CLI reference changedcli-reference
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5454| Flag | Description | Example |
5555| :---------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
56| `--add-dir` | Add additional working directories for Claude to read and edit files. Grants file access; most `.claude/` configuration is [not discovered](/docs/en/permissions#additional-directories-grant-file-access-not-configuration) from these directories. Validates each path exists as a directory. To persist these directories across sessions, set [`permissions.additionalDirectories`](/docs/en/settings#permission-settings) in settings | `claude --add-dir ../apps ../lib` |
56| `--add-dir` | Add additional working directories for Claude to read and edit files. Grants file access; most `.claude/` configuration is [not discovered](/docs/en/permissions#additional-directories-grant-file-access-not-configuration) from these directories. Validates each path exists as a directory. To persist these directories across sessions, set [`permissions.additionalDirectories`](/docs/en/settings-reference#permissions-additionaldirectories) in settings | `claude --add-dir ../apps ../lib` |
5757| `--advisor <model>` | Enable the server-side [advisor tool](/docs/en/advisor) for this session with a model alias, `fable`, `opus`, or `sonnet`, or a full model ID. Takes precedence over the `advisorModel` setting for the session. `fable` requires [Fable 5 access](/docs/en/advisor#choose-an-advisor-model) | `claude --advisor opus` |
5858| `--agent` | Specify an agent for the current session (overrides the `agent` setting) | `claude --agent my-custom-agent` |
5959| `--agents` | Define custom subagents dynamically via JSON. Accepts the [fields listed for CLI-defined subagents](/docs/en/sub-agents#choose-the-subagent-scope) | `claude --agents '{"reviewer":{"description":"Reviews code","prompt":"You are a code reviewer"}}'` |
6060| `--allow-dangerously-skip-permissions` | Add `bypassPermissions` to the `Shift+Tab` mode cycle without starting in it. Lets you begin in a different mode like `plan` and switch to `bypassPermissions` later. See [permission modes](/docs/en/permission-modes#skip-all-checks-with-bypasspermissions-mode) | `claude --permission-mode plan --allow-dangerously-skip-permissions` |
61| `--allowedTools`, `--allowed-tools` | Tools that execute without prompting for permission. See [permission rule syntax](/docs/en/settings#permission-rule-syntax) for pattern matching. To restrict which tools are available, use `--tools` instead. If you name one of the [task-tracking tools](/docs/en/tools-reference#task-tool-availability) here, Claude Code also opts the session in | `"Bash(git log *)" "Bash(git diff *)" "Read"` |
61| `--allowedTools`, `--allowed-tools` | Tools that execute without prompting for permission. See [permission rule syntax](/docs/en/settings-reference#permission-rule-syntax) for pattern matching. To restrict which tools are available, use `--tools` instead. If you name one of the [task-tracking tools](/docs/en/tools-reference#task-tool-availability) here, Claude Code also opts the session in | `"Bash(git log *)" "Bash(git diff *)" "Read"` |
6262| `--append-subagent-system-prompt` | Append custom text to the end of every [subagent](/docs/en/sub-agents)'s system prompt, nested subagents included, apart from a [forked subagent](/docs/en/sub-agents#fork-the-current-conversation), which reuses the conversation's own prompt. Only applies in non-interactive mode with `-p`. Requires Claude Code v2.1.205 or later | `claude -p --append-subagent-system-prompt "Cite file paths in every answer" "query"` |
6363| `--append-system-prompt` | Append custom text to the end of the default system prompt | `claude --append-system-prompt "Always use TypeScript"` |
6464| `--append-system-prompt-file` | Load additional system prompt text from a file and append to the default prompt | `claude --append-system-prompt-file ./extra-rules.txt` |
6565| `--autocompact <auto\|tokens>` | Set the [auto-compact window](/docs/en/model-config#set-the-auto-compact-window) for this session without changing your saved settings. Accepts the same values as `/autocompact`; that section covers the value forms and what overrides the flag. Requires Claude Code v2.1.221 or later | `claude --autocompact 500k` |
