Persistent Claude Code updates across container restarts (workaround + feature suggestion)

[satscan1]

Problem

When updating Claude Code manually inside the add-on (e.g. via npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code@latest), the update is lost after every restart because the container rebuilds from the image. The add-on sets DISABLE_AUTOUPDATER=1 and the native installer doesn't work on Alpine (musl libc).

This means users are stuck on whatever version is baked into the image until a new add-on release is published.

Workaround

I've found a working solution using /data/npm/ as a persistent install location + a self-installing custom session picker script that symlinks /usr/local/bin/claude to the persistent version on every start.

Full write-up with step-by-step instructions and the complete script:
👉 [paste link to your Gist or the markdown file]

Feature suggestion

It would be great if the add-on natively supported one of these:

1. Optional DISABLE_AUTOUPDATER — a config toggle like allow_claude_updates: true that removes the DISABLE_AUTOUPDATER=1 env var
2. Persistent npm prefix — install Claude Code to /data/npm/ instead of /usr/local/ so updates survive restarts
3. Startup update check — an optional config flag like auto_update_claude: true that runs npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code@latest on start

Any of these would solve the problem without needing the workaround.

Environment

• Claude Terminal Pro (latest)
• HA 2026.2.3
• Claude Code: container ships 2.1.69, latest is 2.1.90

https://gist.github.com/satscan1/d0db5682b8ec91c24bb24b50add8f582

Tnx

[ESJavadex]

Implemented in v2.0.11 — thanks for the report and for taking the time to document the workaround so clearly.

I ended up shipping a more conservative approach instead of the self-modifying session picker, mainly to keep the add-on easier to support and less fragile over time.

What’s included:

• optional persistent Claude Code override via /data/npm
• optional auto_update_claude_on_start flag
• active Claude Code version shown in the session picker

Important: the default behavior is unchanged. By default, the add-on still uses the Claude version baked into the image, and the persistent override only activates if the user explicitly enables it.

Release:
https://github.com/ESJavadex/claude-code-ha/releases/tag/v2.0.11

@satscan1 thanks again

[ESJavadex]

Implementado en v2.0.11 (override persistente de Claude en /data/npm + auto_update_claude_on_start) y endurecido en 2.0.13 (#27): la detección ahora usa bin/claude (layout npm actual, #21) y solo activa el override tras pasar un --version bajo timeout. Cierro como implementado; abrid un issue nuevo si queréis afinar el flujo de actualización. ¡Gracias por el reporte y el workaround tan bien documentado!