What this error means
UnexpectedToken / ParserError in PowerShell when running .ps1 files created by Claude Code Write tool is a Claude Code failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix claude code write tool powershell utf-8 bom issue causing unexpectedtoken errors on windows. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.
Why this happens
Open issue on official anthropics/claude-code repo. Clear repro steps documented. Write tool creates .ps1 files without BOM, PowerShell 5.1 throws UnexpectedToken at Unicode characters. Affects Windows developers with non-ASCII content in scripts.
Common causes
- Claude Code's Write tool creates .ps1 files as UTF-8 without BOM. PowerShell 5.1 on Windows interprets these as ANSI, causing ParserError at non-ASCII characters (emojis, em dash, umlauts). Affects Windows developers using Claude Code for automation scripts.
- Open issue on official anthropics/claude-code repo. Clear repro steps documented. Write tool creates .ps1 files without BOM, PowerShell 5.1 throws UnexpectedToken at Unicode characters. Affects Windows developers with non-ASCII content in scripts.
Quick fixes
- Confirm the exact error signature matches
UnexpectedToken / ParserError in PowerShell when running .ps1 files created by Claude Code Write tool. - 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.