---

name: claude-settings-manager description: View and configure Claude Code settings.json files across user, project, local, and managed scopes.

Claude Code Settings Manager

Manage Claude Code configuration through settings.json files.

IMPORTANT: After modifying settings, always inform the user that they need to restart Claude Code (exit and relaunch) for changes to take effect. Most settings are only loaded at startup.

Settings File Locations

Precedence (highest to lowest): Managed → Command line → Local → Project → User

Quick Actions

View Current Settings

Copycat ~/.claude/settings.json 2>/dev/null || echo "No user settings"
cat .claude/settings.json 2>/dev/null || echo "No project settings"
cat .claude/settings.local.json 2>/dev/null || echo "No local settings"

Create/Edit Settings

Use the Edit or Write tool to modify settings files. Always read existing content first to merge changes.

Common Configuration Tasks

Set Default Model

Copy{
  "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929"
}

Configure Permissions

Copy{
  "permissions": {
    "allow": ["Bash(npm run:*)", "Bash(git:*)"],
    "deny": ["Read(.env)", "Read(.env.*)", "WebFetch"],
    "defaultMode": "allowEdits"
  }
}

Add Environment Variables

Copy{
  "env": {
    "MY_VAR": "value",
    "CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TELEMETRY": "1"
  }
}

Enable Extended Thinking

Copy{
  "alwaysThinkingEnabled": true
}

Configure Attribution

Copy{
  "attribution": {
    "commit": "Generated with AI\n\nCo-Authored-By: AI <ai@example.com>",
    "pr": ""
  }
}

Configure Sandbox

Copy{
  "sandbox": {
    "enabled": true,
    "autoAllowBashIfSandboxed": true,
    "excludedCommands": ["docker", "git"]
  }
}

Configure Hooks

Copy{
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": {
      "Bash": "echo 'Running command...'"
    }
  }
}

Scope Selection Guide

• User settings (~/.claude/settings.json): Personal preferences across all projects
• Project settings (.claude/settings.json): Team-shared settings, commit to git
• Local settings (.claude/settings.local.json): Personal project overrides, not committed

Workflow

1. Determine scope: Ask user which scope (user/project/local) if not specified
2. Read existing settings: Always read current file before modifying
3. Merge changes: Preserve existing settings, only modify requested keys
4. Validate JSON: Ensure valid JSON before writing
5. Confirm changes: Show user the final settings
6. Remind to restart: Tell user to restart Claude Code for changes to take effect

Reference

For complete settings reference including all available options, environment variables, and advanced configuration, see references/settings-reference.md.