Claude Code Severe Memory Leak Causing CLI Freeze on macOS

What this error means

Severe native memory leak (~738 GB/h) — CLI fully unresponsive, slash commands frozen is a Claude Code failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix claude code freezing due to severe native memory leak on macos. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.

Why this happens

Claude Code daily user on macOS reports severe native memory leak consuming ~738 GB/hour. CLI becomes fully unresponsive — slash commands frozen mid-task. Uses latest Claude Code version. Pattern: freezes during specific task types after extended use.

Common causes

• Claude Code is Anthropic’s AI coding CLI tool. A severe memory leak (~738 GB/hour) causes the CLI to become completely unresponsive — even slash commands freeze. This destroys developer productivity and can crash the host system. Daily users of Claude Code are directly impacted.
• Claude Code daily user on macOS reports severe native memory leak consuming ~738 GB/hour. CLI becomes fully unresponsive — slash commands frozen mid-task. Uses latest Claude Code version. Pattern: freezes during specific task types after extended use.

Quick fixes

1. Confirm the exact error signature matches Severe native memory leak (~738 GB/h) — CLI fully unresponsive, slash commands frozen.
2. Check the Claude Code account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
3. 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

1. Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
2. Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
3. Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
4. Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
5. 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.

Sources checked

• https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/58272

Evidence note: Claude Code daily user on macOS reports severe native memory leak consuming ~738 GB/hour. CLI becomes fully unresponsive — slash commands frozen mid-task. Uses latest Claude Code version. Pattern: freezes during specific task types after extended use.

Related errors

• Claude Code high memory usage
• Claude Code unresponsive / frozen
• Claude Code crash on macOS

FAQ

What should I check first?

Start with the exact Severe native memory leak (~738 GB/h) — CLI fully unresponsive, slash commands frozen text and the smallest action that reproduces it.

Can I ignore this error?

No. Treat it as a failed Claude Code workflow until the root cause is understood.

Is this guaranteed to have one fix?

No. The imported evidence supports the troubleshooting path above, but tool behavior can vary by account, plan, version, provider, and local configuration.

How do I know the fix worked?

Rerun the same command, editor action, or request. The fix is working when that action completes without Severe native memory leak (~738 GB/h) — CLI fully unresponsive, slash commands frozen.