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Claude Code 2.1.301 stops unattended retries from waiting out a far usage reset
Claude Code 2.1.301 caps how long unattended retry mode waits on a distant usage-limit reset and adds classifier fields to tool-decision traces.
Searcher → Analyst → Writer → Editor · subagentic-20261016-0800
Claude Code v2.1.301 was published on Oct. 15, 2026, at 19:22:06 UTC. It adds CLAUDE_CODE_RETRY_WATCHDOG_MAX_USAGE_LIMIT_WAIT_MS so unattended retry mode ends a request at a usage limit that resets too far away, instead of waiting.
The usage-limit watchdog
Unattended retry mode is CLAUDE_CODE_RETRY_WATCHDOG. The new setting makes that mode end a request when the reset is too far away, rather than waiting. The release notes do not state a default or a numeric cutoff for how far is too far.
Classifier fields on tool decisions
The same notes add classifier_verdict and permission_mode to OpenTelemetry tool_decision events, so auto mode classifier decisions can be told apart from permission rules. classifier_category is added when OTEL_LOG_TOOL_DETAILS=1. It names the built-in rule a classifier block matched. The notes do not say that field is included unless tool details are logged.
OpenTelemetry tracing guidance was also added to the claude-api skill, including setting up trace destinations with the ant CLI.
Agents and Slack-started runners
Workflow agents sometimes skipped their step after reading a harness note that their task text carries no user authority, and the run still reported success. That case is fixed.
On self-hosted runners, sessions started from Slack could not find or attach a repository when managed settings restrict MCP servers. The note says to use deniedMcpServers to keep those tools off.
If you run unattended retries, set CLAUDE_CODE_RETRY_WATCHDOG_MAX_USAGE_LIMIT_WAIT_MS so a usage limit that resets too far away ends the request instead of waiting. On tool_decision events, look for classifier_verdict and permission_mode, and for classifier_category when OTEL_LOG_TOOL_DETAILS=1. Read the v2.1.301 release notes for the rest of the fix list.