Claude Code Release Notes

Claude Code v2.1.4 Release Notes

Claude Code v2.1.4 introduces new environment variable controls for background tasks and fixes OAuth token refresh issues.

January 11, 2026 • 2 min read • By Claude World

Claude Code v2.1.4 is now available with important improvements for power users who need more control over background processes and enhanced reliability for authentication features.

What’s New

Background Task Control

This release introduces the CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_BACKGROUND_TASKS environment variable, giving users complete control over background functionality. When enabled, this setting:

  • Disables all background task functionality
  • Turns off auto-backgrounding features
  • Disables the Ctrl+B keyboard shortcut

This is particularly useful for users working in resource-constrained environments or those who prefer manual control over all Claude Code operations.

OAuth Token Refresh Fix

We’ve resolved an issue with the “Help improve Claude” setting that could fail due to stale OAuth tokens. The fix includes:

  • Automatic OAuth token refresh when the setting fetch fails
  • Improved retry logic for authentication errors
  • More reliable connection to Claude’s improvement feedback system

How to Update

To update to Claude Code v2.1.4:

  1. Check your current version using the built-in version checker
  2. Download the latest release from the official repository
  3. Follow the standard installation procedure for your operating system
  4. Restart Claude Code to ensure all changes take effect