CLAUDE_CODE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE is a Claude Code environment variable: Current subscription plan identifier. Lets the process branch on tier without an API call — used by v2.1.118's unified /usage to render plan-specific limits and by v2.1.117's default-effort change that applies only to Pro/Max subscribers. Added between v2.1.114 and v2.1.117 and still present in v2.1.294. It is not in the official reference.

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

• Claude Code v2.1.123 — Background Daemons, Agent Fleets, and CoWork Memory
• Claude Code v2.1.118 — 10 New Environment Variables: Forked Subagents Ship, Subscription Tiering Takes Shape
• Claude Code Version Tracker: Undocumented Env Vars, Feature Gates & Models

Related variables

• CLAUDE_CODE_ARTIFACT_INHERITED_TYPE_GRANT
• CLAUDE_CODE_ARTIFACT_TYPE_CLOUD_CREATE
• 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

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.