claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [BUG] `claude -h` looks bad when terminal width narrower than 92 columns [1 participants]

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anthropics/claude-code#46792Fetched 2026-04-12 13:32:54
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Error Message

Error Messages/Logs

Code Example

% claude -h
Usage: claude [options] [command] [prompt]

Claude Code - starts an interactive session by default, use -p/--print for non-interactive
output

Arguments:
  prompt                                            Your prompt

Options:
  --add-dir <directories...>                        Additional directories to allow tool access to
  --agent <agent>                                   Agent for the current session. Overrides the 'agent' setting.
  --agents <json>                                   JSON object defining custom agents (e.g. '{"reviewer": {"description": "Reviews code", "prompt": "You are a code reviewer"}}')
  --allow-dangerously-skip-permissions              Enable bypassing all permission checks as an option, without it being enabled by default. Recommended only for sandboxes with no internet access.
  --allowedTools, --allowed-tools <tools...>        Comma or space-separated list of tool names to allow (e.g. "Bash(git:*) Edit")
  --append-system-prompt <prompt>                   Append a system prompt to the default system prompt
  --bare                                            Minimal mode: skip hooks, LSP, plugin sync, attribution, auto-memory, background prefetches, keychain reads, and CLAUDE.md auto-discovery. Sets CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE=1. Anthropic auth is strictly ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or apiKeyHelper via --settings (OAuth and keychain are never read). 3P providers (Bedrock/Vertex/Foundry) use their own credentials. Skills still resolve via /skill-name. Explicitly provide context via: --system-prompt[-file], --append-system-prompt[-file], --add-dir (CLAUDE.md dirs), --mcp-config, --settings, --agents, --plugin-dir.
  --betas <betas...>                                Beta headers to include in API requests (API key users only)
  --brief                                           Enable SendUserMessage tool for agent-to-user communication
  --chrome                                          Enable Claude in Chrome integration
  -c, --continue                                    Continue the most recent conversation in the current directory
  --dangerously-skip-permissions                    Bypass all permission checks. Recommended only for sandboxes with no internet access.
  -d, --debug [filter]                              Enable debug mode with optional category filtering (e.g., "api,hooks" or "!1p,!file")
  --debug-file <path>                               Write debug logs to a specific file path (implicitly enables debug mode)
  --disable-slash-commands                          Disable all skills
  --disallowedTools, --disallowed-tools <tools...>  Comma or space-separated list of tool names to deny (e.g. "Bash(git:*) Edit")
  --effort <level>                                  Effort level for the current session (low, medium, high, max)
  --exclude-dynamic-system-prompt-sections          Move per-machine sections (cwd, env info, memory paths, git status) from the system prompt into the first user message. Improves cross-user prompt-cache reuse. Only applies with the default system prompt (ignored with --system-prompt). (default: false)
  --fallback-model <model>                          Enable automatic fallback to specified model when default model is overloaded (only works with --print)
  --file <specs...>                                 File resources to download at startup. Format: file_id:relative_path (e.g., --file file_abc:doc.txt file_def:img.png)
  --fork-session                                    When resuming, create a new session ID instead of reusing the original (use with --resume or --continue)
  --from-pr [value]                                 Resume a session linked to a PR by PR number/URL, or open interactive picker with optional search term
  -h, --help                                        Display help for command
  --ide                                             Automatically connect to IDE on startup if exactly one valid IDE is available
  --include-hook-events                             Include all hook lifecycle events in the output stream (only works with --output-format=stream-json)
  --include-partial-messages                        Include partial message chunks as they arrive (only works with --print and --output-format=stream-json)
  --input-format <format>                           Input format (only works with --print): "text" (default), or "stream-json" (realtime streaming input) (choices: "text", "stream-json")
  --json-schema <schema>                            JSON Schema for structured output validation. Example: {"type":"object","properties":{"name":{"type":"string"}},"required":["name"]}
  --max-budget-usd <amount>                         Maximum dollar amount to spend on API calls (only works with --print)
  --mcp-config <configs...>                         Load MCP servers from JSON files or strings (space-separated)
  --mcp-debug                                       [DEPRECATED. Use --debug instead] Enable MCP debug mode (shows MCP server errors)
  --model <model>                                   Model for the current session. Provide an alias for the latest model (e.g. 'sonnet' or 'opus') or a model's full name (e.g. 'claude-sonnet-4-6').
  -n, --name <name>                                 Set a display name for this session (shown in /resume and terminal title)
  --no-chrome                                       Disable Claude in Chrome integration
  --no-session-persistence                          Disable session persistence - sessions will not be saved to disk and cannot be resumed (only works with --print)
  --output-format <format>                          Output format (only works with --print): "text" (default), "json" (single result), or "stream-json" (realtime streaming) (choices: "text", "json", "stream-json")
  --permission-mode <mode>                          Permission mode to use for the session (choices: "acceptEdits", "auto", "bypassPermissions", "default", "dontAsk", "plan")
  --plugin-dir <path>                               Load plugins from a directory for this session only (repeatable: --plugin-dir A --plugin-dir B) (default: [])
  -p, --print                                       Print response and exit (useful for pipes). Note: The workspace trust dialog is skipped when Claude is run with the -p mode. Only use this flag in directories you trust.
  --remote-control-session-name-prefix <prefix>     Prefix for auto-generated Remote Control session names (default: hostname)
  --replay-user-messages                            Re-emit user messages from stdin back on stdout for acknowledgment (only works with --input-format=stream-json and --output-format=stream-json)
  -r, --resume [value]                              Resume a conversation by session ID, or open interactive picker with optional search term
  --session-id <uuid>                               Use a specific session ID for the conversation (must be a valid UUID)
  --setting-sources <sources>                       Comma-separated list of setting sources to load (user, project, local).
  --settings <file-or-json>                         Path to a settings JSON file or a JSON string to load additional settings from
  --strict-mcp-config                               Only use MCP servers from --mcp-config, ignoring all other MCP configurations
  --system-prompt <prompt>                          System prompt to use for the session
  --tmux                                            Create a tmux session for the worktree (requires --worktree). Uses iTerm2 native panes when available; use --tmux=classic for traditional tmux.
  --tools <tools...>                                Specify the list of available tools from the built-in set. Use "" to disable all tools, "default" to use all tools, or specify tool names (e.g. "Bash,Edit,Read").
  --verbose                                         Override verbose mode setting from config
  -v, --version                                     Output the version number
  -w, --worktree [name]                             Create a new git worktree for this session (optionally specify a name)

