CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_CACHE_DIR

Updated October 23, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_CACHE_DIR is a Claude Code environment variable: Local cache directory for downloaded plugins. Removed in v2.1.310, so current releases ignore it. It is listed in the official reference.

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_CACHE_DIR=<value>
claude

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

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

Release notes that mention it

• Claude Code v2.1.75 — 2 New Environment Variables: Auto-Compact Window & Plugin Options
• 165 Environment Variables in Claude Code 2.1.69 — What Changed in 50 Versions

Related variables

• CLAUDE_CODE_DESKTOP_SKILLS_PLUGIN_DIR: Holds a directory path the desktop app passes for its skills plugin; the client reads it into the desktop-skills plugin directory, then clears it from the environment.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_DIR_WATCH
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_SEED_DIR: Seed directory for pre-installed plugins.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_USE_ZIP_CACHE: Use zip-based caching instead of git.
• CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_BACKGROUND_PLUGIN_REFRESH: Enables automatic background plugin refresh when the runtime detects updates are needed.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_DIRS
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_KEEP_MARKETPLACE_ON_FAILURE: Preserves the local marketplace plugin cache when git pull fails.
• CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN_PREFER_HTTPS: Force HTTPS for plugin source resolution.

Frequently asked questions

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.