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Sweep 22 Sep 2026 · 17:19Z Build v2.1.280 501 read Stable v2.1.267 Latest v2.1.280 Next v2.1.280 Feeds RSS JSON llms.txt Unofficial
Claude Code v2.1.268 ·

Background agent messages now depend on whether its output file can still be read

Claude Code now tracks whether a background agent's output file is still readable and changes its guidance accordingly

TierUnder the hoodhow much it should matter to you
Useful1my rating, 1 to 5
Signal1worth watching, 1 to 5
AreaBackground Agentswhat it touches
KindInternal Changesin v2.1.268,
Group of 3 Under the hood

Claude Code now tracks whether a background agent's output file is still readable and changes its guidance accordingly

What

  • A new canReadOutputFile flag is now tracked on background/async agent launches, defaulting to true, and set explicitly in several agent dispatch and relaunch code paths.
  • Status and notification messages for a stopped or interrupted background agent now check this flag: when it's false, Claude Code tells you to resume the agent and ask it for a status report, instead of suggesting you check its worktree or output file for partial work.
  • The message shown when a background agent from a previous session can't be restarted now also depends on this flag: if the output file can be read, it still suggests checking the worktree/output; if not, it suggests messaging the agent for a status report instead.

Why Not every background agent leaves behind a readable output file. This change makes the guidance Claude Code gives you match what's actually possible, instead of pointing you to a file you can't inspect.

Read from
Names in the bundlecanReadOutputFile
What the documentation says
How sure we are
Something disagreesSomething we can check disagrees with this entry, or the writer said they could not settle it.
The writer flagged doubtWhat situation would set canReadOutputFile to false is not stated.

See this entry in the whole of v2.1.268 →

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