Commands:
  agents [options]                                  List configured agents
  auth                                              Manage authentication
  auto-mode                                         Inspect auto mode classifier configuration
  doctor                                            Check the health of your Claude Code auto-updater. Note: The workspace trust dialog is skipped and stdio servers from .mcp.json are spawned for health checks. Only use this command in directories you trust.
  install [options] [target]                        Install Claude Code native build. Use [target] to specify version (stable, latest, or specific version)
  mcp                                               Configure and manage MCP servers
  plugin|plugins                                    Manage Claude Code plugins
  setup-token                                       Set up a long-lived authentication token (requires Claude subscription)
  update|upgrade                                    Check for updates and install if available

---

% claude -h
Usage: claude [options] [command] [prompt]

Claude Code - starts an interactive session by default, use -p/--print for non-interactive
output

Arguments:
  prompt                                            Your prompt

Options:
  --add-dir <directories...>                        Additional directories to allow tool
                                                    access to
  --agent <agent>                                   Agent for the current session.
                                                    Overrides the 'agent' setting.
  --agents <json>                                   JSON object defining custom agents
                                                    (e.g. '{"reviewer": {"description":
                                                    "Reviews code", "prompt": "You are a
                                                    code reviewer"}}')
  --allow-dangerously-skip-permissions              Enable bypassing all permission checks
                                                    as an option, without it being enabled
                                                    by default. Recommended only for
                                                    sandboxes with no internet access.
  --allowedTools, --allowed-tools <tools...>        Comma or space-separated list of tool
                                                    names to allow (e.g. "Bash(git:*)
                                                    Edit")
  --append-system-prompt <prompt>                   Append a system prompt to the default
                                                    system prompt
  --bare                                            Minimal mode: skip hooks, LSP, plugin
                                                    sync, attribution, auto-memory,
                                                    background prefetches, keychain reads,
                                                    and CLAUDE.md auto-discovery. Sets
                                                    CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE=1. Anthropic auth is
                                                    strictly ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or
                                                    apiKeyHelper via --settings (OAuth and
                                                    keychain are never read). 3P providers
                                                    (Bedrock/Vertex/Foundry) use their own
                                                    credentials. Skills still resolve via
                                                    /skill-name. Explicitly provide context
                                                    via: --system-prompt[-file],
                                                    --append-system-prompt[-file],
                                                    --add-dir (CLAUDE.md dirs),
                                                    --mcp-config, --settings, --agents,
                                                    --plugin-dir.
  --betas <betas...>                                Beta headers to include in API requests
                                                    (API key users only)
  --brief                                           Enable SendUserMessage tool for
                                                    agent-to-user communication
  --chrome                                          Enable Claude in Chrome integration
  -c, --continue                                    Continue the most recent conversation
                                                    in the current directory
  --dangerously-skip-permissions                    Bypass all permission checks.
                                                    Recommended only for sandboxes with no
                                                    internet access.
  -d, --debug [filter]                              Enable debug mode with optional
                                                    category filtering (e.g., "api,hooks"
                                                    or "!1p,!file")
  --debug-file <path>                               Write debug logs to a specific file
                                                    path (implicitly enables debug mode)
  --disable-slash-commands                          Disable all skills
  --disallowedTools, --disallowed-tools <tools...>  Comma or space-separated list of tool
                                                    names to deny (e.g. "Bash(git:*) Edit")
  --effort <level>                                  Effort level for the current session
                                                    (low, medium, high, max)
  --exclude-dynamic-system-prompt-sections          Move per-machine sections (cwd, env
                                                    info, memory paths, git status) from
                                                    the system prompt into the first user
                                                    message. Improves cross-user
                                                    prompt-cache reuse. Only applies with
                                                    the default system prompt (ignored with
                                                    --system-prompt). (default: false)
  --fallback-model <model>                          Enable automatic fallback to specified
                                                    model when default model is overloaded
                                                    (only works with --print)
  --file <specs...>                                 File resources to download at startup.
                                                    Format: file_id:relative_path (e.g.,
                                                    --file file_abc:doc.txt
                                                    file_def:img.png)
  --fork-session                                    When resuming, create a new session ID
                                                    instead of reusing the original (use
                                                    with --resume or --continue)
  --from-pr [value]                                 Resume a session linked to a PR by PR
