GitHub App Installation Blocked: Unexpected ANTHROPIC_API_KEY Secret Conflict

Bug Description I have successfully installed Claude Code in one of my Github repositories using /install-github-app. Except when I go to install it to my second repository using the same /install-github-app it unexpectedly informs me that - "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY already exists in repository secrets!" and automatically skips to "Create a new secret with a different name" There main issue here is -

1. I don't have an ANTHROPIC_API_KEY secret in my repository (Confirmed via gh secret list --repo username/repo | grep ANTHROPIC_API_KEY)
2. Even if it thinks so, it doesn't even allow me to select the option "Use the existing API key" (Probably skips this option because of 1) I am not sure how to resolve this. I am stuck in a loop. And I can access the value of my ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or create a new API Key from API Console since the "Claude Code" Workspace doesn't allow it.

Environment Info

• Platform: darwin
• Terminal: cursor
• Version: 1.0.35
• Feedback ID: 3402973b-2fc3-45b0-94c7-b91b0685ae9a

Errors

[{"error":"Error: Command failed: security find-generic-password -a $USER -w -s \"Claude Code\"\nsecurity: SecKeychainSearchCopyNext: The specified item could not be found in the keychain.\n\n    at genericNodeError (node:internal/errors:983:15)\n    at wrappedFn (node:internal/errors:537:14)\n    at checkExecSyncError (node:child_process:882:11)\n    at execSync (node:child_process:954:15)\n    at TZ (file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:700:3921)\n    at file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:622:9014\n    at Q (file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:526:17199)\n    at VX (file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:622:8160)\n    at nS (file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:622:7241)\n    at f9 (file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:622:11408)","timestamp":"2025-06-30T19:35:51.756Z"},{"error":"Error: 1: ENOENT \n    at ux6 (file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:1325:4797)\n    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:105:5)\n    at async mx6 (file:///Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/cli.js:1325:2578)","timestamp":"2025-06-30T19:35:54.024Z"}]

Claude CLI Diagnostic
 Currently running: npm-global (1.0.35)
 Path: /Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/bin/node
 Invoked: /Users/work/.nvm/versions/node/v23.9.0/bin/claude
 Auto-updates: No
 Config install method: unknown
 Config auto-updates: true
 Update permissions: Yes
 Recommendation: Run '/migrate-installer' to enable auto-updates
 This migrates to a local installation in ~/.claude/local

Some investigation later -

On performing security find-generic-password -s "Claude Code" -a $USER I get nothing. But it seems like the API key is stored under "Claude Code-credentials" (not just "Claude Code").

@5hirish that's pretty odd. The way we check for existing secrets is by running gh secret list --app actions --repo ${userNameOrOrgName}/${repoName} and search for ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.

Just to help with debugging, when you do /install-github-app are you typing in a repo name manually or using the default suggested one?

Yes, I found it odd too. And I am able to reproduce it each time. I am using the default suggested one. As in the git repo that Claude Code finds in the current director.

@5hirish just as a sanity check, you mentioned running gh secret list --repo username/repo. Can you try manually running gh secret list --app actions --repo username/repo and seeing if it errors? I think I may have found the issue here, but would like to confirm a theory.

I ran the command and it doesn't error and shows me the secrets in my repo and ANTHROPIC_API_KEY is not one of it.

Hey @ashwin-ant , let me know if you need any more information.

This was resolved for me by updating to the latest version of CC

Yes seems like it is working for me too. I am closing down this issue for now then. If anyone faces similar issue, please feel free to reopen it.

This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.