CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_BLOCKS

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_BLOCKS is a Claude Code environment variable: Selects one of two gzip modes (1 or 2) for API request bodies at least 512KB in size; any other value, and the default, leaves it off. It sits alongside the existing CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODIES and CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_LEVEL controls. Added in v2.1.287. Removed in v2.1.293, so current releases ignore it. It is not in the official reference.

Status	Removed in v2.1.293
Added	Added in v2.1.287
Category	Network and proxy
Official docs	Not listed

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_BLOCKS=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_LEVEL
CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODIES
CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_CCR_REQUEST_BODIES
ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL: Custom endpoint for Anthropic services.
API_FORCE_IDLE_TIMEOUT
API_TIMEOUT_MS: Request timeout in milliseconds.
BASH_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS
BASH_MAX_TIMEOUT_MS

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_BLOCKS do?

Selects one of two gzip modes (1 or 2) for API request bodies at least 512KB in size; any other value, and the default, leaves it off. It sits alongside the existing CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODIES and CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_LEVEL controls. Added in v2.1.287.

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_BLOCKS?

Removed in v2.1.293, so current releases ignore it.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_BLOCKS?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_GZIP_REQUEST_BODY_BLOCKS=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.