CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_PATH_OVERRIDE

Updated October 14, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_PATH_OVERRIDE is a Claude Code environment variable. Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.295. It is not in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.295
Added	Present since v2.1.69 or earlier
Category	Terminal and UI
Official docs	Not listed

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_PATH_OVERRIDE=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

Claude Code v2.1.77 — 1 New Environment Variable: Cowork Memory & 25 Bug Fixes

Related variables

CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_EXTRA_GUIDELINES: Injects additional memory guidelines into cowork (teammate) sessions.
CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_GUIDELINES: Policy document for the CoWork shared memory system — a new abstraction distinct from user memory (~/.claude/) and project memory (CLAUDE.md).
CLAUDE_CODE_BLOCKING_LIMIT_OVERRIDE: Override token limit for input blocking.
CLAUDE_CODE_IDE_HOST_OVERRIDE: Custom host address for IDE communication.
CLAUDE_CODE_OVERRIDE_DATE
CLAUDE_RUNNER_DISABLE_AWAITING_ACTION_OVERRIDE
CLAUDE_AX_PREPARK_MS
CLAUDE_AX_SCREEN_READER

Frequently asked questions

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_PATH_OVERRIDE?

Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.295.

How do I set CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_PATH_OVERRIDE?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_COWORK_MEMORY_PATH_OVERRIDE=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.