CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD is a Claude Code environment variable: Sets the token count threshold for session resume eligibility. Complementing the time-based threshold above, this adds a context-size dimension: if a session's accumulated tokens exceed this limit, resuming it may be less efficient than starting fresh (due to prompt cache misses, which this release also fixes[1]). Added between v2.1.88 and v2.1.89 and still present in v2.1.294. It is not in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.294
Added	Added between v2.1.88 and v2.1.89
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_RESUME_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_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD": "<value>"
  }
}

Release notes that mention it

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD: Works alongside CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_THRESHOLD_MINUTES to gate when the idle-return prompt appears.
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_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.
CLAUDE_CODE_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN: Session-scoped access token.

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD do?

Sets the token count threshold for session resume eligibility. Complementing the time-based threshold above, this adds a context-size dimension: if a session's accumulated tokens exceed this limit, resuming it may be less efficient than starting fresh (due to prompt cache misses, which this release also fixes[1]).

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD?

Added between v2.1.88 and v2.1.89 and still present in v2.1.294.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_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.