                                                    number/URL, or open interactive picker
                                                    with optional search term
  -h, --help                                        Display help for command
  --ide                                             Automatically connect to IDE on startup
                                                    if exactly one valid IDE is available
  --include-hook-events                             Include all hook lifecycle events in
                                                    the output stream (only works with
                                                    --output-format=stream-json)
  --include-partial-messages                        Include partial message chunks as they
                                                    arrive (only works with --print and
                                                    --output-format=stream-json)
  --input-format <format>                           Input format (only works with --print):
                                                    "text" (default), or "stream-json"
                                                    (realtime streaming input) (choices:
                                                    "text", "stream-json")
  --json-schema <schema>                            JSON Schema for structured output
                                                    validation. Example:
                                                    {"type":"object","properties":{"name":{"type":"string"}},"required":["name"]}
  --max-budget-usd <amount>                         Maximum dollar amount to spend on API
                                                    calls (only works with --print)
  --mcp-config <configs...>                         Load MCP servers from JSON files or
                                                    strings (space-separated)
  --mcp-debug                                       [DEPRECATED. Use --debug instead]
                                                    Enable MCP debug mode (shows MCP server
                                                    errors)
  --model <model>                                   Model for the current session. Provide
                                                    an alias for the latest model (e.g.
                                                    'sonnet' or 'opus') or a model's full
                                                    name (e.g. 'claude-sonnet-4-6').
  -n, --name <name>                                 Set a display name for this session
                                                    (shown in /resume and terminal title)
  --no-chrome                                       Disable Claude in Chrome integration
  --no-session-persistence                          Disable session persistence - sessions
                                                    will not be saved to disk and cannot be
                                                    resumed (only works with --print)
  --output-format <format>                          Output format (only works with
                                                    --print): "text" (default), "json"
                                                    (single result), or "stream-json"
                                                    (realtime streaming) (choices: "text",
                                                    "json", "stream-json")
  --permission-mode <mode>                          Permission mode to use for the session
                                                    (choices: "acceptEdits", "auto",
                                                    "bypassPermissions", "default",
                                                    "dontAsk", "plan")
  --plugin-dir <path>                               Load plugins from a directory for this
                                                    session only (repeatable: --plugin-dir
                                                    A --plugin-dir B) (default: [])
  -p, --print                                       Print response and exit (useful for
                                                    pipes). Note: The workspace trust
                                                    dialog is skipped when Claude is run
                                                    with the -p mode. Only use this flag in
                                                    directories you trust.
  --remote-control-session-name-prefix <prefix>     Prefix for auto-generated Remote
                                                    Control session names (default:
                                                    hostname)
  --replay-user-messages                            Re-emit user messages from stdin back
                                                    on stdout for acknowledgment (only
                                                    works with --input-format=stream-json
                                                    and --output-format=stream-json)
  -r, --resume [value]                              Resume a conversation by session ID, or
                                                    open interactive picker with optional
                                                    search term
  --session-id <uuid>                               Use a specific session ID for the
                                                    conversation (must be a valid UUID)
  --setting-sources <sources>                       Comma-separated list of setting sources
                                                    to load (user, project, local).
  --settings <file-or-json>                         Path to a settings JSON file or a JSON
                                                    string to load additional settings from
  --strict-mcp-config                               Only use MCP servers from --mcp-config,
                                                    ignoring all other MCP configurations
  --system-prompt <prompt>                          System prompt to use for the session
  --tmux                                            Create a tmux session for the worktree
                                                    (requires --worktree). Uses iTerm2
                                                    native panes when available; use
                                                    --tmux=classic for traditional tmux.
  --tools <tools...>                                Specify the list of available tools
                                                    from the built-in set. Use "" to
                                                    disable all tools, "default" to use all
                                                    tools, or specify tool names (e.g.
                                                    "Bash,Edit,Read").
  --verbose                                         Override verbose mode setting from
                                                    config
  -v, --version                                     Output the version number
  -w, --worktree [name]                             Create a new git worktree for this
                                                    session (optionally specify a name)

