	Block sensitive files absolutely
Ask Rules	Medium (2)	Ask(/etc/**)	Prompt for system file access
Allow Rules	Lowest (3)	Read(src/**)	Grant standard project access

Common Root Causes

Why Configuration Errors Occur

OAuth Callback Blocking

Common issue

Corporate firewalls and proxy servers block OAuth callbacks from claude.ai. Network restrictions prevent token exchange completion.

Cross-Platform Path Conflicts

Cross-platform

Windows WSL mixes Linux and Windows paths causing significant performance degradation. File system boundaries create permission errors.

Token Storage Limitations

SSH sessions

SSH environments lack persistent token storage mechanisms. Credential files become inaccessible across sessions.

Permission Scope Misconfiguration

Configuration

Default security rules block legitimate file operations. Enterprise policies override user settings unexpectedly.

Prevention Strategies

Prevent Future Configuration Issues

Alternative Solutions

When Standard Fixes Don't Work

Alternative approaches for persistent or unusual cases

Diagnostic Commands

diagnostic-commands.sh

bash

# Essential diagnostic commands for Claude Code

# Check overall configuration health
claude doctor

# View all configuration settings
claude config list --all

# Test authentication status
claude auth status --verbose

# Verify environment variables
env | grep ANTHROPIC

# Check file permissions
claude code --test-permissions ./

# View OAuth token status
claude token info

# Reset configuration completely
claude config reset --all

# Force new authentication
claude /login --force

# Check MCP server status
claude mcp status

# View error logs
claude logs --tail 50

# Test API connectivity
claude api test

Security Best Practices

Protect Your Claude Code Configuration

0% Complete

Never commit .env files containing API keysHIGH

Use .gitignore patterns: .env*, secrets/**, *.key to prevent exposure

Implement regular API key rotation policiesHIGH

Use vault integration or cloud secret managers for automatic rotation

Enable file access deny rules for sensitive pathsHIGH

Block ~/.ssh, ~/.aws, ~/.env with explicit deny permissions

Use separate API keys for each environmentLOW

Development, staging, production require isolated credentials

Configure OAuth token expiration policiesLOW

Set CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_HELPER_TTL_MS for automatic refresh

Audit permission scopes monthlyLOW

Review file access patterns and command restrictions regularly

Tool Configuration Examples

Platform-Specific Configuration Scripts

Windows WSL • setup-wsl.ps1

setup-wsl.ps1

powershell

# Enable WSL and install Ubuntu
wsl --install -d Ubuntu
wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2

# Configure WSL resources
@"
[wsl2]
memory=8GB
processors=4
swap=2GB
localhostForwarding=true
"@ | Out-File -FilePath "$env:USERPROFILE\.wslconfig" -Encoding utf8

# Install Claude Code in WSL
wsl -d Ubuntu -e bash -c "curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash"

macOS Keychain • setup-macos.sh

setup-macos.sh

bash

#!/bin/bash
# Store API key in Keychain
security add-generic-password \
  -a "$USER" \
  -s "Claude Code API" \
  -w "sk-ant-api-03-..."

# Retrieve API key from Keychain
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=$(security find-generic-password \
  -a "$USER" \
  -s "Claude Code API" \
  -w)

# Configure Claude to use Keychain
claude config set apiKeyHelper "./keychain-helper.sh"

Docker • docker-compose.yml

docker-compose.yml

yaml

version: '3.8'
services:
  claude:
    image: node:18-alpine
    volumes:
      - ./workspace:/workspace
      - claude-config:/home/node/.claude
    environment:
      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
      - NODE_ENV=development
    command: >
      sh -c "npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code &&
             claude code --project /workspace"
    
volumes:
  claude-config:

Team Setup Guide

Team and Enterprise Configuration

Team Environment Synchronization

Step 1: Create Team Configuration Template

Commit .env.example to version control. Team members copy to .env locally.

bash

# Team Claude Code Configuration Template
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-api-03-REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_KEY
CLAUDE_PROJECT_PATH=/workspace
CLAUDE_DEFAULT_MODEL=claude-3-sonnet
CLAUDE_TEAM_ID=team_123456
MAX_REQUEST_PER_WINDOW=30

Step 2: Configure direnv for Auto-Loading

Run direnv allow to approve configuration. Settings load automatically per directory.

bash

# Project-specific Claude configuration
source_up  # Inherit parent directory settings
dotenv     # Load .env file
export CLAUDE_PROJECT=$(basename $PWD)
export CLAUDE_CONFIG_PATH="$PWD/.claude"

# Team-specific MCP servers
export MCP_SERVERS="github,stackexchange,filesystem"

Common Pitfalls

Critical Anti-Patterns to Avoid

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Claude Code show 'OAuth account information not found' after successful browser login?

How do I fix 'Missing API key · Run /login' errors in SSH sessions?

What causes WSL performance issues with Claude Code?

How do I configure Claude Code for team collaboration?

What security measures protect API keys in Claude Code?

Fix Claude Code Environment Variable Configuration Errors

Critical Configuration Alert

Problem Overview

Claude Code Configuration Error Indicators

Quick Diagnosis

Identify Your Configuration Issue

Common Error Messages

Step-by-Step Solutions

Complete Configuration Fix Process

Step 1: Platform-Specific Setup

Step 2: Authentication Configuration

Step 3: Permission Configuration

Step 4: Debug and Verify

Common Root Causes

Why Configuration Errors Occur

Prevention Strategies

Prevent Future Configuration Issues

Alternative Solutions

When Standard Fixes Don't Work

Diagnostic Commands

Security Best Practices

Tool Configuration Examples

Platform-Specific Configuration Scripts

Team Setup Guide

Team and Enterprise Configuration

Team Environment Synchronization

Step 1: Create Team Configuration Template

Step 2: Configure direnv for Auto-Loading

Common Pitfalls

Critical Anti-Patterns to Avoid

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Issues and Solutions

Related Troubleshooting Guides

Fix MCP Connection Errors

Fix Installation Errors

Fix Memory Leak Performance Issues

Issue Resolved?

Reviews (0)

Fix Claude Code Environment Variable Configuration Errors

Critical Configuration Alert

Problem Overview

Claude Code Configuration Error Indicators

Quick Diagnosis

Identify Your Configuration Issue

Common Error Messages

Step-by-Step Solutions

Complete Configuration Fix Process

Step 1: Platform-Specific Setup

Step 2: Authentication Configuration

Step 3: Permission Configuration

Step 4: Debug and Verify

Common Root Causes

Why Configuration Errors Occur

Prevention Strategies

Prevent Future Configuration Issues

Alternative Solutions

When Standard Fixes Don't Work

Diagnostic Commands

Security Best Practices

Tool Configuration Examples

Platform-Specific Configuration Scripts

Team Setup Guide

Team and Enterprise Configuration

Team Environment Synchronization

Step 1: Create Team Configuration Template

Step 2: Configure direnv for Auto-Loading

Common Pitfalls

Critical Anti-Patterns to Avoid

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Issues and Solutions

Related Troubleshooting Guides

Fix MCP Connection Errors

Fix Installation Errors

Fix Memory Leak Performance Issues

Issue Resolved?

Reviews (0)