CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY is a Claude Code environment variable: Query available models from a gateway rather than a hardcoded list. For enterprise setups where model availability is controlled centrally — a new model rolls out to the gateway, Claude Code picks it up automatically without a client update or config change on each developer's machine. Added between v2.1.128 and v2.1.138 and still present in v2.1.294. It is listed in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.294
Added	Added between v2.1.128 and v2.1.138
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_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY=<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_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY": "<value>"
  }
}

Release notes that mention it

Claude Code v2.1.143 — 27 New Env Vars, /goal, Agent View, and a Free Model Upgrade

Related variables

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY do?

Query available models from a gateway rather than a hardcoded list. For enterprise setups where model availability is controlled centrally — a new model rolls out to the gateway, Claude Code picks it up automatically without a client update or config change on each developer's machine.

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY?

Added between v2.1.128 and v2.1.138 and still present in v2.1.294.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_GATEWAY_MODEL_DISCOVERY=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.