Claude Code v2.1.94 Changes Default Effort from Medium to High for All Non-Free Users — Better Output Quality at Higher Token Cost

Claude Code Docs·high signal

Starting in v2.1.94 (April 7), Claude Code's default effort level changed from medium to high for API-key, Bedrock, Vertex, Foundry, Team, and Enterprise users. This means more thorough reasoning and higher-quality output by default, at the cost of more tokens per turn. Users can control this with the /effort command or via effort: frontmatter in skills. Free-tier users remain on medium. This is a silent quality boost that most users won't notice except in improved output and slightly higher bills.