anthropics / anthropics/claude-code

[BUG] MCP tool schemas still consuming context tokens after all connectors disabled

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area:mcp bug platform:macos
Dominant language
Python
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Description

### Preflight Checklist

- [x] I have searched [existing issues](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3Abug) and this hasn't been reported yet
- [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
- [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

### What's Wrong?

After fully disabling/removing all connectors (Claude in Chrome, GitHub Integration, Higgsfield, Vercel) in Settings → Connectors, then fully quitting (Cmd+Q) and relaunching the desktop app and starting a brand-new conversation, `/context` still reports MCP tools consuming 12.7k tokens (12.7% of the 93k/100k window). Expected value is 0 tokens once every connector is disabled.

**Full context breakdown observed** (93k/100k window, 93% full):

| Category | Tokens | % of window |
|---|---|---|
| Autocompact buffer | 33k | 33.0% |
| System tools | 23.8k | 23.8% |
| MCP tools (loaded/active) | 12.7k | 12.7% |
| System prompt | 11.6k | 11.6% |
| Free space | 7k | 7.0% |
| Memory files | 6.4k | 6.4% |
| Skills | 5.5k | 5.5% |
| Messages | 8 | 0.0% |

Not part of the 100% above, shown separately as not-yet-loaded:
- MCP tools deferred: 26.9k tokens
- System tools deferred: 16.7k tokens
- 71 = total tool definitions across all connectors (loaded + deferred)
- 2 = memory files loaded

**Steps to reproduce**
1. Disable/remove every connector in Settings → Connectors.
2. Fully quit (Cmd+Q) and relaunch the app.
3. Start a brand-new conversation, run `/context`.
4. MCP tools (active) still shows 12.7k tokens instead of 0.

**Expected behavior**
With zero connectors enabled, MCP tools (active) should show 0 tokens.

**Environment**
- OS: macOS (Darwin 25.6.0)
- App: Claude desktop app
- Account: abeltransmu@hotmail.com

Submit at https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues → New issue. Attach a screenshot of /context and the Connectors settings page if you can.

### What Should Happen?

According to Claude helping. With all connectors disabled, there shouldn't be little token usage. Similar to what is experienced in the CLI terminal. There are no plugins/connectors. And Claude's diagnostics identifies Github as the potential source.

### Error Messages/Logs

```shell

```

### Steps to Reproduce

1. Disable/remove every connector in Settings → Connectors (Claude in Chrome, GitHub Integration, Higgsfield, Vercel).
2. Fully quit the desktop app (Cmd+Q) and relaunch it.
3. Start a brand-new conversation.
4. Run /context.
5. Observe: MCP tools (active) still shows 12.7k tokens (12.7%) instead of 0.

### Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

### Is this a regression?

I don't know

### Last Working Version

_No response_

### Claude Code Version

2.1.261

### Platform

Anthropic API

### Operating System

macOS

### Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

### Additional Information

_No response_

Contributor guide

No contributing guide indexed for this repository

Research direction

Reproduce the report by disabling every connector in Settings → Connectors, restarting the macOS desktop app, starting a new conversation, and running /context. Compare the active and deferred MCP tool counts with the expected zero active tokens; done means /context reports no active MCP tool tokens when no connectors are enabled.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
macos
Domain
desktop
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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