CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMING_TEXT

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMING_TEXT is a Claude Code environment variable: Likely controlled an experimental streaming text mode that has now graduated to being the default behavior. v2.1.78 introduced line-by-line response streaming — this flag was probably the gate for that feature during development. Removed between v2.1.73 and v2.1.76, so current releases ignore it. It is not in the official reference.

Status	Removed between v2.1.73 and v2.1.76
Added	Present since v2.1.69 or earlier
Category	Network and proxy
Official docs	Not listed

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMING_TEXT=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_FINE_GRAINED_TOOL_STREAMING: Enable fine-grained (eager) input streaming for tools.
CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMED_BUMBLEBEE_TEXT
ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL: Custom endpoint for Anthropic services.
API_FORCE_IDLE_TIMEOUT
API_TIMEOUT_MS: Request timeout in milliseconds.
BASH_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS
BASH_MAX_TIMEOUT_MS
CLAUDE_AFK_TIMEOUT_MS

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMING_TEXT do?

Likely controlled an experimental streaming text mode that has now graduated to being the default behavior. v2.1.78 introduced line-by-line response streaming — this flag was probably the gate for that feature during development.

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMING_TEXT?

Removed between v2.1.73 and v2.1.76, so current releases ignore it.

How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMING_TEXT?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_STREAMING_TEXT=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.