Commands:
  agents [options]                                  List configured agents
  auth                                              Manage authentication
  auto-mode                                         Inspect auto mode classifier
                                                    configuration
  doctor                                            Check the health of your Claude Code
                                                    auto-updater. Note: The workspace trust
                                                    dialog is skipped and stdio servers
                                                    from .mcp.json are spawned for health
                                                    checks. Only use this command in
                                                    directories you trust.
  install [options] [target]                        Install Claude Code native build. Use
                                                    [target] to specify version (stable,
                                                    latest, or specific version)
  mcp                                               Configure and manage MCP servers
  plugin|plugins                                    Manage Claude Code plugins
  setup-token                                       Set up a long-lived authentication
                                                    token (requires Claude subscription)
  update|upgrade                                    Check for updates and install if
                                                    available

---
RAW_BUFFERClick to expand / collapse

Preflight Checklist

  • I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
  • This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
  • I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Here is claude -h with a 91 column wide terminal:

% claude -h
Usage: claude [options] [command] [prompt]

Claude Code - starts an interactive session by default, use -p/--print for non-interactive
output

Arguments:
  prompt                                            Your prompt

Options:
  --add-dir <directories...>                        Additional directories to allow tool access to
  --agent <agent>                                   Agent for the current session. Overrides the 'agent' setting.
  --agents <json>                                   JSON object defining custom agents (e.g. '{"reviewer": {"description": "Reviews code", "prompt": "You are a code reviewer"}}')
  --allow-dangerously-skip-permissions              Enable bypassing all permission checks as an option, without it being enabled by default. Recommended only for sandboxes with no internet access.
  --allowedTools, --allowed-tools <tools...>        Comma or space-separated list of tool names to allow (e.g. "Bash(git:*) Edit")
  --append-system-prompt <prompt>                   Append a system prompt to the default system prompt
  --bare                                            Minimal mode: skip hooks, LSP, plugin sync, attribution, auto-memory, background prefetches, keychain reads, and CLAUDE.md auto-discovery. Sets CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE=1. Anthropic auth is strictly ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or apiKeyHelper via --settings (OAuth and keychain are never read). 3P providers (Bedrock/Vertex/Foundry) use their own credentials. Skills still resolve via /skill-name. Explicitly provide context via: --system-prompt[-file], --append-system-prompt[-file], --add-dir (CLAUDE.md dirs), --mcp-config, --settings, --agents, --plugin-dir.
  --betas <betas...>                                Beta headers to include in API requests (API key users only)
  --brief                                           Enable SendUserMessage tool for agent-to-user communication
  --chrome                                          Enable Claude in Chrome integration
  -c, --continue                                    Continue the most recent conversation in the current directory
  --dangerously-skip-permissions                    Bypass all permission checks. Recommended only for sandboxes with no internet access.
  -d, --debug [filter]                              Enable debug mode with optional category filtering (e.g., "api,hooks" or "!1p,!file")
  --debug-file <path>                               Write debug logs to a specific file path (implicitly enables debug mode)
  --disable-slash-commands                          Disable all skills
  --disallowedTools, --disallowed-tools <tools...>  Comma or space-separated list of tool names to deny (e.g. "Bash(git:*) Edit")
  --effort <level>                                  Effort level for the current session (low, medium, high, max)
  --exclude-dynamic-system-prompt-sections          Move per-machine sections (cwd, env info, memory paths, git status) from the system prompt into the first user message. Improves cross-user prompt-cache reuse. Only applies with the default system prompt (ignored with --system-prompt). (default: false)
