Output style
A setting that changes how responds. See what it is, how it works, how it is used and what to watch for, with pictures and examples.
What it is
An output style is a set of instructions that sets 's role, tone and response format for every response in a session. You pick it once instead of repeating the same request in each . starts in the Default style and has four more built-in styles, and you can write your own as a file. A custom style can even turn Claude into something other than a engineer, such as a writing assistant.
How it works
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Open /output-style or /config
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Pick a built-in or custom style
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The choice is saved in settings
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Your next message uses it
How to use it
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/output-style conciseanswers lead with the result and skip the lead-in and recap.
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Explanatory and Learning — add short
Insightblocks, and Learning also leaves smallTODO(human)pieces for you to write. -
.claude/output-styles/save a Markdown file here to make a project style;
~/.claude/output-stylesis for your own styles. -
keep-coding-instructionsset to
truein the frontmatter to keep Claude Code's instructions next to your style.
Watch out
An output style is an instruction Claude follows, not a guarantee; for something that must happen every time, use a hook. It is different from CLAUDE.md, which holds what Claude should know about your project and stays loaded whatever style you pick. Styles apply to the main conversation and forks, but other use their own .
Related terms
Original and official docs
This page explains the term in plain words. The original is the authority: if they differ, follow the original.
- See this term in the originalClaude Code Docs — Glossary Anthropic · checked 2026-10-19
- Anthropic — Claude Code docs: Output styles — Built in output styles(opens in a new window)
- Anthropic — Claude Code docs: Output styles — How output styles work(opens in a new window)
- Anthropic — Output styles(opens in a new window)