Practical guide

Turn on Claude Code’s screen-reader mode

Use sequential terminal output and labelled messages instead of an interface that redraws in place.

Based on product documentation. Examples and suggested prompts are editorial advice.

Before you start

You need Claude Code 2.1.181 or later, an account with access and a terminal you can use with your assistive technology. Version 2.1.206 or later adds a startup notice naming how the mode was activated.

claude --version

Turn it on for one session

  1. Open a terminal in a folder you may inspect.
  2. Run the command below.
  3. Check the startup notice on versions that provide it.
  4. Ask for a small read-only task.
  5. Check how your screen reader announces the output.
claude --ax-screen-reader

List the files in this folder. Do not change anything.

What to expect

Messages use labels such as you:, claude:, tool: and Permission Required:. Menus use numbered choices. The example below illustrates the format; it is not a recording of a tested session.

you: List the files.
claude: I will inspect the folder.
tool: [file listing]

Keep it on in PowerShell

To apply the environment setting to subsequent Claude sessions in the current PowerShell window, run the following before starting Claude. Closing this terminal removes this session-only setting.

$env:CLAUDE_AX_SCREEN_READER = "1"
claude

To undo it in that window, remove the variable before starting a new session:

Remove-Item Env:CLAUDE_AX_SCREEN_READER

If output or alerts do not work

Check the Claude Code version and whether the mode was activated. Check your terminal bell settings if you need an audible alert. Report problems with your operating system, terminal, screen reader and versions. CLAUDE_CODE_ACCESSIBILITY is a different cursor-visibility setting and does not activate this mode.

Availability and limits

This mode changes terminal presentation. It does not guarantee compatibility with every screen reader or make generated code correct. These steps are documentation-checked; no specific screen-reader and terminal combination was tested for this guide.

Sources and checks

Documentation checked: 2026-10-10. Product steps have not been tested in a signed-in vendor app for this edition.

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