  --fallback-model <model>                          Enable automatic fallback to specified model when default model is overloaded (only works with --print)
  --file <specs...>                                 File resources to download at startup. Format: file_id:relative_path (e.g., --file file_abc:doc.txt file_def:img.png)
  --fork-session                                    When resuming, create a new session ID instead of reusing the original (use with --resume or --continue)
  --from-pr [value]                                 Resume a session linked to a PR by PR number/URL, or open interactive picker with optional search term
  -h, --help                                        Display help for command
  --ide                                             Automatically connect to IDE on startup if exactly one valid IDE is available
  --include-hook-events                             Include all hook lifecycle events in the output stream (only works with --output-format=stream-json)
  --include-partial-messages                        Include partial message chunks as they arrive (only works with --print and --output-format=stream-json)
  --input-format <format>                           Input format (only works with --print): "text" (default), or "stream-json" (realtime streaming input) (choices: "text", "stream-json")
  --json-schema <schema>                            JSON Schema for structured output validation. Example: {"type":"object","properties":{"name":{"type":"string"}},"required":["name"]}
  --max-budget-usd <amount>                         Maximum dollar amount to spend on API calls (only works with --print)
  --mcp-config <configs...>                         Load MCP servers from JSON files or strings (space-separated)
  --mcp-debug                                       [DEPRECATED. Use --debug instead] Enable MCP debug mode (shows MCP server errors)
  --model <model>                                   Model for the current session. Provide an alias for the latest model (e.g. 'sonnet' or 'opus') or a model's full name (e.g. 'claude-sonnet-4-6').
  -n, --name <name>                                 Set a display name for this session (shown in /resume and terminal title)
  --no-chrome                                       Disable Claude in Chrome integration
  --no-session-persistence                          Disable session persistence - sessions will not be saved to disk and cannot be resumed (only works with --print)
  --output-format <format>                          Output format (only works with --print): "text" (default), "json" (single result), or "stream-json" (realtime streaming) (choices: "text", "json", "stream-json")
  --permission-mode <mode>                          Permission mode to use for the session (choices: "acceptEdits", "auto", "bypassPermissions", "default", "dontAsk", "plan")
  --plugin-dir <path>                               Load plugins from a directory for this session only (repeatable: --plugin-dir A --plugin-dir B) (default: [])
  -p, --print                                       Print response and exit (useful for pipes). Note: The workspace trust dialog is skipped when Claude is run with the -p mode. Only use this flag in directories you trust.
  --remote-control-session-name-prefix <prefix>     Prefix for auto-generated Remote Control session names (default: hostname)
  --replay-user-messages                            Re-emit user messages from stdin back on stdout for acknowledgment (only works with --input-format=stream-json and --output-format=stream-json)
  -r, --resume [value]                              Resume a conversation by session ID, or open interactive picker with optional search term
  --session-id <uuid>                               Use a specific session ID for the conversation (must be a valid UUID)
  --setting-sources <sources>                       Comma-separated list of setting sources to load (user, project, local).
  --settings <file-or-json>                         Path to a settings JSON file or a JSON string to load additional settings from
  --strict-mcp-config                               Only use MCP servers from --mcp-config, ignoring all other MCP configurations
  --system-prompt <prompt>                          System prompt to use for the session
  --tmux                                            Create a tmux session for the worktree (requires --worktree). Uses iTerm2 native panes when available; use --tmux=classic for traditional tmux.
  --tools <tools...>                                Specify the list of available tools from the built-in set. Use "" to disable all tools, "default" to use all tools, or specify tool names (e.g. "Bash,Edit,Read").
  --verbose                                         Override verbose mode setting from config
  -v, --version                                     Output the version number
  -w, --worktree [name]                             Create a new git worktree for this session (optionally specify a name)

