Anthropic tests Code Mode on 4 Claude models

Anthropic added Code Mode to Claude Code on the 12th of November 2026, its changelog showed. In this test mode, Claude writes a short JavaScript program that runs several of its tools at once.

Claude Code is Anthropic's AI helper for programmers. It works in a terminal, a text window for commands.

How it works

Without Code Mode, Claude asks for one tool at a time, such as reading or editing a file. It reads each result before the next step.

With Code Mode, one piece of code can run commands side by side and pass results along, Anthropic's guide said. Claude then reads only the part of the output it needs.

Where it helps

Anthropic suggests it for changes repeated across many files, or searches that need sorting first. ## Limits

Code Mode is off by default and may change or be removed, Anthropic said. Code stops after ten minutes unless it can run in the background.

It needs version 2.1.323 or later and one of 4 models: Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5, Haiku 5.5 or Fable 5.2. It does not work in the desktop app, the VS Code panel or cloud sessions.

Safety rules stay

Each tool call still passes the user's permission rules, Anthropic said. In auto mode, a checker reviews the whole code.

Below we break down the change

A job with ten steps can become one request, the site AIToolsRecap wrote. That saves nine round trips, by our arithmetic.

What is confirmed and what is not

Anthropic has not published speed or cost figures for Code Mode.

Key facts

Anthropic added Code Mode to Claude Code on the 12th of November 2026.

Claude writes JavaScript that runs several tools in one step.

It is off by default and works with 4 Claude models.

Code stops after ten minutes unless it runs in the background.