CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE is a Claude Code environment variable: Simplified mode; disables CLAUDE.md and attachments (renamed from CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLETON). Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.294. It is listed in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.294
Added	Present since v2.1.69 or earlier
Category	Other
Official docs	Listed

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_FLEETVIEW_SIMPLE: Forces the simplified FleetView layout, the multi-agent monitoring surface.
CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE_SYSTEM_PROMPT: Switches to a reduced system prompt, stripping out the non-essential guidance sections that bulk up the default prompt.
ANTHROPIC_BETAS: Comma-separated beta feature headers.
ANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_HEADERS: Custom HTTP headers (newline-separated Key: Value).
ANTHROPIC_FEDERATION_RULE_ID
ANTHROPIC_ORGANIZATION_ID
ANTHROPIC_WORKSPACE_ID
BETA_TRACING_ENDPOINT: Custom endpoint for beta tracing.

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE do?

Simplified mode; disables CLAUDE.md and attachments (renamed from CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLETON)

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE?

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

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE=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.