# Claude Code v2.1.285

> Claude Code v2.1.285, released 29 Sep 2026 (2026-09-29). 428 entries read out of the shipped bundle. Unofficial, and not affiliated with Anthropic.

[Web version](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285)

You can now use claude-sonnet-5 with high effort and automatic thinking switched on by default. The high effort option is now labelled Recommended instead of Default. Admins can use the new managed setting `allowedProviders` to limit which API providers Claude Code may run on. Setting `CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_WEB_FETCH` turns off WebFetch, the tool Claude uses to download web pages. Claude Code can now load relevant memories saved to your account before a turn. The new `claude plugin configure` command shows a plugin's options and can save values piped in as JSON.

Seven changes are in the build but not switched on yet. A new `plugin test` command runs a mod's tests and is marked as early access. Waking and retrying background MCP tasks now sits behind a remote switch that is off by default. A report-delivering tool can end the agent's turn, but only when a server switch allows it. The `precomputeCompactionEnabled` setting still stays hidden unless a server switch turns it on.

Directory sync for cloud sessions is now fully removed. The `CLAUDE_CODE_DIR_SYNC_*` variables and `CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_DIR_SYNC` no longer do anything. Launching with `--cloud` no longer offers to sync your folder, and bundle upload still works. On macOS and Linux, `CLAUDE_CODE_LEGACY_BUNDLE` is now ignored with a warning. Passing `unrestrictedPaths` to the agent toolset now throws an error. An @-mentioned audio file no longer gets turned into a transcript for Claude.

## Sections

Each section is its own markdown document of whole entries, in pages of about 40 KB. The whole release in one document is [full.md](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/full.md).

- [What probably matters to you](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/what-probably-matters-to-you.md): 34 entries, 2 pages
- [Improvements](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/improvements.md): 241 entries, 7 pages
- [Bug Fixes](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/bug-fixes.md): 30 entries
- [In Development](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/in-development.md): 3 entries
- [Internal Changes](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/internal-changes.md): 114 entries, 3 pages
- [Removed](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/removed.md): 6 entries

## What probably matters to you

The first 10 of 34, one line each. The section's own pages have every one in full.

- [Model catalog: claude-sonnet-5 entry, effort badge now 'Recommended'](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/claude-sonnet-5-gets-high-effort-thinking-entry-in-model-lis.json): The effort picker labels options 'Recommended' instead of 'Default', claude-sonnet-5 gets thinking settings, and one model now defaults to medium effort
- [New protocol lets Desktop, mobile and VS Code draw plugin UI, plus list_directory](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/plugin-hooks-engine-gains-a-remote-surface-wire-protocol-ui.json): New ui_* messages let desktop, mobile and VS Code surfaces attach to a session and draw plugin UI, and a gated list_directory request is added
- [New `plugin test` command runs a mod's tests](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/new-plugin-test-dir-subcommand.json): A new `plugin test [dir]` command runs a mod's tests, marked as early access
- [Unreleased MCP tasks feature gains two server-controlled switches](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/mcp-task-worker-wake-gate-replaces-the-resume-context-build.json): Two new switches, `tengu_mcp_tasks` and `tengu_mcp_task_worker_wake`, guard an MCP tasks feature and default to off unless the server enables them
- [Claude Code can now load memories saved to your account](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/account-memory-recall-added-to-the-memory-prefetch.json): Before a turn, Claude Code can now load relevant memories saved to your account as well as local ones, and /pause-memory stops that too
- [MCP tasks can run in the background and accept follow-up messages](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/mcp-background-tasks-sep2663-merge-follow-up-messages-and.json): Background MCP tasks can take a follow-up message mid-run, and a crashed one is reported as failed with the code drive_crashed
- [Memory recall adds account memories and labels local ones](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/memory-recall-gains-account-memory-and-local-labels.json): Memory recall gains a new account memory source and 'local' labels, and withdrawn memory snapshots get clearer wording
- [Resuming a session that is running in the background now opens it and hands over your prompt](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/resume-picker-now-offers-to-open-a-live-background-session.json): Resuming a conversation that is still running in the background now attaches to it and delivers your prompt, instead of stopping with instructions
- [Plugin command line: configure options without the menu, set bundled MCP server settings, and see data size](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/plugin-list-json-gains-data-size-and-per-plugin-fields.json): New `claude plugin configure`, `plugin install --config` reaching bundled MCP server settings, and `plugin list --data-size` for scripts
- [New `claude --desktop` opens a session in the Claude Desktop app](https://changelogs.core-directive.com/v/2.1.285/e/new-desktop-cli-option.json): The new --desktop flag opens Claude Desktop instead of the terminal, and can pick a session with --continue or --resume