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Choose the right Claude Code effort level.
Describe the work ahead, then get a practical starting point and a command you can copy. This is a decision aid, not a token or cost estimate.
Try the calculator ↓Find a starting effort level
Seven quick choices. Calculated in your browser; no prompt or project files are sent.
What each level means
low
Quick, tightly scoped work where latency matters.
medium
A lighter option for cost-sensitive work.
high
A balanced choice for most coding tasks.
xhigh
Deeper reasoning when coordination and uncertainty rise.
max
The deepest pass for demanding work; test whether the extra effort pays off.
auto
Remove an override and use the active model’s default.
These labels are calibrated per model. Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6 do not offer xhigh; organization settings may cap effort. Model access and defaults can vary by provider and Claude Code version. The calculator is a heuristic, not an Anthropic recommendation or a guaranteed outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does effort set an exact token budget?
No. Effort guides how deeply a supported model reasons and works. Actual usage depends on the model and task. It is not a hard token or cost cap.
Does higher effort make Claude know more?
No. Effort changes how much work the same model tends to do on a request; it does not change its training knowledge.
What does auto mean?
Auto clears your saved effort override for the active model and uses its default. The default can change with the model or Claude Code version.
When should I use max?
Reserve max for demanding tasks where a deeper pass may help. It may cost more and can overthink. Compare its result against a lower level on your own work.
Why is xhigh unavailable on my model?
The available levels vary by model, provider, and Claude Code version. Anthropic currently lists Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6 without xhigh; a request for xhigh falls back to high.
Official sources and next steps
Confirm commands and model availability in Anthropic’s current documentation:
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