{"version":"2.1.319","anchor":"new-env-var-claude-code-cowork-plugin-skill-and-claude-runne","canonical_anchor":"new-env-var-claude-code-cowork-plugin-skill-and-claude-runne","heading":"Two new environment variable names appear on Claude Code's pass-through lists","tier":"internal","area":"Environment Variables","scope":"org","heads_up":false,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.319\/e\/new-env-var-claude-code-cowork-plugin-skill-and-claude-runne","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.319","markdown":"### Two new environment variable names appear on Claude Code's pass-through lists\n\n`CLAUDE_CODE_COWORK_PLUGIN_SKILL` and `CLAUDE_RUNNER_OFFERS_NEW_MACHINE` now appear on lists of variables Claude Code passes along\n\n**Unclear.** It is not clear what either variable does or whether setting one has any effect.\n\n**What**\n\nAn environment variable is a named setting that a program receives when it starts. Claude Code keeps lists of which environment variables it passes on to sessions started through a runner or a bridge, where another program hosts and drives the session.\n\n- `CLAUDE_CODE_COWORK_PLUGIN_SKILL` appears for the first time.\n\n- `CLAUDE_RUNNER_OFFERS_NEW_MACHINE` is added to several of the runner and bridge lists.\n\nBoth are only added to these lists. Nothing else about them changes.\n\n**Why**\n\nThe names point to a plugin skill feature for Cowork and to a runner offering a new machine in host-driven sessions. What each variable does is not described.\n\n- Area: Environment Variables\n- Tier: Under the hood\n- Useful: 2\/5\n- Signal: 3\/5\n- Scope: org\n- Heads-up: no"}