git reset --soft HEAD~3 && git commit -m "Combined: squashed last 3 commits" Use git reset --soft to squash commits without an interactive editor. This moves HEAD back 3 commits while keeping all changes staged. Create a new single commit with the combined changes.

Interactive Rebase Unsupported Error — Fix (2026)

Q: Prevention

# CLAUDE.md rule Never use git commands with -i (interactive) flag. Use 'git reset --soft' to squash commits. Use 'git commit -m "message"' not bare 'git commit'. Always provide messages inline.

Last updated: April 20, 2026

The Error

Error: Interactive git operations are not supported in Claude Code
  'git rebase -i HEAD~3' requires an interactive editor
  Claude Code cannot interact with vim/nano editors spawned by git

This appears when Claude Code attempts to run git rebase -i or any git command that opens an interactive editor, which Claude Code cannot control.

The Fix

git reset --soft HEAD~3 && git commit -m "Combined: squashed last 3 commits"

Use git reset --soft to squash commits without an interactive editor.
This moves HEAD back 3 commits while keeping all changes staged.
Create a new single commit with the combined changes.

Why This Happens

Claude Code executes commands through a non-interactive shell (Bash tool). Commands like git rebase -i, git add -p, and git commit (without -m) spawn an interactive text editor (vim, nano, or the configured $EDITOR). Claude Code cannot type into these editors, so the command hangs until the Bash timeout kills it.

If That Doesn’t Work

Use auto-squash with fixup commits (non-interactive):

git commit --fixup=HEAD~2
GIT_SEQUENCE_EDITOR=: git rebase --autosquash HEAD~3

Use git rebase with --exec for non-interactive operations:

git rebase --exec "npm test" HEAD~3

For reordering commits, use cherry-pick instead:

git checkout -b temp main
git cherry-pick <commit-c> <commit-a> <commit-b>
git branch -f original-branch temp
git checkout original-branch

Prevention

# CLAUDE.md rule
Never use git commands with -i (interactive) flag. Use 'git reset --soft' to squash commits. Use 'git commit -m "message"' not bare 'git commit'. Always provide messages inline.

This fix also applies if you see these related error messages:

npm ERR! code EACCES
npm ERR! code ERESOLVE
npm ERR! peer dep missing
ETIMEDOUT: connection timed out
RequestTimeout: request took longer than 120000ms

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use npm or pnpm with Claude Code?

Claude Code works with any Node.js package manager. If your project uses pnpm, add Use pnpm instead of npm for all package operations to your CLAUDE.md so Claude Code respects your toolchain choice.

Why does Claude Code sometimes run npm commands that fail?

Claude Code infers the package manager from lock files. If both package-lock.json and pnpm-lock.yaml exist, it may pick the wrong one. Delete the unused lock file or add an explicit instruction in CLAUDE.md.

How do I verify my npm installation is working?

Run npm doctor to check your npm environment. It validates the registry connection, permissions, cache integrity, and Node.js compatibility in one command.

What is the default timeout for Claude Code API requests?

The default timeout is 120 seconds (120000ms). For complex operations involving large codebases or multi-file edits, this may be insufficient. Increase it with claude config set api_timeout 300000 for a 5-minute timeout.

Set it up → Build your permission config with our Permission Configurator.

Try it: Paste your error into our Error Diagnostic for an instant fix.

Git Operations in Claude Code: Safety Checklist

Claude Code can execute git commands, which makes safety guardrails important:

Before any destructive operation: Always check git status and git stash list to confirm there are no uncommitted changes that could be lost.

Branch management: Claude Code should create feature branches for non-trivial changes rather than committing directly to main. Use the pattern git checkout -b claude/feature-name to clearly identify AI-generated branches.

Commit message conventions: Configure your preferred commit format in CLAUDE.md. Claude Code follows the format you specify. Common formats: Conventional Commits (feat: add user search), Angular style, or simple descriptive messages.

Common Git Mistakes Claude Code Makes

Amending the wrong commit. If a pre-commit hook fails, Claude Code sometimes uses --amend on the next attempt, which modifies the previous (successful) commit instead of creating a new one. Configure CLAUDE.md with: “Never use git commit –amend. Always create new commits.”
Force pushing to shared branches. Claude Code may suggest git push --force to resolve push rejections. Add Bash(git push --force*) to your deny list in settings.json.
Committing generated files. Without guidance, Claude Code may commit dist/, node_modules/, or .env files. Ensure your .gitignore is complete and add a pre-commit hook that checks for these.