CLAUDE_CODE_MEMORY_API_TOKEN

Updated October 14, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_MEMORY_API_TOKEN is a Claude Code environment variable. Added between v2.1.224 and v2.1.227 and still present in v2.1.295. It is not in the official reference.

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_MEMORY_API_TOKEN=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

• Claude Code's Org Memory: the Memory Stores REST API
• Claude Code Version Tracker: Undocumented Env Vars, Feature Gates & Models
• claude-code-env-vars-v2-1-227

Related variables

• CLAUDE_CODE_ARTIFACTS_API_TOKEN
• ANTHROPIC_API_KEY: Primary API key for Claude API.
• ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN: Alternative bearer token; takes priority over API key.
• CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_FILE_DESCRIPTOR: File descriptor to read API key from.
• CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_HELPER_TTL_MS: Cache TTL for API key helper.
• CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TOKEN_USAGE_ATTACHMENT: Attach token usage info to messages.
• CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD: Works alongside CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_THRESHOLD_MINUTES to gate when the idle-return prompt appears.
• CLAUDE_CODE_MESSAGING_TOKEN: Controls access to the local inbox for cross-session messages.

Frequently asked questions

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.