CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_FIRST_RENDER

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_FIRST_RENDER is a Claude Code environment variable: Exit after first UI render (testing). Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.294. It is not in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.294
Added	Present since v2.1.69 or earlier
Category	Other
Official docs	Not listed

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_FIRST_RENDER=<value>
claude

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

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

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_STOP_DELAY: Delay before exit after stop signal (ms).
CLAUDE_CODE_INVESTIGATE_FIRST: Instructs the agent to read and investigate before acting — enforcing "read before write." Converts an agent that might immediately start editing into one that first gathers context.
CLAUDE_SLOW_FIRST_BYTE_MS: Default 30,000ms.
CLAUDE_CODE_CCR_FOLD_FIRST_TURN_RESCAN
CLAUDE_RUNNER_EXIT_REASON
ANTHROPIC_BETAS: Comma-separated beta feature headers.
ANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_HEADERS: Custom HTTP headers (newline-separated Key: Value).
ANTHROPIC_FEDERATION_RULE_ID

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_FIRST_RENDER do?

Exit after first UI render (testing)

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_FIRST_RENDER?

Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.294.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_FIRST_RENDER?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_EXIT_AFTER_FIRST_RENDER=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.