Model configuration changedmodel-config
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495495If you set a level the active model does not support, Claude Code falls back to the highest supported level at or below the one you set. For example, `xhigh` runs as `high` on Opus 4.6. Your organization can also cap which levels are available for a model; see [Organization effort limits](#organization-effort-limits).
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497The default effort is `high` on every model that supports effort, except Opus 4.7, which defaults to `xhigh`.
497With the [`ultracode`](/docs/en/settings-reference#ultracode) setting off, Claude Code resolves the session's effort level in this order, taking the first that applies:
498498
499When you first run Fable 5, Opus 4.8, or Opus 4.7, Claude Code applies that model's default effort even if you previously set a different level for another model, and holds it across sessions until you make an explicit effort choice, such as running `/effort` in an interactive session or launching with `--effort`. Opus 5 has no such hold: a level you previously set carries over.
4991. An explicit choice: the [`CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL`](/docs/en/env-vars#variables) environment variable, launching with `--effort`, or `/effort` in the session ([a non-interactive `/effort` has narrower effect](#non-interactive-effort))
5002. The model's default effort, on Fable 5, Opus 4.8, or Opus 4.7: from the first time you run one of these models, Claude Code holds that model's default effort across sessions, even when your settings resolve a different level, until you change effort once, for example with an interactive `/effort`, the `/model` picker's effort slider, or `--effort` at launch. Opus 5 has no such hold
5013. Your settings: the level you saved for the model or an [`effortLevel`](/docs/en/settings-reference#effortlevel) key, with the precedence between them and across settings files stated at [`modelSettings`](/docs/en/settings-reference#modelsettings)
5024. The model's default effort: `high` on every model that supports effort, except that Opus 4.7 defaults to `xhigh` and, when your organization sets a default effort level for its [organization default model](#organization-default-model), that level is the default when you run that model
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501`low`, `medium`, `high`, and `xhigh` persist across sessions when you set them in an interactive session. `max` provides the deepest reasoning. Unless you set it through the `CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL` environment variable, `max` applies to the current session only.
504When you set `low`, `medium`, `high`, or `xhigh` in an interactive session on your machine, Claude Code saves the level and applies it in later sessions. It saves the level per model, under the [`modelSettings`](/docs/en/settings-reference#modelsettings) key in your user settings, so each model keeps its own saved level.
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506`max` is the deepest reasoning level. Unless you set it through the `CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL` environment variable, Claude Code applies `max` to the current session only.
507
503508<Note>
504509 A level you pick from the effort control on a phone or browser connected through [Remote Control](/docs/en/remote-control#what-connected-devices-see) applies to that session only.
505510</Note>
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507A level set with `/effort` in [non-interactive mode](/docs/en/headless), with the `-p` flag, applies to the current session only and isn't saved as your default. It also can't release the model-default hold: while the hold is in force, a non-interactive `/effort` reports `Not applied`, so pass `--effort` at launch instead.
512<span id="non-interactive-effort" />
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514A level set with `/effort` in [non-interactive mode](/docs/en/headless), with the `-p` flag, applies to the current session only and isn't saved as your default. It also doesn't count as the one change that ends the model-default step above on Fable 5, Opus 4.8, or Opus 4.7: while that step is in effect, a non-interactive `/effort` reports `Not applied`, so pass `--effort` at launch instead.
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509516The `/effort` menu also offers `ultracode`. Ultracode is a Claude Code setting rather than a model effort level: it sends `xhigh` to the model and additionally has Claude orchestrate [dynamic workflows](/docs/en/workflows) for substantive tasks. For where it can be set persistently, see the [`ultracode`](/docs/en/settings-reference#ultracode) setting.
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511518You can turn on ultracode through any of the following:
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544551You can change effort through any of the following:
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546* **`/effort`**: run `/effort` with no arguments to open an interactive slider, `/effort` followed by a level name to set it directly, or `/effort auto` to reset to the model default. You can run it while Claude is working, and once you confirm the [cache warning](/docs/en/prompt-caching#changing-effort-level), if Claude Code shows one, Claude Code applies the new level to the next request in the turn
553* **`/effort`**: run `/effort` with no arguments to open an interactive slider, `/effort` followed by a level name to set it directly, or `/effort auto` to clear your saved level for the active model. You can run it while Claude is working, and once you confirm the [cache warning](/docs/en/prompt-caching#changing-effort-level), if Claude Code shows one, Claude Code applies the new level to the next request in the turn
547554* **In `/model`**: use left/right arrow keys to adjust the effort slider when selecting a model
548555* **`--effort` flag**: pass a level name to set it for a single session when launching Claude Code
549556* **Environment variable**: set `CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL` to a level name or `auto`
550* **Settings**: set `effortLevel` to `low`, `medium`, `high`, or `xhigh` in your settings file. `max` isn't accepted here, and `ultracode` has its own [`ultracode`](/docs/en/settings-reference#ultracode) key
557* **Settings**: set a per-model level in [`modelSettings`](/docs/en/settings-reference#modelsettings), or set [`effortLevel`](/docs/en/settings-reference#effortlevel) to `low`, `medium`, `high`, or `xhigh` as the default for models without one. `max` isn't accepted in either key, and `ultracode` has its own [`ultracode`](/docs/en/settings-reference#ultracode) key
551558* **From a connected device**: in a [Remote Control](/docs/en/remote-control#what-connected-devices-see) session, pick a level from the effort control on your phone or in your browser. The level applies to the current session only. Requires Claude Code v2.1.234 or later
552559* **Skill and subagent frontmatter**: set `effort` in a [skill](/docs/en/skills#frontmatter-reference) or [subagent](/docs/en/sub-agents#supported-frontmatter-fields) markdown file to override the effort level when that skill or subagent runs
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554The environment variable takes precedence over all other methods, then your configured level, then the model default. Frontmatter effort applies when that skill or subagent is active, overriding the session level but not the environment variable.
561Frontmatter effort applies when that skill or subagent is active, overriding the session level but not the environment variable.
555562
556563The `effortLevel` key in [managed settings](/docs/en/managed-settings) is a starting default, not enforcement: users can change it for a session with `/effort` or `--effort`, and the managed value re-asserts as the default in new sessions.
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