Bug: Todo List Overwriting In Claude Code

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Hey guys! It looks like we've got a pesky bug in Claude Code that's causing some serious headaches with todo lists. Let's dive into the details and see what's going on.

Bug Description: The Todo List Vanishing Act

So, here's the deal: Claude Code seems to have a bit of a memory problem when it comes to todo lists. Imagine you're working on a bunch of tasks – let's say ten things you need to get done. You ask Claude Code to fetch your todo list, and it dutifully presents your ten tasks. Great! But then, you decide to tweak one of those tasks – maybe the fifth one needs a little extra detail or a different approach. You tell Claude Code to modify task number five, and that's where things go south. Instead of just updating that one task, Claude Code decides to wipe out the rest of your list and replace it with only the modified task. Poof! The other nine tasks are gone. It's like your entire todo list is playing a disappearing act after a single edit.

This is super frustrating, especially if you've built up a complex list over time. Losing your tasks means losing your train of thought, your planning, and your momentum. We've seen this happen multiple times in less than a week, which is definitely a red flag. It's like Claude Code is saying, "You wanted to change task five? Okay, task five is everything now!" Not exactly what we're going for, right?

This overwriting issue is a major problem because it destroys user data and wastes time. Imagine meticulously building a list of project tasks, only to have it all disappear with one small edit. This bug undermines the core functionality of a todo list – which is to reliably store and manage your tasks. We need to get this fixed ASAP so everyone can trust their lists are safe and sound.

The current behavior makes it impossible to effectively use Claude Code for managing anything beyond the simplest of task lists. The constant risk of data loss is a huge deterrent. We need to ensure Claude Code can handle modifications without obliterating entire lists.

Environment Info: Where the Bug Lurks

To help track down this bug, here’s the setup where it's been spotted:

  • Platform: Linux (a popular choice for developers and power users)
  • Terminal: Kitty (a fast, feature-rich terminal emulator)
  • Version: 2.0.14 (the specific version of the software in use)
  • Feedback ID: 52b00d8e-3f12-48dc-9a74-439407a03f66 (a unique identifier for this particular bug report, super helpful for tracking)

This information gives us a clear picture of the environment where the bug is occurring. Knowing the platform, terminal, and version helps narrow down the potential causes. For example, there might be a specific interaction between Claude Code and the Kitty terminal, or a problem that was introduced in version 2.0.14. The Feedback ID is like a fingerprint for this bug report, allowing the developers to link it to other related reports and track its progress through the fixing process.

Understanding the environment is crucial for reproducing the bug and finding a solution. By knowing the exact conditions under which the bug occurs, developers can set up similar environments and try to replicate the issue. This is a key step in debugging because it allows them to observe the bug firsthand and identify the root cause. The more information we have about the environment, the better our chances of squashing this bug.

Errors: The Technical Breakdown

Now, let's get a little technical and look at the error messages we're seeing. These messages are like clues that can help us understand what's going wrong under the hood. Here's a snippet of the errors:

[{"error":"Error: Request was aborted.\n    at tS.makeRequest (file:///francisco-home/.claude/local/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:573:3850)\n    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:105:5)","timestamp":"2025-10-11T02:00:24.199Z"},{"error":"Error: Request was aborted.\n    at nc._createMessage (file:///francisco-home/.claude/local/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:432:4515)\n    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:105:5)","timestamp":"2025-10-11T02:03:24.016Z"},{"error":"Error: Request was aborted.\n    at tS.makeRequest (file:///francisco-home/.claude/local/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:573:3850)\n    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:105:5)","timestamp":"2025-10-11T02:03:42.363Z"},{"error":"Error: Request was aborted.\n    at tS.makeRequest (file:///francisco-home/.claude/local/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:573:3850)\n    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:105:5)","timestamp":"2025-10-11T02:31:54.981Z"},{"error":"Error: Request was aborted.\n    at tS.makeRequest (file:///francisco-home/.claude/local/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:573:3850)\n    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:105:5)","timestamp":"2025-10-11T02:32:05.985Z"}]

These errors all point to a common theme: "Request was aborted." This suggests that something is interrupting the communication between Claude Code and whatever system it uses to store the todo list. It's like trying to send a message, but the line gets cut off mid-transmission. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as network issues, timeouts, or problems with the server that stores the data.

The stack traces (the lines that start with at) give us more specific information about where the error is occurring in the code. For example, we see that the error originates in the tS.makeRequest function, which likely handles making requests to the server. We also see nc._createMessage, which might be involved in creating the message that's being sent. These details are invaluable for developers as they try to pinpoint the exact location of the bug.

The timestamps are also helpful because they show when the errors occurred. This can help correlate the errors with specific actions that were taken, such as modifying a task in the todo list. By looking at the timing of the errors, developers can get a better sense of the sequence of events that leads to the bug.

In summary, the "Request was aborted" errors strongly suggest a problem with communication or data persistence. Claude Code is trying to update the todo list, but something is interrupting the process, leading to the loss of data. This needs further investigation to determine the root cause and implement a fix.

Potential Causes and Next Steps

Okay, so we've identified the bug, gathered the details, and looked at the errors. What's next? Let's brainstorm some potential causes and the steps we can take to address this issue.

Potential Causes:

  1. Database Issues: The most likely culprit is a problem with the database or storage mechanism where Claude Code saves the todo lists. There could be issues with write permissions, data corruption, or the database server itself.
  2. API Errors: If Claude Code uses an external API to manage todo lists, there might be errors in the API calls. For example, the API might not be handling updates correctly, or there might be a mismatch between the data Claude Code is sending and what the API expects.
  3. Concurrency Problems: If multiple requests are trying to update the todo list at the same time, there could be concurrency issues. This means that the updates are interfering with each other, leading to data loss.
  4. Code Bug: Of course, there could be a bug in the Claude Code itself. Perhaps there's a flaw in the logic that handles updates, causing it to overwrite the entire list instead of just the modified task.
  5. Timeout Issues: The "Request was aborted" errors could indicate that the requests are timing out. This could be due to slow network connections, overloaded servers, or inefficient code.

Next Steps:

  1. Investigate the Database: The first step is to check the database or storage system for any errors or inconsistencies. This includes looking at logs, checking permissions, and verifying data integrity.
  2. Review the API Calls: If an API is involved, the API calls should be carefully reviewed to ensure they're being made correctly and that the responses are being handled properly.
  3. Implement Concurrency Control: If concurrency issues are suspected, measures should be taken to ensure that updates are handled in a thread-safe manner. This might involve using locks, transactions, or other concurrency control mechanisms.
  4. Debug the Code: The Claude Code itself should be thoroughly debugged to identify any flaws in the update logic. This might involve stepping through the code, adding logging statements, or using debugging tools.
  5. Check for Timeouts: The timeout settings should be reviewed to ensure they're appropriate. If necessary, the timeouts should be increased to allow more time for requests to complete.

Fixing this bug is crucial for ensuring the reliability of Claude Code and providing a positive user experience. By systematically investigating the potential causes and taking the appropriate steps, we can squash this bug and prevent further data loss.

Let's Get This Fixed!

So, that's the scoop on the todo list overwriting bug in Claude Code. It's a frustrating issue, but by understanding the details and working together, we can get it resolved. Keep those bug reports coming, and let's make Claude Code even better! Stay tuned for updates, and thanks for your help in making Claude Code awesome!