CLAUDE_CODE_PERFORCE_MODE

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_PERFORCE_MODE is a Claude Code environment variable: Activates Perforce VCS integration. The changelog[1] specifies: "when set, Edit/Write/NotebookEdit fail on read-only files with a p4 edit hint instead of silently overwriting them." Claude Code has been git-centric since launch, and Perforce is an unusual choice for the first alternative VCS. Added between v2.1.96 and v2.1.100 and still present in v2.1.294. It is listed in the official reference.

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_PERFORCE_MODE=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

• Claude Code v2.1.100 — 3 New Environment Variables: Context Token Limits, Perforce VCS, and Script Capability Controls
• Claude Code Version Tracker: Undocumented Env Vars, Feature Gates & Models

Related variables

• CLAUDE_CODE_PLAN_MODE_INTERVIEW_PHASE: Enable interview phase in plan mode.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLAN_MODE_REQUIRED: Require agents to use plan mode for all tasks.
• CLAUDE_CODE_SAFE_MODE
• CLAUDE_REPL_MODE: Sets the operating mode for the REPL interface.
• CLAUDE_CODE_TODO_REMINDER_MODE
• ANTHROPIC_BETAS: Comma-separated beta feature headers.
• ANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_HEADERS: Custom HTTP headers (newline-separated Key: Value).
• ANTHROPIC_FEDERATION_RULE_ID

Frequently asked questions

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.