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Sweep 22 Oct 2026 · 04:32Z Build v2.1.308 527 read Stable v2.1.308 Latest v2.1.308 Next v2.1.308 Feeds RSS JSON llms.txt llms-full.txt Unofficial

Claude Code v2.1.281 ·

Model switches return error codes and skip the server check for a model picked at launch

Model-switch failures now carry a code and only mention /model where it exists, and a model chosen at launch is no longer checked with the server

Group of 4 You'll notice Improvements
JSON All of v2.1.281
You'll noticeTier: how much it should matter to you
2Useful: my rating, 1 to 5
2Signal: worth watching, 1 to 5
ModelsArea: what it touches
ImprovementsKind: in v2.1.281,
ImprovementsSection of the release

What

  • A failed model switch now returns a machine-readable code. The code is one of alias_1m_disabled, alias_1m_unsupported, restricted_by_org, unavailable_for_account, not_offered, check_failed or, when a hook blocked the switch, blocked_by_hook. A hook is a command you configure to run on events.
  • Error messages mention /model only where that command exists. Elsewhere, they say "Switch to a different model." or just "Try again." Before, they always said to run /model.
  • The "Couldn't confirm model" error is now marked retryable.
  • A model picked at launch, for example by the SDK or in print mode (-p), is no longer checked against the server. The switch passes confirmWithServer: false, which becomes serverProbe: false, and the model is accepted as valid. The server check is also skipped when no deadline is given.
  • The print and SDK session now reports when a pick is a launch pick (isLaunchModelPick).

Why

The SDK is the library for running Claude Code from your own programs, and programs that embed Claude Code often have no /model command. Those hosts now get messages that make sense and a code they can act on. Starting with a model chosen at launch no longer waits on a server check, which matters most on a slow network.

See this entry in the whole of v2.1.281 →

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