What this error means
Provider API request failed. (request_id=req_...) is a Claude Code failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix claude code 'provider api request failed' error when proxy returns 200 ok. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.
Why this happens
Reproduced on v2.1.141 with Windows WSL2 + proxy v2.0.0. Proxy logs show 200 OK, CLI shows error. User tested both OpenRouter and NVIDIA NIM configurations. Clean sessions, verified handshake via curl — still fails.
Common causes
- Developers using Claude Code with proxy setups (OpenRouter, NVIDIA NIM, custom backends) see 'Provider API request failed' even though proxy logs show successful 200 OK responses. Confusing mismatch between proxy logs and CLI error.
- Reproduced on v2.1.141 with Windows WSL2 + proxy v2.0.0. Proxy logs show 200 OK, CLI shows error. User tested both OpenRouter and NVIDIA NIM configurations. Clean sessions, verified handshake via curl — still fails.
Quick fixes
- Confirm the exact error signature matches
Provider API request failed. (request_id=req_...). - Check the Claude Code account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
- Compare the failing environment with a known working setup, then change one configuration value at a time.
Platform/tool-specific checks
- Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
- Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
- Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
- Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
- Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
- Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
- Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.
How to prevent it
- Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
- Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
- Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.