CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES
Updated by Alex Sorokoletov
CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES is a Claude Code environment variable: Overrides whether Claude's in-progress thinking and connector text render during a turn. When set it takes precedence over the thinking_display_updates dynamic config and the tengu_thinking_display_updates gate, which is off by default. Added between v2.1.238 and v2.1.241 and still present in v2.1.294. It is not in the official reference.
| Status | Present in v2.1.294 |
|---|---|
| Added | Added between v2.1.238 and v2.1.241 |
| Category | Models and thinking |
| Official docs | Not listed |
How to set it
For one session, export it in the shell that starts Claude Code:
export CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES=<value>
claudeTo apply it to every session, add it to the env object of a settings file:
// ~/.claude/settings.json
{
"env": {
"CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES": "<value>"
}
}Release notes that mention it
- Claude Code Version Tracker: Undocumented Env Vars, Feature Gates & Models
- claude-code-env-vars-v2-1-241
Related variables
CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_ADAPTIVE_THINKING: Disable adaptive thinking mode.CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_THINKING: Completely disable extended thinking.DISABLE_INTERLEAVED_THINKING: Interleaved thinking beta.ANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTIONANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_DESCRIPTIONANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_NAMEANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_MODEL_OPTION_SUPPORTED_CAPABILITIESANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODEL
Frequently asked questions
What does CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES do?
Overrides whether Claude's in-progress thinking and connector text render during a turn. When set it takes precedence over the thinking_display_updates dynamic config and the tengu_thinking_display_updates gate, which is off by default.
Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES?
Added between v2.1.238 and v2.1.241 and still present in v2.1.294.
How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES?
Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_THINKING_DISPLAY_UPDATES=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.