Claude Code
8
Incidents
6.4
Avg Severity
3
Critical
2
High
Top Failure Modes
Destructive Action
3
Other
2
Security Vulnerability
2
Worst Incident
STUPID-2026-0003 10/10Claude Code ran rm -rf on test fixtures thinking they were temp files
Claude Cowork
1
Incidents
10.0
Avg Severity
1
Critical
0
High
Top Failure Modes
Destructive Action
1
Worst Incident
STUPID-2026-0043 10/10Claude Cowork deleted 15 years of family photos when asked only to tidy temporary Office files
Comparison Summary
| Metric | Claude Code | Claude Cowork |
|---|---|---|
| Total Incidents | 8 | 1 |
| Avg Severity | 6.4/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Critical Incidents | 3 | 1 |
| Top Failure Mode | Destructive Action | Destructive Action |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Claude Code or Claude Cowork more reliable?
Based on StupidLLM data, Claude Code has 8 documented failures (avg severity 6.4/10) while Claude Cowork has 1 (avg severity 10.0/10). Claude Code shows better reliability based on average severity scores.
What are the main differences between Claude Code and Claude Cowork failures?
Claude Code's most common failure mode is destructive action, while Claude Cowork most commonly fails via destructive action. Claude Code has 3 critical incidents vs Claude Cowork's 1.