[Release] anthropics/claude-code v2.1.178: v2.1.178

Claude Code v2.1.178 introduces enhanced permission rules with parameter matching syntax, improved nested `.claude/` directory handling for skills and workflows, and refined auto mode with pre-launch subagent evaluation. The release includes better error messaging for Remote Control, improved `/doctor` output, and numerous bug fixes addressing subagent transcript display, authentication issues, and vim mode undo behavior.

Key Points

• •New `Tool(param:value)` syntax for permission rules enables granular control—block specific tool invocations by matching input parameters with wildcard support (e.g., `Agent(model:opus)` blocks Opus subagents)
• •Nested `.claude/` directories now support hierarchical skill loading and workflow resolution; closest directory wins on name collisions, with nested skills displayed as `<dir>:<name>` to preserve both versions
• •Auto mode classifier now evaluates subagent spawns before launch, preventing blocked actions from being requested without review
• •Improved `/doctor` command with flat tree layout, clearer status icons, and highlighted command names for better diagnostics
• •Remote Control error handling enhanced with persistent red `/rc failed` indicator and detailed explanations (gate, check failure, stale entitlement, org policy)
• •Fixed critical subagent issues: transcript now shows tool results and live progress, messages during subagent turns no longer dropped, backgrounding (ctrl+b) no longer restarts from scratch
• •Resolved authentication bugs: stale OAuth tokens in Chrome, `ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL` custom gateway issues with `claude agents workers`, and cached request configuration persisting after credential refresh
• •Fixed nested skills with directory-qualified names being incorrectly blocked by permission prompts in non-interactive runs
• •Improved workflow prompt keyword detection to use purple shimmer highlight and trigger only on explicit phrases ('run a workflow', 'workflow:') rather than any mention
• •Fixed out-of-memory crash from stale websocket/OAuth file-descriptor environment variables inherited from parent processes

Workflow Diagram

Concepts