Claude Code v2.1.302

Claude Code v2.1.302 is a fix-heavy release (about 60 changelog entries). It adds an auto-mode classifier model setting and an idle-compaction toggle, and turns fork subagents on by default outside the terminal.

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PaidProprietary (© Anthropic PBC; use subject to Anthropic's Commercial Terms)TypeScript (repo)★ 151,410 (as of 2026-10-17)by Anthropic

Why it matters

A maintenance release of Anthropic's terminal coding agent. It is mostly reliability fixes (compaction, MCP, plugins, Windows), plus a few behavior changes to subagents and permission modes that are worth knowing if you script Claude Code.

What's new

New CLAUDE_CODE_AUTO_MODE_MODEL setting chooses the model for the client-side auto mode classifier, and a new "Idle compaction" toggle in /config.
Fork subagents are now on by default in claude -p, the Agent SDK, the desktop app and VS Code (CLAUDE_CODE_FORK_SUBAGENT=0 turns them off).
On third-party providers, claude -p and Agent SDK sessions with no permission mode now start in default mode; --permission-mode auto keeps auto.
Fixes for MCP servers that negotiate protocol 2026-07-28 but omit some fields, plus a 128 MB cap on image reads in the Read tool.
Notice that standalone Claude Design (claude.ai/design) closes by December 14, 2026; faster startup with many plugins enabled.

Taken from the project's own release notes. Claims about speed or accuracy are the maker's unless stated otherwise.

Try it if: You run Claude Code headless (claude -p / Agent SDK) and need to check the new subagent and permission-mode defaults.

Quick facts

Pricing	Requires a Claude account or Anthropic API access (plan details not checked)not verified
Free or paid	Paid
License	Proprietary (© Anthropic PBC; use subject to Anthropic's Commercial Terms)
Language	TypeScript (repo)
Platform	macOS, Linux, Windows; terminal, IDE, desktop
GitHub stars	★ 151,410 (as of 2026-10-17)
Maker	Anthropic

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Checked 2026-10-17 from the release notes's own pages. Prices and star counts change, so confirm on the official site. Listing here is not a ranking or an endorsement.