CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD is a Claude Code environment variable: Works alongside CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_THRESHOLD_MINUTES to gate when the idle-return prompt appears. The token threshold likely ensures the prompt only fires for sessions with significant cached context — a session with 5k tokens isn't worth clearing, but one with 500k tokens is. Removed between v2.1.245 and v2.1.247, so current releases ignore it. It is not in the official reference.

Status	Removed between v2.1.245 and v2.1.247
Added	Added in v2.1.84
Category	Authentication
Official docs	Not listed

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD: Sets the token count threshold for session resume eligibility.
ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN: Alternative bearer token; takes priority over API key.
CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TOKEN_USAGE_ATTACHMENT: Attach token usage info to messages.
CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_COMPACT_MIN_TOKENS: Sets the minimum conversation size, in tokens, before idle compaction runs.
CLAUDE_CODE_MESSAGING_TOKEN: Controls access to the local inbox for cross-session messages.
CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_REFRESH_TOKEN: OAuth refresh token.
CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN: Pre-configured OAuth access token.
CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN_FILE_DESCRIPTOR: File descriptor to read OAuth token from.

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD do?

Works alongside CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_THRESHOLD_MINUTES to gate when the idle-return prompt appears. The token threshold likely ensures the prompt only fires for sessions with significant cached context — a session with 5k tokens isn't worth clearing, but one with 500k tokens is.

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD?

Removed between v2.1.245 and v2.1.247, so current releases ignore it.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD=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.