CLAUDE_CODE_SYNC_PLUGIN_INSTALL

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_SYNC_PLUGIN_INSTALL is a Claude Code environment variable: Install plugins synchronously (block until done). Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.294. It is listed in the official reference.

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_SYNC_PLUGIN_INSTALL=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

• 165 Environment Variables in Claude Code 2.1.69 — What Changed in 50 Versions

Related variables

• CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_BACKGROUND_PLUGIN_REFRESH: Enables automatic background plugin refresh when the runtime detects updates are needed.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_CACHE_DIR: Local cache directory for downloaded plugins.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_DIR_WATCH
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_DIRS
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_KEEP_MARKETPLACE_ON_FAILURE: Preserves the local marketplace plugin cache when git pull fails.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_PREFER_HTTPS: Force HTTPS for plugin source resolution.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_SEED_DIR: Seed directory for pre-installed plugins.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_USE_ZIP_CACHE: Use zip-based caching instead of git.

Frequently asked questions

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.