CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR is a Claude Code environment variable: Custom config directory. 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_CONFIG_DIR=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

Related variables

CLAUDE_SECURESTORAGE_CONFIG_DIR
CLAUDE_CODE_MANAGED_CONFIG_PREFETCH: Turns on a hedged prefetch of the organization's managed settings during startup, so the first managed-settings fetch runs earlier in the launch sequence.
CLAUDE_CODE_PROJECT_DIR_NAME
CLAUDE_JOB_DIR: Working directory for a background job, independent of the daemon's own cwd.
CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR: Override project directory.
GIT_CONFIG_COUNT
CLAUDE_CODE_CONFIG_PROBE
CLAUDE_CODE_CONFIG_WATCH_EVENTS

Frequently asked questions

What does CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR do?

Custom config directory

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR?

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

How do I set CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR=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.