Claude Code Bug: Git reset every 10 minutes

Claude Code Secretly Resets Git Changes Every 10 Minutes

Claude Code version 2.1.87 on macOS automatically runs git fetch origin and git reset --hard origin/main every 600 seconds. This results in the loss of all uncommitted changes in tracked files in the repository. A developer recorded more than 95 such operations over 36 hours across four sessions using git reflog.

Reproduction confirmed the issue: changes in tracked files are rolled back exactly 10 minutes later, while untracked files remain untouched. Filesystem monitoring revealed the creation of lock files in .git/refs/remotes/origin/HEAD and .git/refs/heads/main without launching any external git processes. The operations are baked into the Claude Code process, likely via libgit2.

Investigating the Cause

External factors ruled out: git hooks, cron jobs, cloud sync services, IDEs, Time Machine, file watchers, plugins. The only process with access is Claude Code running with the --dangerously-skip-permissions flag. The time offsets in reflog are consistent within a session but vary between runs, pointing to an internal timer.

The CHANGELOG mentions CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_CRON to disable periodic tasks. The bug goes unnoticed with frequent commits—Claude Code encourages them, rendering the reset harmless. The problem surfaces during extended work with WIP changes: at least 3 edits lost in 2 hours.

Similar complaints on GitHub lack deep analysis. Anthropic hasn't commented yet.

How to Check and Protect Yourself

Check the reflog:

git reflog | grep "reset: moving to origin"

Look for entries spaced 10 minutes apart.

Protection measures:

• Commit changes every 5–7 minutes.
• Use git worktrees: they're fully isolated from the reset.
• Run with CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_CRON=1 to disable the internal cron.

Worktrees are created like this:

git worktree add ../project-worktree main

Switching between them prevents data loss.

Key Points

• Automatic reset every 10 minutes: wipes uncommitted changes in tracked files.
• Internal timer: tied to session startup, controlled by CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_CRON.
• Reproducible on macOS 2.1.87: libgit2 without external processes.
• Worktrees as a solution: complete immunity to the bug.
• Check reflog: the key to diagnosis in your project.

— Editorial Team