{"version":"2.1.296","anchor":"read-tool-gains-allow-large-option-sized-to-remaining-contex","canonical_anchor":"read-tool-gains-allow-large-option-sized-to-remaining-contex","heading":"Read can open a file over the usual size limit if it fits in context","tier":"notice","area":"Read Tool","scope":"individual","heads_up":false,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.296\/e\/read-tool-gains-allow-large-option-sized-to-remaining-contex","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.296","markdown":"### Read can open a file over the usual size limit if it fits in context\n\nThe Read tool accepts `allow_large`, letting Claude read an oversized text file in one go when there is still room in the conversation\n\n**What**\n\nThe Read tool, which Claude uses to open files, accepts a new optional input, `allow_large`. When Claude sets it to true, Read can open a text file, or a range of its lines, that is over the usual size limits. The new ceiling is however much room is left in the conversation's context (the amount of text Claude can hold at once) before Claude Code would compact it, meaning summarise older parts to free space.\n\nWithout `allow_large`, the old fixed size and token limits still apply. Claude is told to use it only when it needs the whole file or you asked for it, and otherwise to read in parts. When a file is too large, the error now says whether `allow_large` could have got past the limit.\n\n**Why**\n\nA large file can now be read in one call instead of in many pieces, as long as the conversation has space for it. It also means a single read can use up much of the remaining room, which brings compaction closer.\n\n- Flag `tengu_read_dedup_killswitch`: Off in both readings (read for one account on one subscription tier against v2.1.296; this account: off, anonymous baseline: off, compiled default: off) These values were read against a different version of Claude Code, so treat them as the nearest reading available instead of one taken on this release.\n- Area: Read Tool\n- Names: `allow_large`\n- Tier: You'll notice\n- Useful: 5\/5\n- Signal: 3\/5\n- Scope: individual\n- Heads-up: no"}