# Claude Code skips AGENTS.md without telemetry

> Claude Code 2.1.277 ignores AGENTS.md when telemetry is off.
- Title: Claude Code skips AGENTS.md without telemetry | Shortify
- Summary: Claude Code 2.1.277 ignores AGENTS.md when telemetry is off. Claude Code 2.1.277 skips AGENTS.md files when telemetry is disabled, causing users to lose…
- Keywords: claude code, agents md, telemetry, project instructions, codex, claude, environment variables, feature flag, technology, startups, Code, skips
- Source: blog.szypowi.cz · Hitchhiking through raw bits — https://blog.szypowi.cz/p/claude-code-reads-agents.md-only-when-telemetry-is-on
- Published: 2026-09-23T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: claude code, agents md, telemetry, project instructions, codex, claude, environment variables, feature flag, technology, startups
## Claude Code 2.1.277
Claude Code 2.1.277 announced support for AGENTS.md but only reads it when telemetry is on.

> AGENTS.md as project instructions: by default loaded where the project has no CLAUDE.md; ...
## The gate
The loader uses a feature flag called tengu_agents_md_mod that requires network access to check.

> W is the plugin's isOnByDefault value and it is false. B is isAvailable, and it asks a remote feature flag called tengu_agents_md_mod, with false as the fallback.
## How I tested it
I created an empty directory with AGENTS.md containing a canary word and ran claude -p to test the feature.

> echo 'The canary word is PERIWINKLE.' > AGENTS.md
## What I measured
CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC=1 and DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1 both block AGENTS.md loading without session-level overrides.

> Setting either variable to 0 does not help. The block stays in place.
## The workaround
A one-line CLAUDE.md with @AGENTS.md imports the file without requiring telemetry.

> echo '@AGENTS.md' > CLAUDE.md
## Why it's unacceptable
Users who disable telemetry lose project instructions silently, causing confusion and wasted time.

> The silence is the worst part. I confirmed the cause with a canary word and a string search through the binary, and most people will not do that.
## What I'd like to see
A startup warning when AGENTS.md is skipped and native support for shared agent skills.

> Reading a local file should not depend on telemetry. If the gate has to stay for a gradual rollout, a startup warning when an AGENTS.md is present and skipped would save people the time I spent on a canary test.
## Key takeaway

Claude Code 2.1.277 skips AGENTS.md files when telemetry is disabled, causing users to lose project instructions without warning.