Commands:
  agents [options]                                  List configured agents
  auth                                              Manage authentication
  auto-mode                                         Inspect auto mode classifier configuration
  doctor                                            Check the health of your Claude Code auto-updater. Note: The workspace trust dialog is skipped and stdio servers from .mcp.json are spawned for health checks. Only use this command in directories you trust.
  install [options] [target]                        Install Claude Code native build. Use [target] to specify version (stable, latest, or specific version)
  mcp                                               Configure and manage MCP servers
  plugin|plugins                                    Manage Claude Code plugins
  setup-token                                       Set up a long-lived authentication token (requires Claude subscription)
  update|upgrade                                    Check for updates and install if available

What Should Happen?

92 column output:

% claude -h
Usage: claude [options] [command] [prompt]

Claude Code - starts an interactive session by default, use -p/--print for non-interactive
output

Arguments:
  prompt                                            Your prompt

Options:
  --add-dir <directories...>                        Additional directories to allow tool
                                                    access to
  --agent <agent>                                   Agent for the current session.
                                                    Overrides the 'agent' setting.
  --agents <json>                                   JSON object defining custom agents
                                                    (e.g. '{"reviewer": {"description":
                                                    "Reviews code", "prompt": "You are a
                                                    code reviewer"}}')
  --allow-dangerously-skip-permissions              Enable bypassing all permission checks
                                                    as an option, without it being enabled
                                                    by default. Recommended only for
                                                    sandboxes with no internet access.
  --allowedTools, --allowed-tools <tools...>        Comma or space-separated list of tool
                                                    names to allow (e.g. "Bash(git:*)
                                                    Edit")
  --append-system-prompt <prompt>                   Append a system prompt to the default
                                                    system prompt
  --bare                                            Minimal mode: skip hooks, LSP, plugin
                                                    sync, attribution, auto-memory,
                                                    background prefetches, keychain reads,
                                                    and CLAUDE.md auto-discovery. Sets
                                                    CLAUDE_CODE_SIMPLE=1. Anthropic auth is
                                                    strictly ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or
                                                    apiKeyHelper via --settings (OAuth and
                                                    keychain are never read). 3P providers
                                                    (Bedrock/Vertex/Foundry) use their own
                                                    credentials. Skills still resolve via
                                                    /skill-name. Explicitly provide context
                                                    via: --system-prompt[-file],
                                                    --append-system-prompt[-file],
                                                    --add-dir (CLAUDE.md dirs),
                                                    --mcp-config, --settings, --agents,
                                                    --plugin-dir.
  --betas <betas...>                                Beta headers to include in API requests
                                                    (API key users only)
  --brief                                           Enable SendUserMessage tool for
                                                    agent-to-user communication
  --chrome                                          Enable Claude in Chrome integration
  -c, --continue                                    Continue the most recent conversation
                                                    in the current directory
  --dangerously-skip-permissions                    Bypass all permission checks.
                                                    Recommended only for sandboxes with no
                                                    internet access.
  -d, --debug [filter]                              Enable debug mode with optional
                                                    category filtering (e.g., "api,hooks"
                                                    or "!1p,!file")
  --debug-file <path>                               Write debug logs to a specific file
                                                    path (implicitly enables debug mode)
  --disable-slash-commands                          Disable all skills
  --disallowedTools, --disallowed-tools <tools...>  Comma or space-separated list of tool
                                                    names to deny (e.g. "Bash(git:*) Edit")
  --effort <level>                                  Effort level for the current session
                                                    (low, medium, high, max)
  --exclude-dynamic-system-prompt-sections          Move per-machine sections (cwd, env
                                                    info, memory paths, git status) from
                                                    the system prompt into the first user
                                                    message. Improves cross-user
                                                    prompt-cache reuse. Only applies with
                                                    the default system prompt (ignored with
                                                    --system-prompt). (default: false)
  --fallback-model <model>                          Enable automatic fallback to specified
                                                    model when default model is overloaded
                                                    (only works with --print)
  --file <specs...>                                 File resources to download at startup.
                                                    Format: file_id:relative_path (e.g.,
                                                    --file file_abc:doc.txt
                                                    file_def:img.png)
  --fork-session                                    When resuming, create a new session ID
                                                    instead of reusing the original (use
                                                    with --resume or --continue)
  --from-pr [value]                                 Resume a session linked to a PR by PR