66| `--ax-screen-reader` | Render screen-reader friendly output: flat text without decorative borders or animations. Forces the classic renderer, so the [`tui`](/docs/en/settings#available-settings) setting has no effect; attached [background sessions](/docs/en/agent-view) still render fullscreen. Takes precedence over [`CLAUDE_AX_SCREEN_READER`](/docs/en/env-vars) and the [`axScreenReader`](/docs/en/settings#available-settings) setting. Requires Claude Code v2.1.181 or later | `claude --ax-screen-reader` |
66| `--ax-screen-reader` | Render screen-reader friendly output: flat text without decorative borders or animations. Forces the classic renderer, so the [`tui`](/docs/en/settings-reference#tui) setting has no effect; attached [background sessions](/docs/en/agent-view) still render fullscreen. Takes precedence over [`CLAUDE_AX_SCREEN_READER`](/docs/en/env-vars) and the [`axScreenReader`](/docs/en/settings-reference#axscreenreader) setting. Requires Claude Code v2.1.181 or later | `claude --ax-screen-reader` |
6767| `--bare` | Minimal mode: skip auto-discovery of hooks, skills, custom commands, subagents, plugins, MCP servers, auto memory, and CLAUDE.md so scripted calls start faster. Skills in a directory you pass with `--add-dir` still load. Claude has access to Bash, file read, and file edit tools. Sets [`CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE`](/docs/en/env-vars). See [bare mode](/docs/en/headless#start-faster-with-bare-mode) | `claude --bare -p "query"` |
6868| `--betas` | Beta headers to include in API requests (API key users only) | `claude --betas interleaved-thinking` |
6969| `--bg`, `--background` | Start the session as a [background agent](/docs/en/agent-view) and return immediately. Prints the session ID and management commands. Combine with `--exec` to run a shell command as a background job instead of a Claude session, or with `--agent` to run a specific subagent. Cannot be combined with `-p`/`--print`; see the [error reference](/docs/en/errors#command-line-errors) | `claude --bg "investigate the flaky test"` |
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7777| `--debug-file <path>` | Write debug logs to a specific file path. Implicitly enables debug mode. Takes precedence over `CLAUDE_CODE_DEBUG_LOGS_DIR` | `claude --debug-file /tmp/claude-debug.log` |
7878| `--disable-slash-commands` | Disable all skills and commands for this session | `claude --disable-slash-commands` |
7979| `--disallowedTools`, `--disallowed-tools` | Deny rules. A bare tool name removes the matching tools from Claude's context: `"Edit"` removes Edit, `"*"` removes every tool, and `"mcp__*"` removes every MCP tool. A scoped rule such as `Bash(rm *)` leaves the tool available and denies only matching calls. A rule naming [`EndConversation`](/docs/en/tools-reference#endconversation-tool-behavior) can't remove it while any other tool remains | `"Bash(git log *)" "Bash(git diff *)" "Edit"` |
80| `--effort` | Set the [effort level](/docs/en/model-config#adjust-effort-level) for the current session. Options: `low`, `medium`, `high`, `xhigh`, `max`, or `ultracode`. Available levels depend on the model. `ultracode` starts the session at `xhigh` effort with [ultracode](/docs/en/workflows#let-claude-decide-with-ultracode) turned on, and requires Claude Code v2.1.203 or later. Overrides the [`effortLevel`](/docs/en/settings#available-settings) setting for this session and does not persist | `claude --effort high` |
80| `--effort` | Set the [effort level](/docs/en/model-config#adjust-effort-level) for the current session. Options: `low`, `medium`, `high`, `xhigh`, `max`, or `ultracode`. Available levels depend on the model. `ultracode` starts the session at `xhigh` effort with [ultracode](/docs/en/workflows#let-claude-decide-with-ultracode) turned on, and requires Claude Code v2.1.203 or later. Overrides the [`effortLevel`](/docs/en/settings-reference#effortlevel) setting for this session and does not persist | `claude --effort high` |
8181| `--enable-auto-mode` | Removed in v2.1.111. Auto mode is now in the `Shift+Tab` cycle by default; use `--permission-mode auto` to start in it | `claude --permission-mode auto` |
8282| `--environment <environment-id>` | Create a new cloud session that runs on the [self-hosted environment](/docs/en/self-hosted-environments) with the given ID. Environment IDs start with `ccpool_`. See [`--environment` dispatch behavior](/docs/en/self-hosted-environments-testing#environment-dispatch-behavior) for the interactive and non-interactive forms and the flag combinations it rejects. Requires Claude Code v2.1.224 or later | `claude -p "Fix the login bug" --environment ccpool_abc123` |
