---
name: claude-tui-fullscreen-crash
description: Claude Code "flicker-free rendering" prompt writes tui=fullscreen to settings.json and can crash-loop the CLI on Windows; fix = delete the tui key
metadata:
  type: feedback
---

On ACG-TECH03L (2026-07-04, Claude Code 2.1.201), accepting the startup prompt asking to
enable **flicker-free rendering** wrote `"tui": "fullscreen"` into
`~/.claude/settings.json`. On that machine's terminal the fullscreen/alternate-screen
mode crashed the CLI instantly on every subsequent launch ("opens and then closes") —
from any launch path, since all read the same settings file.

**Why:** the setting persists, so one bad answer to the prompt turns into a permanent
crash loop; reinstalling Claude Code does NOT fix it because settings survive reinstall.

**How to apply:** if a fleet machine's Claude Code exits immediately at launch, check
`~/.claude/settings.json` for `"tui": "fullscreen"` and set it to `"tui": "default"`
(surgically — keep hooks/plugins; explicit "default" also suppresses re-prompting,
which deleting the key does not). Emergency override without touching config:
`CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_ALTERNATE_SCREEN=1`. Decline the flicker-free prompt on machines
with older terminals/conhost. Related: [[tech03l-systemprofile-shortcut-corruption]].