[Release] anthropics/claude-code v2.1.198: v2.1.198

Claude Code v2.1.198 introduces Claude in Chrome as generally available, adds background agent notifications and a new `/dataviz` skill for chart design, and expands upstream provider support with Claude Platform on AWS. The release includes significant improvements to agent workflows, including automatic PR creation for code work, better error handling with transient retry logic, and inheritance of session configurations by subagents. Multiple bug fixes address agent lifecycle management, network resilience, UI rendering, and authentication token refresh.

Key Points

• •Claude in Chrome is now generally available for broader user access
• •Background agents automatically commit, push, and open draft PRs when finishing code work instead of waiting for user input
• •Added `Notification` hook system (`agent_needs_input` / `agent_completed`) for background agent session management
• •New `/dataviz` skill provides chart and dashboard design guidance with runnable color-palette validator
• •Subagents and context compaction now inherit session's extended thinking configuration for improved output quality
• •Transient network errors (ECONNRESET) now retry with backoff instead of immediately failing
• •Claude Platform on AWS (anthropicAws) added as upstream provider with improved failover chain handling
• •Fixed AWS STS token expiration with automatic `awsAuthRefresh` to prevent dead-ended sessions
• •Improved agent team resilience: failed teammates now report status and stuck teammates can be awakened for retry
• •Enhanced focus mode with subagent activity summaries and folded background notifications

Workflow Diagram

Concepts