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4040}
4141```
4242
43Output style is part of the system prompt, which Claude Code reads once at session start. Changes take effect after `/clear` or a new session. See [How Claude Code uses prompt caching](/docs/en/prompt-caching#changing-output-style) for what an output style change does to the cache.
43When you switch styles mid-session, Claude uses the new style starting with your next message. The style is part of the system prompt, so that first message rebuilds the [prompt cache](/docs/en/prompt-caching#changing-output-style) once. Before v2.1.251, the new style applied only after you ran `/clear` or started a new session.
4444
4545## Create a custom output style
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8080 <Step title="Switch to your style">
81 Run `/config` in the terminal and select your style under **Output style**, or set `outputStyle` in a settings file to the style's name. It takes effect after `/clear` or the next time you start a session.
81 Run `/config` in the terminal and select your style under **Output style**. Claude uses the new style starting with your next message. In the terminal, Claude Code reads style files when it starts, so if you create or edit one during a running session, restart Claude Code to pick up the change.
8282 </Step>
8383</Steps>
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