Revert Claude Code Version

Safely downgrade Claude Code to a previous version when encountering bugs, compatibility issues, or needing specific features from earlier releases.

Quick Reversion Method

Navigate to Claude installation directory:

cd ~/.claude/local

Install specific version:

# Revert to specific version (e.g., v1.0.88)
npm install @anthropic-ai/claude-code@1.0.88

# Revert to latest patch in 1.0.x series
npm install @anthropic-ai/claude-code@^1.0.85

What Gets Preserved

Your data and configuration remain completely intact during version changes:

• Settings: ~/.claude/settings.json and project configurations
• Projects: All project data in ~/.claude/projects/
• Credentials: API keys and authentication settings
• Agents: Custom agents and MCP server configurations
• History: Shell snapshots and todo lists

Only the Claude Code executable changes - all your personal data stays safe.

Verification

Check successful version change:

claude --version

Test basic functionality:

# Verify Claude Code works
claude --help

# Test project access
claude /projects

Common Reversion Scenarios

Bug workarounds - Revert when new versions introduce issues affecting your workflow.

Feature compatibility - Stay on versions that support your required integrations or MCP servers.

Stability preference - Use tested versions for critical development work.

Data Safety

Version changes using npm only affect the Claude Code executable. Your settings, projects, and all personal data in ~/.claude/ remain untouched and accessible across all versions.

Version Strategy

Keep track of working versions for your setup. You can always upgrade again with npm install @anthropic-ai/claude-code@latest when issues are resolved.

Safe Version Management

Use npm to change Claude Code versions while preserving all settings and project data. Navigate to ~/.claude/local/ and install the specific version you need for stability or compatibility.

See Also: Where is Claude Code Installed|Download Claude Code|Uninstall Claude Code