CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS
Updated by Alex Sorokoletov
CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS is a Claude Code environment variable: The environment form of the --allow-other-models flag. When a signed configuration document (set with --client-data-url or CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_DATA_URL) has no entry for the selected model, Claude Code normally exits; setting this to 1 lets it start anyway, applying none of that document's per-model client data. Added between v2.1.301 and v2.1.303 and still present in v2.1.303. It is not in the official reference.
| Status | Present in v2.1.303 |
|---|---|
| Added | Added between v2.1.301 and v2.1.303 |
| Category | Models and thinking |
| Official docs | Not listed |
How to set it
For one session, export it in the shell that starts Claude Code:
export CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS=<value>
claudeTo apply it to every session, add it to the env object of a settings file:
// ~/.claude/settings.json
{
"env": {
"CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS": "<value>"
}
}Release notes that mention it
- Claude Code Version Tracker: Undocumented Env Vars, Feature Gates & Models
- claude-code-env-vars-v2-1-303
Related variables
FALLBACK_FOR_ALL_PRIMARY_MODELS: Enable fallback for all primary models.ANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTIONANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_DESCRIPTIONANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_NAMEANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_SUPPORTED_CAPABILITIESANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODELANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODEL_DESCRIPTIONANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODEL_NAME
Frequently asked questions
What does CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS do?
The environment form of the --allow-other-models flag. When a signed configuration document (set with --client-data-url or CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_DATA_URL) has no entry for the selected model, Claude Code normally exits; setting this to 1 lets it start anyway, applying none of that document's per-model client data.
Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS?
Added between v2.1.301 and v2.1.303 and still present in v2.1.303.
How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS?
Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_ALLOW_OTHER_MODELS=value), or add it to the "env" object in ~/.claude/settings.json to apply it to every session.
All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.