[BUG] Claude code -p mode authentication does not work

[timoruokonen]

Environment

• Platform (select one):
  • Anthropic API
  • AWS Bedrock
  • Google Vertex AI
  • Other: Just terminal on Mac using Claude Code
• Claude CLI version: 1.0.3 (Claude Code)
• Operating System: macOS 15.4.1
• Terminal: Terminal App

Bug Description

"claude -p" mode does not authenticate although interactive mode is authenticated.

claude -p "test"                          
Invalid API key · Please run /login

I have done web site authentication for Claude Code interactive mode and it works just fine. Documentation (and claude 4) says that: "The -p mode should use the same authentication as interactive mode." but clearly it is not working. I have nothing authentication related in my .claude/settings.json.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Run "claude /login"
2. Follow the instructions and authenticate using the web method
3. Ensure claude interactive mode is working by making any prompt
4. Quite interactive mode
5. Run "claude -p "test"

Expected Behavior

Claude Code would execute the test prompt

Actual Behavior

Claude Code responds with:
Invalid API key · Please run /login

Additional Context

It used to work with beta version although there were random authentication issues and I had to sometimes do the /login again which every time causes a new Claude Code API key to be generated.