                                                    number/URL, or open interactive picker
                                                    with optional search term
  -h, --help                                        Display help for command
  --ide                                             Automatically connect to IDE on startup
                                                    if exactly one valid IDE is available
  --include-hook-events                             Include all hook lifecycle events in
                                                    the output stream (only works with
                                                    --output-format=stream-json)
  --include-partial-messages                        Include partial message chunks as they
                                                    arrive (only works with --print and
                                                    --output-format=stream-json)
  --input-format <format>                           Input format (only works with --print):
                                                    "text" (default), or "stream-json"
                                                    (realtime streaming input) (choices:
                                                    "text", "stream-json")
  --json-schema <schema>                            JSON Schema for structured output
                                                    validation. Example:
                                                    {"type":"object","properties":{"name":{"type":"string"}},"required":["name"]}
  --max-budget-usd <amount>                         Maximum dollar amount to spend on API
                                                    calls (only works with --print)
  --mcp-config <configs...>                         Load MCP servers from JSON files or
                                                    strings (space-separated)
  --mcp-debug                                       [DEPRECATED. Use --debug instead]
                                                    Enable MCP debug mode (shows MCP server
                                                    errors)
  --model <model>                                   Model for the current session. Provide
                                                    an alias for the latest model (e.g.
                                                    'sonnet' or 'opus') or a model's full
                                                    name (e.g. 'claude-sonnet-4-6').
  -n, --name <name>                                 Set a display name for this session
                                                    (shown in /resume and terminal title)
  --no-chrome                                       Disable Claude in Chrome integration
  --no-session-persistence                          Disable session persistence - sessions
                                                    will not be saved to disk and cannot be
                                                    resumed (only works with --print)
  --output-format <format>                          Output format (only works with
                                                    --print): "text" (default), "json"
                                                    (single result), or "stream-json"
                                                    (realtime streaming) (choices: "text",
                                                    "json", "stream-json")
  --permission-mode <mode>                          Permission mode to use for the session
                                                    (choices: "acceptEdits", "auto",
                                                    "bypassPermissions", "default",
                                                    "dontAsk", "plan")
  --plugin-dir <path>                               Load plugins from a directory for this
                                                    session only (repeatable: --plugin-dir
                                                    A --plugin-dir B) (default: [])
  -p, --print                                       Print response and exit (useful for
                                                    pipes). Note: The workspace trust
                                                    dialog is skipped when Claude is run
                                                    with the -p mode. Only use this flag in
                                                    directories you trust.
  --remote-control-session-name-prefix <prefix>     Prefix for auto-generated Remote
                                                    Control session names (default:
                                                    hostname)
  --replay-user-messages                            Re-emit user messages from stdin back
                                                    on stdout for acknowledgment (only
                                                    works with --input-format=stream-json
                                                    and --output-format=stream-json)
  -r, --resume [value]                              Resume a conversation by session ID, or
                                                    open interactive picker with optional
                                                    search term
  --session-id <uuid>                               Use a specific session ID for the
                                                    conversation (must be a valid UUID)
  --setting-sources <sources>                       Comma-separated list of setting sources
                                                    to load (user, project, local).
  --settings <file-or-json>                         Path to a settings JSON file or a JSON
                                                    string to load additional settings from
  --strict-mcp-config                               Only use MCP servers from --mcp-config,
                                                    ignoring all other MCP configurations
  --system-prompt <prompt>                          System prompt to use for the session
  --tmux                                            Create a tmux session for the worktree
                                                    (requires --worktree). Uses iTerm2
                                                    native panes when available; use
                                                    --tmux=classic for traditional tmux.
  --tools <tools...>                                Specify the list of available tools
                                                    from the built-in set. Use "" to
                                                    disable all tools, "default" to use all
                                                    tools, or specify tool names (e.g.
                                                    "Bash,Edit,Read").
  --verbose                                         Override verbose mode setting from
                                                    config
  -v, --version                                     Output the version number
  -w, --worktree [name]                             Create a new git worktree for this
                                                    session (optionally specify a name)

