Claude Code v2.1.68: Medium Effort Default and Ultrathink Returns
Claude Code v2.1.68 introduces medium effort as the default for Opus 4.6, brings back the ultrathink keyword, and streamlines model availability for enhanced performance.
Claude Code v2.1.68 brings significant improvements to the Opus 4.6 experience, focusing on finding the perfect balance between speed and thoroughness for power users. This release introduces smarter defaults while maintaining the flexibility that Claude Code users love.
What’s New
Medium Effort Now Default for Opus 4.6
Max and Team subscribers will now experience medium effort as the default setting for Opus 4.6. This sweet spot between speed and thoroughness has been carefully calibrated to handle most coding tasks efficiently without sacrificing quality. The medium effort setting provides:
- Faster response times compared to high effort
- More thorough analysis than low effort
- Optimal performance for everyday coding tasks
- Better resource utilization
Don’t worry about flexibility – you can still adjust this setting anytime using the /model command to suit your specific needs.
Return of Ultrathink
By popular demand, the “ultrathink” keyword is back! When you need maximum thoroughness for complex problems, simply include “ultrathink” in your prompt to enable high effort mode for that specific turn. This gives you granular control over when to use Claude’s most intensive reasoning capabilities.
Streamlined Model Availability
To ensure all users have access to the best performance, Opus 4 and 4.1 have been removed from Claude Code’s first-party API. Users who had these older models pinned will be automatically migrated to Opus 4.6, ensuring continuity while providing access to the latest improvements.
How to Update
Claude Code will automatically update to v2.1.68. No manual action is required from users. If you had Opus 4 or 4.1 pinned, you’ll automatically be moved to Opus 4.6 with the new medium effort default.
To customize your model settings after the update, use the /model command in your Claude Code interface.