CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY
Updated by Alex Sorokoletov
CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY is a Claude Code environment variable: Path to client private key. Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.310. It is listed in the official reference.
| Status | Present in v2.1.310 |
|---|---|
| Added | Present since v2.1.69 or earlier |
| Category | Authentication |
| Official docs | Listed |
How to set it
For one session, export it in the shell that starts Claude Code:
export CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY=<value>
claudeTo apply it to every session, add it to the env object of a settings file:
// ~/.claude/settings.json
{
"env": {
"CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY": "<value>"
}
}Release notes that mention it
- Claude Code "self signed certificate in certificate chain": NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS, CLAUDE_CODE_CERT_STORE and the emSign Block
- 165 Environment Variables in Claude Code 2.1.69 — What Changed in 50 Versions
Related variables
CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY_PASSPHRASE: Passphrase for encrypted client key.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY: Primary API key for Claude API.CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_FILE_DESCRIPTOR: File descriptor to read API key from.CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY_HELPER_TTL_MS: Cache TTL for API key helper.CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_CERT: Path to client certificate for mTLS.CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID: Custom OAuth client ID.CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEYPMCLAUDE_CODE_DESIGN_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID
Frequently asked questions
What does CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY do?
Path to client private key
Which Claude Code version has CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY?
Present since v2.1.69 or earlier and still present in v2.1.310.
How do I set CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY?
Export it before starting Claude Code (export CLAUDE_CODE_CLIENT_KEY=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.