CLAUDE_STAGE_FILE_ROOT

Updated October 23, 2026 by Alex Sorokoletov

CLAUDE_STAGE_FILE_ROOT is a Claude Code environment variable. Added between v2.1.143 and v2.1.212 and still present in v2.1.310. It is not in the official reference.

How to set it

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

export CLAUDE_STAGE_FILE_ROOT=<value>
claude

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

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

Related variables

• CLAUDE_CLIENT_PRESENCE_FILE
• CLAUDE_CODE_DIAGNOSTICS_FILE: Path to write diagnostics output.
• CLAUDE_CODE_DIFF_COPY_ROOT: A self-hosted runner names, in this variable, the folder holding the checked copy of a repository's git settings that Claude Code reads for a workspace diff and nested-repository detection.
• 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_CODE_TEST_FIXTURES_ROOT: Root directory for test fixtures.
• CLAUDE_CODE_TWO_STAGE_CLASSIFIER: Added in v2.1.72 as an opt-in flag for two-stage intent classification.
• CLAUDE_ENV_FILE: Path to environment file for session variables.

Frequently asked questions

All variables, searchable: Claude Code environment variables.