Claude Code · tool · fg-0487

claude -p --output-format stream-json exits with 'requires --verbose'

Error: When using --print, --output-format=stream-json requires --verbose

Verified 2026-10-15 · Confirmed by 0 builders · Trust 50/100

Cause

Print mode refuses stream-json output unless --verbose is also passed. The text and json formats do not need it, and the docs show --verbose in every stream-json example without saying it is required.

Fix

Add --verbose whenever --output-format stream-json is used with -p.

Apply

claude -p --output-format stream-json --verbose --include-partial-messages "query"

Affects: Claude Code 2.1.296, reproduced 2026-10-15

Sources

• https://code.claude.com/docs/en/headless
• https://code.claude.com/docs/en/cli-reference

claude mcp add --transport http footgun https://getfootgun.com/api/mcp