CLAUDE_CODE_FORCE_TERMINAL_IMAGES

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_FORCE_TERMINAL_IMAGES is a Claude Code environment variable. Added between v2.1.269 and v2.1.283 and still present in v2.1.294. It is listed in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.294
Added	Added between v2.1.269 and v2.1.283
Category	Terminal and UI
Official docs	Listed

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_FORCE_TERMINAL_IMAGES=<value>
claude

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

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

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_TERMINAL_TITLE: Stop Claude Code from setting the terminal title.
CLAUDE_CODE_FORCE_FULLSCREEN_UPSELL: Forces the fullscreen TUI upsell prompt past the normal fullscreenUpsellSeenCount cap and the tengu_ochre_hollow gate.
CLAUDE_CODE_RELAUNCH_TERMINAL_SIZE
CLAUDE_CODE_TERMINAL_RECORDING
CLAUDE_AX_PREPARK_MS
CLAUDE_AX_SCREEN_READER
CLAUDE_AX_STARTUP_QUIET_MS: Startup quiet window (milliseconds) for screen-reader mode.
CLAUDE_CODE_ACCESSIBILITY: Enable accessibility mode; disables cursor hiding.

Frequently asked questions

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_FORCE_TERMINAL_IMAGES?

Added between v2.1.269 and v2.1.283 and still present in v2.1.294.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_FORCE_TERMINAL_IMAGES?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_FORCE_TERMINAL_IMAGES=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.