CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_BACKGROUND_PLUGIN_REFRESH

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_BACKGROUND_PLUGIN_REFRESH is a Claude Code environment variable: Enables automatic background plugin refresh when the runtime detects updates are needed. Without this, refresh is synchronous and delays session startup. Removed between v2.1.245 and v2.1.247, so current releases ignore it. 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_ENABLE_BACKGROUND_PLUGIN_REFRESH=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

• Claude Code v2.1.114 — Native Binary Launcher, /fewer-permission-prompts, and 20 New Environment Variables

Related variables

• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_CACHE_DIR: Local cache directory for downloaded plugins.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_DIR_WATCH
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_DIRS
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_KEEP_MARKETPLACE_ON_FAILURE: Preserves the local marketplace plugin cache when git pull fails.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_PREFER_HTTPS: Force HTTPS for plugin source resolution.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_SEED_DIR: Seed directory for pre-installed plugins.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_USE_ZIP_CACHE: Use zip-based caching instead of git.
• CLAUDE_CODE_SYNC_PLUGIN_INSTALL: Install plugins synchronously (block until done).

Frequently asked questions

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.