CLAUDE_CODE_DEBUG_LOG_LEVEL

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_DEBUG_LOG_LEVEL is a Claude Code environment variable: Set debug logging verbosity level. More granular than the existing DEBUG=1 boolean — probably accepts levels like "info", "warn", "error", "debug". Added between v2.1.70 and v2.1.72 and still present in v2.1.294. It is listed in the official reference.

How to set it

For one session, export it in the shell that starts Claude Code:

export CLAUDE_CODE_DEBUG_LOG_LEVEL=<value>
claude

To apply it to every session, add it to the env object of a settings file:

// ~/.claude/settings.json
{
  "env": {
    "CLAUDE_CODE_DEBUG_LOG_LEVEL": "<value>"
  }
}

Release notes that mention it

• Claude Code v2.1.72 — 6 New Environment Variables: Brief Mode, Cron Control & Two-Stage Classifier

Related variables

• CLAUDE_GATEWAY_LOG_LEVEL
• CLAUDE_RUNNER_DEBUG_LOG_PATH
• ANTHROPIC_LOG: SDK internal logging level.
• CLAUDE_CODE_COMMIT_LOG: Likely controls whether or where Claude Code logs commit operations.
• CLAUDE_CODE_DEBUG_LOGS_DIR: Custom directory for debug logs.
• CLAUDE_CODE_DEBUG_REPAINTS: Enables debug logging for terminal repaint operations.
• CLAUDE_CODE_FRAME_TIMING_LOG: Enable per-frame render timing logs in the terminal UI.
• CLAUDE_DEBUG: Enable debug logging.

Frequently asked questions

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.