{"version":"2.1.296","anchor":"read-tool-allow-large-override-messages-added","canonical_anchor":"read-tool-allow-large-override-messages-added","heading":"Claude can be told how to read files larger than the usual limit","tier":"notice","area":"Read Tool","scope":"individual","heads_up":false,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.296\/e\/read-tool-allow-large-override-messages-added","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.296","markdown":"### Claude can be told how to read files larger than the usual limit\n\nNew messages tell Claude it can read an oversized file by calling Read again with `allow_large: true`, or read it in parts\n\n**Unclear.** It is not clear whether `allow_large` is actually available to Claude yet or held back behind a switch.\n\n**What**\n\nThe Read tool is what Claude uses to open files. When a file is larger than the default limit, Claude Code now has messages that tell Claude what to do next:\n\n- call Read again with `allow_large: true` to read the file anyway\n\n- if the file still will not fit in the remaining room in the conversation, read as much as still fits\n\n- if `allow_large` is not available, read the file in parts by choosing where to start and how much to read\n\nThe Read tool's own description, as captured under this release, is unchanged from the previous one. Separately, Claude Code now records whether part of the original file was left out when a subagent edits a file. A subagent is a helper Claude starts to work on part of a task.\n\n**Why**\n\nIf the option is available, Claude can get past the size cap on large files instead of stopping at the limit.\n\n- Area: Read Tool\n- Tier: You'll notice\n- Useful: 2\/5\n- Signal: 1\/5\n- Scope: individual\n- Heads-up: no"}