Commands:
  agents [options]                                  List configured agents
  auth                                              Manage authentication
  auto-mode                                         Inspect auto mode classifier
                                                    configuration
  doctor                                            Check the health of your Claude Code
                                                    auto-updater. Note: The workspace trust
                                                    dialog is skipped and stdio servers
                                                    from .mcp.json are spawned for health
                                                    checks. Only use this command in
                                                    directories you trust.
  install [options] [target]                        Install Claude Code native build. Use
                                                    [target] to specify version (stable,
                                                    latest, or specific version)
  mcp                                               Configure and manage MCP servers
  plugin|plugins                                    Manage Claude Code plugins
  setup-token                                       Set up a long-lived authentication
                                                    token (requires Claude subscription)
  update|upgrade                                    Check for updates and install if
                                                    available

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Just run claude -h to reproduce

Claude Model

N/A (pertains to the CLI)

Is this a regression?

I don't know if this is a regression.

Last Working Version

Unknown, if applicable.

Claude Code Version

2.1.101 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

Reproducible with both Terminal.app and Ghostty. This issue relates to terminal width, not the terminal itself.

extent analysis

TL;DR

The issue is likely due to the terminal width being too narrow to display the help text properly, causing wrapping issues.

Guidance

  • Check the terminal width and try increasing it to see if the issue resolves itself.
  • Look for any options in the claude command to adjust the output formatting or width.
  • Consider using a different terminal or shell to see if the issue is specific to the current environment.
  • If the issue persists, try using the --help option with a specific command or subcommand to see if the output is formatted differently.

Example

No specific code example is applicable in this case, as the issue appears to be related to terminal settings rather than code.

Notes

The issue may be specific to the claude command or the Anthropic API, and further investigation may be needed to determine the root cause. The fact that the issue is reproducible with different terminals suggests that it may be related to the command itself rather than the environment.

Recommendation

Apply workaround: increase terminal width to at least 92 columns to see if the issue resolves itself. If the issue persists, consider reaching out to the developers of the claude command or the Anthropic API for further assistance.

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