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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

A new env var makes descriptions optional for AskUserQuestion options, limited to specific entry points or remote sessions

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Useful2my rating, 1 to 5
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AreaAskUserQuestionwhat it touches
KindImprovementsin v2.1.268,
Group of 2 Use it now Notable No documentation found

A new env var makes descriptions optional for AskUserQuestion options, limited to specific entry points or remote sessions

What

A new environment variable, CLAUDE_CODE_QUESTION_OPTIONAL_DESCRIPTIONS, makes the descriptions on AskUserQuestion-style options optional instead of required. It only takes effect when CLAUDE_CODE_ENTRYPOINT is one of a fixed set of values (sdk-ts, sdk-py, sdk-cli, local-agent, claude-desktop, claude-desktop-3p) or when the session is remote.

This new variable also acts as an alias for the existing extended-question behavior: setting either CLAUDE_CODE_QUESTION_EXTENDED or CLAUDE_CODE_QUESTION_OPTIONAL_DESCRIPTIONS now turns on that extended AskUserQuestion behavior.

Why

This lets specific integrations (SDKs, local agents, Claude desktop, and remote sessions) skip writing option descriptions for AskUserQuestion prompts when they aren't needed, without affecting other entry points.

Read from
Names in the bundleCLAUDE_CODE_QUESTION_OPTIONAL_DESCRIPTIONSCLAUDE_CODE_QUESTION_EXTENDED
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One source agreesOne thing we can check says the same as this entry.
The name it cites is new in this buildNew in this build: CLAUDE_CODE_QUESTION_OPTIONAL_DESCRIPTIONS

See this entry in the whole of v2.1.268 →

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