CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT
Updated by Alex Sorokoletov
CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT is a Claude Code environment variable: Force-enable reasoning effort level regardless of other settings. Useful for ensuring CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL always takes effect, even in contexts where it might be overridden (e.g., sub-agents, SDK mode). Added in v2.1.70 and still present in v2.1.294. It is listed in the official reference.
| Status | Present in v2.1.294 |
|---|---|
| Added | Added in v2.1.70 |
| Category | Models and thinking |
| Official docs | Listed |
How to set it
For one session, export it in the shell that starts Claude Code:
export CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT=<value>
claudeTo apply it to every session, add it to the env object of a settings file:
// ~/.claude/settings.json
{
"env": {
"CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT": "<value>"
}
}Release notes that mention it
Related variables
CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL: Reasoning effort: low, medium, or high (default).CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY: Query available models from a gateway rather than a hardcoded list.CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_OPUS_4_7_FAST_MODECLAUDE_EFFORT: Set thinking effort level at spawn time without the interactive /effort picker.CLAUDE_CODE_MAX_EFFORT_REMINDERANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTIONANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_DESCRIPTIONANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_NAME
Frequently asked questions
What does CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT do?
Force-enable reasoning effort level regardless of other settings. Useful for ensuring CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL always takes effect, even in contexts where it might be overridden (e.g., sub-agents, SDK mode).
Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT?
Added in v2.1.70 and still present in v2.1.294.
How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT?
Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_ALWAYS_ENABLE_EFFORT=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.