{"version":"2.1.323","anchor":"read-refuses-unvettable-symlink-paths-powershell-sleep-guid","canonical_anchor":"read-refuses-unvettable-symlink-paths-powershell-sleep-guid","heading":"Reads refuse links that cannot be checked, with a clearer message","tier":"notice","area":"File Tools","scope":"individual","heads_up":true,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.323\/e\/read-refuses-unvettable-symlink-paths-powershell-sleep-guid","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.323","markdown":"### Reads refuse links that cannot be checked, with a clearer message\n\nClaude Code now refuses to read through a link it cannot safely check and says why, instead of a general error\n\n**What**\n\nA symbolic link, or symlink, is a file that points to another place. When Claude Code cannot check where a link leads, it now refuses to read the file with a specific message. Cases include:\n\n- The link's target is not valid text (UTF-8).\n\n- On Windows, the target contains `..`.\n\n- The file sits at the end of too long a chain of links.\n\nBefore, these reads failed with a more general error.\n\nThe PowerShell tool's instructions to Claude also get an extra line in the advice about waiting, when a certain setting is on.\n\n**Why**\n\nThis tightens the limits on what files Claude Code will read, and the new message makes a refusal easier to understand.\n\n- Area: File Tools\n- Tier: You'll notice\n- Useful: 2\/5\n- Signal: 1\/5\n- Scope: individual\n- Heads-up: yes"}