CLAUDE_CODE_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN is a Claude Code environment variable: Session-scoped access token. Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.294. It is not in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.294
Added	Present since v2.1.69 or earlier
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_SESSION_ACCESS_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_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<value>"
  }
}

Release notes that mention it

Related variables

CLAUDE_SESSION_INGRESS_TOKEN_FILE
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_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.
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_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN do?

Session-scoped access token

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN?

Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.294.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_SESSION_ACCESS_TOKEN=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.