GITHUB_TOKEN

Updated October 13, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

GITHUB_TOKEN is a Claude Code environment variable. Its release history is not tracked here. It is listed in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.294
Category	Authentication
Official docs	Listed

How to set it

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

export GITHUB_TOKEN=<value>
claude

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

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

Related variables

ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN: Alternative bearer token; takes priority over API key.
CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TOKEN_USAGE_ATTACHMENT: Attach token usage info to messages.
CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_TOKEN_THRESHOLD: Works alongside CLAUDE_CODE_IDLE_THRESHOLD_MINUTES to gate when the idle-return prompt appears.
CLAUDE_CODE_MESSAGING_TOKEN: Controls access to the local inbox for cross-session messages.
CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_REFRESH_TOKEN: OAuth refresh token.
CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN: Pre-configured OAuth access token.
CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN_FILE_DESCRIPTOR: File descriptor to read OAuth token from.
CLAUDE_CODE_RESUME_TOKEN_THRESHOLD: Sets the token count threshold for session resume eligibility.

Frequently asked questions

Which Claude Code version has GITHUB_TOKEN?

Its release history is not tracked here.

How do I set GITHUB_TOKEN?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export GITHUB_TOKEN=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.