Claude Code · Source-level changelog

Version 2.1.66

This release removes the ultraplan mode and the remote-control server subcommand, replaces the /reload-plugins workflow with a restart-based plugin activation model, and enhances the microcompaction system with boundary messages and tool result clearing. It also introduces a new forkContext property for agent definitions, improved parallel tool call error handling, and a redesigned Plugin Status UI.

Package @anthropic-ai/claude-code Diff v2.1.64 → v2.1.66
17
Features & Changes
0
Bug Fixes
0
In Development
0
Env Vars / Flags

Changes

17 items

Sub-Agent Context Forking (forkContext) #

What

Agents can now receive the full parent conversation context when spawned as sub-agents, enabling better awareness of what the user has been working on.

Details
  • New forkContext frontmatter field for agent .md definitions (set to true or false)
  • When enabled, the sub-agent receives prior conversation messages as read-only context
  • Agents with forkContext: true must use model: inherit to avoid context length mismatch
  • A new ### FORKING CONVERSATION CONTEXT ### boundary marker is injected to clearly separate inherited context from the sub-agent's own task
  • The sub-agent is instructed to only use tools available in its own system prompt, even if context messages reference other tools
Evidence

Sub-agent entry system (search for "sub_agent_entered" and "FORKING CONVERSATION CONTEXT")

Plugin Status and Error UI #

What

New interactive UI views for inspecting plugin installation status and diagnosing loading errors.

Details
  • Plugin Status view shows installation progress for marketplaces and plugins (pending, installing, installed, failed)
  • Plugin Loading Errors view lists all plugin load failures with detailed error messages and actionable remediation hints
  • Error types include: path-not-found, git-auth-failed, network-error, manifest-parse-error, marketplace-blocked-by-policy, and more
  • Each error includes a arrow hint suggesting how to fix the issue (e.g., "→ Check your internet connection and try again", "→ Configure SSH keys or use HTTPS URL instead")
Evidence

Plugin error UI (search for "Plugin Loading Errors" and "Plugin Status")

Background Plugin Installation #

What

Plugins and marketplaces from settings are now automatically installed in the background when they are missing.

Details
  • On startup, Claude Code detects plugins referenced in settings that are not yet installed
  • Missing marketplaces are installed first, then missing plugins from those marketplaces
  • Installation progress is tracked per-plugin with states: pending → installing → installed/failed
  • Plugins from unknown/unconfigured marketplaces are flagged as uninstallable with clear error messages
  • New telemetry event tengu_marketplace_background_install tracks installation success/failure rates
Evidence

Background plugin installer (search for "plugins automatically" and "Setting installation status")

Plugin Enable/Disable with Scope Support #

What

Plugins can now be enabled or disabled at specific scopes (user, project, local), with validation for managed plugins.

Details
  • Enabling/disabling a plugin now persists the setting at the appropriate scope
  • Managed plugins (from enterprise policy) cannot be enabled or disabled — only updated
  • If a --scope argument is provided but doesn't match the plugin's actual scope, a helpful error message is shown
  • Success messages include the plugin name and scope: "Successfully enabled plugin: X (scope: user)"
Evidence

Plugin scope management (search for "Managed plugins cannot be" and "is installed at")

Restart-Based Plugin Activation (Replaces /reload-plugins) #

The /reload-plugins command has been removed. After installing, enabling, disabling, or updating plugins, Claude Code now displays messages like:

  • "✓ Installed X. Restart Claude Code to load new plugins."
  • "Configuration saved. Restart Claude Code for changes to take effect."

This replaces the previous "Run /reload-plugins to activate" workflow with a cleaner restart model.

Evidence

Plugin restart messages (search for "Restart Claude Code")

Enhanced Microcompaction with Boundary Messages #

The automatic context microcompaction system now produces visible boundary messages when it operates. When tool results are cleared to save context space, a "Context microcompacted" system message is inserted with metadata including token counts saved, number of tool results compacted, and images cleared. Old tool results are replaced with "[Old tool result content cleared]" markers that point to saved files on disk.

Evidence

Microcompaction boundaries (search for "Context microcompacted" and "[Old tool result content cleared]")

Sibling Tool Call Error Handling #

When multiple tools run in parallel and one fails, the remaining sibling tool calls now receive a clean error message ("Sibling tool call errored") instead of hanging or producing ambiguous results. This improves reliability when using parallel tool execution.

Evidence

Parallel tool error handling (search for "Sibling tool call errored")

Updated Input Guides #

New contextual keyboard shortcut hints appear during various interactions:

  • "ctrl+c to interrupt · Esc again to clear" during active operations
  • "Tab to complete · Enter to add · Esc to cancel" in settings input
  • "↑/↓ to select · Enter to confirm · Esc to cancel" in selection lists
Evidence

Input guides (search for "ctrl+c to interrupt")

Remote Control Simplified #

The claude remote-control command has been simplified. The server subcommand and its associated options (--spawn-worktree-sessions, --spawn-same-dir-sessions, --max-sessions, --idle-timeout, --workspace, --host, --port) have been removed. The --name option has also been removed. Remote control now focuses solely on connecting a single terminal for remote sessions via claude.ai/code.

Evidence

Simplified remote-control help text (search for "Remote Control - Connect your local environment")

Output Efficiency System Upgraded [Gradual Rollout] #

The output brevity system has been upgraded from a single on/off toggle (tengu_sotto_voce) to a three-tier system (tengu_swann_brevity) with modes:

  • strict: Extremely concise — "Use the fewest words necessary. Omit preamble, filler, pleasantries."
  • focused: Extra concise — "Lead with the answer or action, not the reasoning."
  • polished: Balanced — "Concise and polished. Never omit important information."
Evidence

Output efficiency modes (search for "tengu_swann_brevity")

Model Update Notification #

The model migration notification has changed from "Model updated to Opus 4.6" to "Model updated to Opus 4.5", reflecting changes in default model availability for certain account types.

Evidence

Model migration notification (search for "Model updated to Opus 4.5")

Ultraplan Mode Removed #

The ultraplan mode has been completely removed. This includes the ultraplan and ultraplan-mode identifiers, the ultraplan completion messages, and the verification specialist agent that was part of the ultraplan workflow.

Evidence

All "ultraplan" references removed from source

Scheduled Skills Removed #

The scheduled skills system (cron-based skill execution) has been removed. This includes the schedule display formatting ("Every hour", "Every day at", "Weekdays at"), the scheduled skills UI, and the scheduled skills status line.

Evidence

All "scheduled skill" and "Scheduled skill" references removed

Voice Mode Tip Removed #

The tip "Voice mode is now available · /voice to enable" has been removed.

Evidence

String "Voice mode is now available" removed

Claude Code Desktop Cross-Promotion Removed #

The following promotional elements have been removed:

  • "Try Claude Code Desktop" callout
  • "Open in Claude Code Desktop" button/link
  • "Same Claude Code with visual diffs, live app preview, parallel sessions, and more" description
Evidence

All Desktop cross-promotion strings removed

/btw Side Question Tip Removed #

The tip text "Use /btw to ask a quick side question without interrupting Claude's current work" has been removed. Note: The /btw command itself still exists and functions — only the tip promoting it has been removed.

Evidence

Tip string "Use /btw to ask a quick side question" removed; /btw regex pattern still present (search for "/btw")

Code Intelligence Description Removed #

The description string "code intelligence (definitions, references, symbols, hover)" for LSP features has been removed from the codebase.

Evidence

String "code intelligence (definitions, references, symbols, hover)" removed