8383| `--exclude-dynamic-system-prompt-sections` | Move per-machine sections from the system prompt (working directory, environment info, memory paths, git-repo flag) into the first user message. Improves prompt-cache reuse across different users and machines running the same task. Only applies with the default system prompt; ignored when `--system-prompt` or `--system-prompt-file` is set. Use with `-p` for scripted, multi-user workloads | `claude -p --exclude-dynamic-system-prompt-sections "query"` |
8484| `--exec` | Run a shell command as a PTY-backed background job instead of starting a Claude session. Use with `--bg` to launch from the shell | `claude --bg --exec 'pytest -x'` |
85| `--fallback-model` | Enable automatic fallback to the specified model(s) when the primary model is overloaded or not available, for example a retired model. Accepts a comma-separated list tried in order. See [Fallback model chains](/docs/en/model-config#fallback-model-chains). To persist a chain across sessions, use the [`fallbackModel` setting](/docs/en/settings#available-settings), which this flag overrides | `claude --fallback-model sonnet,haiku` |
85| `--fallback-model` | Enable automatic fallback to the specified model(s) when the primary model is overloaded or not available, for example a retired model. Accepts a comma-separated list tried in order. See [Fallback model chains](/docs/en/model-config#fallback-model-chains). To persist a chain across sessions, use the [`fallbackModel` setting](/docs/en/settings-reference#fallbackmodel), which this flag overrides | `claude --fallback-model sonnet,haiku` |
8686| `--fork-session` | When resuming, create a new session ID instead of reusing the original (use with `--resume` or `--continue`) | `claude --resume abc123 --fork-session` |
8787| `--forward-subagent-text` | Emit [subagent](/docs/en/sub-agents) text and thinking blocks in the output stream as `assistant` and `user` messages with `parent_tool_use_id` set, so you can reconstruct each subagent's transcript. Without this flag, Claude Code emits only subagent `tool_use` and `tool_result` blocks. Requires `--print` and `--output-format stream-json`. Claude Code also forwards messages from [nested subagents](/docs/en/sub-agents#let-subagents-spawn-their-own-subagents), setting `parent_tool_use_id` to the ID of the Agent tool call that spawned each one; this requires Claude Code v2.1.219 or later. The [`CLAUDE_CODE_FORWARD_SUBAGENT_TEXT`](/docs/en/env-vars) environment variable enables the same behavior. Requires Claude Code v2.1.211 or later | `claude -p --output-format stream-json --verbose --forward-subagent-text "query"` |
8888| `--from-pr` | Open the session picker filtered to sessions linked to a specific pull request. Accepts a PR number, a GitHub or GitHub Enterprise PR URL, a GitLab merge request URL, or a Bitbucket pull request URL. Sessions are linked automatically when Claude creates the pull request | `claude --from-pr 123` |
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9797| `--max-budget-usd` | Maximum dollar amount to spend on API calls before stopping (print mode only). Spend from [subagents](/docs/en/sub-agents) counts toward the cap. Once spend reaches the cap, spawning another subagent fails with `Budget limit reached`, and Claude Code stops background subagents that are still running; the cap-enforcement behaviors require Claude Code v2.1.217 or later | `claude -p --max-budget-usd 5.00 "query"` |
9898| `--max-turns` | Limit the number of agentic turns (print mode only). Exits with an error when the limit is reached. No limit by default. With `--input-format stream-json`, a message sent while Claude is working stays queued and runs as its own turn, with its own limit, when the limit ends the current one | `claude -p --max-turns 3 "query"` |
9999| `--mcp-config` | Load MCP servers from JSON files or strings (space-separated). When you pass this flag with `-p`, Claude Code waits for still-pending servers to connect before running the first turn, up to the [`MCP_TIMEOUT`](/docs/en/env-vars) startup timeout, 30 seconds by default; a server with a [cached tool list](/docs/en/mcp#managing-your-servers) skips the wait and connects on first use. The wait requires Claude Code v2.1.221 or later | `claude --mcp-config ./mcp.json` |
