CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE

Updated October 23, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE is a Claude Code environment variable. Added between v2.1.143 and v2.1.212 and still present in v2.1.310. It is listed in the official reference.

Status	Present in v2.1.310
Added	Added between v2.1.143 and v2.1.212
Category	Other
Official docs	Listed

How to set it

For one session, export it in the shell that starts Claude Code:

export CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE=<value>
claude

To apply it to every session, add it to the env object of a settings file:

// ~/.claude/settings.json
{
  "env": {
    "CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE": "<value>"
  }
}

Related variables

CLAUDE_CODE_DIAGNOSTICS_FILE: Path to write diagnostics output.
CLAUDE_CODE_FILE_READ_MAX_PDF_PAGES_PER_MESSAGE: Caps how many PDF pages the Read tool loads within a single message.
CLAUDE_CODE_FILE_READ_MAX_PDF_PAGES_PER_TURN: Caps the running total of PDF pages the Read tool loads across a turn, working with the per-message cap above.
CLAUDE_ENV_FILE: Path to environment file for session variables.
CLAUDE_CODE_ARTIFACT_MULTI_FILE
CLAUDE_CODE_ARTIFACT_PRESENCE
CLAUDE_CODE_HOST_CREDS_FILE
CLAUDE_CODE_USE_NATIVE_FILE_SEARCH

Frequently asked questions

Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE?

Added between v2.1.143 and v2.1.212 and still present in v2.1.310.

How do I set CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE?

Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE=value), or add it to the "env" object in ~/.claude/settings.json to apply it to every session.

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.