# Change how Claude Code responds with output styles

> List, switch, and build output styles in Claude Code with /output-style, and see how a style differs from CLAUDE.md and the system prompt.

- Canonical: https://guides-ai.com/guides/claude-code-output-styles/
- Plate 03.13 · Topic: Claude Code commands (https://guides-ai.com/topics/commands/)
- Published: 21 Oct 2026 · 3 min read
- Source site: guides-ai — https://guides-ai.com/

An output style is a set of instructions that sets Claude's role, tone, and response format for a
whole session, so you don't repeat the request in every prompt. Claude Code ships four built-in
styles besides the default and lets you write your own.

## 1. List the styles you have

```text
/output-style
```

Run it with no argument to list every style and mark the current one. The built-ins are Proactive,
Concise, Explanatory, and Learning, plus the Default.

## 2. Switch with /output-style

```text
/output-style concise
```

Pass a style name to switch; the choice saves to `.claude/settings.local.json` and applies from
your next message. The command ignores case.

## 3. Create a custom style

A custom style is a Markdown file: frontmatter, then the instructions for Claude.

```markdown
---
name: Diagrams first
description: Lead every explanation with a diagram
keep-coding-instructions: true
---

Start each explanation with a Mermaid diagram, then explain in prose.
```

Set `keep-coding-instructions: true` to keep Claude Code's engineering instructions alongside yours.

## 4. Know where styles live

```text
~/.claude/output-styles/    # user level, all projects
.claude/output-styles/      # project level, this repo
```

Save the file at the user or project level. Claude Code reads style files at startup, so restart
the session after you add or edit one.

## 5. Output style vs CLAUDE.md or system prompt

A style shapes how Claude responds; it is an instruction, not a guarantee. For what Claude should
know about your project, use [CLAUDE.md](/guides/create-claude-md-project-memory/). To persist your
style choice across projects, set `outputStyle` in [settings.json](/guides/claude-code-settings-json/).

## Verify it worked

Run `/output-style`, confirm your style is marked current, send a message, and check the reply
matches the style.

**If it fails:**

- **The reply ignores the style** — on a version before v2.1.251 a mid-session switch applied only
  after `/clear`; run `/clear` or restart.
- **A custom style is missing from the list** — you created the file during a running session;
  styles load at startup, so restart Claude Code.
- **`outputStyle` is ignored in settings** — the value is case-sensitive, so write `Concise`, not
  `concise`; the official [output styles docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/output-styles) list
  every field.