100| `--model` | Sets the model for the current session with an alias for the latest model (`sonnet`, `opus`, `haiku`, or `fable`) or a model's full name. Overrides the [`model`](/docs/en/settings#available-settings) setting and [`ANTHROPIC_MODEL`](/docs/en/model-config#environment-variables) | `claude --model claude-sonnet-5` |
100| `--model` | Sets the model for the current session with an alias for the latest model (`sonnet`, `opus`, `haiku`, or `fable`) or a model's full name. Overrides the [`model`](/docs/en/settings-reference#model) setting and [`ANTHROPIC_MODEL`](/docs/en/model-config#environment-variables) | `claude --model claude-sonnet-5` |
101101| `--name`, `-n` | Set a display name for the session, shown in `/resume` and the terminal title. You can resume a named session with `claude --resume <name>`. In an interactive session, if another live session on this machine already uses the name, Claude Code applies [a variant of it](/docs/en/sessions#name-your-sessions) instead. <br /><br />[`/rename`](/docs/en/commands) changes the name mid-session and also shows it on the prompt bar | `claude -n "my-feature-work"` |
102102| `--no-chrome` | Disable [Chrome browser integration](/docs/en/chrome) for this session | `claude --no-chrome` |
103103| `--no-session-persistence` | Disable session persistence so sessions are not saved to disk and cannot be resumed. Print mode only. The [`CLAUDE_CODE_SKIP_PROMPT_HISTORY`](/docs/en/env-vars) environment variable does the same in any mode | `claude -p --no-session-persistence "query"` |
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122122| `--system-prompt` | Replace the entire system prompt with custom text | `claude --system-prompt "You are a Python expert"` |
123123| `--system-prompt-file` | Load system prompt from a file, replacing the default prompt | `claude --system-prompt-file ./custom-prompt.txt` |
124124| `--teleport` | Resume a [web session](/docs/en/claude-code-on-the-web) in your local terminal | `claude --teleport` |
125| `--teammate-mode` | Set how [agent team](/docs/en/agent-teams) teammates display: `in-process` (default), `auto`, `tmux`, or `iterm2` (added in v2.1.186). Overrides the [`teammateMode`](/docs/en/settings#available-settings) setting for this session. See [Choose a display mode](/docs/en/agent-teams#choose-a-display-mode) | `claude --teammate-mode auto` |
125| `--teammate-mode` | Set how [agent team](/docs/en/agent-teams) teammates display: `in-process` (default), `auto`, `tmux`, or `iterm2` (added in v2.1.186). Overrides the [`teammateMode`](/docs/en/settings-reference#teammatemode) setting for this session. See [Choose a display mode](/docs/en/agent-teams#choose-a-display-mode) | `claude --teammate-mode auto` |
126126| `--tmux` | Create a tmux session for the worktree. Requires `--worktree`. Uses iTerm2 native panes when available; pass `--tmux=classic` for traditional tmux | `claude -w feature-auth --tmux` |
127127| `--tools` | Restrict which built-in tools Claude can use. Use `""` to disable all, `"default"` for all, or tool names like `"Bash,Edit,Read"`. If you name one of the [task-tracking tools](/docs/en/tools-reference#task-tool-availability) here, Claude Code also opts the session in. The flag doesn't affect MCP tools; to deny those too, use `--disallowedTools "mcp__*"`. A list that omits [`EndConversation`](/docs/en/tools-reference#endconversation-tool-behavior) doesn't remove it; `""` removes it only when no MCP tools remain | `claude --tools "Bash,Edit,Read"` |
128| `--verbose` | Enable verbose logging, shows full turn-by-turn output. Overrides the [`viewMode`](/docs/en/settings#available-settings) setting for this session | `claude --verbose` |
128| `--verbose` | Enable verbose logging, shows full turn-by-turn output. Overrides the [`viewMode`](/docs/en/settings-reference#viewmode) setting for this session | `claude --verbose` |
129129| `--version`, `-v` | Output the version number | `claude -v` |
130130| `--worktree`, `-w` | Start Claude in an isolated [git worktree](/docs/en/worktrees) at `<repo>/.claude/worktrees/<name>`. If you don't give a name, Claude Code generates one. Pass `#<number>`, a GitHub pull request URL, or a GitLab merge request URL to [fetch that PR or MR from `origin` and branch the worktree from it](/docs/en/worktrees#branch-from-a-pull-request). Branching from a GitLab merge request requires Claude Code v2.1.233 or later | `claude -w feature-auth` |
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